Combination Journey: From Cambodia to Vietnam

Upon your arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Take to the skies above Angkor Wat for a 14-minute helicopter ride above this 12th century religious monument. From the air you will get an appreciation for just how large Angkor Wat actually is. You will also fly over the Western Baray, the largest manmade reservoir in the country. Back on land, start with a visit to the South Gate of Angkor Thom where statues of the gods of good and evil line the entrance. Your next stop is the Bayon, known for the hundreds of smiling faces that grace the towers. The bas reliefs are quite impressive and tell stories of daily life and the great battles that were fought between the Khmers and ancient Thais. Move on to Phimeanakas, shaped a bit like a pyramid with two ponds in the rear. The ponds were once used for religious rituals but today serve as swimming pools for Khmer kids. Walk to the top of the temple for impressive views of the Angkor complex. Next, enjoy a romantic lunch for two in front of Prasat Bei Temple with some time to relax. Then explore the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. This visually spectacular temple is a massive three-tiered pyramid, rising 65 metres from the ground and crowned by five lotus towers. It’s the national symbol of Cambodia and proudly appears on the country’s flag. End your afternoon from a top a temple watching the sun set over the jungle.

Travel by tuk tuk to a jetty on Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater body in Southeast Asia. From there, travel by longtail boat to Kompong Phluk, an isolated Khmer community of three villages built on stilts. Glide through mangrove trees that survive for months in flooded soil and host a range of tropical bird and mammal species. Who knew such a remote place sat so close to an international destination? After a brief return to the hotel to freshen up, enjoy a signature couple’s massage at a renowned Siem Reap spa. Emerge pampered and relaxed ready for an intimate dinner for two.

Immerse yourself in the traditional practices of rural Khmer farmers. The proceeds from your day trip go to the villagers you’ll visit and to a community fund that improves the general living standards of the village. The tour is a proven model of responsible tourism and a great way to experience authentic Khmer traditions first-hand! Optional activities include walking in a nearby forest and helping to prepare a traditional meal. You may also learn how to produce handicrafts or get involved with fishing, farming or animal husbandry. As things may get muddy, it is probably best to leave your formal wear at your hotel! After soaking up village life, transfer back to Siem Reap and enjoy the rest of the day however you please – you’ve earned it!

After breakfast, We transfer to the airport in time for your flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. After checking in to your hotel the remainder of your day is at leisure until 5pm when you will be met by your guide in a tuk-tuk, your transportation for the evening, for a memorable food-focused experience. First stop is the Foreign Correspondents Club, more commonly known as the FCC. This legendary colonial watering hole oozes history, having been the social hub for foreign journalists and aid workers during the Khmer Rouge era. Some interesting memorabilia adorns the walls which your guide will talk you through, before leaving you on the rooftop terrace to enjoy a cocktail and views across the Mekong & Tonle Sap rivers as the sun sets. Re-joining your guide in the tuk-tuk, it’s time for a completely contrasting experience…Cambodian's don’t shy away from entomophagy (that’s ‘snacking on insects’ in layman’s terms), and they have long been seen as a good source of nutrition. Head down to the river where roadside stalls sell a variety of edible bugs which you will have the opportunity to try. Your guide is on hand to decipher the surprisingly tasty offerings. Continue by tuk-tuk to the Russian Market. By day this market is a tourist hotspot, but come evening the food stalls come alive, attracting local diners with typical Khmer food such as Banh Chheo, chicken rice porridge and beef skewers. Choose what you wish to eat, pull up a plastic stool alongside the locals and soak up the atmosphere. Next up, and your final food stop for the evening, are the popular seafood stalls where you can enjoy freshly barbequed seafood before returning to your hotel, again by tuk-tuk.

In 1975, after years of guerrilla warfare, the radical Communist Khmer Rouge party, under its leader Pol Pot, seized power of Cambodia and declared ‘year zero’. They immediately abolished money and private property, and ordered the entire population of Phnom Penh from their homes and into the countryside to cultivate the fields. Over the next three years an estimated 2 million Cambodians died, many from starvation and exhaustion. Many others were tortured and executed for being supposed ‘enemies of the state’. The morning is spent learning more about these terrible years, through visits to the infamous Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes and Cheung Ek, better known as the ‘Killing Fields’. It is an incredibly moving experience, but these are two visits you will be glad to have made. During your visit to Cambodia, you will barely meet a single person who didn’t lose a member of their family during these years, yet they are all willing to talk openly about it with you. They wish you to hear about it and see these places, to ensure that it never happens again. Lunch is at Friends, a ‘kindness restaurant’ where ex-street children are trained in hospitality and restaurant skills, helping them to break away from life on the streets. In the afternoon visit the Royal Palace, situated on the site of the former citadel and built by King Norodom in 1866, the Palace still serves as the King and Queen's residential quarters. Also within the walls of the Palace is the Silver Pagoda, so called because of five thousand silver tiles that line its exquisite floor. If time permits there is also the option of visiting the National Museum, which houses the worlds leading collection of Khmer art and sculpture, and Wat Phnom the founding site of the city. All are within easy walking distance of each other and are a great introduction to this laid-back city.

