Mekong River and Cambodian Highlights

Country: Cambodia

Styles: Scenic,Local colour

Tour type: Add-on - If you're planning a holiday in one of our destinations in Southeast Asia and want to get more from your holiday, an add-on tour is for you. Get a feel for the country's culture and experience some amazing sites of interest.

Day by day guide

 

Day 1

Arrive in Saigon: Upon your arrival, warmly welcome at the airport and then transfer to your hotel for check in. The hotel is at your disposal from 13:30.After that, set out on a city tour of the former capital of French Indochina, once known as Saigon. Historic landmarks include the Old Saigon post office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Dong Khoi street and famous Ben Thanh market. Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Saigon - Cai Be - Can Tho: In the morning, leave Saigon by private vehicle for Cai Be (140 km - 3hours driving) where you can embark to the boat to Vinh Long. Discover the charm of the legendary Mekong River with the bustling life of Cai Be floating market, which is bordered with endless orchards, where you have the chance to gather and taste exotic seasonal fruits. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue by boat to Vinh Long, where you, take the road again to the direction of Can Tho. Check in the hotel at the end of the afternoon. Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Can Tho - non private Mystic boat - Chau Doc: In the morning, set out on a boat trip to the lively, colourful floating markets of Cai Rang. Board a traditional motor boat to visit the floating market. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, an excursion by boat trip will take you near to the Cambodia border. You could have a glimpse at fishermen, belonging to the Cham ethnic people, and their daily life activities around the Mekong area. Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

Chau Doc - Phnom Penh: In the morning, transfer to the border gate of Tinh Bien / Phnom Den. Complete custom formalities. Then continue driving to Phnom Penh through the province Takeo. Stop en route to visit the Phnom Chisor temple. Phnom Chisor dates from the Angkorian times and sits majestically on a hill. You'll climb many hundreds of stairs to reach it. Once on top, you'll see that your efforts have been completely worthwhile - the view is spectacular looking down on the plains and their temples. Tour the temple or you can just as easily interact with the children and others who live at Phnom Chisor. Downhill, visit a silk weaving village. On the way to Phnom Penh, you visit "Prasat Neang Khmau" - the Black Lady Temple, whose history is somehow related to the Chisor temple. Arrival in Phnom Penh at the end of the day. Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Visit Phnom Penh: Visit the city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital situated at the confluence of the four arms of the Mekong. You'll see the Wat Phnom pagoda; the National Museum, an unmissable introduction to Angkor and a superb example of Khmer architecture. Continue visiting the Royal Palace built in 1866 by King Norodom and the nearby Silver Pagoda whose key works include a golden Buddha encrusted with 9584 diamonds and weighing 90kgs, and a Buddha featuring emeralds and Baccarat crystal dating from the 17^th century. Travel to the city's south to understand another period of Cambodia's history: the regime of the Khmer Rouge. Here, you'll visit the genocide museum of Tuol Sleng, an old secondary school which was transformed into a detention centre under the Khmer Rouge. Returning to Phnom Penh and the rest of day is free at leisure for strolling through theRussian Markets (Tuol Tumpoung). Lunch and Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

Phnom Penh - Kompong Thom - Kompong Khleang - Siem Reap: In the morning, transfer to Siem Reap. You'll pass by a number of villages in Kompong Thom. Lunch enroute. Stop to visiting Kompong Khleang, a floating village about an hour out of Siem Reap before reaching Siem Rieap. Missed by mass tourism, Kompong Khleang is one of the most remarkable floating villages because of the height of its stilt houses. You can walk in the village to meet its people and stop in a house where the family raises crocodiles. Then, by local boat and if the season allows it, cruise along canals to further part of the lake which is home to some displaced Vietnamese people. Return to Kompong Khleang. After visiting, continue to Siem Reap. Check in the hotel. Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

The Temples of Rolous - Angkor Thom: In the morning, about half an hour from Siem Reap, discover one of the most ancient sites in the region: the Temples of Roluos. Begin the visit with the impressive Bakong, a 9^th century temple. Follow this with Preah Ko and Lolei which today houses a small monastery. This is an ideal introduction to Angkor because it allows a full understanding of how the Khmer city was marvelous. In the afternoon, visit Angkor Thom (Grand City) beginning at the south gate and the famous Bayon of the 12^th and 13^th century dedicated to Buddhism and made of 54 gigantic towers featuring 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva embodying the compassion of all Buddhas. Continue on then to the Terrace of Elephants which, at 350m, used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king's grand audience hall; and then see the Terrace of the King of Lepers, 12^th century, a raised platform featuring many sculptured Apsaras (celestial dancers). Lunch and Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8

Angkor Wat - Banteay Srei - Ta Prohm: Meet your guide at reception to head off to the marvelous temple of Angkor Wat, a world heritage site featuring the most extraordinary bas-reliefs. This is one of the most astonishing monuments ever conceived by mankind, and was erected in the 12^th century (1112-1152) in honour of Vishnu. In the afternoon, leave for Banteay Srei, one of the most impressive jewels in the world of Khmer art. Built in the 10^th century, this little pink sandstone temple whose name signifies 'the citadel of women' houses remarkable sculpted lintels in very good condition. Andre Malraux made it famous at the beginning of the 20^th century after removing one of its Apsara heads. He restored it to Banteay Srei in 1923. On the road home, visit the ancient Ta Prohm monastery where immense branches have taken root in the stones. Here you will find splendid sculptured devatas (guardian angels) and experience an atmosphere entirely suited to this temple and all those built under the reign of Jayavarman VII generally. Dinner with Apsara dance show at a nice restaurant in the town. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9

Siem Reap departure: After breakfast, free time for last shopping for souvenirs or wandering around the city until transfer to airport for departure flight.