Southern Vietnam & Cambodia

Southern Vietnam & Cambodia Overview

Start in Cambodia at the mighty temples of Angkor before meandering down the country, via the capital Phnom Penh, and heading into the jungle. There is time to relax on the south coast of Cambodia as well as on a tropical island, before enjoying a few days in the mighty Mekong Delta and Southern Vietnam.

DAY 1 - WELCOME TO CAMBODIA!
Welcome to Siem Reap. Your private guide and driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel, where you can check in and freshen up. This afternoon you will cycle to see the sunset on the top of Bakheng Hill, where you can look over the temple of Angkor Wat and the whole site of Angkor Heritage. Return to Natura Resort, a smart boutique resort, which is a short tuk-tuk journey from the town (deluxe room, B&B).

DAY 2 - EXPLORE THE MIGHTY TEMPLES OF ANGKOR
Rise early this morning to catch sunrise over the largest and most breathtaking temple; Angkor Wat with your private guide. Spend the morning exploring one of man’s most magnificent creations before returning to the hotel for a late breakfast. Later, explore the fortified city of Angkor Thom as well as Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, and the Terraces of the Elephants and Leper King. Finish your day tour with the sunset at Pre Rup Temple – its red bricks are accentuated by the sinking sun.

DAY 3 - GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK AT ANGKOR
This morning you will visit Banteay Srei (by tuk-tuk), which for many years was off limits due to its remote location and Khmer Rouge activity, as well as the majestic Ta Prohm Temple, which was famed for becoming the Tomb Raider set. This afternoon you’ll board a small local-style boat to see a floating village on Tonle Sap Lake. Round the day off with a fantastic performance by the Phare Cambodian Circus – this non-profit organisation trains young Cambodians in the arts.

DAY 4 - TAKE A ROADTRIP TO PHNOM PENH
After breakfast, you’ll depart on a wonderful drive into the traditional Cambodian countryside. The journey to Phnom Penh will take the best part of the day. You’ll stop at the village of Kompong Kdei, where you can see bridges from the Angkor period, and Sambor Prei Kuk, an ancient, pre-Angkorian city, which is virtually unknown where you can enjoy a picnic – and we’ll make a short stop at the village of Skuon, where fried spiders sold on the streets! Tonight you can check into Villa Langka (deluxe room, B&B).

DAY 5 - LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF CAMBODIA
Enjoy a private tour of Phnom Penh this morning and see the holy site of Wat Phnom, the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. This afternoon you will visit Tuol Sleng, a school which was used as a prison by the Khmer Rouge, and Choeung Ek, also known as the “killing fields”, where many were left to perish. This excursion may prove distressing for some; it is however an important piece of Cambodia’s recent past.

DAY 6 - HEAD TO YOUR LUXURY FLOATING TENT
This morning your private driver will drive you to the jungle paradise of Koh Kong in south-west Cambodia. On the way you will stop at Kirirom National Park, which covers about 80,000 acres of forested land. Enjoy a short and easy trek to the Chambok waterfall for a picnic lunch before continuing to your luxury floating tent on the River Tatai. This is ‘glamping’ on another level… (floating tent, B&B).

DAY 7 - EXPLORE THE LOCAL JUNGLE RIVER TERRAIN
This morning you will take a 45 minute boat ride, past Tatai village, into the heart of the Cardamom jungle to the Tati Waterfall, where you can take a dip and enjoy a picnic lunch. After leaving the falls, you will stop at the mouth of a small river where you can paddle your kayak to a traditional Cambodian farm. Return to the 4 Rivers Floating Lodge to enjoy the evening at your leisure.

DAY 8 - DRIVE TO THE SEASIDE TOWN OF KEP
Enjoy a relaxing morning before making your journey to Kep, a seaside town that was once considered to the the ‘French Riviera’ of Cambodia in its heyday. Your private driver will drive you (about five hours) to the gorgeous Knai Bang Chatt, which is one of our favourite hotels in the country, and definitely boasts some of the finest sunset views from its infinity pool (double garden view, B&B).

