Compare Cruising the Mekong from Saigon to Siem Reap by Audley Travel vs Finding Vietnam & The Lost Temples Of Angkor by Exotic Voyages

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Saigon.

Day 2 : Saigon

Upon arrival in Saigon you will be greeted by an Audley representative and transferred to your hotel.The remainder of the day is at your own leisure to explore or relax.

Day 3 : Saigon

A full day today to explore Saigon with your driver and guide. You will visit some of the city's main sights including the war remnants museum before heading out to discover the Cu Chi Tunnels, the infamous hideout of the Viet Cong during the war.

Day 4 : Saigon

Transfer by coach from Saigon to the departure point of the RV Mekong, at My Tho. Join the RV Mekong vessel and embark on your eight day journey along the Mekong.

Day 5 : Saigon

Cruise through the Mekong Delta this morning, stopping off to visit a local village at Cai Be.

Day 6 : Saigon

Today you will visit a local Cham Village in Chau Doc, having time to explore the local area.

Day 7 : Saigon

Your journey takes you across the border today into Cambodia. Stop off en route for a jungle walk and a visit to a local fruit orchard.

Day 8 : Saigon

Cruise along the river to Phnom Penh today. You have the chance to explore this frenetic city and learn more about its history. Visit the National Museum, Tuol Sleng Museum, the Killing Fields and more.

Day 9 : Saigon

Continue cruising today, passing Kampong Cham. Disembark and enjoy a walk up Wat Hanchai Hill and explore the Cham shrines. This afternoon continue exploring more temples before returning to the boat for the evening.

Day 10 : Saigon

Watch the beautiful scenery drift by. This afternoon your have time to explore some of the local villages and enjoy the wildlife of the area.

Day 11 : Siem Reap

Arrive into Siem Reap and say goodbye to your boat today. Your driver and guide will meet you at the disembarkation point and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 12 : Siem Reap

Begin your exploration of the temples of Angkor today, with a dawn visit to the jungle-enshrouded Ta Prohm. Continue your exploration at the ancient city of Angkor Thom and the enigmatic faces at the Bayon. A magnificent day today finishes with an exploration of Angkor Wat as the sun sets â a magical experience.

Day 13 : Siem Reap

A day away from the crowds as you visit the ravaged site of Beng Melea. Continue to the River of a Thousand Lingas, at Kbal Spean, before finishing at the exquisitely preserved pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei.

Day 14 : International return flight

You leave Cambodia today and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Day 15 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

DAY 1 HANOI

Hotel: Capella Hanoi

Arriving at Noi Bai Airport, you will be welcomed by a local guide who will drive you to Capella Hanoi, the No. 3 Best City Hotel in Asia for hotel check-in. Capella Hanoi is conveniently located near many of Hanoi's top attractions, allowing you to explore the city for the rest of the day.

DAY 2 HANOI

Hotel: Capella Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Go on a walking tour with a story teller, find some local houses to understand more about Vietnamese local life and the development of architecture over the years. Have lunch and free talk with the story teller. In the afternoon, visit Hanoi’s first university - the Temple of Literature, head to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum and travel through the Old Quarter on a cycle rickshaw.

DAY 3 HA LONG BAY

Hotel: Ginger Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel by a private vehicle and leave for Halong Bay, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site with 3,000 islands of towering limestone dotting the bay and Gulf of Tonkin. Board the Ginger Cruise at around noon, a beautiful private boat for an overnight.

DAY 4 HOI AN

Hotel: Palm Garden Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

Enjoy a spectacular dawn over the bay. After that, have brunch and return to Hanoi around noontime, passing a vast expanse of rice fields of the Red River Delta. Go directly to the airport to catch a short flight to Da Nang. Once you arrive, you will be picked up by a local driver and transferred to the hotel in Hoi An. Free to explore the town.

DAY 5 HOI AN

Hotel: Palm Garden Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Visit the bustling fish market at sunrise and have local breakfast while strolling in Ancient Town. Later, ride your bicycle into the Cam Thanh countryside, observe picturesque scenes of the local life before reaching the seaport of Cua Dai to explore a unique method of fishing in “basket boats". Enjoy a lunch carefully prepared by the fishermen.

DAY 6 HOI AN

Hotel: Palm Garden Resort
Meals: Breakfast

Have the whole day to yourself to explore the city of Hoi An, whether it is the beach or the ancient town, the decision is up to you. Let yourself be seduced by the old charm and the serenity of Hoi An.

DAY 7 SAIGON

Hotel: Hotel Des Arts Saigon - MGallery
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, fly to Saigon. Check in the hotel and rest. At 6 pm, go on a Jeep night food tour to try local 'Banh Xeo' and some spring rolls, see famous monuments such as the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House, and the City Hall. The next stop is District 4, where you will enjoy delicious fresh seafood cooked in a traditional way. Have a drink at a rooftop and admire an incredible view of the city.

DAY 8 MEKONG DELTA & RIVER

Hotel: Hotel Des Arts Saigon - MGallery
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Drive southwest to the Mekong Delta. A traditional boat tour on the Mekong River let you taste local fruits and feel the cold breeze on your hair. Leave your boat for a while to visit local families making traditional and handicraft products. After exploring the island's minor waterways by sampan, explore the once-called floating market in the commercial center. After having a local meal, return to Saigon, and visit the Opera House for the A O art show, a new circus art performance.

DAY 9 SIEM REAP

Hotel: Anantara Angkor Resort
Meals: Breakfast

Visit the 250-km Cu Chi tunnel network, which housed over 16,000 Viet Cong guerrillas this morning. You can also descend into the tunnels to learn about Viet Cong life. After returning to the city, fly to Siem Reap. A local guide will greet you in Siem Reap and assist with hotel check-in. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

DAY 10 SIEM REAP

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Visit Angkor Wat, a bas-relief wonder. At noon, enjoy a cultural and culinary experience in a traditional house. You can also stay in the house for a nap on the sofas or walk through the village and the close-by rice-fields. Explore Angkor Thom's South gate and Bayon, 54 enormous towers with 216 smiling Avalokitesvara faces, in the afternoon. The Elephant Terrace, the king's large audience room, and the raised Leper King Terrace are next. Stop at Ta Prohm monastery on the way home to admire gigantic stone branches.

DAY 11 SIEM REAP

Hotel: Anantara Angkor Resort
Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy your free time in the morning until noon, when it’s time to say goodbye to Siem Reap and get transferred to the airport for your flight home.