Classic Mekong River Cruise: Cambodia & Vietnam

Borei Angkor Resort & Spa is well situated in the centre of Siem Reap, the town which is close to the Angkor Wat sites. It is only a 15 minute drive to the nearest site. Although not a large hotel, it is an attractive establishment located in a tropical garden. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, bar and lounge, coffee shop and restaurant.

This morning, you will visit the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom, last capital of the Khmers, with its Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the stunning Bayon temple. This 12th century masterpiece lies at the very centre of Angkor Thom and is an archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. Continue to visit Thommanon, Ta Keo and Ta Prohm. Ta Prohm, the temple that has been left largely in it's natural state since its 're-discovery' by French explorers. Surrounded by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is overgrown with the roots and limbs of massive banyan trees. This afternoon, you will visit to Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world, with a volume of stone equalling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. It is unlike all the other Khmer temples in that it faces west, and is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

Travel by coach from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham for embarkation. Enjoy an sunset cruise on the Mekong and meet your crew for the next 7 nights.

In the morning we visit Angkor Ban village to see how local villagers live and visit the library.
After lunch, visit Koh Nghe Tei (Silk Island) to study the entire silk-making process from worms to weavers. We visit silk makers and can buy from them their lovely silk scarves and other fabrics. After learning about the silk process, there will be a demonstration of the ancient Khmer martial art of Bokator.

In the morning, travel by coach to the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong. On the way we stop to visit the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre before taking a drive around the city. Rejoin your ship in Kampong Tralach for lunch aboard. In the afternoon we travel by ox-cart around the river-side villages, markets and temples. In the evening cocktails are round a village fire pit where we will be joined by village folk keen to show us their traditional dancing and more of the delightful Khmer culture.

Morning orientation of Phnom Penh by cyclo, visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda followed by the National Museum with its marvelous collection of Angkorian statuary. In the afternoon we visit the Killing Fields and Genocide museum to learn more about the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. Overnight in Phnom Penh city port with its lively bars, restaurants and nightlife.

We up anchor early this morning and cruise downstream along the Mekong River to the Cambodian border with Vietnam for immigration formalities. Our boat docks alongside the picturesque border town of Chau Doc where we visit the famous floating markets and fish farms by Sampan. We make a stop at a local Chham Village and observe the lives of these local Vietnamese Muslims before boarding minivans for a short drive to Sam Mountain, location of Phuoc Dien Tu or the Hang Pagoda. We climb the 400 steps to the top to visit the pagoda, an official historic monument.

Sailing through the delta offers a real insight into life along this vast waterway. After lunch, a short coach journey through the lush countryside to Gao Giong 'green oasis', a 1,000-acre eucalyptus forest and listed wildlife sanctuary. Here a diverse selection of water birds and egrets gather in their tens of thousands across the Duong Tharp Muoi or 'Plain of Reeds'. Rowboats traverse the canals to take us to view the principal nesting areas where photo opportunities abound.

After lunch, we journey by sampans through mangroves and bamboo forests to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. This is an area rich in birdlife which we will explore via local transport before transferring to a local rowboat. We will journey slowly through the bamboo covered canals before arriving at a village specializing in making local products. In the evening you will be entertained by a Vietnamese dance troupe on deck.

Morning disembarkation and travel by coach from My Tho to Ho Chi Minh.

Located along the active Saigon River, the Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel provides a romantic, tranquil vibe within an easy walk of many of the city's prominent landmarks. This award-winning hotel offers 170 comfortable, stylish rooms with city or river views. Facilities include an entire floor dedicated to health and wellness, swimming pool, in-house bistro, sky bar and restaurant.

Beginning in the centre of the city, the first stop on today's itinerary is Reunification Palace. Formerly named the Presidential Palace, this important city landmark was assured its place in history on 30th April 1975, when the first North Vietnamese tanks rumbled past, signalling the Fall of Saigon and ultimately the end of the Vietnam War. Now a museum complete with period meeting areas, war rooms and a basement communication centre, after your visit, walk the short distance to Notre Dame Cathedral. At the centre of HCMC's government district, this romantic church dates back to the late 19th century and is a popular backdrop for wedding photographs. Across the street from the cathedral is the city's striking French colonial-era post office, whilst Hotel de Ville de Saigon, officially Ho Chi Minh City Hall, is another of the city's more prominent buildings. The Museum of Vietnamese History is housed in yet another fine example of Sino-French architecture. Dating back to the 1920s, it contains an excellent series of exhibits dating from the Bronze Age to the Nguyen dynasty, the last ruling family of Vietnam.

As an alternative to the Museum of Vietnamese History, visit the elegant Fine Arts Museum with its impressive collection of ancient and modern art and sculptures, or the War Remnants Museum, which is primarily dedicated to the Vietnam War but also includes exhibits dating back to the French colonialist period and the first Indochina War.

The final stop today is the unforgettable Jade Emperor Pagoda. With the pungent smell of incense hanging heavy in the air and an interior packed full of ornate carvings and fierce-looking statues, this Taoist temple is one of the most atmospheric places of worship in the city. Transfer back to your hotel after your visit or alternatively be dropped off at Ben Thanh market for personal exploration and a spot of souvenir hunting.