Thailand, Cambodia and the Mighty Mekong

Day 1 - Bangkok

Join your tour group at the hotel.

Day 3 - Kanchanaburi

Travel by road from Bangkok’s urban sprawl to the tranquil province of Kanchanaburi. Explore the powerful history of the Burma Railway, known as the ‘Death Railway’, built using forced POW labour during WWII. Visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre and Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the resting place of almost 7,000 British and Allied soldiers. See the iconic Bridge over the River Kwai, heavy with history and immortalised on screen. After lunch, witness the dramatic engineering feat of Hellfire Pass and explore its Memorial Museum. Follow with a train ride along the historic railway before returning to Bangkok.

Day 2 - Bangkok

Discover Bangkok’s vibrant contrasts on a morning city tour. Admire the gilded spires and intricate architecture of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha. Continue to Wat Pho, which houses more than 1,000 Buddha images and the immense 46-metre-long Reclining Buddha, wrapped in gold leaf.

Day 4 - Bangkok – Siem Reap

Fly to Cambodia and travel onward to Siem Reap, gateway to the temples of Angkor. Visit the SATCHA Cambodian handicraft centre, where local artisans develop traditional and contemporary skills. Return to the hotel for free time. Later, visit the Royal Garden, home to the King’s Palace, and offer a lotus flower at the Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm Shrine. In the evening, enjoy dinner followed by a traditional Apsara dance performance.

Day 5 - Siem Reap

Begin the temple exploration at Bayon, the 12th-century ‘face temple’ adorned with 216 serene stone faces of Avalokiteshvara. Continue to Ta Prohm, where jungle roots entwine ancient stone walls. Conclude at magnificent Angkor Wat, the most complete and awe-inspiring monument in the complex. Learn about its myths, symbolism and religious significance from a local guide. After lunch, enjoy free time to explore at leisure.

Day 6 - Siem Reap

Shift focus to the waters of Tonlé Sap. Cruise by boat through mangrove forests to visit floating Khmer villages sustained by fishing and farming. Take part in traditional broom making and assist with village activities during a guided walk. After a simple Khmer lunch, enjoy time to explore further or speak with local families about daily life on the lake. Return to Siem Reap with a stop at a Buddhist temple to receive a monk’s blessing. In the evening, sample local specialities at the night market before attending a performance by Phare Cambodian Circus, where young performers bring Cambodian history and folklore to life through acrobatics and theatre.

Day 7 - Siem Reap - Battambang

Drive to Battambang and ride the famous Battambang Bamboo Train. Sitting on straw mats laid across a simple bamboo flatbed, this rickety and sometimes bumpy ride is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Next, visit Wat Kor to admire heritage Khmer houses more than a century old and gain insight into village life. After lunch, explore Battambang on foot, crossing the Sangker River to see architectural highlights including the art deco-inspired Central Market and the white façade of Sangker Cinema. Visit Ek Phnom, an atmospheric 11th-century temple revealing Cambodia’s cultural legacy. (This visit may take place the following morning.)

Day 8 - Battembang - Phnom Penh

Travel through Cambodia’s scenic countryside to Phnom Penh. Spend the evening at leisure at the Palace Gate Hotel.

Day 9 - Phnom Penh

Begin at the Royal Palace, admiring its ornate roofs and spires. Visit the nearby Silver Pagoda, famed for its silver-tiled floor. Confront Cambodia’s recent history at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, documenting the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. After time at leisure, cruise the Mekong River at sunset, watching the skyline glow as daylight fades.

Day 12 - Phnom Penh - Chau Doc

Head to the landmark art deco Central Market, a noisy hubbub of colour and commerce. After lunch at a local restaurant, board a speedboat and travel along the Mekong River into Vietnam. Glide past rice fields, grassy meadows and the occasional water buffalo before arriving in Chau Doc.

Day 10 - Chau Doc - Can Tho

Discover Chau Doc on a walking tour through winding streets and stilted river houses. Visit the bustling local market and learn about the region’s agricultural traditions. Later, cruise by small boat to a Muslim Cham village to observe its distinctive mosques and architecture. Continue to Sam Mountain, the highest peak in the Mekong Delta and an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, offering sweeping views across the patchwork of paddy fields.

Day 11 - Can Tho - My Tho - Ho Chi Minh City

Cruise to My Tho and board a traditional wooden sampan to explore the Mekong Delta’s floating farms around Tan My and Tho Son islands. Transfer to a rowboat to navigate narrow canals shaded by water coconut palms. Cycle through local villages to discover cottage industries including mushroom cultivation, beekeeping and traditional weaving. Enjoy lunch featuring Mekong specialities in a family garden before returning to the mainland and driving to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 13 - Ho Chi Minh City

Delve deeper into Vietnamese history with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Watch a short film about life for the Viet Cong soldiers who lived here, then explore the narrow passageways and underground rooms used to hide troops, transport supplies and plan resistance. Today, the tunnels stand as a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of the Vietnamese people. This afternoon, discover the city once known as Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City is both fast-paced and forward-looking, yet rich in history and tradition. Begin at Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, the first traditional Vietnamese pagoda in the country constructed in concrete. Gain insight into the country’s recent past at the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace, the site that marked the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Continue to the Central Post Office, designed by French architect Gustave Eiffel, before finishing at the Saigon Opera House. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant to toast the end of the tour.

Day 14 - Ho Chi Minh City

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.