imagine starting your day with a vibrant tuk-tuk tour through the heart of siem reap, cambodia. you'll discover the city's best dining and shopping spots, along with a visit to a traditional artisan's workshop.
as evening descends, a private dinner awaits you at your hotel, complete with a mesmerizing apsara show, a traditional cambodian dance.
exploring angkor thom and beyond
begin day three with an optional early morning adventure: witness the sunrise from bakeng hill and enjoy a gondola boat ride.
then, venture into the captivating ta prohm temple, where nature has reclaimed the ancient stones. tree roots, like enormous tentacles, embrace the walls and roofs, creating a surreal and unforgettable scene.
artistic masterpieces and leisure time
the afternoon brings a visit to banteay srey, widely considered the pinnacle of artistic achievement at angkor, followed by banteay samré.
spend your evening as you wish, perhaps enjoying the optional cambodian acrobatic drama. the following morning offers a chance to relax at the hotel or do some last-minute shopping before continuing your journey.
kampong cham: embarking on a river adventure
a late morning transfer takes you to kampong cham, with a delicious lunch enjoyed along the way, where you'll board a ship.
after an informative welcome briefing and meeting the friendly crew, savor a cambodian-themed dinner in the topaz dining room. a stroll around the monastery offers breathtaking views of the mekong river valley before returning to the ship.
a glimpse into local life in angkor ban
in the afternoon, immerse yourself in the charm of angkor ban, a town that offers a window into the daily lives of the local people.
begin with a visit to a family's home, where you'll learn about their lifestyle and have the opportunity to engage in conversation. next, head to the local private school, where you'll join the children in their classroom and experience a typical school day.
walking through the village and exploring the monastery
the journey continues with a walk back through the village to the ship, capturing memorable photos along the way.
a brief stop at the local monastery complex provides further insight into the community's spiritual life. these experiences offer a genuine connection with the people and culture of cambodia.
phnom penh: royal palaces and national treasures
day six unfolds in phnom penh, where a driver will gently transport you along the riverfront to the royal palace complex.
enjoy a leisurely walk through the grounds, marveling at throne hall and moonlight pavilion, before visiting the silver pagoda, home to cambodia's emerald buddha and maitreya buddha, adorned with over 9,000 diamonds.
museum visits and market explorations
a short tuk-tuk ride takes you to the national museum, where you'll embark on a comprehensive tour of angkorian-period artifacts excavated from the angkor temple complex at siem reap.
the afternoon is yours to explore phnom penh at your own pace, perhaps shopping at the central market with a local guide provided for the journey from the port.
cultural performances and darker histories
in the evening, children entertain guests on the sun deck with a cultural performance, including apsara and traditional folk dances.
day seven delves into the darker days of cambodian history. a scenic drive takes you to the choeung ek killing fields, where you can walk through the fields, visit the small museum and memorial stupa, and learn about the atrocities committed during the khmer rouge regime.
before returning to the ship, tour tuol sleng, formerly s-21, a school transformed into the khmer rouge's main prison and torture headquarters.
free time in phnom penh and optional excursions
after returning to the ship, enjoy a free afternoon in phnom penh, whether shopping, dining at a local restaurant, participating in an optional cooking class, or exploring the city independently.
the evening may offer an optional excursion to explore phnom penh's nightlife, possibly including its gay scene. this part of the itinerary may not be suitable for all travelers.
mekong river cruise and traditional crafts
a leisurely cruise allows you to soak in the sights along the mekong river.
onboard activities are also available. hong ngu is known for producing a significant number of traditional khmer scarves exported to cambodia. woven in many homes around the village, you'll have the opportunity to witness the weaving process firsthand.
embroidery and local encounters
some villagers are also skilled embroidery artists, displaying their art in and around their homes.
the inhabitants of this area had limited contact with western visitors before the arrival of the mekong jewel, making them particularly friendly and welcoming. before returning to the sampans, visit a temple dedicated to hoa hao, a unique form of buddhism focused on aiding the poor.
gieng island and the phanxico monastery
sampans will transport you to gieng island for a visit to a local village where hundreds of sampans and rowing boats are made daily.
enjoy a sampan cruise to untouched canals and visit the phanxico monastery, built shortly after the notre dame cathedral in saigon. subject to his availability, you may have the chance to interact with a local priest at the cathedral.
