Vietnam & Cambodia: Mekong Gay River Cruise

Joom reab sour – welcome to Cambodia! Siem Reap is a fast-growing resort town and gateway to the ancient ruins of Angkor. Our trip kicks off at 6PM with a Group Meeting followed by our Welcome Dinner and drinks. Tonight’s restaurant celebrates traditional Khmer fare in a lavish venue a short walk from our hotel. If you’re surviving the jet lag, why not join us afterwards at a local gay bar?

Today is devoted to temple-hopping. We begin with iconic Angkor Wat, where bas-relief carvings and ancient architecture offer excellent photography fodder. After an included lunch, we’ll ride a remork (motorized rickshaw) to Angkor Thom, famous for 50 gothic towers and 200 faces carved into the stone. We’ll also visit Ta Prohm, crumbling and consumed by the jungle, and best known as the location where Tomb Raider was filmed. Our day ends with a relaxing evening back at our luxurious accommodations. We’ll enjoy an exquisite dinner (included) at the hotel restaurant highlighting authentic Khmer cuisine.

The sun rising over Angkor Wat is one of the most amazing sights in the world (and makes the brutally early wake-up call worth it). After we return to the hotel for breakfast we’ll carry on to the countryside. Experience seasonal activities like rice planting and harvesting before we visit Banteay Srei, a sandstone temple devoted to Hindu god Shiva. And this is all before lunch! Back at the hotel, we’ll have a free afternoon to grab a bite or kick back by the pool. We’ll meet again in the early evening for dinner (included) in a rustic wooden house, and a trip to the Phare Circus, where young artists from disadvantaged backgrounds bring uniquely Cambodian tales to life.

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to Kampong Cham to board the beautiful RV Mekong Pandaw with a boxed lunch served en route. Once onboard, there will be a safety briefing followed by cocktails and dinner during our sunset departure.

As we make our way downstream, we’ll visit Angkor Ban and a local Cambodian school where guests are encouraged to donate books for the children. After lunch, we’ll tour Koh Oknha Tey, or ‘Silk Island’. With a long history of silk-weaving, we’ll study the entire production process including the raising of the silkworms themselves. At the end of the tour we’ll have a chance to shop (scarves are popular souvenirs), and see a demonstration of the ancient martial art known as Bokator. Tonight we’ll enjoy our first performance by the delightful Edie Entertainer who’ll sample her latest show.

Today we’ll take a private coach to the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong, and visit a meditation centre. After returning to the ship for lunch, we’ll explore the riverside temples, markets, and villages of Kampong Tralach via ox-cart. In the evening, cocktails will be served around the village fire pit, allowing us to meet friendly locals and learn about Khmer traditions and culture.

This morning we’ll explore Cambodia’s capital with cyclos powered by drivers from The Cyclo Centre Phnom Penh. This charity provides basic welfare and medical services to the drivers of these unique cabs. We’ll visit the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum, and the Royal Palace. After lunch we’ll pay a humbling visit to the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng – or S21 detention centre. Our cruise will overnight in the city, giving us a chance to experience the colourful LGBTQ+ nightlife.

This morning, sip a coffee from your balcony and watch the scenery as we make our way to (and through) the Vietnam border for immigration formalities. We’ll then cruise to the picturesque town of Long Thuan and visit floating fish farms by sampan (a local boat). This afternoon, we’ll stop at a Taoist temple where the monks will read our fortunes, then visit the village of Xi Loi to experience life on a local farm. Our last stop of the day will have us watching a traditional lion dance, then it’s back to the ship for another feast and performance by Edie Entertainer.

Sailing through the Mekong Delta offers real insight into life along this vast waterway, and today is no exception. We’ll pass through a small canal where we’ll head ashore to Con Phuoc Island, known for its beautiful landscapes and handicrafts. Here, we’ll witness craftspeople weaving bamboo baskets, and even have a go at it ourselves. Then we’ll travel by tuk tuk to a 100-year old Catholic Church and mingle with the friendly locals.

This morning we’ll relax onboard as we cruise to the provincial capital of Ben Tre. Explore an area known to be rich in birdlife before we board rowboats to ride through mangroves and bamboo groves, landing at a village known for local wares. Back on board, enjoy a short performance by a local dance troupe, our final dinner on the ship, and one last performance by Edie Entertainer.

Sadly our cruise is over, but the trip is not! This morning we’ll head to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This extensive underground network, dug by the Viet Minh and Viet Cong, contained hospitals, accommodations and schools during the war. We’ll also get to see the elaborate (and gruesome) traps they set for the enemy. After an included lunch nearby, we’ll drive to Ho Chi Minh City, check-in to our lavish hotel, and freshen up for dinner (included).

“Saigon” is full of chaotic thrills where ancient and modern worlds mingle. We’ll visit Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the goddess of seafarers, then we’ll delve into Chinatown and its dazzling markets. Our included lunch will be classic Vietnamese before we visit Reunification Palace, the War museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the General Post office and the Opera House. After this last ambitious afternoon, we’ll have a bit of downtime before celebrating the adventure with a Farewell Dinner at one of the city’s finest restaurants.

There are no activities planned today until your complimentary departure transfer. Safe travels home, or why not keep the adventure alive with our Hanoi & Ha Long Bay Tour Extension?