Essential Vietnam and Cambodia

Includes return flights from the UK. Fully appreciate the best of Vietnam and Cambodia, including the iconic Angkor Wat. Be blessed by a Buddhist monk in Oudong, enjoy life on the Mekong River and explore historic Ho Chi Minh City.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Depart London

Make your way to London Heathrow for your flight to Cambodia.

Day 2: Arrive Siem Reap

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and spend at your leisure.

Day 3: Siem Reap

This morning is free to explore on your own. This afternoon head to the temple of Ta Prohm, the jungle temple entwined by trees and vines, commonly referred to as the Tomb Raider Temple having featured in the movie starring Angelina Jolie. A pair of Insider Experiences proves an exceptional start to your holiday.

Day 4: Siem Reap

Set off early to explore some of the breathtaking Khmer architecture and sites at the World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park. Delve deeper into the history and significance of Angkor Wat as you wander inside the vast temple complex. Continue to Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital, built in the 12th century, and head to the intriguing Bayon Temple, with its carved stone smiling faces. Visit the Terrace of Elephants, which used to be the base for the king's grand audience hall and the Terrace of the Leper King, which housed the royal crematorium. This afternoon, explore Siem Reap at your own pace or choose from one of our select experience options. Later, take in your truly unforgettable Insider Experiences.

Day 5: Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Embark Ship, Angkor Ban

An early drive through picturesque countryside and remote villages brings you to Kampong Cham to join your Mekong River cruise. Step aboard the RV Apsara, your boutique river ship and home for the next seven nights. Spend your afternoon enjoying your Insider Experience. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board with your fellow travellers as your Mekong River cruise begins.

Day 6: Angkor Ban, Oknha Tey

Start your day with a tour of Angkor Ban by foot and see one of the few rural villages in Cambodia that escaped destruction from the Khmer Rouge regime. Return to your ship and continue sailing towards Oknha Tey, or Silk Island, renowned for its silk manufacturing traditions, preserved over centuries. Hop in a local tuk tuk for a village tour, pass rice fields and get a glimpse into rural life. Stroll among the stilt houses and gain an insight into the traditional silk weaving process. Watch as the village women create the beautiful Khmer fabrics from their wooden looms. Back on board, you start sailing towards the capital, Phnom Penh.

Day 7: Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Chen, Phnom Penh

Cruise to Phnom Penh then travel by coach to Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia. After indulging in your memorable Insider Experience, continue to Koh Chen and explore the open-air copperware workshops. This afternoon is free to explore or delight in one of Travelmarvel's select experience options.

Day 8: Phnom Penh

Explore the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which recalls one of the darkest moments of the 20th century. Learn about the brutal Khmer Rouge and stop to pay your respects at the Memorial Stupa, a monument erected in memory of the thousands of people who lost their lives. Later, take a tour to visit the Royal Palace. See the Silver Pagoda located within the Royal Palace complex and admire the Emerald Buddha carved from Baccarat crystal. The remainder of the day is at leisure. After dinner, perhaps step out for an evening walk.

Day 9: Phnom Penh, Border Crossing, Tan Chau

Spend today on board as your ship cruises to the Vietnamese border. While border formalities are carried out, sit down and enjoy the onboard activities and presentations. Cross into Vietnam and cruise towards the small town of Tan Chau.

Day 10: Tan Chau, Sa Dec

After breakfast, transfer to a small boat and travel along the Mekong's tiny tributaries, observing the stilt house villages. Go ashore for a tour of Tan Chau by rickshaw. Tan Chau is known as one of the largest silk-weaving centres of Vietnam, and you’ll visit the fascinating local artisan workshops to learn more about the history of the craft. Later, step back in time during a visit to Vinh Hoa, also known as Evergreen Island. Take the opportunity to see traditional Vietnamese farming, where the land is ploughed by water buffalo and where you will see authentic rural Mekong life. Settle back in and watch the passing scenery as you continue cruising towards Sa Dec.

Day 11: Sa Dec, Cai Be, My Tho

Take a boat ride to the charming colonial town of Sa Dec and explore the colourful markets on foot. Visit the former home of Huynh Thuy Le. Here Le's one-time lover, French writer Marguerite Duras, penned her best-selling novel, The Lover, about their affair. After lunch, step aboard a local boat and journey to Cai Be to see the French Gothic cathedral. Go ashore to visit a local rice paper manufacturer to learn how rice paper is made. Afterwards, visit a coconut candy factory to see how the local sweet is created. Enjoy a final dinner on board your ship as you cruise to My Tho, your last stop.

Day 12: My Tho, Disembark Ship, Cu Chi Tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City

Disembark at My Tho and bid farewell to the crew and travel by coach to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a tunnel network built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the Vietnam War. Listen to stories of the history of the Vietnam-American war, the ingenuity of the Cu Chi residents and the daily activities of the people. Part of a larger network, the tunnels were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat. Crawl through a section for a firsthand experience of what it was like for the soldiers who lived and fought here. Later transfer to your accommodation and enjoy time at leisure in Ho Chi Minh City, a bustling metropolis formerly known as Saigon. For dinner, you may like to choose one of our select experiences.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City

Begin with your Insider Experience then return to your hotel for breakfast. Explore Ho Chi Minh City at your leisure today. Alternatively, you may like to choose from our select experience options. Tonight, gather for a sumptuous Vietnamese Farewell Dinner.

Day 14: Depart Ho Chi Minh City

Your journey ends after breakfast today with a transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your return flight to the UK.

Day 15: Arrive London

Arrive back in London today.