Angkor Wat & the Mekong

Day 1 Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh City via Bangkok.

Day 2 On arrival transfer to the 4-star Equatorial for an overnight stay.

Day 3 Embark on the RV Mekong Pandaw or the RV Tonle Pandaw at My Tho, at the hub of the delta. An afternoon trip by junk to Vinh Long and Tien Giang.

Day 4 A morning junk trip to the floating market, French Gothic cathedral and port area. Later cruise through the Delta and moor overnight at Chau Doc.

Day 5 Travel down the backwaters and canals by local ferry boat. Return to the ship and after Cambodian border formalities cruise up the broad Mekong channel. Moor overnight downstream from Phnom Penh.

Day 6 The capital of Cambodia retains its French charm and the old colonial architecture makes an attractive backdrop to busy cafés, and the renovated river corniche is full of life. The city has several impressive wats (temples) and the National Museum is another highlight with displays of Khmer crafts.

Day 7 Early departure from Phnom Penh and after a stop at the little-known Chong Koh silk weaving village cruise past the Mekong's timeless villages.

Day 8 A morning journey upriver to the hilltop temple of Wat Hanchey whose Chenla empire architecture predates the glories of Angkor. Later visit the 12th-century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor before continuing to the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei.

Day 9 Sail up the Tonle River which connects Tonle Lake with the Mekong and Bassac rivers merging at Phnom Penh. This river journey is a highlight of the trip as we wind our way through jungle and as the river narrows the rich tapestry of Cambodian rural life is viewed. A motor boat excursion into the lakeside wetlands also reveals a stunning variety of birdlife and great fish traps.

Day 10 At over 150 kms in length Tonle Sap, with its profuse birdlife, is the great lake that dominates Cambodia. Water levels of the lake and river vary and at 'high water' (approx. Jul - Nov) cross the lake at dawn and disembark at Siem Reap port. At low water (approx. Dec – Mar) take a coach transfer, stopping for sight seeing at Angkor Thom and Prem Srei Kuk temples, with picnic lunch (approx. 4.5 hours). Three nights are spent at the Lotus Angkor Hotel.

Days 11 & 12 Visiting the sites and fabled temples of Angkor.

Day 13 Fly from Siem Reap to Bangkok and connect with the overnight flight to London. Alternatively extend your stay in Bangkok or at the beach resort in Hua Hin on the Gulf of Thailand.

Day 14 Arrive Heathrow in the morning.