Day 3
Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour, first visiting the colourful floating markets at Damnoen Saduak, before a guided introduction to the Thai capital.
Day 4
Enjoy the city at leisure, or join the optional excursion to the River Kwai, site of the infamous Death Railway.
Day 5
An early start sees you journey through a stunning rural landscape barely changed in centuries, crossing into Cambodia to Battambang, an elegant, friendly French colonial city.
Day 6
Today you travel to Wat Ek Phnom, a pre-Angkor period temple. Later, enjoy a ride on a Bamboo Train through the Battambang countryside, before continuing to Siem Reap, gateway to the incredible temples of Angkor.
Day 7
This morning you’ll journey across the waters of Tonlé Sap, passing stilted villages abuzz with life. An afternoon visit to the Angkor National Museum completes a wonderful visit to Siem Reap.
Day 8
Discover the astounding lost city of Angkor, the great Khmer citadel that once ruled half of South East Asia. Great ruins litter a vast area, the most awe-inspiring of which is Angkor Wat, with its five great towers and huge bas relief.
Day 9
Journey to Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, a French colonial treasure-chest on the banks of the Mekong River. This evening, enjoy dinner at the famous riverside Foreign Correspondents’ Club.
Day 10
Spend a sobering morning at the Tuol Sleng Museum, which chronicles the Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge years, then visit Wat Phnom Temple, before a night at leisure.
Day 11
Board your comfortable ship in Phnom Penh for a four-night cruise on the tranquil Mekong. Spend an enjoyable afternoon familiarizing yourself with the ship and her facilities, before exploring at leisure in the lively port area of the city this evening.
Day 12
Set sail early for Vietnam early this morning. After passing immigration at the border, you’ll dock alongside the picturesque town of Châu Đốc to visit the famous floating markets by sampan. Continue to a nearby local Cham village, where you can observe the lives of local Vietnamese Muslims, before boarding minibuses for the short drive to Sam Mountain. Here, the energetic can climb the 400 or so steps to the top to the exquisite Hang Pagoda, proclaimed an official historic monument in 1980.
This evening, your boat will moor alongside Châu Đốc, giving you the opportunity to wander along the pretty riverside.
Day 13
Early this morning, your boat will leave Châu Đốc and travel through a picturesque network of Mekong Delta canals, giving you the chance to observe rural Vietnamese life, which, in many places, has changed very little in centuries.
After lunch, you’ll moor up at Cao Lãnh and take a short coach journey through the lush countryside to Gáo Giồng bird sanctuary, a 1,000-acre listed eucalyptus forest and bird haven. Observe a diverse selection of water birds and egrets that nest here, then travel by rowing boat along the tranquil waterways to get a better view of these wonderful animals, before returning to the boat by coach for another wonderful night on the Mekong.
Day 14
Sit back and relax this morning as you pass a collection of idyllic Vietnamese villages. At Bến Tre, you’ll board sampans to access the mangrove-lined waterways and orchards, which are rich in birdlife. Step ashore to meet some local artisans to observe – and taste – as they make local specialties, including coconut candy and rice wine. Later on, enjoy a cultural evening led by a local group, which will highlight life on the Mekong Delta.
Return to the boat via coach, for a final evening on the majestic Mekong.
Day 15
Bid farewell to your crew this morning you will disembark in the Mekong delta, and transfer to Ho Chi Minh city for a two-night stay. The remainder of the day will be spent at leisure.
Day 16
Journey to the underground labyrinth used by the Viet Cong that is now a poignant war memorial, later enjoy a guided city tour of Ho Chi Minh City, a fascinating mix of French colonial past and modern Vietnamese life. End your day with a celebratory farewell dinner.
Day 17
Enjoy your final day at leisure before your afternoon transfer to the airport for the return overnight flight via Singapore.
Day 18
Arrive home this morning.