Saigon to Angkor

Day 1 - Saigon - arrival and introductory walking tour

Morning check in to a downtown Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) hotel. Introductory walking tour to get a feel for this sometimes hectic but always fascinating city: explore the area, browse the markets or just relax in a cafe and watch the non-stop spectacle of the city’s traffic before our local-style welcome dinner.

Overnight: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh) Transport: Walk,  Meals: D, 

Day 2 - Saigon (Ho Chi Minh) - tour of some of the City's sites

Day tour of some of the City’s sites including the bustling Ben Thanh Market, the sobering, albeit fascinating, War Remnants Museum, picturesque Jade Emperor Pagoda and Saigon’s very own Notre Dame Cathedral.

Overnight: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh) Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 3 - Ben Tre and the Mekong Delta

Head south to Ben Tre in the picturesque Mekong Delta for a tour of the region by boat and bicycle courtesy of a local, community-based tourism project. Explore the nipa palm-lined, tunnel-like channels by rowing boat and take a motorboat tour to visit some of the area’s traditional cottage industries as well as a village market and quiet lanes by bicycle. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to charming, riverside Can Tho.

Overnight: Can Tho Transport: Minibus, Boat, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 4 - Can Tho - the Mekong Delta

Early morning boat ride to the Cai Rang floating market. Although new roads and bridges mean the market is today reduced in size, it still provides an impression of traditional Delta life in earlier times. From here, we head west to Xe Quit for a fascinating tour by boat and on foot of the former secret Vietcong base carved out of a jungle-covered swamp. After lunch, head west to the small riverside town of Chau Doc near the Cambodian border, with time perhaps for riverside sundowners on the waterfront.

Overnight: Can Tho Transport: Minibus, Boat, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 5 - Chau Doc - floating market and sacred mount

Morning departure for the nearby Tra Su Bird Sanctuary with another tour by rowing boat and motor boat before a return to Chau Doc and an afternoon visit – including a cable car to the summit – of sacred Sam Mountain with its myriad shrines and temples, as well as spectacular sunset views.

Overnight: Chau Doc Transport: Minibus, Boat, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 6 - Phnom Penh - up the Mekong to Cambodia

Back on the Mekong for a boat trip to Phnom Penh. Lunchtime arrival and check-in to a small, boutique-style downtown hotel. Time to stretch your legs with an introductory walking and tuk-tuk tour, taking in the historic French Quarter and waterfront area as well as giving you a feel for the bustling street life, finishing perhaps, with riverside sundowners.

Overnight: Phnom Penh Transport: Boat, Walk, Tuk Tuk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 7 - Phnom Penh - city tour

Day tour of some of the sites of Cambodia’s fascinating capital city: the infamous Killing Fields site and the highly moving Khmer Rouge Genocide Museum at Tuol Sleng help to explain the country’s recent tragic history.  The picturesque Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda provide photo opp’s whilst the Russian Market offers some ‘retail therapy’ and a local-style lunch.

Overnight: Phnom Penh Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 8 - Siem Reap - up country to Angkor

Travel through Cambodia’s scenic countryside to the small provincial town of Siem Reap in Western Cambodia – our base for the next few days while we visit the nearby Angkor temples. Stops on the way include the famous spider village of Skuon (tasting not compulsory), a rarely visited but well-preserved 11th-century temple and lunch by a scenic lake. A sunse4122t visit to the ruins 4kl o,of Banteay Kdei Temple completes our day.

Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 9 - Siem Reap - dawn at Angkor Wat

Our Angkor programme begins with dawn at Angkor Wat, followed by a comprehensive tour of the temple itself. Late morning return to Siem Reap for brunch, siesta or relaxation before an afternoon walking tour of Angkor Thom takes you to: Leper King Terrace, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace, Baphuon and last but not least, (we’ll wait until the crowds have gone), dramatic Bayon Temple with its famous faces.

Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 10 - Angkor - jungle temples

Forest walk to the spectacular Phnom Bakheng Temple before moving on to the huge creeper-clad ruin of Preah Khan. Dense jungle, enormous roots and screeching parakeets make this atmospheric temple one of everyone’s favourites. After a break in Siem Reap, the afternoon continues with a short hike to Ta Keo via the remote and rarely-visited Ta Nei Temple. A visit to Ta Prom – the famous ‘Tomb Raider’ Temple – continues our jungle theme.

Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 11 - Siem Reap - Beng Melea and afternoon at leisure

Morning trip to one of the more remote and less-visited temple sites. The truly spectacular Beng Melea. A huge, partially-ruined, temple complex, overgrown by jungle, lying to the west of Siem Reap, is one of the most impressive Angkor monuments. Return to Siem Reap with an afternoon at leisure to relax by the pool, visit the National Museum, explore the markets or perhaps check out Apopo’s famous mine-detecting rats.

Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 12 - Siem Reap - morning at leisure and departure

Morning at leisure in Siem Reap, end of tour and departure at your leisure.

Extra nights in Siem Reap after your tour are available on request.

Airport transfers are included if you purchase the 'with flights' package. If you purchased your own flights, airport transfers can be arranged.

Overnight: Departure Transport: Walk,  Meals: B,