sa dec: historic towns and river navigation
after lunch, arrive in sa dec, where sampans provide a leisurely and scenic navigation of the narrow canals of the mekong.
observe the daily routines of the villagers en route to the historic town of sa dec. a stop at a cao dai temple may be possible, depending on river water levels and accessible disembarkation areas.
exploring sa dec and local markets
in sa dec, enjoy an external visit to the home of mr.
huynh thuy le, the inspiration for marguerite duras' novel "the lover," currently undergoing renovation. walk through the town's market, experiencing the sights, sounds, smells, and photo opportunities found in the colorful fresh produce, meat, and seafood for sale.
rice factories and canal explorations
board sampans to visit a traditional rice factory where workers produce rice paper, rice wine, popped rice, and various traditional candies.
in the afternoon, arrive in the tien long area and once again board sampans to explore the narrow canals and backwaters of this region.
tien loi island and farewell celebrations
tien loi island is a unique destination created exclusively for guests.
this untouched island, inhabited by only a few families, produces millions of small plants and baby trees for the mekong region and beyond. in the evening, gather on the sun deck for a farewell reception with the entire crew, followed by a cambodian farewell dinner in the le march dining room.
after breakfast, bid farewell to the mekong jewel and enjoy a scenic drive to ho chi minh city.
ho chi minh city: french colonial architecture
upon arrival in ho chi minh city, begin a tour of the city's incredible french colonial architecture, including the notre dame cathedral and central post office.
these architectural gems offer a glimpse into vietnam's colonial past.
cu chi tunnels: an underground experience
after breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a tour to cu chi, where the local vietnamese lived underground during the vietnam war. this complex features underground homes and tunnels, as well as examples of traps used during the war.
ho chi minh city departure and optional itineraries
hotel check-out is at noon.
consider the hanoi and halong bay optional post-program itinerary. day 13 involves a flight from ho chi minh city to hanoi. enjoy lunch on your own and leisure time until the transfer to tan son nhat airport for a domestic flight to hanoi.
hanoi: prisons, lakes, and puppet shows
upon arrival at hanoi airport, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel.
in the late afternoon, embark on a tour of the hoa lo prison, also known as the "hanoi hilton," learning about its history as a place for holding american pows and vietnamese patriots. afterward, visit hoan kiem lake and ngoc son temple, followed by a water puppet performance and dinner at a local restaurant.
hanoi: city tours and cultural landmarks
following breakfast, meet your guide in the hotel lobby and transfer to the ho chi minh complex, including the vietnamese leader's mausoleum, house, and the temple of literature, vietnam's first university.
then, take an electronic cart tour through the historic quarter, exploring hidden alleys, cafes, and shops. enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and an evening at leisure.
halong bay: cruising through natural wonders
after breakfast, transfer to ha long bay.
after check-in and a short briefing about the cruise, enjoy a welcome lunch while admiring the majestic views of the world natural wonder, ha long bay. visit titop island for panoramic views and beach time. a cooking class and sunset cocktails await onboard, followed by dinner and live music.
halong bay: caves, tai chi, and farewell dinners
begin the day with a tai chi session at sunrise, followed by a light breakfast.
visit the sung sot cave for panoramic views of halong bay. enjoy breakfast as you cruise past thien cung and dau go caves and fighting cocks islet. after check-out, return to shore and journey back to hanoi, with lunch en-route. enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
hanoi: reflections on cambodia and luxury accommodations
reflect on your travel to choeung ek and see the khmer rouge killing fields, the memorial stupa, and tuol sleng s prison.
accommodation will be in lotus suites, including club lounge access, dedicated check-in, afternoon tea, twilight canapes and cocktails, refreshments throughout the day, and complimentary pressing of two pieces per stay.
angkor spa resort: luxury in cambodia
the angkor spa resort stands out as one of cambodia's premier hotels, consistently earning awards for its excellence.
its luxurious five-star accommodations boast serene design, reflecting french sophistication and a touch of yesteryear's refinement. the hotel's lavish swimming pool, a favorite among guests, is beautifully framed by lush landscaping.
dining and design in ho chi minh city
the reverie saigon hotel in ho chi minh city is known as the most spectacularly extravagant hotel in vietnam, and as the one and only member property of the leading hotels of the world in ho chi minh city.
elegantly furnished, air-conditioned rooms come equipped with a wardrobe, mini-bar, a flat-screen tv and comfortable seating area.
