The Mekong In Style

Day 1 Depart the UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight Ho Chi Minh City (the itinerary below describes travelling from Vietnam to Cambodia, however the itinerary can done in reverse too).

Day 2- 4 Ho Chi Minh City     

On arrival your guide and driver will meet you for the private transfer to your luxury hotel. After a little time to relax and enjoy the facilities you’ll venture out to one of the city's best restaurants for a complimentary dinner.

During your stay in Saigon you’ll stroll the back streets with your local guide, exploring colourful markets and street-food stalls that few tourists discover. This will be followed by an afternoon taking in some of the city’s more obvious landmarks such as the old Presidential Palace, the History Museum and the War Remnant Museum, before ending with a visit to the AB Tower, to enjoy city views and drinks at the chic ‘Chill Bar’.

Day 5 Board the Aqua Mekong

Today you transfer by road to My Tho in the Mekong Delta where you board the luxury Aqua Mekong boat. Check in to your sumptuous en-suite cabin, one of just 20, and then sit back and enjoy the amenities as you set sail. On board facilities include an observation deck, cinema, spa, library and a river-facing plunge pool. 

Day 6 -8 Discovering the Mekong Delta aboard Aqua Mekong

You’ll spend 3 days travelling from Vietnam to Cambodia on the Aqua Mekong and explore the Mekong Delta region in-depth as you go.

You’ll explore the lower reaches of the delta, including Cai Be floating market, aboard a traditional small flat-bottom “sampan”. You’ll also board skiffs to visit Binh Thanh Island, where the villagers weave mats and baskets from river reeds and water hyacinths. Pass local fishermen who fish directly underneath their floating homes and explore the largest bird sanctuary of South Vietnam, home to 233 waterfowl species.

On board there will be time to relax by the pool, try a traditional Khmer Massage in the spa or learn more about Vietnam from an expert guide’s lecture whilst border crossing formalities are completed.  

As you edge into Cambodia you’ll visit the beautiful island of Koh Oknha Tey. Here you will explore with a guide by tuk-tuk or bicycle, visiting one of the traditional silk weaving villages or further afield. You’ll also visit remote villages like Preah Prosop, a typical Khmer village of stilt houses, where you can experience authentic Cambodian local life.

Day 9-11  Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (cruise or hotel)    

On day 9 the boat sails into the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, a city of contrasts where Buddhist temples, French colonial villas and the Royal Palace provide a photogenic backdrop to a new generation of boutique hotels, skyscrapers and cosmopolitan nightlife.  

Option A.

On arrival in Phnom Penh you can choose to disembark the Aqua Mekong and transfer to The Raffles Hotel for 2 nights. During your stay you’ll enjoy a variety of Experience Travel Group signature tours before taking an onward flight to Siem Reap. NB - this option reduces your overall itinerary by one day.

Option B.

Alternatively, you could choose to stay onboard Aqua Mekong and continue the cruise adventure for 3 more days. This will give you an extra day to explore the city on a tuk-tuk tour. You'll take in the city’s most important sites including the Royal Palace that is still home to the reigning monarch. You might also choose to visit the National Museum of Cambodia (home to the world’s largest collection of Khmer art) or the Russian Market, before you return to the boat in the evening. Cruising upstream towards Siem Reap you'll stop to explore a variety of fascinating riverside villages.  At Koh Chen the inhabitants are silversmiths and coppersmiths and, if the local monks are in residence, you have the opportunity to experience an authentic Buddhist blessing ceremony.  You’ll also discover the remote communities around the Tonle Sap River, an ecological hot spot designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Day 12-14 Siem Reap      The Magnificent Temples of Angkor

Today you reach Siem Reap; if you’re arriving from the Aqua Mekong you’ll explore the Prek Toal Bird Reserve on the Tonle Sap Lake before disembarking and taking a road transfer to Siem Reap. If you disembarked the vessel in Phnom Penh you’ll arrive on a short flight this morning. Either way your local Experience Travel Group guide will greet you on arrival and transfer you to your luxury hotel.

On the first afternoon you can opt to relax in the hotel or begin your exploration of Angkor with a visit to one of the quieter, smaller temples. Finish with sunset at Pre Rup, a crematorium temple surrounded by stunning countryside.

Two further days will be spent exploring Indochina’s most remarkable archaeological site. You’ll take in Angkor Wat, the ancient royal city of Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm, amongst other quieter, less well-known temples. Our tours here are carefully timed and constructed to ensure you get the most out of your visit and enjoy some relaxation time too.

Day 15 Fly Home

Depart Siem Reap on your flight back to the UK.

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
• Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
• 24-hour in-country backup while away
• Your dedicated travel expert in the UK