Classic Mekong River Cruise, Saigon to Angkor Wat in Style

A relaxed exploration of two fascinating countries from the luxury of 'the most splendid ship on the Mekong'.

This relaxed tour highlights the very best of Vietnam and Cambodia taking in cultural and natural wonders, historic sights and beautiful scenery whilst travelling in real style throughout.

Our journey starts with a tour of the evocative sights of Saigon, Vietnam’s largest city and an absorbing blend of ancient cultural traditions and modern economic dynamo. From there we begin our seven-night cruise along the Mekong River aboard either the luxurious RV Mekong Pandaw or RV Tonle Pandaw. On board we relax on the sundeck, in the spa or in our spacious cabins and we enjoy nightly entertainment and exceptional cuisine.

Each day we take excursions by boat, cyclo and on foot to reveal fascinating aspects of local life and culture. Crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia we visit the ornate palaces and pagodas of Phnom Penh, witness the haunting remains of the Killing Fields, explore floating villages and markets, enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Tonle River and observe the Irrawaddy dolphins, unique to Asian waters (May to December). Our cruise ends in Siem Reap where we tour the incomparable temple complex of Angkor Wat.

Please note, between mid February and the end of March there may be low water levels. Alternate itinerary and excursions will apply should we not be able to reach Kratie and the river dolphins.

1. Day 1 - Fly London to Saigon

   Fly London to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) by overnight flight.

   Overnight: In flight

2. Day 2 - Arrive Saigon (Ho Chi minh City). Group transfer to hotel. Afternoon at leisure.

   On arrival in Saigon you will be met and transferred to the Intercontinental Asiana Hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to relax after your long flight and to adjust to the sights and sounds of this vibrant city, formerly the French colonial port of Saigon. Saigon is the capital of southern Vietnam and after Hanoi is the country's second city.
   

   Overnight: Intercontinental Asiana Hotel, Saigon

3. Day 3 - Full day sightseeing tour of Saigon including Cu Chi tunnels.

   Today after breakfast you wilI be taken to the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels, approximately 1½ hours drive from Saigon. The complicated underground network was built by the Viet Cong guerillas and used extensively during the Vietnam War. En route to the tunnels you may have the chance to see how rural people live and work, seeing occupations such as rice farming and the production of rice paper - a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. You will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
   
   In the afternoon you will have a tour of the city. It is easy to walk around the central district and to explore the broad leafy boulevards and splendid French colonial architecture - Notre Dame Cathedral and the General Post Office. You will also see the former US Embassy, City Hall, the Reunification Hall and War Museum of Remnants. You will end the day with a visit to Ben Thanh market, a busy market and one of Saigon's liveliest areas, selling everything from foodstuffs to souvenirs.

   You will then be taken back to your hotel. Saigon is a great place to dine with some excellent French and Vietnamese restaurants.

   Overnight: Intercontinental Asiana Hotel, Saigon

4. Day 4 - Transfer from your hotel to the port of My Tho to embark your cruise. Rest of the day at leisure.

   

   This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to My Tho port situated on the Mekong Delta, where you will be welcomed on board your cruise vessel, the RV Mekong Pandaw. Your Vietnamese guide will be ready to welcome you from 10am at the front of the hotel, where you can leave your luggage. Please then feel free to join the rest of your group in the Purple Jade Bar - 1st floor of the hotel. The coach will depart at 10.30am and will expect to arrive at My Tho Port around 12.30 noon.

   On arrival you will meet your crew and they will brief you about the ship and safety on board. After lunch, which will be served on board, your vessel will cast off for the start of your adventure on the river. Today you will get your first taste of life on the river with the lush green landscapes of the Mekong delta. You sail past paddy fields, orchards, sugar cane fields and villages of stilt houses as well as the varied traffic of the river such as elegant sampans and lumbering cargo boats.

   This afternoon there may be the opportunity to enjoy a lecture about 'Vietnamese History' given by your guide. Before dinner, you may be able to see a traditional Vietnamese music performance. You will also have your daily briefing for the next day.

