Essential Vietnam & Cambodia

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1: Depart London

  Make your way to the Airport 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. Insider Experience – Three Nights at the Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas Unwind at the Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas, an oasis of tranquillity, and relax amid the lush gardens and large swimming pool.

• Day 3: Siem Reap

  Explore Siem Reap this morning at your own pace. Later, discover Ta Prohm temple, commonly referred to as the Tomb Raider temple. having featured in the movie starring Angelina Jolie. The temple and its atmospheric surrounds have been left to slowly return to nature, with the overgrown jungle and vast root systems creating a unique sight throughout the ruins. Enjoy Insider Experiences this afternoon and tonight. This evening, enjoy local Khmer flavours during dinner.

• Day 4: Siem Reap

  Rise early for a special Insider Experience at Angkor Archaeological Park. After a guided tour of the well-preserved Angkor Wat temple, return to your hotel for breakfast. In the early afternoon, explore Siem Reap on your own or choose from our select experience options. Later this afternoon, return to Angkor Archaeological Park to visit Angkor Thom and the Bayon. This evening, enjoy free time to further explore or take part in an optional select experience.

• 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 Lotus, 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, Phnom Penh

  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 (Oknha Tei), 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 amongst the still 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

  Begin your morning with an excursion by road to Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital, where a memorable Insider Experience awaits. En route back to Phnom Penh, take a leisurely walk through the village of Koh Chen. Stop to visit the open-air copperware workshops and witness the skills of the artisans. Return to the ship and enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh, or enhance your time by choosing one of our select experiences.

• Day 8: Phnom Penh

  Begin your day with a sobering visit to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to learn about Cambodia's Khmer Rouge era and honour the victims at the Memorial Stupa. After lunch, explore the Royal Palace, known for its stunning white and gold Khmer architecture, and the Silver Pagoda with its 5,000 silver tiles. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to visit the Russian Market, try local delicacies at the Central Market, or relax aboard.

• Day 9: Phnom Penh, Vietnam 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. Known as one of the largest silk-weaving centres in Vietnam, 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 journey by road to the Cu Chi tunnels. Gain a first-hand insight into the history of the Vietnam War and learn about the immense network of underground tunnels carved out by hand. Continue to Ho Chi Minh City, a bustling metropolis formerly known as Saigon, where you'll stay for the next two nights. This evening for dinner, perhaps choose from one of our select experience dining options.

• Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City

  Today, discover Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace or choose from one of our select experience options. This evening, gather for a sumptuous Farewell Dinner.

• Day 14: Depart Ho Chi Minh City

  Your journey comes to an end after breakfast with a transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight back to the UK.

• Day 15: Arrive London

  Arrive back in London today.