Saigon to Bangkok

Friday. Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon! On arrival at the airport you’ll be transferred to our hotel, before the rest of today is free to explore at leisure. Perhaps visit the Reunification Palace - the Vietnam War came to an end here on 30 April 1975 as a North Vietnamese tank crashed through the gates.

Ho Chi Minh City - Cai Be - Can Tho. This morning we drive to Cai Be and board a traditional sampan boat to cruise along the Mekong River. Enjoy lunch in a traditional wooden home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island and pass the beautiful Cai Be church as we sail. Later, we’ll stop at some home factories to sample local sweets and see how they are made.

Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy a morning visit to the famous Cai Rang floating market before we return to Ho Chi Minh City for a guided walking tour. Discover highlights of the city including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the sobering War Remnants Museum. This evening is free to enjoy as you please.

Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh. Today we visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, used by the Viet Cong to their advantage during the Vietnam War. You’ll see trapdoors, booby traps and weapons factories that were used by the guerrilla fighters, as well as living accommodation. Crawl through a section of the famous tunnels and fire weapons including M16’s and AK47’s at the firing range.

This afternoon we say goodbye to Vietnam and cross into Cambodia. We then drive to the country’s capital, Phnom Penh.

Explore the highlights of Phnom Penh today as we enjoy a guided tour of the capital. See the National Museum of Fine Arts and the beautiful Royal Palace. Continue to the famous Silver Pagoda, where statues of Buddha are encrusted with thousands of diamonds.

This afternoon discover the darker side of Cambodia’s past as we learn about the Khmer Rouge with visits to Tuol Sleng Prison ($21) and the Killing Fields. The barbaric Pol Pot regime executed thousands of people during their brief rule of the country from 1975 - 1979.

Phnom Penh - Siem Reap. Today we fly from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (included) and visit The Angkor National Museum. Later, explore Cambodia’s most famous attraction with a visit to Angkor Wat - so iconic that it features on the Cambodian flag. This breath-taking temple complex is one of the world’s largest religious buildings. Marvel at the carvings and bas-reliefs on the walls and the shimmering moat which surrounds the entire site. After our visit, the evening is free to explore Siem Reap’s buzzing nightlife at leisure.

Early this morning there’s an optional excursion to watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat. Then our day’s sightseeing begins with a visit to Banteay Srei Temple and an exotic butterfly sanctuary. Next stop is Preak Dak village where you can help to support On The Go’s tree planting initiative to help the low-income farmers. Plant a jackfruit or mango sapling that will one day provide the villagers with food and produce to sell.

Later, we explore the ancient city of Angkor Thom and see the many stone faces of the Bayon Temple. Continue to Ta Prohm and admire this ancient site, slowly being reclaimed by the wilderness. Tonight, we attend the Phare NGO circus project. The NGO teaches circus skills to street children and you’ll be inspired by their performance.

Today we visit the villages of Kampong Phluk, built on the floodplain of Tonle Sap Lake. The colourful houses are built high in the air on stilts, to prevent them from flooding. We’ll enjoy a boat trip on the lake and see the ancient petrified trees of a flooded forest. Later, we return to Siem Reap for an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps browse the local market or explore the vibrant nightlife down Pub Street?

Siem Reap - Bangkok (Thailand). Say goodbye to Cambodia today as we fly to Bangkok (included). On arrival at the airport you’ll be transferred to our hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Today we discover the highlights of Thailand’s capital with a guided tour. Visit the colourful Bangkok Flower Market and the Grand Palace in the heart of the city. We’ll also enjoy a tuk-tuk ride to the famous reclining Buddha at Wat Pho.

After lunch at a local restaurant we board a traditional longtail boat to explore some of the canals that crisscross the city. Bangkok used to be known as the “Venice of the East” and although many of its canals have been filled in, plenty remain for us to discover, away from the notorious Bangkok traffic. Our tour ends at the famous Khao San Road where there are street stalls, restaurants and bars a plenty. It's a great place to eat, relax and party the night away. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to explore at leisure.

Monday. Our adventure comes to an end today with an included departure transfer to the airport. If you’d like to extend your stay in Thailand, then we are happy to assist you.