Thai Indochina Explorer

Depart London

Day 2

The day is free to recover from the flight. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), formerly
known as Saigon is an exciting and absorbing city where bicycles battle with
lorries and temples stand defiantly alongside modern developments. Devastated
by the Vietnam War, Saigon is now a bustling free market city where anything
goes. The Ben Thanh Market and Notre Dame Cathedral are highly recommended.

There will be a welcome briefing with your leader this evening followed by an
optional group dinner at a local restaurant.

*Huong Sen Hotel or similar*

Day 3

This morning we leave the city behind us and head west to visit the Cu Chi
Tunnels. Used by the Viet Cong during the war, the network covers 3 levels
and approximately 240 kms of tunnels. Traditionally these were very narrow
but some areas have been widened to allow tourists to explore the system.
Claustrophobes may prefer to stay outside in the sunshine!

In the afternoon we return to Saigon for a tour which include visits to the
Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum where there is an interesting
record of the Vietnam/American War. Please be advised some of the images are
of a graphic nature.

*Huong Sen Hotel or similar*

Day 4

We drive to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta via a Cao Dai temple used by devotees
of this strange indigenous religion that fuses all the great religions of the
east and west. En route we pass magnificent countryside and stop at some
small cottage industries. The Mekong is locally known as the rice bowl of
Vietnam and produces much of Vietnam's fruit, sugar cane and coconuts. Cai Be
floating market is becoming less crowded and smaller as fruit trading is
mostly now done by trucks due to the bridge being built. However, this is
still a great opportunity to see a local market and the trade being conducted
traditionally on a smaller scale. We take a relaxing sampan cruise in the
afternoon and arrive at our accommodation. The evening is tranquil as we have
dinner on an island and enjoy some 'Delta' hospitality. We spend the night
sleeping at a simple homestay guesthouse built in the style of a local house.
Bedding, a mosquito net and a small towel are provided.

*Mekong Homestay Guesthouse*

Day 5

This morning we take a short walk around the surrounding village to uncover
the daily lives of the people. We board our boats once again and cross the
main channel to Vinh Long where we re-join our vehicle for the drive further
into the Mekong Delta to the small border town of Chau Doc. After checking
into the hotel we will enjoy a sunset visit to the top of the holy Sam
Mountain with views stretching across into Cambodia.

The evening is free to wander around this town, situated on the banks of the
Mekong River.

*Chau Pho Hotel or similar*

Day 6

After driving approximately 1 hour to the Tinh Bien/Phnom Den land border we
will bid farewell to Vietnam and cross into Cambodia. Our drive takes us via
the former French colonial town of Kampot to Otres Beach in Sihanoukville,
Cambodia's premier beach resort.

Upon arrival you will have free time to relax, refresh with a swim, and sip
cocktails as the sun sets.

*Naia Resort or similar*

Day 7

Our hotel is located near the white sands of Otres Beach and today you will
have free time to relax on the beach or wander around Otres beach town and
Sihanoukville and get a feel for the place.

A boat trip out to one of the deserted islands off the coast for fishing,
snorkelling and swimming is recommended (optional). The more energetic can
also rent bicycles to explore more of the Sihanoukville beaches and
countryside.

*Naia Resort or similar*

Day 8

Today we drive around the peninsula past Sokha, Independence and Victory
beaches before driving on to Phnom Penh, where we will spend the next 2
nights.

During our time in the Cambodian capital, take the chance to wander among the
traditional buildings, or shop at either the impressive Central Market or the
sprawling Russian Market, a souvenir hunter's paradise.

*Ohana Hotel or similar*

Day 9

We will visit the beautiful Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda inside the Palace
complex, so named for the solid silver tiles that make up the floor.
Thankfully the complex escaped the worst excess of the Khmer Rouge. Similar
in style and scale to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, the Royal Palace has
significantly fewer visitors and there is plenty of time to wander amongst
the traditional buildings.

