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Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
Fly from a choice of UK airports with selected airlines to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2 - Ho Chi Minh City
On arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. (D)
Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh City
Travel to the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels, a series of war-time passageways. Freechoice Dining: Enjoy a culinary tour of Saigon by Vespa this evening, dine in the surroundings of a beautiful French Colonial House, or at the restaurants in the hotel including Basilico. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy a visit to the War Museum and Reunification Palace where you can learn about Vietnam's fascinating past, before travelling by coach to My Tho port to embark Scenic Spirit for your Mekong cruise. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Cai Be - Sa Dec
Board a sampan and cruise to picturesque Cai Be before enjoying a stop at local cottage industries and a French colonial or traditional Vietnamese house. Alternatively, sample morning tea at a French colonial house or stay on board Scenic Spirit for a Freechoice activity. Later, visit the historic town of Sa Dec to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the lively market and discover the home of Mr Huynh Thuy Le, the inspiration for the novel L'Amant. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Tan Chau
Visit the Evergreen Island farmers and enjoy a ride in a Xe Loi to a local silk factory. Themed dinner on board this evening. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
Admire the passing scenery as you cruise across the border into Cambodia and arrive in Phnom Penh. Head to the Killing Fields and join a tour of Tuol Sleng, enjoy a hands-on Khmer cooking demonstration, or see Phnom Pneh's colonial buildings and the Central Market on a tuk tuk tour. Scenic Enrich: Later this evening revel in our Phnom Penh by City Lights tour, giving you an insight to the nightlife of the capital before stopping at a distillery for an exclusive tour and tasting behind closed doors. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Phnom Penh
Departures up to May 2021: See the Royal Palace and the famous Silver Pagoda, before rejoining the ship and cruising the Tonle River. Disembark and stroll through the silversmith village of Kho Chen. Aug 2021 departures onwards: Journey to the ancient capital of Oudong to visit the impressive pagoda and monastery. This afternoon marvel at the Royal Palace, featuring the famous Silver Pagoda, on your included visit to this must-see attraction. Enjoy a cocktail reception on the Sun Deck against the backdrop of Phnom Penh’s lights as the ship sails from the capital at sunset. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Kampong Tralach and Oudong or Koh Dach and Angkor Ban
Departures up to May 2021: Cruise to Kampong Tralach and take an ox cart ride through a local village. Scenic Enrich: Learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda and partake in a ceremony to receive a blessing from a monk. Board your coach to the ancient capital of Oudong to visit the impressive pagoda and monastery. Drive a short distance to Prek K’dam to re-board Scenic Spirit and continue your cruise to Kampong Cham. Scenic Sundowner: Enjoy a cocktail reception on the Sun Deck against the backdrop of Phnom Penh. Aug 2021 departures onwards: At Koh Dach Island, learn all about the art of silk weaving. Further upstream in Angkor Ban, explore its historical rural wooden houses, which survived the Khmer Rouge and visit a local teacher who teaches English to the local school children. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Wat Hanchey - Kampong Cham
The ship approaches Wat Hanchey this morning where you'll get the opportunity to meet the resident monks. Enjoy a walk to the top for panoramic views, before rejoining the ship and cruising to Kampong Cham. Scenic Freechoice options available today include the opportunity to learn about the history of Wat Nokor and Phnom Pros (Man Hill) and a trip to a rubber plantation factory and betel nut village. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Siem Reap
Drive to Siem Reap and transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Scenic Enrich: Watch the talented performers at the spectacular Cambodian Circus, Phare. (B,L)
Day 12 - Siem Reap
Discover Banteay Srei and visit the Landmine Museum or admire the skills on display at Artisans D’Angkor. Alternatively, cruise on Tonle Sap (seasonal), take a tuk tuk ride to the markets or take a tethered balloon ride above Angkor Wat (weather dependent). Later in the afternoon visit the colossal Angkor Wat. (B,L)
Day 13 - Siem Reap
Scenic Enrich: Watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat before heading to a special location to enjoy a glass of champagne and breakfast, prepared by a local bakery school, supported by NGO. Visit the atmospheric, jungle covered Ta Prohm Temple, before stopping at Angkor Thom and the multi-faced Bayon Temple. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Scenic Enrich: Be wowed by a mystical themed Gala Dinner at an Angkor temple, with included free flow drinks and a show featuring Apsara dancers in front of candlelit temple ruins. (B,D)
Day 14 - Siem Reap - UK
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)
Day 15 - UK
Arrive back in the UK.
Please note: The Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake are subject to extreme variations in water levels throughout the year. Every effort will be made to adhere to the itinerary however changes including early disembarkation may be necessary due to river conditions.
Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Siem Reap (Cambodia)
Fly from a choice of UK airports with selected airlines to Siem Reap.
