Mekong River Encompassed – Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City

Location: Siem Reap

Accommodation: Royal Angkor Resort

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.

There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.

ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Location: Siem Reap

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

Visit Angkor Wat at sunrise and continue exploring with a local guide. Enjoy lunch at the G Adventures-supported New Hope project. This afternoon, transfer to Koh Chen, then settle in as the crew set sail.

Start early today with a 4:30am departure for Angkor Wat to watch the sunrise. Return to the hotel for breakfast before exploring more of the temples. Enjoy lunch at New Hope, a G Adventures-supported project. After lunch, transfer to Koh Chen in a private vehicle. Board the riverboat by early evening, then enjoy a welcome beverage and get to know the crew during an informational meeting before dinner.

ACTIVITY: Enjoy a tour of the impressive ancient ruins with a local guide. Explore magnificent Angkor Wat temple--Visit the enigmatic faces of Bayon within the walled city of Angkor Thom, and tour Ta Prohm (aka the "Tomb Raider" temple), which is slowly being swallowed by the jungle.

ACTIVITY: Enjoy a traditional meal of Khmer food at the New Hope Vocational Training Restaurant, an initiative kickstarted by G Adventures. Providing skill-building opportunities to marginalized community members, the project also funds the adjacent free community school and health centre. Visit the restaurant run by locals and see how the New Hope project has supported positive change in the community.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Welcome aboard! It's time to meet the crew and get some information about the cruise.

Location: Koh Chen

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

Enjoy the morning in Koh Chen, an island in the river. Visit silver and copper workshops and meet a Khmer Rouge survivor eager to tell his story. Then, continue on to one of the biggest villages on the Tonle Sap River, Kampong Chhnang. Learn more about fish farming, pottery, and sugar palm production in the area. Wander through the local market then opt to cycle to visit the local industries.

After the day's excursions, enjoy dinner on board and relax as the riverboat drops anchor for the night.

ACTIVITY: Visit the small town of Koh Chen. Wander through the streets and visit family run silver and copper workshops. Watch the craftsmen and learn about the process. If possible, meet a Khmer Rouge survivor eager to share his story.

TRANSPORT: Hop aboard and float on to the next stop.

ACTIVITY: AFTERNOON Located around 56 miles from Phnom Penh, the town of Kampong Chhnang is a very large fishing port on the Tonlé Sap. A lot of locals make a living from fish farming, a popular occupation in this area. Kampong Chhnang is also famous for its pottery ware, the style of which has not changed much for centuries and is distributed to the rest of the country. Wander through the local market, and head out to explore a family run brick factory to watch the process. Continue to visit the locals and observe the process of hand making pottery. Before heading back to the riverboat, explore a sugar palm farm where the Thnot tree (sugar palm) that abounds in the area is used to create a mellow tasting, caramel coloured sugar sold in large cakes and palm wine.

Location: Kampong Chhnang

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH

Embark on an early morning cruise to Kampong Tralach and visit the local vihara (Buddhist monastery) and Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. Opt to cycle, or ride in a tuk tuk or buffalo cart, through the village and past rice paddies to reach the monastery. This afternoon, continue to the capital city of Phnom Penh. Take a cyclo tour past sights like Wat Phnom and the Grand Palace. Opt to finish up at the FCC for a happy hour cocktail overlooking the river or for dinner in town.

TRANSPORT: Hop aboard and float on to the next stop.

ACTIVITY: MORNING Arrive at Kampong Tralach and visit its wonderful Vihara (Buddhist Monastery) and Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. Travel through Kampong Tralach Krom village along a small road perpendicular to the river, crossing beautiful stretches of emerald rice paddies. The Vihara dates back to early last century and is home to some outstanding mural paintings. Standing isolated in the middle of the rice fields, it is a modest pagoda that receives very few international visitors, enjoy this truly unique experience.

TRANSPORT: Hop aboard and float on to the next stop.

ACTIVITY: Settle in a traditional cyclo and depart from Wat Phnom. Tour busy streets to soak up the real vibe of the city. Pass the post office and Van's restaurant, both stunning colonial buildings, and make your way to the Royal Palace and National Museum. Go along the riverside road and take in the atmospheric cafes that line the street.

FREE TIME: EVENING Explore Cambodia's charming capital city.