DAY 9 & 10 - RELAX ON CAMBODIA'S SUNNY SOUTHERN COAST
Take two full days at the beautiful Knai Bang Chatt to relax. Its infinity pool has tremendous ocean views and we think this is the perfect way to unwind after a few days of sightseeing. It also has a great selection of massages, spa treatments and even private meditation sessions. We can organise local excursions for you if you wish but we think this is the perfect place to stop for a couple of days.

DAY 11 - TRAVEL OVERLAND TO VIETNAM
This morning you will be driven to the Vietnamese border, which you will cross on foot, before being met by a new driver and guide. After lunch, transfer to Chau Doc in the Mekong Delta before passing the Giang Thanh canal, Vinh Te canal and then a slow boat to visit a Floating Fish farm and the Cham Muslim village. Later this afternoon, you will take a trip to visit the Chua Xu Temple and Sam Mountain, and enjoy the sunset from the mountain. Overnight at Victoria Chau Doc Hotel, (superior room B&B).

DAY 12 - EXPLORE CANALS DEEP IN THE MEKONG FOREST
After breakfast you will depart to visit of Tra Su Cajuput forest, known for its almost-untouched natural beauty and varied flora and fauna. It is the habitat for many colonies of water birds, bats and other rare and endangered animals and reptile species. We will take you into the wild on foot and on a small boat, where you can cruise canals deep into the forest. After, we will drive you to Can Tho, the capital of the Mekong Delta, where you can check into the Victoria Can Tho Hotel, (superior room, B&B).

DAY 13 - EXPLORE A FLOATING MARKET AND CANALS
After an early breakfast you will board a local boat to visit the Cai Rang Floating Market, the most famous floating market of the Mekong Delta. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and the bustling activity of the market and float down smaller canals, visiting a rice husking mill and a shop where rice noodles are produced. This afternoon you can enjoy walking around or cycling to a local village – or try your hand at farming, before joining in a cooking class for dinner with a local family. Return to Victoria Can Tho tonight.

DAY 14 - TRAVEL TO PHU QUOC
This morning you will be driven to Can Tho Airport to take the short flight to the tropical island of Phu Quoc, in the gulf of Thailand (which belongs to Vietnam). We adore this little island, and challenge you to find calmer waters! Tonight you can check into Cassia Cottages, a sweet little selection of bungalows that are tucked in jungle-like gardens with direct beach access (deluxe garden view, B&B).

DAY 15 - 17 - RELAX ON THE PARADISE-LIKE ISLAND OF PHU QUOC
Take three full days to relax on this beautiful sun-kissed island. It is super chilled and in the evenings the restaurants string up lanterns and put candles on the tables that are dug into the sand, where you can laze away the hours eating incredible seafood and enjoying a cocktail or two. This is probably our favourite beach destination in Vietnam.

DAY 18 - HEAD TO HO CHI MINH CITY (ALSO KNOWN AS SAIGON)
This morning you will take the short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) where you will embark on a private tour of this fascinating city. You will start the trip by passing the former American embassy on Le Duan Street and visiting the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and French era General Post office. After, enjoy a coffee or cocktail on the roof of the famous Rex Hotel. The final stop is the lively Ben Thanh Market, an ideal place for shopping, before checking into your room at Hotel des Arts (deluxe room)

DAY 19 - AN INSIGHT INTO THE VIETNAM WAR
This morning you will be driven to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, More than 200 km of tunnels were built here by the Vietnamese guerrillas, where they lived and fought during the American War. You can explore the bedrooms, meeting rooms, air-raid shelters, smokeless kitchens, and experience a unique underground world. In the afternoon, visit the War Remnant Museum and the Reunification Palace in Saigon before enjoying the evening at leisure.

DAY 20 - BON VOYAGE!
This morning you will be taken to the airport in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) where you can catch your flight home. Bon voyage and safe travels!