Experience the very best of Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in a three-week Asian adventure. Begin in Saigon, cruise upriver to Phnom Penh, and travel north to explore the jungle-swathed temples of Angkor, before heading west into historic Thailand to discover its sandy beaches, revolutionary vineyards and wild national parkland with free-roaming elephants.

Your holiday package includes:

• $1,800 flight credit per person
• 20 day Thailand & Mekong Experience, Saigon to Chiang Mai
• Includes 19 nights accommodation in 3 to 4 star hotels
• 19 breakfasts, 16 lunches and 13 dinners
• All transportation, touring with guides and entrance fees

***Rate is based on twin share for travel 24 September to 13 October 2023***

***Alternative dates available, a surcharge may apply***

Itinerary

Day 1: Saigon
Fly to Saigon, where you will be met at the airport in the Arrivals hall by your Local Guide or National Escort. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer 45 minutes to your hotel and check into your room, or store any luggage if arriving before check in time. This evening, you will meet your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner and guide briefing.

Day 2: Saigon
Enjoy a relaxed introduction to Saigon, including architectural landmarks such as the French colonial-style Notre Dame and Central Post Office. Tonight’s dinner is at NOIR, a true ‘dining in the dark’ experience. This social enterprise employs visually impaired locals, who invite you on a culinary journey with lasting impact.

Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnels
This morning, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the Viet Cong’s tactical strategies during the Vietnam War. Relax with a fresh ‘farm-to-table’ lunch at a Vietnamese farm before an afternoon at leisure. You may wish to independently visit the War Remnants Museum, or see a show at the opera house.

Day 4: Board the Victoria Mekong
Travel from Saigon to Can Tho, the beating heart of the Mekong Delta, where you will board the Victoria Mekong, your home for the next four nights. Sip a sundown cocktail and hear a traditional music performance as the ship casts off towards Long Xuyen.

Day 5: Long Xuyen & Tiger Island
Tender ashore to visit Long Xuyen floating market and the An Giang Traditions Museum with its exhibitions on local cultures. During lunch, the ship sails upstream to Tiger Island. Head ashore to explore by rickshaw, visiting local crafters such as incense makers and a wood carver. Tonight, the ship cruises on to Tan Chau.

Day 6: Mekong Silk Village
Head ashore by sampan to visit the local silk village where you will witness the many steps involved in silk production, from traditional looms to the use of natural dyes made from tree bark, leaves and fruit.

Day 7: Into Cambodia
Today the ship will cruise to Phnom Penh, crossing the border en route. Spend the day in the infinity pool or taking part in the onboard activities. On arrival in Phnom Penh, enjoy a lively apsara dance performance to welcome you into Cambodia.

Day 8: Introduction to Phnom Penh
Disembark the Victoria Mekong this morning and discover Phnom Penh by cyclo, taking in the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and Wat Phnom. Your afternoon is at leisure.

Day 9: Phnom Penh and The Khmer Rouge
This morning’s excursion to the Cheung Ek Killing Fields outside the city gives a sombre insight into Cambodia’s turmoil under the regime of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. This afternoon, fly to Siem Reap.

Day 10: Siem Reap & the Temples of Angkor
The Angkor Archaeological Park is home to over 1,000 temples dating back to the Khmer Empire. Best preserved of all the temples is Angkor Wat, while the jungle-swathed ruins of Ta Prohm evoke a sense of mystery and true adventure. This evening, enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the moat of Angkor Thom as the sun sets. Dinner is at leisure.

Day 11: APOPO Hero Rats Project
This morning, visit APOPO Hero Rats Project. This humanitarian centre trains rats to scent-detect unexploded wartime landmines in more rural areas of Cambodia so they can be safely deactivated by expert teams, saving untold lives. Stop by a local artisan project before enjoying an afternoon at leisure. You may wish to return to Angkor Wat independently, visit the Angkor National Museum, or simply relax in the hotel.

Day 12: Bangkok
Take a one-hour flight from Siem Reap to Bangkok. Check in at your hotel to refresh yourself before a street food tour.

Day 13: Bangkok at Leisure
Today is at leisure to relax or explore Bangkok independently. Optional private excursions, such as to Ayutthaya or the Thonburi canals, are available.

Day 14: Kanchanaburi & The Bridge over the River Kwai
Travel to Kanchanaburi, made famous by ‘The Bridge over the River Kwai’. Here, learn about the experience of Southeast Asian and Allied POWs, who were forced to work on the railway during the Japanese occupation of WWII. Pay respects to the victims at the Allied War Cemetery and museum and walk through Hellfire Pass before a short train journey through the Kwai Noi Valley. Your hotel tonight is at Kanchanaburi.

Day 15: Hua Hin & Monsoon Valley Vineyard
Depart Kanchanaburi and travel south to the beach resort of Hua Hin, stopping en route to visit a toddy palm plantation. Arrive at Hua Hin and take a break to refresh yourself with an independent lunch. Later this afternoon, head to Monsoon Valley Vineyard for a surprising insight into Thai viticulture. These award-winning New Latitude varietals have revolutionised winemaking, succeeding in a truly unexpected climate. Enjoy a tour and tasting before dinner at the vineyard’s restaurant.

Day 16: Hua Hin & Kui Buri
Enjoy a morning at leisure in Hua Hin, perhaps visiting the beach, before heading out to Kui Buri National Park, where you’ll join a park ranger on a 4x4 wildlife safari through the forest. This is one of the few places in Thailand where elephants still roam freely in the wild. Kui Buri elephants are completely wild and sightings cannot be guaranteed, but afternoon safaris here have excellent sighting rates. You may also spot gaurs , golden jackals, langurs or wild boar, and if you are lucky, gibbons, Malayan tapirs or even the rare leopard.

Day 17: Chiang Mai
Depart Hua Hin and return to Bangkok for your short flight to the peaceful, laidback city of Chiang Mai in Thailand’s cooler northern highlands.

Day 18: Doi Suthep
Explore Chiang Mai’s highlights by rickshaw before driving out to Doi Suthep’s magnificent hilltop temple with its panoramic views. Return to Chiang Mai for lunch at a social enterprise restaurant offering life-changing vocational training to reformed women from Chiang Mai’s Correctional Institution. Enjoy some free time before tonight’s cooking class, in which you will learn to prepare a traditional Thai dinner.

Day 19: Chiang Chill
Spend the morning at Chang Chill, a pioneering new ethical elephant sanctuary. This is a respite and care centre for elephants rescued chiefly from the tourist and illegal logging industries. One of the world’s few truly elephant-friendly experiences, Chang Chill invites you to walk into the forest and observe elephants grazing and socialising. Meet the elephant keepers before continuing to the rest station for traditional Thai refreshments. From the elephant station, visitors can observe the elephants playing and bathing in the mud pit. Continue to the riverside to learn more about elephant enrichment, and help fill feeding tubes with corn, sugar cane and bananas. From the observation deck, watch the herd eat through the treats as you enjoy your own lunch. Later, return to Chiang Mai for a farewell dinner accompanied by a traditional Thai performance.

Day 20: Depart Chiang Mai
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Any time between check out and your hotel transfer is at leisure.