Classic Mekong River Cruise, Saigon to Angkor Wat in Style

Day 1 - Fly London to Saigon

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

Overnight: In flight

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

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

Day 4 - Transfer from your hotel to the port of My Tho to embark on your cruise. Sail to Ben Tre and excursion by sampan to Ben Tre Village.

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. You will then 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. Arriving at Ben Tre your ship will anchor midstream.

After lunch, you will travel by sampan through mangroves and bamboo forests to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre - an area rich in birdlife - then transfer to a local rowboat. You will slowly explore through the bamboo covered canals and arrive at village which specialises in making rice wine and coconut candy. Here you will see how these specialities are manufactured as well as having the opportunity to try them for yourself, including the local "moonshine."

You return to MV Pandaw for dinner. In the evening you will be entertained by a Vietnamese cultural group highlighting "Life on the Mekong Delta".

Please note: Today your guide will collect your passports at the meeting point in order to arrange immigration formalities.

Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

Day 5 - Morning sailing and afternoon excursion to Gao Gon Bird Sanctuary. Cruise to Con Phuoc Island.

In the morning you will sail though the delta which will give you an insight into life along this mighty waterway. After lunch, you will have a short drive through lush countryside to visit the Gao Giong 'green oasis', a 1,000-acre of eucalyptus forest and a listed wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary has over 200 species of birds including a diverse selection of water fowl, ducks and egrets which gather in their tens of thousands across the Duong Tharp Muoi or 'Plain of Reeds'. You will explore by rowing boat along the canals to see the principal nesting areas where there will be lots of photo opportunities.

After returning to the boat you cruise upstream to Con Phuoc Island. You will moor in a small canal off Con Phuoc Island and go ashore to explore the island, seeing basket production and visiting a 100-year old Catholic church.

Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

Day 6 - Visit Chau Doc, Cham village and Sam Mountain. Vietnam/Cambodia Border.

In the morning your boat will dock alongside the picturesque border town of Chau Doc. Here you will visit the famous floating markets & fish farms by Sampan, as well as a local Chham Village where you will see the lives of some local Vietnamese Muslims. You then drive the short distance to Sam Mountain. You climb the 400 steps to the top to visit Phuoc Dien Tu, the Hang Pagoda, an 'official historic monument' of Vietnam'.

You then return to the boat and cruise local canals before dropping anchor on the Vietnam/Cambodia Border to go through immigration formalities.

Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

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, if you wish to visit the Killing Fields.

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

Day 8 - Visit Silk Island.

Today's excursion takes you to Koh Okhna Tey, or 'silk island'. To reach the island you first sail to board the smaller expedition vessel, the Pandaw Explorer, which will take you along the narrower waterway of the Tonle River.

On reaching Silk Island you will discover the fascinating intricacies of the entire silk making process from worms to weavers. You will also see a demonstration of the ancient Khmer martial art of Bokator. After, you will return to the ship, enjoying the picturesque scenery of the Tonle River and observing the vibrant local life along the river banks.

This evening there will be a lecture on Angkor and Khmer culture.

Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

Day 9 - Morning Cruise to Prek Kdam. Visit Oudong. Reboard at Kompong Trollach. Afternoon visit to local villages.

After a short morning cruise along the Tonle Sap River you will disembark at Prek Kdam and drive to Oudong, the ancient capital of Cambodia. You will have a session of relaxation & meditation at the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre and then visit the old capital.

You will reboard your boat in Kompong Trollach for lunch. After lunch you will travel by ox cart to meander along the Tonle Sap River, visiting local villages, markets and temples.

In the evening you will enjoy 'cocktail hour' around a fire-pit in one of the local Khmer villages. Here you will learn something of their local culture and see some Khmer dancing, and perhaps even join the villagers in some local dancing.

Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

Day 10 - Visit Tonle Sap floating villages and markets.

Today is one of the highlights of the trip as you navigate the very narrow canals of the Tonle Sap River for a close-up view of local riverside villages.

After lunch, you arrive in Kampong Chhnang where you will board the "Pandaw Explorer" to visit the famous Tonle Sap floating villages and markets. Here you will see locals fishing and tending their floating vegetable gardens. You then cruise back to Kampong Chhnang City and disembark from the Pandaw Explorer. Here you may take a walk along the newly constructed river walkway, where locals go for a stroll along the Tonle Sap river or gather to socialise in the evening or enjoy the sunset.

Overnight: R V Mekong Pandaw

Day 11 - Disembark and transfer to Siem Reap – approximately 5 hours. Afternoon visit to Angkor Wat.

After a final early breakfast on board, you will say a fond farewell to your crew. You will then be transferred to the Victoria Angkor Resort in Siem Reap by a comfortable air-conditioned coach. Refreshments will be provided en route and you will stop along the way for a short break. You will arrive at Siem Reap around mid-afternoon. 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

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

Day 13 - Morning sightseeing. Afternoon transfer to Siem Reap airport. Overnight 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

Day 14 - Arrive UK.

Today you will arrive back to the UK.