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Grand Tour of Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Hanoi (Vietnam)
Fly from London Heathrow or Manchester to Hanoi.
Day 2 - Hanoi
You will be met and transferred to your hotel, the Silk Path Hotel or similar, for a two-night stay. This evening there is briefing followed by a Welcome Dinner. (D)
Day 3 - Hanoi
This morning, admire the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before continuing to Ho Chi Minh's former home and the magnificent One Pillar Pagoda. Later, head to the Temple of Literature and enjoy a walking tour through Hanoi's historic Old Quarter. Enjoy lunch at KOTO restaurant, set up to educate disadvantaged street children. Later, enjoy a traditional water puppet performance. (B,L)
Day 4 - Hanoi - Halong Bay
Head to stunning Halong Bay and board your traditional junk boat for a 2-night cruise. Enjoy the magnificent scenery and learn about the locals in the area. There is the option to enjoy a scenic flight over Halong Bay (extra cost). (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Halong Bay
Today there is a private boat trip to the bay's most untouched areas for swimming, exploring water tunnels, visiting quiet beaches and fishing villages or kayaking. Lunch is on board the boat. Return to the traditional junk boat this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hoi An
Cruise through magnificent rock formations back to the mainland and transfer to Hanoi, where you will board your flight to Da Nang. On arrival, head to the historic town of Hoi An. Check-in to the Hoi An Historic Hotel or similar for a three-night stay. (B,L)
Day 7 - Hoi An
Join the Reaching Out Project which helps people with disabilities learn skills and gain meaningful employment. Join the walking tour to see highlights including the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Assembly Hall of the Chinese Congregation. (B,D)
Day 8 - Hoi An
Explore Hoi An at leisure. Perhaps join an optional Vietnamese cooking class or a guided tour of My Son (extra cost). (B)
Day 9 - Hoi An - Hue
Drive through the Pass of Ocean Clouds and the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co to the former imperial capital of Hue for an overnight stay at the Indochine Palace Hotel. Take a traditional cyclo ride from Dai Noi to Tinh Tam Lake then take a boat trip to the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda. Tonight, there is a traditional royal dinner. (B,D)
Day 10 - Hue - Ho Chi Minh City
Head to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, for a 2-night stay at the Grand Hotel or similar. This afternoon there is an orientation tour of the city to see the Reunification Palace, the Colonial Quarter, the old Saigon Post Office and the Opera House. (B,D)
Day 11 - Ho Chi Minh City
Head to the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels where you will join a Vietnamese Veteran and learn about the wars and resourcefulness of the Vietnamese. This afternoon there is a tour of Ho Chi Minh City. For an extra cost there is the chance to join the evening Saigon street food tour. (B)
Day 12 - Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho
Transfer to your ship and set sail to My Tho in the Mekong Delta. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - My Tho - Sa Dec
Travel to the village of Dat Dua to watch a coconut candy and fruit workshop, visit the Tan Long Pagoda then sail onwards to Sa Dec. (B,L,D)
Day 14 - Sa Dec - My An Hung - Hong Ngu
Visit the Chinese Congregational house in Kien An Cung then explore the home of Mr Huynh Thuy Le, the inspiration for Marguerite Duras' novel, L'Amant, and stroll through the local market. Return to the ship and sail to the lovely village of My An Hung. (B,L,D)
Day 15 - Hong Ngu - An Long - Long Khanh
Spend the morning at leisure or join the optional excursion (extra cost) to the Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. This afternoon visit a local family and a scarf-weaving workshop on Long Khanh Island then visit the Hoa Hoa Buddhist Pagoda and a grapefruit garden. This evening there is a Lion Dance performance on board. (B,L,D)
Day 16 - Hong Ngu - Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
Visit a family-owned Lanh My A silk-producing factory to learn more about the silk-making process then head to Evergreen Island for a walk through a local village. Cruise across the border to Phnom Penh in Cambodia. (B,L,D)
Day 17 - Phnom Penh
Visit the Killing Fields and Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, a sombre reminder of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge regime, then explore the magnificent Royal Palace. This evening there is a tuk-tuk ride through Phnom Penh, or (at extra cost) Champey Academy of Arts visit. (B,L,D)
Day 18 - Phnom Penh - Prek'Kdam
Take an ox cart ride to the Oudong Temples at Wat Kampong Tralach to see the burial sites of Khmer kings and receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the temple's monks. There is the option to tour a silk farm in Koh Okhna Tei or visit Koh Chen (extra cost). (B,L,D)
Day 19 - Prek'Kdam - Siem Reap
Disembark ship and head to Siem Reap, the gateway to the Temples of Angkor for a 3-night stay at the Shinta Mani hotel or similar. Watch the Phare Cambodian Circus, founded to teach disadvantaged young people performing arts. (B,L)
Day 20 - Siem Reap
Visit Angkor Thom, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire then see the magnificent Ta Prohm temple, overgrown by jungle trees. There is the chance to enjoy a Vespa tour of Siem Reap (extra cost). (B,L)
Day 21 - Siem Reap
Visit the famous Angkor Wat early this morning for amazing sunrise views over the temples before returning to the hotel to spend the rest of the day at leisure. This evening there is a farewell dinner and a Chayyom dance performance. For an extra cost you can visit Banteay Srei, Tonle Sap or an Culinary Cambodia tour. (B,D)
Day 22 - Siem Reap - UK
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)
Day 23 - UK
Arrive back in the UK.
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary. Please note, destinations visited may be in a slightly different order on the reverse itinerary.