Depart London Heathrow on Thai Airways International flight to Bangkok (11 hours 20 minutes. Meals: Inflight

In Bangkok connect with the onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City (1 hour 20 minutes) and transfer to the Sofitel Plaza Hotel for a 2 night stay (superior room). Optional evening cruise on the Saigon River. Meals: None

Morning city tour of Saigon, to include the Presidential Palace, the History Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and visits to a lacquer factory and Saigon?s bustling waterfront. An optional visit to the notorious Cu Chi Tunnels is available this afternoon, but please note that the tunnels are low and narrow and can be claustrophobic. Meals: B

Registration is at 0830 at the Sofitel Plaza Hotel in Saigon and transfer at 0900 to the Delta Port of My Tho by coach arriving at 1100 for check in followed by port and immigration formalities. Board the RV Tonle Pandaw/RV Mekong Pandaw (dependent on sailing date) for your 7 night cruise to Siem Reap. Sail upstream during lunch and in the afternoon 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. Meals: B, L & D

Take a morning junk trip around Cai Be to see a floating market, and go ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral and colourful port area, with its colonial buildings, delightful flower gardens and local rice paper manufacturers. 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. Back on board cruise past Vinh Long City and evergreen islands. The remainder of the day is spent cruising through the Mekong Delta. Meals: B, L, D

From the main Mekong channel at Tan Chau travel down the canals and backwaters by local ferry boat. At Chau Doc transfer to small boats to visit a Cham tribal village and a cat fish farm. Take a trishaw ride round this fascinating town of fine French-colonial buildings and see its bustling market. Return to the ship by boat for lunch and cast off for the Cambodian border for the usual formalities. Evening cruise up the broad Mekong channel, which is an international shipping route. Moor overnight just downstream from Phnom Penh. Meals: B, L, D

The capital of Cambodia retains its French charm. The city has several impressive wats, including Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and the newly-painted Wat Lang Ka. Pride of place goes to the Royal Palace and to the spectacular Silver Pagoda, one of the few places in Cambodia where artifacts embodying the brilliance and richness of Khmer culture were preserved by the Khmer Rouge. 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 grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention centre situated in the suburbs of the city, followed by shopping at the Russian or Central Markets. More happily, Phnom Penh has a lively night life, and some passengers choose to dine ashore or try one of the capital's many watering holes; a favourites being the Foreign Correspondents' Club. Meals: B, L, D

Early morning departure from Phnom Penh and a stop at the little-known Chong Koh silk weaving village for a morning walk at leisure. Cruise past the Mekong?s timeless villages and river life with extensive fishing activities. In the afternoon stop at Peam Chi Kang village to visit the wat or monastery and school. Passengers are at leisure to explore this peaceful and friendly community. In the wat some splendid village racing boats are stored. Meals: B, L, D

Morning journey upriver to the hilltop pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Dating to the 8th century, these ancient brick structures characterise the architecture of the Chenla Empire which predated the glories of Angkor. Sail back downstream over lunch for an exploration of the Kampong Cham Area. Travel by bus to the 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor. This colourful temple is unique in Cambodia, as a modern wat is set within the ruins of an ancient temple. Continue to the eco village of Cheungkok supported by the French-Cambodian NGO AMICA and the Kampong Cham orphanage, supported by the Pandaw cruise company. Meals: B, L, D

In the early morning glance by the capital Phnom Penh to change pilots, and then sail the Tonle River which connects Tonle Lake with the Mekong and Bassac Rivers that merge at Phnom Penh. This river journey is a highlight of the trip. 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, make a fascinating motor boat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of birdlife may be seen and of considerable interest are the great fish traps. Meals: B, L, D

The great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150 Km in length. Here bird life is profuse, and from the middle of the lake one cannot even see the shores. There is a great stillness and tranquility as you pass floating fishing villages. Because the water levels of the lake and river vary a great deal according to the time of year and rainfall, you will then either: 1. High water, approximately August to November. Cross the Tonle Lake at dawn and disembark at Siem Reap Port for onward coach transfer to the Koulen II restaurant arriving late morning. 2. Low water, approximately November to August. Coach transfer early this morning from Prek Dom on the Tonle River to the Koulen II Restaurant in Siem Reap stopping at Kampong Thom. Packed lunch and refreshments provided. Arrive at Siem Reap at about midday where our local agents will meet you and take you to the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa for your 3 night stay at this colonial-style hotel conveniently located in the centre of Siem Reap. Later this afternoon pay a sunset visit to this most spectacular of ancient sites, an unforgettable experience. Meals: B, L

You will have two full days of sightseeing to cover the major archaeological sites of the Angkor area, built by the Khmer civilisation between 802 and 1220 AD. Meals: B

Most people have heard of the impressive Angkor Wat, but there are many other interesting and important temple complexes spread about the countryside near to your base in Siem Reap. You will be astonished at the diversity and the richness of the lesser known ruins. Meals: B

Morning Bangkok Airways flight to Bangkok (55 minutes) connecting with the Thai Airways International flight to London Heathrow (12 hours 5 minutes), arriving later the same day. Meals: B and Inflight