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Angkor Wat, Siem Reap

Vietnam & Cambodia Highlights by River

15-day river cruise holiday from £5,495 pp incl. flights

Special offer: Early booking offer – Save up to £1,500pp

Summary

Short description

A luxury, all-inclusive sailing along the mighty Mekong with APT

Highlights

  • Enjoy luxury stays among Angkor Wat’s lost temple city and Ho Chi Minh City’s imperial grandeur
  • Witness the sun rising above Cambodia’s Angkor Wat
  • Pause at lesser-visited rural villages and jungle temples
  • Enjoy exclusive 'Signature Experiences' and 'Freedom of Choice' activities
  • Experience in all in style from your luxurious river ship Mekong Serenity

In Brief

  • 2 Nights Ho Chi Minh City
  • 1 Night Ho Chi Minh
  • 1 Night Sa Dec
  • 1 Night Tân Châu
  • 1 Night Phnom Penh
  • 1 Night Oudong
  • 1 Night Angkor Ban
  • 1 Night Kampong Chhnang
  • 3 Nights Siem Reap

About

Recommended for:
Escorted tour | History & culture | Natural world | River cruise

Sailing between Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial charm and the world-wonder temples of Angkor, this luxury APT river cruise showcases the very best of southern Vietnam and Cambodia. You’ll ply the mighty Mekong River, weaving along its verdant delta to pause everywhere from Phnom Penh’s golden palaces to riverside villages and off-the-beaten-track monasteries. Each pause is brought to life by a choice of included, expert-led touring. Think local cooking classes, tuk tuk tours and ox-cart rides. The all-inclusive indulgences continue on board, with open bars and gourmet full-board dining on APTs new for 2023 Mekong Serenity. Either side, you’ll enjoy stays in luxury hotels.

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
Depart UK

After enjoying a complimentary private transfer and airport lounge access, board your overnight flight.

Day 2
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Flying into Vietnam's largest city, you'll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Housed in a grand French-colonial building, it's an attraction in its own right, complete with spa treatments, elegant rooms and a pair of superb restaurants. It’s lucky, then, that you’ll be dining here tonight – the chance to meet your fellow guests over a welcome dinner.

Stay: Park Hyatt Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City (Deluxe)

Meals: D

Day 3
Ho Chi Minh City: Long Tan or Cu Chi Tunnels

You’ll be treated to your first choice of signature experiences today. Perhaps you’d like to travel by speedboat to explore the labyrinthine Cu Chi Tunnels. This vast subterranean network was once used by the Viet Cong, serving as hiding spots, supply depots and even hospitals. Or perhaps meet a Master Distiller at Lady Trieu Gin distillery.  At day’s end, you’ll be treated to a lavish multi-course dinner at Vietnam House; it’s one of the city’s best-reviewed restaurants.

Stay: Park Hyatt Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City (Deluxe)

Meals: B L D

Day 4
Ho Chi Minh City: freedom of choice touring and embark cruise

This morning you’ll have some time to explore the city proper, taking in its bustling markets and beautiful colonial architecture on a walking tour. The Independence Palace is a particular highlight; it’s a palm-fringed 1960s vestige with a unique war-time history. Or you might like to jump on the back of a motorbike for an exciting city ride or join a local instructor for a gentle Tai Chi class. Alternatively, you may like to try out your culinary skills with a fun cooking class, or take a shopping spree. Whichever you choose, you’ll then be brought to your luxury river ship, settling in to your stylish suite to watch the river scenery from your private balcony. It’s then time for the first of your all-inclusive on-board dining, with a multi-course dinner, perhaps capped with a drink in the open bar.

Stay: Mekong Serenity

Meals: B L D

Day 5
Cai Be and Sa Dec

You’ll enjoy the first of your breakfasts today as you wind on to Cai Be. Here, a traditional boat will bring you ashore for a visit to a local rice-paper manufacturer before you cruise on to Sa Dec. It’s the chance to visit the beautifully carved house of Marguerite Duras’s amor – Huynh Thuy Le. Its centuries-old façade is just as romantic as the author’s seminal work, The Lover. After, you’ll visit a traditional Cao Dai temple.

Stay: Mekong Serenity

Meals: B L D

Day 6
Tan Chau, Evergreen Island and border crossing

Boarding a small boat this morning, you’ll be brought to shore with Cai Be, where you’ll enjoy a typically Vietnamese experience. Hopping onto a rickshaw, you’ll tour this archetypal Mekong-Delta town on three wheels, taking in bustling markets and cottage industries. Then, after pausing at some of the many lush-green islands that dot the Mekong, you’ll cruise into Cambodia. It’s the chance to relax on the sun-deck pool as rural river life plays out.

Stay: Mekong Serenity

Meals: B L D

Day 7
Phnom Penh

Arriving into the Cambodia capital, you’ll once more have a choice of included 'Freedom of Choice'  Perhaps experience some of Cambodia’s sobering history with a visit to the infamous Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Or, discover Phnom Penh on a cyclo ride to uncover some well-known sights. History buffs can admire the exhibits at the National Museum or perhaps explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda Or you may wish to set off on a journey to sample some locally brewed beers at two of the city’s craft breweries.