immersion in the mekong river experience
around every corner, guests will enjoy a blend of timeless elegance and modern luxuries as they experience the sights and sounds of a landscape that forever changes its visitors.
accommodations on board the mekong jewel provide all the comfort and convenience of a five-star hotel, without denying you the thrills of complete immersion in the mekong river experience.
amenities aboard the mekong jewel
spacious, well-appointed suites offer individual climate control, daily housekeeping with turn-down service, the finest bed linens and duvets, luxuriously soft robes and slippers, all-natural, therapeutic bath amenities, premium mattresses and pillow menu, flat-screen satellite tv, in-room electronic safe, complimentary minibar and complimentary wireless internet in all public areas, when available.
dining and relaxation on the mekong jewel
mekong jewel unique and spacious amenities feature a unique sundeck with jet pool and panoramic sky lounge, a choice of cosmopolitan dining experiences, an extensive library, elegant lounge area and a full fitness centre with spa.
restaurant, bar and lounge dine in the topaz dining room or the more casual al fresco restaurant with glass curtains for breezier days.
embracing the mekong river landscape
both offer a gourmet selection of chef's signature dishes from the region as well as western alternatives.
sundeck and sky bar an invitation to go with the flow, reclining in shaded comfort with your choice of freshly squeezed fruit on the glorious sun deck with a backdrop of serene unfolding landscape.
underwater currents and evening extravaganzas
or rejuvenate your senses swimming against the flow in our underwater current jet pool.
as evening falls gravitate to the extravagant open-air emerald sky bar and lounge where contemporary design blends with tropical paradise and personalised cocktails. library and lounge enjoy tales of ancient indochina from our excellent selection of books in the moonstone library or share today's stories with new friends in the charming climate-controlled lounge.
hue: citadels and emperors' mausoleums
before departing hue, explore the citadel, the heart of the nguyen dynasty's empire, and visit the mausoleums honoring two of its emperors.
after lunch, journey south to danang via the scenic hai van pass, enjoying coastal mountain views.
danang and hoi an: museums and charming towns
in danang, visit the cham museum showcasing ancient sculptures from the hindu champa kingdom.
finish the day in hoi an, checking into a beachfront hotel and dining at a peaceful garden restaurant. explore the remains of the hindu temples of the champa kingdom at the my son sanctuary. return to hoi an for lunch in a restored colonial building.
lantern making and relaxing retreats
one-stop will be at a lantern-making cottage where we will even learn how to make our own lanterns.
we return to our hotel in the late afternoon, with the evening and dinner on your own to explore our resort.
enjoy a cooking class with streets international association followed by lunch. then the rest of the day is yours to enjoy.
transferring to ho chi minh city
after breakfast and a leisurely morning, transfer to danang airport affectionately referred to as dad airport, then board our flight to ho chi minh city, the contemporary name of the historic city that even vietnamese are again calling saigon.
the drive heads towards the mekong delta city of my tho. there we will board a boat and cruise past the islands, orchards, and villages.
exploring the mekong delta
switch from boat to horse-drawn cart to visit small villages that feature traditional handicrafts of the region.
dinner will be on our own tonight, either before or after the show, depending on showtime. you can try an italian restaurant for a break from asian food, or look for one of the fine french vietnamese cafes popular with locals.
cu chi tunnels: a dramatic historical site
head out to one of the most dramatic sites in the history of the vietnam war: cu chi tunnels.
this underground city is an immense network of connecting underground tunnels. for lunch, we will head back to ho chi minh city. this afternoon we will explore the old colonial residential quarters, including the contemporary reunification palace and the 19th century notre-dame cathedral.
siem reap: arriving in cambodia
after arriving at the siem reap airport, we will transfer to our unique hotel that captures the cambodian spirit.
this five-star resort will be our home for the next three days and offers a variety of services and amenities including spa treatments which you may want to indulge in during your stay.
angkor wat: architectural masterpieces
begin our exploration of the vast angkor wat complex of buildings and temples by visiting angkor wat itself.
this monument was built in the 12th century and is dedicated to the hindu god vishnu. it is considered one of the masterpieces of the khmer architectural style. then we will drive back to siem reap through the cambodian countryside with a stop to visit the amazingly restored bantey samre temple.
cambodian circus and bayon temple
tonight we will see the cambodian take on both rock music and acrobatics at the phare cambodian circus show, known for its passionate young acrobats and musicians, and their sense of humor during their performances.