Your day is at leisure until your early afternoon transfer to the Mekong River bank to board your boat for the journey along the Mekong to Chau Doc in Vietnam. (A journey of approximately 4.5 hours). Weave your way through some stunning delta scenery, before arriving at the Vietnamese border and continuing on to Chau Doc. Upon arrival in Chau Doc transfer directly to your hotel where there is time to relax and watch river life on the Mekong River. Chau Doc is laid back place and the beautiful Victoria Hotel, on the river bank, is the ideal location to soak up the lazy delta atmosphere. The remainder of your day is at leisure.

In the morning drive to visit the unique Tra Su Cajeput Forest which covers an area of over 700 hectares and has seen a remarkable turnaround since its restoration in 1983. Scientists now estimate that it is home to over 70 species of birds, 11 species of animals, 20 species of reptiles, 5 species of amphibians and 23 species of fish (phew!) The variety of flora is equally impressive with over 140 specified floral varieties. Following a boat and walking tour through the forest continue to Vam Xang, on the outskirts of Can Tho. A stop will be made en-route for lunch. On arrival at Vam Xang orchard collect your bicycle and begin a leisurely bike ride to explore the Mekong landscape. Cross the river by local ferry and cycle along the canal: the road zigzags through villages, over bridges, passing fruit gardens and markets. Stops will be made en route to offer a glimpse into the local life. Return your bikes to the Vam Xang orchard and continue by car to Can Tho – the largest city in the Mekong Delta - where the remainder of your day is at leisure. Set on the southern bank of the Hau River, Can Tho is the economic and cultural capital of the entire delta region and is known for its network of canals and floating markets.

In the past, we have always recommended our clients to make an early morning visit to Cai Rang floating market, just 15 minutes along the river, enjoying cruising amongst boats trading their produce from all over the Mekong Delta region. For many this is still the right choice. It is, however, fair to say that in recent years the market has become less impressive and some may argue less authentic, becoming as much of a tourist ‘hot-spot’ as the markets closer to Ho Chi Minh City that we have advised against in the past. Because of this, we have created a flexible programme, so if you wish to make a very early morning visit to Cai Rang floating market please advise your guide the night before. Transfer to Can Tho Airport for the short flight to Phu Quoc. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel where the remainder of your day is at leisure. The island lies in the Gulf of Thailand, 45km west of Ha Tien and 15km south coast of Cambodia (it used to be Cambodian territory). During the late 17th-century the island was used as an important strategic stronghold for the Vietnam Emperor’s fighting bordering forces. In later years the French took advantage of the ample rubber and coconut plantations and in more recent times it was home to a POW detention centre during the American War. The island, famous for its production of fish sauce, now provides visitors with long stretches of deserted white sand, low tourist numbers and a laid-back atmosphere - welcome to the Vietnam of old! Enjoy the wildlife, famous local delicacies, quaint fishing ports and superb beaches!

Your day is at leisure.

Your day is at leisure.

Morning transfer to Phu Quoc Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and transfered directly to the famous Cu Chi tunnels - an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels, over 250km in length and up to three levels deep in places, played a huge part in the Viet Cong’s victory over the Americans, allowing them to control a large rural area surrounding Ho Chi Minh City. Today, some of the remaining tunnels have been opened to tourists, offering a unique insight into what underground life must have been like during the ‘American’ war. Continue on to Ho Chi Minh City where the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Your journey begins in the morning with an introduction to Vietnam’s vibrant southern metropolis by private car. Set off into the bustling morning atmosphere of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, en route to a collection of its most famous landmarks. Start your journey at the Central Post Office and Opera House, both colonial-era architectural masterpieces with dazzling French design. From the Post Office, walk onward to the nearby Reunification Palace, so-called for the building’s integral part in the reunification of the country following the war. Explore the stately meeting rooms within the Palace’s interior before enjoying beautiful third-storey views across its vast grassy lawns and gardens. Then, pay a visit to the War Remnants Museum for a first-hand look at the mid-twentieth century war through the eyes of the Vietnamese people. By private car, make your final stop before lunch at Ben Thanh Market for a glimpse at the city’s bustling commercial heart. At Mandarin Restaurant, enjoy a freshly-prepared Vietnamese lunch, accompanied by a cooking demonstration, before your private car continues on to the Chinatown District. This afternoon, swap your private car for one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most charming modes of transportation - a cyclo! Wander through a small fruit market before taking off on your cyclo. This traditional rickshaw takes you for a leisurely journey into the winding alleyways of the Chinatown area, arriving at Cha Tam Church and Chua Ong Pagoda, a stunning example of Chinese-inspired architecture. By foot, head down a traditional herbal medicine street for a closer look at how locals use herbal remedies for everything from headaches to energy boosts! With a tea bag as your souvenir, wave goodbye to the friendly owner and head onward to Bitexco Building - a glittering example of modern architecture in the city. As the fifth highest building in Asia, the views from the EON Cafe Shop offer unrivalled panoramas of the sunset. Enjoy a leisurely cocktail as the sun dips below the horizon for the perfect wrap up to your afternoon. Your car will take you back to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening by exploring the city’s bustling nightlife or tuck in early for the evening.

Your day is at leisure until your transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Airport for your onward flight