Day 2 - Siem Reap
Arrive at your hotel, your stylish home for a three night Special Stay located in the heart of Siem Reap. (D)
Day 3 - Siem Reap
Discover Banteay Srei and visit the Landmine Museum or admire the skills on display at Artisans D’Angkor. Alternatively, cruise on Tonle Sap (seasonal), take a tuk tuk ride to the markets, or take a tethered balloon ride above Angkor Wat (weather dependent). Later visit the colossal Angkor Wat. Scenic Enrich: Take your Premium Reserved seat at the colourful Cambodian Circus, Phare. (B,L)
Day 4 - Siem Reap
Scenic Enrich: Marvel at sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Wat before moving to a special location for a champagne breakfast with food prepared by an NGO supported local bakery school. Visit the atmospheric, jungle covered Ta Prohm Temple, before stopping at Angkor Thom and the multi-faced Bayon Temple. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Scenic Enrich: Be wowed by a mystical themed Gala Dinner at an Angkor temple, with included free flow drinks and a show featuring Apsara dancers in front of candlelit temple ruins. (B,D)
Day 5 - Siem Reap - Mekong
Discover Cambodia’s rural countryside on your drive to Kampong Cham where Scenic Spirit awaits. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Wat Hanchey - Kampong Cham
Walk (or drive) to the top of Wat Hanchey, an ancient hilltop pagoda and monastery to meet the resident novice monks. Sail downstream to Kampong Cham. Learn the history of the area with a visit to Phnom Pros (Man Hill) and then Wat Nokor. Alternatively, spend your time visiting a rubber plantation factory and betel nut village. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Angkor Ban - Silk Island - Phnom Penh
Upon arrival in Angkor Ban, explore its historical rural wooden houses, which survived the Khmer Rouge, and visit the local pagoda to observe the lifestyle of the resident monks and nuns. Scenic Enrich: Receive a blessing from a monk and learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda, before partaking in a ceremony which contributes to the daily meal of the resident nuns and monks. Later, sail downstream to Koh Dach Island dedicated to the art of silk weaving before continuing your cruise to Phnom Penh. Enjoy a cocktail reception on the Sun Deck against the backdrop of Phnom Penh’s lights as the ship sails towards the capital at sunset. Scenic Enrich (departures up to May 2021 only): Later this evening revel in our Phnom Penh by City Lights tour, giving you an insight to the nightlife of the capital before stopping at a distillery for an exclusive tour and tasting behind closed doors. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Phnom Penh
Journey to the Killing Fields and tour Tuol Sleng, or join a hands on Khmer cooking demonstration. Alternatively, explore Phnom Penh’s colonial buildings by tuk tuk, visit the Central Market as well as the city’s modern architecture. This afternoon is at your leisure. Aug 2021 departures onwards: Later this evening revel in our Phnom Penh by City Lights tour, giving you an insight to the nightlife of the capital before stopping at a distillery for an exclusive tour and tasting behind closed doors. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Phnom Penh - Tan Chau (Vietnam)
Marvel at the Royal Palace, featuring the famous Silver Pagoda, on your included visit. This afternoon, take advantage of the facilities of the most luxurious ship on the Mekong as you set sail for the Cambodian and Vietnamese border. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Tan Chau
Stay in Tan Chau to visit Evergreen Island and enjoy a ride in a Xe Loi. In Chau Doc visit Vinh Te canal and a family-operated fish farm followed by Tây An Temple at Sam Mountain or visit Tra Su Bird Sanctuary. Enjoy a free afternoon cruising to Sa Dec. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Sa Dec - Cai Be
Immerse yourself in the historic town of Sa Dec and explore the lively market. Stop at the home of Mr Huynh Thuy Le who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant. Visit Cai Be before stopping at local cottage industries and a traditional house in the area. Alternatively, savour afternoon tea at a French colonial house or stay onboard. Enjoy a farewell dinner on board as you sail to My Tho. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Ho Chi Minh City
Drive to Ho Chi Minh City and visit the War Museum before an orientation tour around your hotel for a two night stay. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Enjoy a Vespa foodie tour of Saigon, or a meal in the surroundings of an old colonial house or a restaurant specialising in Saigon street food. Alternatively, dine at one of your hotel’s restaurants. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - Ho Chi Minh City
Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn about the underground labyrinth of war-time passageways. After lunch visit the Reunification Palace and War Museum. Reminisce with your fellow travellers during your farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 14 - Ho Chi Minh City - UK
Head to the airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)
Day 15 - UK
Arrive back in the UK.
Please note: The Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake are subject to extreme variations in water levels throughout the year. Every effort will be made to adhere to the itinerary however changes including early disembarkation may be necessary due to river conditions.