Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free at leisure.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour
City tour including The Reunification Palace (former Presidential Palace), Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Lam Son Square, Ben Thanh Market and Thien Hau pagoda. (B,L)
Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels
Morning boat ride along Saigon River to Cu Chi Tunnels. Return to Ho Chi Minh City to continue city touring. (B,L)
Day 4: Pandaw Cruise, My Tho Mekong Delta
Transfer to the Delta Port of My Tho by coach arriving at 11am for check in on the boat. The luxury Pandaw boats are boutique ships built new and designed as replicas of colonial river steamers. These small ships have the highest passenger to space ratio of any ships afloat in the region. In the afternoon we moor near Cai Be and make a fascinating trip by traditional junk to explore evergreen islands and at the former Imperial residence, the An Kiet House. Overnight moor mid-stream Cai Be. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Cai Be Mekong Delta (Pandaw Cruise)
Take a morning junk trip around Cai Be to see a floating market, and go ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral and colorful port area. Return to the ship and cruise over to Vinh Long to visit a Bonsai Garden and fruit farm, followed by visit to a brick and pottery factory. The remainder of the day is spent cruising through the Mekong Delta. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Chau Doc / Border Crossing (Pandaw Cruise)
From the main Mekong channel at Tan Chau you will travel down the canals and backwaters by local ferry boat. At Chau Doc, transfer to small boats to visit a Cham tribal village. Then take a trishaw ride round this fascinating town of fine French-colonial buildings and see its bustling market. Return to the ship for lunch and cast off for the Cambodian border (immigration formalities are arranged by our staff). Evening cruise along the Mekong channel and mooor overnight downstream from Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Phnom Penh City Tour (overnight on Pandaw Boat)
The capital of Cambodia retains its French charm and today’s city tour includes several impressive wats; the spectacular Silver Pagoda; The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. An afternoon excursion is arranged to the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s Tuol Sleng or S21 detention centre situated in the suburbs of the city. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham (Pandaw Cruise)
Early morning departure from Phnom Penh and a stop at the little-known Chong Koh silk weaving village for a morning walk at leisure. We cruise past the Mekong’s timeless villages and river life with extensive fishing activities. On the river above Phnom Penh there is little shipping, just real Cambodian life. In the afternoon we stop at Peam Chi Kang village to visit the monastery and school. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Kampong Cham Area (Pandaw Cruise)
Morning journey up stream to the hilltop pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Dating back to the 8th century, these ancient brick structures characterize the architecture of the Chenla Empire which predates the glories of Angkor. Sail back downstream over lunch for an exploration of the Kampong Cham Area. We travel by bus to the 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor then continue to the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Tonle River (Pandaw Cruise)
Today is a spectacular cruise on the Tonle River winding our way through jungle. Temples abound along the river banks at Kampong Chhnang, and you will see the rich tapestry of Cambodian rural life. This is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Mooring mid-stream, take a truly wonderful motor boat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of birdlife may be seen. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Tonle Sap – Siem Reap
In the early morning depart by speedboat and disembark at Siem Reap Port for onward transfer to your hotel in Siem Reap for an afternoon tour of the temples.End the day with a sunset at the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng before heading back to the city center for an evening at leisure. (B)
Day 12: Siem Reap
This morning visit Angkor’s most fascinating ruins: Angkor Thom including the Bayon and the Terrace of Elephants. We then discover Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei and Sras Srang. (B,L)
Day 13: Siem Reap
This morning, visit Banteay Srei. In the afternoon, we head to Angkor Wat Temple. The rest of the day is free to discover the local market and handicraft factories at leisure. (B,L)
Day 14: Depart Siem Reap
Free time until your airport transfer. (B)
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