   Dinner will be served in the dining room located on the main deck. Should you wish, you can enjoy a movie in the cinema after your meal.

   Please note: Your guide will collect your passports at the meeting point in order for immigration formalities to be arranged.

   Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

5. Day 5 - Morning and afternoon Sampan boat excursions

   For early risers, coffee and tea is available followed by breakfast in the dining room.

   After breakfast, you will take an exciting Sampan boat excursion to Cai Be village where you will see the production of coconut candy, pop rice and rice paper. There will also be the opportunity to buy souvenirs.

   This afternoon you will visit Sa Dec, along canals and backwaters, where there will be many photo opportunities. You will visit Sa Dec local market followed by a visit to the ancient house of Mr Huyn Thuy Le. The famous French novelist Marguerite Duras was inspired by Lee's biography and wrote the romantic novel - ''L' Amant - The Lover''.

   If you would like to opt out of an excursion for any reason on any day, then this is usually fine, just mention it to a crew member and stay on the ship.

   Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

6. Day 6 - Morning visit to a floating fish farm and Cham tribal village. Afternoon at leisure.

   After breakfast you will take a Sampan boat along the narrow Tan Chau canal to visit a floating fish farm and a Cham tribal village. A trip to visit the Cham villages is a must to view the catfish farms contained in great bamboo vats suspended beneath the floors of the Cham houseboats.

   After the excursion, you will return to the ship for your lunch and will then cast off for the Cambodian border where there will be the usual formalities.

   You will have the afternoon at leisure.

   Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

7. Day 7 - Morning city tour of Phnom Penh. Afternoon visit to the Killing Fields (optional).

   

   This morning you will travel by a cyclo to the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda which has silver floor tiles totalling five tons of gleaming silver. After, you will visit the National Museum which houses the world's finest collection of classical Angkor period sculpture. Please note that you are required to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, no shorts are allowed in the Royal Palace.

   Later on today you will have the option to visit the Killing Fields and Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. You will be taken by coach which will take approximately 1 hour. The Toul Sleng Museum provided the base for the Khmer Rouge security force and prison and interrogation centre, S21. The building, formerly a primary school, together with the photographs of many of the victims displayed on the walls, now stand testament to the brutality and murderous actions of the Pol Pot regime. After the prisoners were interrogated here they were taken to Choeung Ek to be executed. Many of the country's intellectuals along with some Westerners were labelled 'enemies of the revolution' and killed in this complex. There now stands a stupa filled with human skulls as a memorial to the victims.

   Important note - if you wish to opt out of this afternoon excursion to the Killing Fields and Genocide Museum, then this is fine, please let us know at the time of booking.

   There is ample time to enjoy your stay in Phnom Penh as the ship will be moored in the city jetty and you are free to go ashore at any time while the ship is there. There are various markets that you can walk to, such as the central market or the night market. Please note the port gate closes around 11.00pm. You are sure to have a memorable day in the capital of Cambodia.

   Back on the ship this evening you may enjoy a traditional Cambodian / Khmer shadow puppet show or other entertainment.

   Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

8. Day 8 - Morning village excursion and Ox cart ride. Afternoon visit to a silk weaving village.

   This morning, after breakfast, you will visit Prek Kdam, a silversmith village followed by an ox cart ride through the village of Kampong Trolach. There may be an opportunity to spend a little time at a local school.

   After lunch on the ship, you will have an afternoon visit to a silk weaving village, Chong Koh. These excursions on the Tonle river are very pretty and you will be able to observe the vibrant local life along the river banks.

   The ship cruises along the Tonle Sap river through narrow channels in remote areas. The wonderful landscape and natural environment is best observed from the sun deck. The Tonle river connects the Mekong main channel at Phnom Penh with the great Tonle Sap or lake. This section is the prettiest part of your river journey as the river narrows and passes through small rural villages, beautiful rice fields, woodland and hills. The Tonle river is of interest as it changes direction twice a year: firstly, with the coming of the monsoon in July the main Mekong channel backs up and floods the central Cambodian plain; and then after the monsoon, when the water level drops on the main Mekong channel, the river reverses and empties the lake waters.
   

   Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

9. Day 9 - Morning walk in the village of Angkor Ban. Afternoon visit to Wat Preah Angkoak temple.

   Early this morning you will enjoy a leisurely walk through the village of Angkor Ban; you will pass by a local food market, visit the the Pandaw library and see children in their school lessons.

   On your return to the ship there may be a lecture about life along the Mekong, or you could treat yourself to a spa treatment or simply relax on the sundeck or in the comfort of your cabin.

   This afternoon you will walk to Wat Preah Angkoak temple (a temple set in a cave).
   

   Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

10. Day 10 - Morning village visit to Chhloung. Afternoon visit to observe the unique ‘Irrawaddy’ dolphins (May - Dec) or visit Kampong Chhnang at the mouth of Tonle Sap lake (Jan - Apr)

    

    The day starts with a delightful walk to Chhloung village which has beautiful French colonial style buildings and fascinating houses on stilts. You will see monks, families and children going about their daily life.

    Today the ship will cruise towards Kratie, passing through beautiful Cambodian countryside on the way. Kratie is the capital of Kratie Province in eastern Cambodia. The small town has a population of about 13,000 and lies on the banks of the Mekong river.

    If you are travelling between May and December you will travel further upstream to witness the rare 'Irrawaddy dolphins'. These dolphins are unique to Asian rivers and can be found in the Ganges, Irrawaddy and Mekong. It really is a very moving sight and one not to be missed. During the drier months of January to April, when water levels are low, it is not possible to reach Kratie. Instead you will visit Kampong Chhang at the mouth of Tonle Sap Lake which is famed for its floating villages.

    This evening you will enjoy your final night on the ship and a farewell dinner, definitely a night to remember
    

    Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

11. Day 11 - Early morning transfer to the Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa. Afternoon visit to Angkor Wat.

    Today you will disembark the ship at around 08.30am and will be transferred to The Victoria Angkor Resort in Siem Reap by a comfortable, air conditioned coach. Refreshments will be provided and you will stop along the way for a short break. You will arrive at Siem Reap around mid afternoon. The transfer from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap takes approximately five hours. On arrival at your hotel you will be met and briefed by your guide who will look after you for the last part of your trip.

    After lunch at your hotel, you will visit Angkor Wat, the world famous temple of Cambodia. It is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. With its massive three tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 metres from ground level, this temple is the centrepiece of any visit to the temples of Angkor. Late afternoon is the best time for photography at Angkor Wat as the warm sunlight bathes the temples producing their familiar 'red glow' it is also the perfect time to take in the romantic view at sunset from Bakheng Hill.

    You will then return back to your hotel. There are many nearby restaurants serving Asian or Western cuisine.
    

    Overnight: Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa, Siem Reap

12. Day 12 - Full day sightseeing of Angkor Thom. Experience a cultural Cambodian show.

    

    Following a hearty breakfast in your hotel you will have a full day's sightseeing tour with an air conditioned car and English speaking guide. This morning you will visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, as well as other significant temples and sites such as Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Terrace of Leper King and Pimean Akas.

    Your lunch will be served in a local restaurant where you can try the local Khmer curry. After your lunch break you will enjoy visits to Thommanon, Chau Say Teveda, Ta Keo, Ta Promh, Banteay Kdei and Sras Srang. The photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings of Ta Prohm have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors.

    In the evening you will experience an entertaining and original Cambodian show featuring talented, young performers at Phare Ponleu Selpak's Circus.

    You will then be driven back to your hotel and have the rest of the evening at leisure.

    Overnight: Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa, Siem Reap

13. Day 13 - Morning sightseeing. Afternoon transfer to Siem Reap airport for your flight to London.

    After your breakfast you will check out from your hotel and will meet your guide at reception.

    There may be an opportunity to visit more temples, such as, Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som and East Meborn. Alternatively your guide may take you on a short city tour before you transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
    

    Overnight: In flight

14. Day 14 - Arrive UK.

    Today you will arrive back to London.

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