Best of Cambodia & Vietnam

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Your adventure begins in Bangkok with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. This city has so much to offer, so it’s recommended you stay at least a few extra days – if you have time to explore, maybe take a riverboat to Chinatown to wander the crowded streets, uncover the magnificent Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, visit Wat Pho (home to the country's largest reclining Buddha), wander down neon-lit Khao San Road, or treat yourself to a Thai massage. After the meeting, you might like to gather your fellow travellers and tuck into some world-renowned street food.

Today, you’ll fly from Bangkok to Siem Reap. You’ll be unaccompanied on the flight, but your Thai trip leader will see you off in Bangkok and your Cambodian leader will be ready to welcome you in Siem Reap. Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat, is the most popular destination for travellers in all of Cambodia (maybe even in all of South East Asia!). You'll probably notice a change of pace here, so maybe take a walk and enjoy the atmosphere. You could start by hitting the local markets to try some delicious street food – ask your leader for recommendations on the best local specialties to try.

Spend a full day temple-hopping with your local guide, making the most of your visit to the world-famous Angkor complex – built between the 9th and 13th centuries when the Khmer empire was the dominant influence in South East Asia. The ruins are scattered over some 160 sq km, but the main cluster of temples is close to Siem Reap. This includes Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm. These temples were believed to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. See the intricately carved bas-reliefs and architectural designs, which make for great photo opportunities. This is sure to be a highlight of your trip, so take your time to soak it all in and make the most of your local guide’s expert insight.

This morning, hop on a private local boat and discover the local life in the floating village of Kampong Phluk on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake, also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia. The stilt houses here are built about 6-9 meters above the ground to accommodate water level changes between dry and wet seasons. Learn about the fascinating local lifestyle on the water and enjoy a hearty home-cooked lunch in one of the stilt houses. This afternoon, return to Siem Reap and enjoy a free evening.

Leave Siem Reap after breakfast and travel to Phnom Penh in a private minibus. The journey is a great opportunity to see rural Cambodia – you’ll make several stops along the way. Visit the cottage industry at Santuk Silk Farm, where local women are provided the opportunity for financial freedom to support their families. You’ll learn about the entire silk-making process, from the lifecycle of a silkworm to the final product. You’ll also stop at Skuon Market, where you might like to sample local specialties like deep-fried spiders. Cambodia's capital is set on a major junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers and boasts some fine examples of French-influenced architecture. This afternoon, enjoy some free time to discover the city at your own pace. Maybe explore Wat Phnom – a peaceful temple situated on a hill. A great way to see the city's key landmarks is on a cyclo tour, which generally covers the Psar Thmei (Central Market), US Embassy, Wat Phnom, Mekong riverfront, Independence Monument and Royal Palace.

Phnom Penh stands as a living relic of not only the country’s past successes, but also its struggles. Today, you’ll visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, which tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. S21 was formerly a school that was turned into a Khmer Rouge torture centre, and it’s estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured here. The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek are home to a stupa made up of some 8000 human skulls, marking the execution ground for the torture victims of Tuol Sleng. After visiting both sites, you’ll have free time for the rest of the day. Maybe visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Alternatively, the National Museum, housed in a beautiful traditional building, is a great place to see some excellent Khmer craftsmanship. For a relaxing way to spend the late afternoon and evening, you could stroll along the famous Sisowath Quay and enjoy a coffee or cocktail at one of the many riverside cafes.

This morning, travel by local bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City. Along the way, see the Neak Loeung Bridge, which is the biggest bridge in Cambodia, and then stop for lunch after immigration. You’ll arrive in Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon. Maybe get out and about on a self-guided walk to discover the city’s blend of old and new. Be sure to sample a banh mi (a crusty baguette filled with meat or tofu, vegetables and fresh herbs) or a glass of the famous Vietnamese coffee – both markers of the city's strong French influence.

Today is a free day to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace. You’ll have another welcome meeting at 6 pm. Before then, maybe head to Pham Ngu Lao Street to see the local open-aired market or take an Urban Adventure with an expert local guide. After the meeting tonight, why not get to know your new fellow travellers over an optional group dinner?

Today you'll travel south by private minibus and spend the day exploring the Mekong Delta. Board a private boat and traverse the intricate waterways – soak up the tranquil surroundings as you float through this fertile landscape, often referred to as ‘the rice bowl of Vietnam’. Disembark at Ben Tre and visit the coconut gardens, stopping at a local home to sample tropical fruits and coconut jams before paddling in sampans (small rowing boats). Take a tuk-tuk tour around the villages, learning about rural life and how the locals make their living. Then, have lunch at a restaurant in the heart of the delta, sampling regional specialties like elephant ear fish. After the cruise, return via bus to Ho Chi Minh City.

This morning, say goodbye to Ho Chi Minh City and fly north to Danang. From here you’ll take a bus to Hoi An, with the five spectacular peaks of the Marble Mountains as a backdrop. Once in Hoi An, your leader will take you on a walking tour of the town, influenced over the years by Europe, China and Vietnam. The town was a major trading port from the 17th century onwards, and the outside influences can be seen all over its architecture, with pagodas and assembly halls found across the town. Wander the ancient streets that look much like they did over a century ago and take in a historic house (formerly home to a prominent trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a museum. Then, your night is free to hit one of the waterside restaurants.

Enjoy a free day in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hoi An. You may like to wander the Central Market and the street stalls selling paintings, woodwork, ceramics, lanterns and much more. Hoi An is also famous for its talented tailors who can make beautiful items to order within a few hours. For those still feeling adventurous, why not hire a bicycle and tour the surrounding countryside? This is one of the best ways to get an insight into rural Vietnam. You also have the option to head out on a daytrip to My Son Cham – a UNESCO World Heritage-listed temple complex that reflects the rich cultural traditions of the Cham civilisation.

Leave Hoi An today and journey across the dramatic Hai Van Pass – a sometimes bumpy but incredibly scenic stretch of highway with views of Lang Co Beach. Make a quick photo stop on the way, then continue to Hue – the former imperial capital of Vietnam. When you arrive, visit a local village recycling hub dedicating their work to address their local environment challenges through recycling and try the local specialty – salt coffee, while you are here. Then join your leader for a tour of the Imperial Citadel – this fortress houses the Imperial City and the citadel-within-a-citadel, the Forbidden Purple City. This icon was almost completely destroyed during the Vietnam/American War, and the ruins and holes left by bombs are a reminder of the destruction that was caused. In your free time you might like to visit Dong Ba Market, which offers locally made goods, fresh produce and tantalising street food.

Today’s adventure will be on the back of a motorbike! You’ll have your own driver who will take you around the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda – the unofficial symbol of Hue. This site dates back to 1601 and is still an active Buddhist monastery. Here, you’ll also see the car left by a monk who set himself alight to protest the treatment of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese regime. Ride to a special lunch spot at a Buddhist monastery and sit down to a vegetarian feast, then drive to visit one of the royal tombs in Hue and enjoy the peacefulness. In the evening, board an overnight train to Hanoi.