We will also visit Tuol Sleng museum or S21 (Museum of Genocide), which
graphically displays the horrors of the 4 years when Pol Pot systematically
ordered the murder of between 2 and 3 million Cambodians. Tuol Sleng was
originally a school but was used as a torture and interrogation centre
between 1975 and 1979. It is a sobering, but enlightening place to visit. We
complete our day with a moving late afternoon visit to the 'killing fields'
of Choeung Ek. A football-field-sized area surrounded by farmland, the
killing fields contain mass graves for perhaps 20,000 Cambodians, many of
whom were tortured before being killed.
Phnom Penh is a city in transition and, despite its horrific recent history,
it is now starting to find its feet. Some of its former French colonial
buildings have been restored and there is a small but lively restaurant and
bar scene developing along the riverfront.

*Ohana Hotel or similar*

Day 10

Today we have a long drive to Siem Reap (approximately 8 hours). En route we
stop at the town of Skuon, famous for its local delicacy - fried spiders.

We will also stop off at Sambor Prei Kuk, Cambodia's most impressive group of
pre-Angkorian monuments and some of the oldest structures in the country.
We'll also pause for a traditional Khmer lunch at a community restaurant
before continuing our journey to Siem Riep.

*Angkor Holiday Hotel or similar*

Day 11

A full day spent exploring the complex. We will visit the incredible Angkor
Wat, the many temples inside the Royal City of Angkor Thom, including the
magnificent Bayon, which comprises of 54 intricately carved towers in one
single temple. The Bayon certainly left an impression on an early traveller
in 1925 who stated 'we stand before it stunned. It is like nothing else in
the land.' We will also see other less-visited outlying temples. Particularly
impressive are Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm, which is still covered in jungle as
it was first found. Re-discovered in the 1870s and famously described as
being 'grander than anything of Greece or Rome' by the French explorer Henri
Mouchot, this world heritage site stands alongside Chichen Itza and Machu
Picchu as one of the world's most spectacular archaeological sites. A truly
magical experience and a photographer's paradise. One evening we will make
our way to watch the sunset over this magnificent scene.

*Angkor Holiday Hotel or similar*

Day 12

This morning we will continue our exploration of the Angkor complex with a
visit to the small but charming Temple of Banteay Srei, which is noted for
the intricacy of its carvings, 35km from Siem Reap town. Our route takes us
past paddy fields, and through pretty villages. Banteay Srei was built in the
10th century and contains some of the finest examples of Khmer sculpture.
Although much smaller than the later temples, here all of the buildings are
covered in exquisite carvings. The afternoon is free for you to continue with
further independent exploration of the temples or to wander around Siem Reap
town or visit a floating fishing village and enjoy a boat trip on the Tonle
Sap Lake (optional).

*Angkor Holiday Hotel or similar*

Day 13

Today we journey (approx. 7 hours) through a variety of landscapes from Siem
Reap to the UNESCO site Khao Yai National Park in Thailand.

Khao Yai is Thailand’s oldest nature reserve and home to elephants, tigers,
leopards, bears as well as the great hornbill. Blessed with lush, mountainous
landscape this location provides the perfect contrast to the heat of
Cambodia. 

*Khao Yai Greenery Resort or similar*

Day 14

Today we have a full day exploring the trails of Khao Yai. We’ll visit the
park’s magnificent waterfalls and learn about the biodiversity of the area
while taking a gentle trek through the jungle. Khao Yai is the best place in
Thailand to try and see elephants in the wild which makes this protected park
a big draw for Thai nationals who hope to glimpse this revered animal.

**Khao Yai Greenery Resort or simila*r*

Day 15

Transfer to Bangkok (approx. 3 hours). This afternoon we take a short walk to
the Chao Praya River where we board a long tail boat for a tour of the local
canals. Please be advised there may be a possibility of larger groups being
accommodated in a bigger boat. Bangkok was once known as the Venice of the
East because of its intricate canal network. We get a glimpse of daily life
as we pass locals selling their wares by the river. We will visit what to
this day remains the home of the Thai Royal family at the Royal Palace
complex followed by Wat Phra Kaew, home to the Emerald Buddha, one of
Thailand's most venerated images. Another highlight is Wat Po, the largest
temple in Bangkok, housing a 46m long, 15m high gold-plated reclining Buddha.

*Rembrandt Bangkok Hotel or similar*

Day 16

Depart Bangkok

Day 17

Arrive London