South Vietnam & Cambodia to Bangkok - 15 Days

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll be transferred to your hotel, where you can enjoy some free time before meeting your fellow travellers for a tour briefing and welcome drinks. We will stay here for the next two nights.

Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh City. Today, we begin with a journey to Cu Chi, once a fierce battleground during the Vietnam War. Located 75km from Ho Chi Minh City, this remarkable ‘underground village’ features over 200km of intricate tunnels. We will explore a short section of this incredible network and learn about its historical significance. Here, you can opt to test your aim with an AK rifle at the local shooting range.

After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, we return to the city for a half-day tour of vibrant Saigon. We start at the former Presidential Palace, famously entered by Viet Cong tanks on 30 April 1975. From there, we continue on foot to discover colonial-era landmarks, including the red-brick Notre-Dame Cathedral, the elegant 19th-century Central Post Office, and the grand City Hall. We stroll along Dong Khoi Street to admire the Opera House before concluding our tour at Ben Thanh Market.

This historic market is one of the oldest in Saigon, where you can enjoy some free time to browse for local crafts, textiles, traditional "ao dai," souvenirs, and street food before making your way back to the hotel.

Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho - Mekong Delta - Tra On. This morning, we will make our way to Ninh Kieu Pier in Can Tho to board our river cruise. On arrival, we are welcomed with a drink, introduced to the crew, and shown to our cabins. We then set off downstream along the Hau River as we enjoy lunch on board.

In the afternoon, we sail into the Nicolai Canal and continue towards the Mang Thit River, passing scenic views of rice fields, sugar cane, and woodlands. By mid-afternoon, we anchor for a shore excursion where we enjoy a peaceful walk through the delta countryside past rice paddies and fruit trees, meeting local residents. Alternatively, you may choose to take a short cycling tour of the area.

We return to the boat with a complimentary drink and relax on deck or at the bar as the sun sets. The ship anchors for the night just downstream from Tra On.

Tra On - Can Tho. We depart at 6:00 as our boat sails past Tra On and continues towards Can Tho. Breakfast is served on board from 7:00 as we cruise along the river.

On arrival in Can Tho, we transfer to a local boat for a visit to the lively Cai Rang floating market at around 8:45, where we witness traditional river trade in full swing. We then visit a local noodle factory before returning to Ninh Kieu Pier by 10:00.

From here, we meet our guide and drive to the beautifully preserved Binh Thuy ancient house. This unique residence reflects a blend of Eastern feng-shui principles and French colonial elegance, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region’s cultural heritage.

Can Tho - Chau Doc. This morning, we met our guide and begin our journey to Chau Doc. On arrival, and if time permits, we continue our exploration with a visit to a beautiful Khmer temple, offering insight into the region’s diverse cultural heritage. We then visit the floating houses that also function as catfish farms, part of Vietnam’s thriving aquaculture industry. We finish the day by checking into our hotel.

Chau Doc (Vietnam) - Phnom Penh (Cambodia). Today, we make our way to the pier to board a speedboat heading towards the Cambodian border. Once we have completed immigration and customs procedures, we continue our journey along the Mekong River, arriving in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, in the early afternoon.

At around 2 PM, we dock at Phnom Penh’s port, where our local guide will be waiting to greet us. We then transfer to our hotel, where a welcome drink will be served in the lobby.

You will have some free time to enjoy lunch and take a break before we set out again at approximately 4 PM for a short walking tour through one of the city’s central markets. This visit offers a glimpse into local life and shopping routines. You can sample typical Khmer snacks, such as sweets and fresh fruits, from the small market stalls.

Today, we explore Phnom Penh by cyclo, a bicycle rickshaw, taking in the city’s vibrant streets at a relaxed pace. We begin at Wat Phnom, the spiritual heart of the capital, before heading to the grand Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, still home to Cambodia’s monarchy. Our morning continues at the National Museum, where centuries of Khmer art and sculpture are beautifully displayed.

We will then make our way to the Central Market, a striking Art Deco landmark, which offers everything from jewellery to local crafts. After, we will visit the deeply moving Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Once a school, it was turned into a prison under the Khmer Rouge, now serving as a powerful reminder of Cambodia’s recent history.

Phnom Penh – Skun – Kampong Kdei – Siem Reap. After breakfast, we travel overland from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, a journey of around six hours excluding stops. Along the way, we pass through Cambodia’s rural interior and make several interesting visits en route.