here we will view the famous bayon temple, once surrounded by 54 towers. next to explore is baphuon, which has been fully restored by a team of french archaeologists, taking over 16 years to complete.
farewell dinners and lakeside communities
after lunch, we will visit the ta phrom temple, which is still surrounded by the jungle.
we will finish the day with our farewell dinner celebration on our last night in cambodia. if time allows, this morning we will drive outside siem reap to see the lakeside communities of lake tonle sap. from the village of kompong khleang, we will take a small boat to see the small fishing communities around the lake, and the stilt houses.
flights home and optional extensions
those not on our extension will transfer to the siem reap airport for flights home or to bangkok or hong kong or elsewhere in the region.
please let us know if you would like assistance with additional travel. if you are joining our luang prabang extension, we will fly directly from siem reap to luang prabang today.
inclusive travel packages and essential information
price includes: all ground transportation within southeast asia as outlined in the tour itinerary; three flights hanoi-hue, danang-saigon, saigon-siem reap ; airport taxes and service fees for included flights; transfers between airports and hotels; deluxe and first-class hotels each night; 14 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 7 dinners, including wine at welcome and farewell dinners; visas for vietnam and cambodia; all hotel service charges, government taxes, porterage, and included meals.
travel essentials and optional excursions
not included: transportation to and from starting and ending points; four passport photos that are required for visas and angkor wat permits; departure tax when traveling independently of the group; meals not shown as included in the program; gratuities for drivers, guides, and he travel host; personal items including alcoholic beverages, snacks, laundry, and telephone calls.
price includes: flight from bangkok airport to hanoi; airport taxes and service fees for included flight; transfers between airport and hotel; hotel nights; daily breakfast and one dinner; and daily guided tours. price includes: flight from siem reap, cambodia, to luang prabang, laos; airport taxes and service fees for included flight; transfers between airport and hotel; hotel nights; daily breakfast and two lunches; and daily guided tours.
bangkok arrival and grand palace visits
arrive early and join us in bangkok — january 30 to february 2, day 1: arrival.
welcome to bangkok! those arriving early enough will be able to enjoy a relaxing minute thai massage at our hotel. enjoy your evening on your own after a long journey. this morning we will visit the spectacular grand palace, a re-creation of the temple of ayutthaya.
temples and thai silk
enjoy the beautiful architecture and intricate details inside the large walls.
next, we will visit the temple of the emerald buddha wat phra kaew , including its jade buddha statue! then we will top off our afternoon at wat pho, where the famous reclining buddha lies. shoes must be removed before entering the emerald buddha temple and sandals are not permitted.
enjoy a free morning and lunch on your own. this afternoon we will visit the jim thompson house, the home of james h. thompson, a self-made american entrepreneur, who was the founder of the world-renowned jim thompson thai silk company.
night markets and farewell dinners
this thai house contains an extensive collection of art and antique objects.
we will end the day at the lively riverside asiatique night market with a stroll. enjoy a special thai dinner tonight. enjoy an easy morning before we head to the airport for an afternoon flight to hanoi!
luang prabang: french colonial charm
after the flight from siem reap our laos extension participants will start our exploration of the capital today from the comfort of our deluxe hotel in a restored building that combines french colonial charm with a contemporary style.
this is where laotian kings were traditionally crowned. lunch will be nearby, then we will travel by vehicle back to our hotel, with a stop in a rice wine-producing village.
elephant sanctuaries and picturesque waterfalls
observe elephants in a natural forested environment at a sanctuary that banned the riding of elephants in 2018.
after lunch, we will depart for the picturesque kuangsi waterfalls, consisting of several levels of falls with inviting pools in between. tonight we will enjoy our farewell dinner. for those with an interest in traditional lao culture, we encourage you to attend a performance at the royal ballet theatre.
departure and morning processions
laos extension participants will depart for home today, with hotel check-out by noon.
transfers will be provided to the luang prabang airport based on flight time. early risers can step out at dawn to view the procession of the monks who leave their pagodas to walk barefoot around the city and collect alms. for those with flights later in the day, we will spend the morning visiting wat visoun which features a famous stupa dating to the 15th century, as well as buddhist art from around the country.
recommendations and important details
we strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation and interruption insurance to protect your vacation investment in case of unforeseen circumstances such as flight delay, illness, or injury.
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