From South of Vietnam to Cambodia

Trip Highlights

• Romantic sunset view from enigmatic Angkor temple
• Poignant and violent past of Cu Chi tunnel
• Visit a wide range of culturally and architecturally valuable Cambodian temples

Trip Summary

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City

On arrival at Ho Chi Minh's Tan Son Nhat International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel in downtown. Free at the rest of the day. Meals are on your own. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

 Ho Chi Minh cityby night

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City > Cu Chi Tunnel

Morning visit Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office, followed by exploring the Reunification Palace, and the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum. Lunch in a local restaurant. Afternoon enjoy a half day tour to 200-km-long legendary Cu Chi Tunnel, where was enormously devastated by bomb and mine. Visit the tunnels and watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed. Spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla's food during the war). Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Saigon

Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh city

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City > My Tho > Ben Tre > Can Tho

Morning pick up at your hotel then leave Saigon, enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway. Visit Vinh Trang pagoda in My Tho, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Hand-rowed sampan to An Khanh - a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, where seasonal fruit, honey tea and "Southern Vietnamese folk song" are served. Visit a idyllic family business. Taste delicious coconut candy & observe local villagers' pastoral life. Proceed to Can Tho. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Can Tho

 Ninh Kieu night market in Can Tho

Day 4: Can Tho > Chau Doc > Tra Su Sanctuary

Morning boat trip to the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river (Bassac River). Visit Cai Rang floating market, arguably the liveliest in the whole region. Learn how Vietnamese vermicelli soup is made. Then wander around the village and meet the friendly local people. Experience how to cross a "Monkey bridge" built by only one stem of bamboo. Visit the orchard garden. Stop for lunch. Proceed to Chau Doc, then visit Tra Su. Observe arrays of splendid cannels deep into forest, gently dotted with storks, cranes, and tropical birds. Visit Sam Mountain, Cave Pagoda (if time permits). Back to downtown hotel. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Chau Doc.

Cai Rang floating market

Day 5: Chau Doc > Express boat trip to Phnompenh

Morning boat trip to Phnompenh after breakfast. Pick up at Phnompenh boat station for transfer to your hotel. Free at the rest of the day. Meals are on your own. Overnight in Phnompenh

Phnom penh - Cambodia

Day 6: Phnompenh > Siemreap

Discover the Capital of Cambodia. Visit on-hill pagoda Wat Phnom, built by a wealthy Khmer woman to house the sacred relics. Visit National Museum exclusively devoted to Khmer art. Continue to visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Treasures on display mostly have been supplied by the King of Cambodia. Among the treasures are a solid gold Buddha and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. Lunch is on your own. Afternoon transfer to Phnom Penh to take your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, our correspondent will be waiting to take you to the hotel. Free at the rest of the day. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Siemreap

Wat Phnom pagoda

Day 7: Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat Temples

Morning visit Angkor Thom (the Great City), Sough Gate, Bayon temple, famous for 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Proceed to Baphuon temple, a pyramidal representation of mythical Mount Meru. Visit Terrace of Elephants – a base for king’s grand audience hall; Terrace of Leper King – a 7m high platform, on the top stands a nude, though sexless statute; and Hinduism temple Phimean Akas (Celestial Palace). Afternoon discover World Heritage Angkor Wat temple, the most breathtaking monument of Angkor group; natural-stone Phnom Bakheng (Mountain temple). Contemplate sunset view from Angkor Wat. Return to hotel in Siemreap. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Siemreap

Angkor Wat temple

Day 8: Banteay Srey & Roluos Temples

Morning 16-mile drive to Khmer Art’s jewel Banteay, once belonged to medieval capitals of Yasodharapura and Angkor Thom. Admire the carving on the temple’s red sandstone walls, and see ornate pediments where Khmer myths and legends are perfectly depicted. Pass local village and learn how sugar is produced from sugar palms (if time permits). Lunch at local restaurant. Proceed to Preah Ko – the first temple built in ancient city of Hariharalaya. Visit Mountain temple Bakong – official state temple of King Indravarman I and see fragments of original bas-reliefs. Visit the last temple Lolei, best known for its carved lintels and false doors. Dinner is own your own. Overnight in Siemreap

Bakong Temple

Day 9: Tonle Sap Lake > Siemreap departure

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel and drive to the fishing village of Chhong Kneas and board a private boat. Visit the floating village and discover the centuries-old lifestyle of the inhabitants of the lake. Cruise on the Tonle Sap Lake to enjoy the natural splendor of the area. Return to the port and drive back to Siem Reap. Free until time for transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Trip ends.

Floating Village on Tonle Sap lake