Southern Vietnam to Cambodia along Mekong River
9 days 8 nights
Ho Chi Minh city – Mekong Delta – Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh city
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh (B/L)
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre – Can Tho (B/L)
Day 4: Can Tho – Chau Doc (B/L)
Day 5: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B/L)
Day 6: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B/L)
Day 7: Siem Reap (B/L)
Day 8: Siem Reap (B/L)
Day 9: Siem Reap – Departure (B)
Day 1. Arrival in Ho Chi Minh city
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh city, the largest metropolis of Vietnam!
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our guide and escorted to your hotel in the city center, where you will have time to freshen up and relax after a long journey.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 2. Ho Chi Minh (Breakfast/Lunch)
Today, you will travel to Cu Chi to visit the famous tunnels built during the wars by the Viet Cong. Touring the extensive underground tunnel network will provide a better understanding of the Vietnamese resilience during combat despite the incredible hardship of life in the tunnels. Once back in the city, take a stroll to major sights such as the colonial Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office, the Opera House, Dong Khoi Street and more. After that, visit Fito Museum, known as Vietnam’s first traditional medicine museum, where you will discover many documents and information about traditional Vietnamese medicine.
Return to your hotel and spend the evening at your leisure.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 3. Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Tre – Can Tho (Breakfast/Lunch)
After breakfast, head out on a day trip to explore the Mekong Delta. Drive to Ben Tre where you’ll board a boat for a cruise down the Mekong River to visit several local workshops where you try our hands on the process and sample local delights. A bike ride will follow, taking you through sprawling rice fields and peaceful countrysides, arriving at a local restaurant where you savor delicious lunch. Afterward, paddle in a sampan (small rowing boat) past water coconut trees along tranquil canals. After the cruise, continue to Can Tho.
Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 4. Can Tho – Chau Doc
Depart early in the morning for a boat trip to Cai Rang Floating Market, known as one of the most beautiful floating markets in the Mekong Delta.
After visiting the colourful market, proceed to Chau Doc and visit Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, cruising with a small boat to explore the arrays of splendid canals deep into the forest, watching storks, cranes and other tropical birds. Continue to Sam Mountain to enjoy the sunset before checking in the hotel.
Overnight in Chau Doc.
Day 5. Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (Breakfast/Lunch)
This morning, depart early in the morning for Cambodia via the Mekong river. The speedboat will take you to Phnom Penh in 5 hours.
On arrival in Phnom Penh, visit the Royal Palace. The palace dates back to 1866 and houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Next stop is the National Museum, built in traditional Khmer style. It houses the world’s foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries.
End today’s journey at the famous Wat Phnom, founded by Lady Penh, whom the capital city is named after. Pay a visit to Russian market before heading back to your hotel.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 6. Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (Breakfast/Lunch)
After breakfast, leave for a long journey to Siem Reap through rural villages in the countryside. Along the way make a stop at Skoun famous for its traditional snack, deep fried tarantula spiders!
Continue to Kampong Thom to explore its town and Sambor Prei Kuk, the most important complex of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia.
Continue driving towards Siem Reap and embark on a boat trip on the Tonlé Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in SouthEast Asia. Board a local boat and visit Kampong Khleang floating village where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 7. Siem Reap (Breakfast/Lunch)
Wake up early in the morning and treat yourself to a stunning sunrise over Angkor Wat.
Once the sun is up, go inside to explore Angkor Wat temple, a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology.
In the afternoon, visit the unique temple of Banteay Srei. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” was constructed in rose-colored sandstone and displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. The unique charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of its decorative carving.
Return to town and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 8. Siem Reap (Breakfast/Lunch)
Start your day with a tour to the temples of the Small Circuit. The tour includes the impressive 12th century temple of Ta Prohm which is overgrown by gigantic jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.
Your visit will also include Preah Khan temple, Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”.
Later today, visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, then continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is well-known for its 52 towers with enigmatic faces looking out towards the provinces of the vast and great Khmer Empire. The nearby Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate relief carvings.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 9. Siem Reap – Departure (Breakfast)
Today visit Beng Mealea, known as the ‘Pond of Lotus’ temple. The temple was hidden in a maze of the jungle for hundreds of years before being found and opened for visitors. After that, drive to the abandoned Koh Ker to explore the pyramid temple of Prasat Thom and some other beautiful temples covered by jungles.
Return to town and free time at leisure. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
End of all services.