Our first stop is at Skun’s well-known spider and insect market, where you can see a selection of unusual local snacks, including fried tarantulas – a notable feature of Cambodian street food. We continue to a stone mason village near Phnom Santuk, where skilled artisans carve sandstone into traditional sculptures.

Later, we stop briefly at the ancient Naga Bridge in Kampong Kdei, one of the oldest surviving bridges from the Angkor period. From here, we continue on to Siem Reap, arriving in the afternoon and checking in to our hotel. The evening is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace.

This morning, we begin our journey through the ancient city of Angkor Thom, entering through the Southern Gate, where the towering 23-metre stone faces of Avalokiteshvara gaze serenely in all directions. These iconic carvings, made famous in the Tomb Raider film, mark the start of our visit to the grand temples built by King Jayavarman VII. At the heart of Angkor Thom lies the Bayon, a temple-mountain adorned with hundreds of giant stone faces. We also explore the richly carved Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, once part of the royal ceremonial grounds.

As the day unfolds, we visit Baphuon, a massive sandstone temple once dedicated to Shiva, and Phimeanakas, nestled within the former royal palace. We then make our way to Ta Prohm, where nature and architecture intertwine. Towering trees with thick roots engulf the ancient stones, left in place by archaeologists to preserve the temple’s haunting, jungle-clad appearance – a striking reminder of how these ruins were originally rediscovered.

Our final stop is the magnificent Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s national symbol and one of the finest religious monuments in the world. Built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II, its intricate carvings and grand scale are a fitting end to our temple exploration. In the evening, we gather for a traditional Khmer Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant

Siem Reap – Poipet (Cambodia) – Khao Yai (Thailand). Today, we check out and set off with our guide for a private transfer to the Cambodian-Thai border at Poipet. On arrival, we complete immigration and customs formalities before crossing into Thailand, where our local English-speaking guide will be waiting to welcome us.

We will then continue our journey by road, travelling approximately 160 kilometres to the lush region of Khao Yai. On arrival, we check into our hotel, and the rest of the day is yours to unwind and settle into your new surroundings.

Khao Yai - Khao Yai National Park - Khao Yai. After breakfast, we set off at around 8.00 am for a full day exploring Khao Yai National Park, one of Thailand’s oldest and most diverse protected areas. Our first stop is the park headquarters, where we gain an introduction to the area’s unique ecosystems and wildlife.

From there, our driver takes us to the starting point of a forest trail, where we hike through dry evergreen woodland known for its rich biodiversity. With luck, we may spot gibbons swinging through the trees, monkeys foraging in the canopy, and hornbills gliding overhead. We then continue by vehicle to Haew Suwat Waterfall, made famous by the film The Beach, and enjoy lunch near this scenic spot.

In the afternoon, we ascend to one of the park’s highest points for a peaceful break at a panoramic viewpoint. As evening approaches, we visit nearby salt licks, a natural gathering place for wildlife, in the hope of spotting wild elephants. We return to the hotel around 6.30 pm.

Khao Yai - Bangkok. This morning, we set off at 10.00 am for PB Valley, where we enjoy a relaxed visit to one of the region’s best-known vineyards. We explore the scenic estate, stroll through fruit orchards, and sample a selection of local wines while learning about the craft of Thai winemaking. At approximately 11.30 am, we begin our drive to Bangkok. Once we have arrived, we will check in, and the rest of the day will be at your leisure.

Today, we begin with a guided visit to two of Bangkok’s most iconic temples. We start at Wat Pho, home to the impressive Reclining Buddha, followed by Wat Traimit, where the world’s largest solid gold Buddha is housed.

Next, we embark on a leisurely boat ride through Bangkok’s klongs – the city’s historic canals – offering a glimpse of traditional life along the water. As we glide past wooden stilt houses, quiet temples, and greenery-lined banks, we stop to visit Wat Arun, the striking Temple of Dawn with its towering spires.

After the tour, we return to our hotel where the afternoon is yours to relax and take in the city at your own pace.

Today, you can enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the hotel before spending the day at your leisure. You might explore Bangkok’s bustling markets, visit cultural landmarks, or simply unwind and take in the city’s vibrant atmosphere at your own pace.

In the evening, we are picked up at 5.00 PM for a dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River. As we dine under the stars, we take in views of the city’s illuminated temples and skyline from the water. After the cruise, we return to our hotel for the night.

After your final breakfast, depending on your departure flight time, you might have some time for some last-minute shopping, exploring, or relaxing before your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.