Stay: Mekong Serenity

Meals: B L D

Day 8
Oudong and Koh Chen

Disembark in Phnom Penh and discover Oudong for former royal capital of Cambodia, and an important place of pilgrimage. Here you’ll be treated to a special Signature Experience, a monastery for a Buddhist blessing with monks at a local monastery. Return to your ship via the village Koh Chen, where you will perhaps visit some home workshops that manufacture copperware. Later, your ship glides along the lush banks of the Mekong to Oknha Tey, a small island renowned for its skilful silk weaving traditions. Enjoy dinner onboard tonight.

Stay: Mekong Serenity

Meals: B L D

Day 9
Angkor Ban

Join a walking discovery of Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Experience rustic agricultural life as you wander past the wooden stilted houses in this quiet, rural place

Stay: Mekong Serenity

Meals: B L D

Day 10
Kampong Chhnang

Those who wish to climb Wat Hanchey this morning will be rewarded with stunning hilltop panoramas and some of the best views of the Mekong River. Following lunch on board, take a tuk tuk to explore the island of Koh Pen with its wooden stilt houses and local farming culture. It’s all capped off with a special farewell dinner.

Stay: Mekong Serenity

Meals: B L D

Day 11
Siem Reap and the Temples of Angkor

Disembarking today, you’ll be transferred to your luxury hotel, a French-colonial jewel that overlooks a private lake. As your home for the next three nights, it features everything from a golf course to a spectacular pool area. Be welcomed backstage at Phare Circus and watch a mesmerising performance from your VIP seats. Combining captivating acrobatics, theatre and storytelling, this unforgettable spectacle showcases the country’s rich culture and talent. You’ll finish with a visit to Opportunities of Development thru Art – a grass-roots NGO that provides education to the region’s underprivileged children.

Stay: Hotel Sofitel Angkor (Deluxe)

Meals: B D

Day 12
Siem Reap and the Temples of Angkor

Rising early this morning, you’ll be treated to a special sunrise experience at Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. Then, your expert guide will bring you among the temple complex’s upper echelons, sacred centres and beautifully carved cloisters.Continue your exploration of the World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park with a visit to Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital. Built during the heyday of the Khmer Empire in the 12th century, this is an extraordinary complex of Hindu and Buddhist monuments. Head to the intriguing Bayon Temple, with its carved stone smiling faces of gods, goddesses and other mythology beings. Visit the Terrace of Elephants, which used to be the base for the king’s grand audience hall, and the Terrace of the Leper King, which housed the royal crematory. Journey to Ta Prohm, known for the thick jungle of fig trees and vines that have enveloped the structure, creating a feeling akin to stepping into a lost world. In the evening, take the opportunity to savour a taste of Cambodia with a choice of local restaurants for dinner from your 'Freedom of Choice' selection.

Stay: Hotel Sofitel Angkor (Deluxe)

Meals: B

Day 13
Siem Reap freedom of choice touring

On your final day, you’ll have a full choice of sightseeing. Perhaps enjoy a tuk tuk ride to the Senteurs d’Angkor workshop. If you’re feeling energetic, join a quad bike adventure or take a leisurely bicycle tour through the Cambodian countryside. Other options include a horse and cart ride, a traditional Khmer cooking class, and a shopping adventure, or why not indulge in a relaxing spa treatment. Or maybe treat yourself to a private visit to Theam’s Gallery and discover this talented Cambodian artist known for his unique sculptures, paintings, and intricate crafts. Indulge in a tantalising five-course Khmer dinner while enjoying a traditional Apsara dance performance accompanied by live musicians. Whatever you choose, it’s all included.

Stay: Hotel Sofitel Angkor (Deluxe)

Meals: B D

Days 14-15
Siem Reap/UK

After a final breakfast, you’ll be brought to the airport for your return flight back to the UK. On arrival, a complimentary private driver will be waiting to bring you home.

Meals: B

Map

Pricing

Any element of this cruise can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.

Accommodation rating: Deluxe

15-day river cruise holiday
from £5,495 pp incl. flights

Deluxe

Special Offer

Early booking offer : Save up to £1,500 pp.

Book by: 31 March 2024

Low season from

from £5,495 pp. incl. flights

High season from

from £6,090 pp. incl. flights

Price Includes:

  • Home-to-airport transfers by private car
  • Return scheduled flights from the UK to Ho Chi Minh & Siem Reap
  • Fully escorted tour & river cruise with APT including:
  • 5 nights accommodation staying in 5* (Deluxe) hotels on a mix meal basis from Breakfast to Full-board
  • 7 night full board river cruise aboard Mekong Serenity
  • Luxury dining – a total of 31 meals and a wide range of onboard beverages
  • Unique cultural experiences and touring in up to 10 towns, villages & cities
  • Complimentary beverages served on board your cruise
  • APT Cruise Director and expert local guides
  • Overseas transfers, port charges and tipping
  • Home to airport transfers by private car within 75 mile radius, not applicable with certain special offers (speak to consultant for details not available with some special offers)
  • Complimentary UK airport lounge access

Alternative departures operate the itinerary in reverse.

Prices vary by departure date and stateroom availability, please call for details.

Terms & Conditions

Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.

Meet our experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0615

Meet the team

Adjust your cruise with our recommended extensions

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Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0615 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

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Every step of the way

Every step of the way

Our services are with you from start to finish:

  • Dedicated personal consultants
  • Free airport lounges on qualifying bookings
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