Location: Phnom Penh

Meals: BREAKFAST, DINNER

Spend the day exploring all this city has to offer. Start with guided visits to the S21 Museum and the Killing Fields. Enjoy free time to explore the National Museum, Grand Palace or Russian Market. In the evening, return to the boat for an Apsara show before departure.

ACTIVITY: Learn about the dark history and devastation that occurred at Security Prison 21 (S-21); the prison, used by the Khmer Rouge regime, is now Tuol Sleng Museum. Take a guided tour to hear the stories behind the sombre photos lining the museum walls.

ACTIVITY: Learn more about the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge visiting the killing fields of Choeung Ek; the grounds now stand as a powerful memorial filled with victims’ skulls and mass graves. Tour this sombre, yet serene, site with a guide.

FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Discover more of this dynamic city.

ACTIVITY: Sit back and enjoy a performance of traditional Khmer dance.

Location: Phnom Penh

Meals: BREAKFAST, DINNER

Cross the border into Vietnam and cruise to Chau Doc. Visit the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary and soak in the view from the top of Sam Mountain.

Additional Information: During border crossing all passengers must stay on board as formalities are done on the riverboat. The boat will usually stay at the border for 2-3 hrs whilst all formalities are completed. Depending on time spent at the border, the itinerary for the afternoon may vary. Although this process is usually quite simple, delays can occur. Please note for visa purposes that the official name of the border in Vietnam is Son Tien border and in Cambodia it is Kaam Samnar border.

TRANSPORT: Hop aboard and float on to the next stop.

ACTIVITY: Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

ACTIVITY: Visit the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary and explore first by power boat, followed by small local rowing boats. Take in the serene scenery and spot a wide array of birds.

ACTIVITY: Travel to Sam Mountain by private vehicle and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape from the summit.

TRANSPORT: Hop aboard and float on to the next stop.

Location: Sadek

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

Visit the Kien An Cung Pagoda in Sa Dec and take the time to stroll through the market along the river. View the old colonial houses by the delta. Continue on to Vinh Long. Learn about rice popping and opt to wander small paths through the communities here. Continue to Cai Be by local boats and meet up with the vessel. Drop anchor tonight near Thoi Son Island.

ACTIVITY: MORNING Stroll around the Sa Dec river bank and through the Sa Dec market. This small city of 30,000 inhabitants is fascinating due to its unspoiled authenticity and the fact it remains relatively undisturbed by tourists. It provides a glimpse of traditional life on the Mekong, complete with tree lined streets and fading colonial villas.

TRANSPORT: Hop aboard and float on to the next stop.

ACTIVITY: AFTERNOON Board local boats and explore Vinh Long. Learn about rice popping and opt to meander small paths through the communities here. Continue on to Cai Be by local boat and rejoin the riverboat.

TRANSPORT: Hop aboard and float on to the next stop.

Location: Mỹ Tho

Meals: BREAKFAST, DINNER

Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda in the morning, catching a glimpse of My Tho town on the way. Cruise to Thoi Son Island by local boats for some local industry visits. Enjoy learning more about coconut product manufacturing and honey farming, with samples of honey and local fruit. Meet traditional musicians here. Opt for a local lunch on the island. Enjoy a farewell cocktail on board before the Captain's dinner.

ACTIVITY: Explore the buddhist temple of Vĩnh Tràng. Known for its enormous buddha statues and peaceful surroundings. The monks here maintain an an ornate, gilded wood sanctuary, and tend to the impressive gardens.

ACTIVITY: Take local boats to Thoi Son Island to see a coconut product manufacturer, taste some local fruit and honey and meet traditional musicians.

Location: Mỹ Tho

Accommodation: Paragon Saigon Hotel

Meals: BREAKFAST

Continue the final leg of the journey to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive around 11am and disembark. Later, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels.

ACTIVITY: Take a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex network of tunnels that the Viet Cong lived in to protect themselves from opposing forces during the Vietnam War. Try crawling through some of the tunnels (if you’re not claustrophobic). These tunnels stored ammunition, had underground hospitals, and served as a hidden base for attacking allied forces.

TRANSPORT: Hop aboard and float on to the next stop.

Location: Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: BREAKFAST

Depart at any time.

ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.