Follow the Mekong – Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam with Four-night Hồ Tràm Extension
19days from
£3,218*per person
Overview
NATURAL WONDERS AND CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
Itinerary
- Fly overnight on via Singapore to Bangkok.
- Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel. Relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities or explore under your own steam.
- Immerse yourself in Thai culture, today, on a full-day sightseeing tour. Your first stop will be the colourful floating markets at Damnoen Saduak. Watch as the locals buy fresh produce from the traders on the boats, then head back into Bangkok for a guided tour. See the Royal Island, where the Grand Palace adjoins the Wat Phra Kaew temple with its Emerald Buddha, as well as the less formal Wat Pho temple, home to the gigantic Reclining Buddha.
- Enjoy the city or join the optional excursion through a fascinating countryside of rice fields and sugar-cane plantations, and on into the jungle to explore the part of the world forever associated with WWII – the construction of the infamous ‘Death Railway’ and the ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’.
- An early start sees you journey through a stunning rural landscape barely changed in centuries, crossing into Cambodia to begin the second part of your adventure with a short onward journey to Battambang, an elegant, friendly French colonial city.
- Today you'll travel to Wat Ek Phnom, a pre-Angkor Period temple situated on the banks of the Sandker River. Later, you'll visit the Cambodia Peace Gallery where you'll learn about Cambodia’s journey from war towards peace and reconciliation. Continue to the colourful market town of Siem Reap, home to the archaeological Angkor National Museum and your gateway to the incredible temple complex of Angkor Thom.
- Today, you’ll be driven to the Kok Sangke community to visit the home of a local family who’ll make you several traditional Khmer desserts. You’ll then learn about the village’s sustainable farming techniques, visit a community centre, which teaches local farmers about eco-friendly farming methods, see some nearby farms, and have lunch before travelling to Wat Luang Proleung and the village of Kampong Khleang.
- Discover the four vast stone heads and countless carved faces of the Bayon, which stands in the heart of the 'lost city' of Angkor Thom, today. Angkor Thom was the greatest citadel of the Khmer Empire that ruled half of South East Asia for nearly 600 years, and its ruined boulevards and gateways cover a vast area to the north of Siem Reap. And yet it is not the highlight of this landscape littered with great ruins. That title goes to Angkor Wat. The world's largest religious building, with its five great towers and 1000-metre-long carved bas-relief, is dazzling and unforgettable. Expect to return to your hotel awed and amazed by everything you've seen.
- Travel to the Cambodian capital. Phnom Penh, a French colonial treasure-chest on the banks of the Mekong River. It's a city of dusty, faded glory, except in its stupendous Royal Palace and its Silver Pagoda of priceless Buddhist artefacts.
- Spend a thought-provoking morning at the Tuol Sleng Museum, which chronicles the Pol Pot years and the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Afterwards, you'll have the opportunity to visit the Wat Phnom Temple before you board the fast boat along the Mekong River to feel the wind on your face on a thrilling boat ride into Vietnam.
- Your day begins with a visit to the holy mountain of Nui Sam. Studded with pagodas and temples, the mountain offers visitors stunning views over the Mekong Delta, which awaits you today. You'll stay overnight in the university town of Can Tho, with its colourful floating markets, busy working harbour and sacred Khmer pagoda, Muniwangsyaram.
- Enjoy another journey through the Mekong landscape of rice paddies, flat-bottomed boats, fruit trees and bougainvillea, peopled by farmers in conical hats and dotted with floating markets. Take a fascinating boat ride to the floating markets of Cai Rang and Cai Be, before arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, this evening, for a two-night stay.
- The remarkable Cu Chi tunnel complex provides a poignant reminder of the country's recent history. This 200 km underground labyrinth was used by the Viet Cong as a base, and now serves as a national memorial for those who lost their lives in the conflict. Back in Ho Chi Minh City a guided tour will reveal its fascinating mix of French colonial history and modern Vietnamese life. Highlights include the grand General Post Office, the Reunification Hall on the site of the former President's Palace, the Xa Loi Pagoda with its bronze Buddha, and (time permitting) the War Remnants Museum. Your day ends with a celebratory farewell dinner: the perfect opportunity to look back on your holiday and relive the many highlights.
- Spend the morning relaxing by the poolside or exploring Ho Chi Minh City a little further. If you have the chance, consider wandering around the colourful Ben Thanh Market with its vibrant spice stalls, handicraft souvenir shops and delightful street food vendors. Later this afternoon, board a coach for the drive out of the Vietnamese capital to the coastal haven, Hồ Tràm. Sandwiched between lush rainforest reserves and pristine white-sand beaches, the local area promises the perfect setting for a rejuvenating seaside escape. Upon arrival this afternoon, settle into your new resort and spend the rest of the day at your own pace.
- You’ll have the choice to do as much or as little as you like on Vietnam’s east coast with the next three days entirely at leisure. Those favouring relaxation will find plenty of ways to unwind, both at the hotel and in Hồ Tràm’s natural stretches. With easy access to unspoilt stretches of the region’s white-sand beaches, manicured gardens and two outdoor swimming pools, this boutique resort makes lazy days on the coast even easier. If you’d like, you can also take a treatment or two at the spa or ride the property’s complimentary shuttle bus service to the nearby Binh Chau Hot Springs. For a more active time in Hồ Tràm, you can also partake in optional activities at the resort, ranging from kayaking and beach volleyball to archery and tennis, to keep you entertained throughout your stay. Other available activities include authentic Vietnamese cooking classes, yoga sessions and cycling tours. Several breath-taking trails can also be explored under guidance, offering sights of local spice plantations and the dense tropical woodland of the neighbouring rainforest reserve.
- Enjoy a last breakfast on Vietnam’s east coast this morning and set off for your journey back home. Afterwards, drive to the airport for your overnight return flight to the UK.
- Touch down in the UK this morning at the end of an extraordinary Southeast Asian adventure.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
- Witness Bangkok’s spectacular Buddhist shrines and their grand meditating statues
- Take in verdant riverside vistas as you cruise along the winding Mekong River
- Explore the impressive floating markets at Damnoen Saduak and Cai Rang
- Marvel at ancient Bayon Temple, with its extraordinary carved heads, Angkor Thom, the last surviving Khmer city, and the magnificent Angkor Wat
- Venture on a tour of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, which exudes French colonial elegance
- Pay a poignant visit to the Tuol Sleng Museum, housed in the former S-21 prison, where you’ll learn about the political prisoners of the Khmer Rouge
- Take in the famous ‘HCMC’ – formerly known as Saigon – with guided stops at Reunification Hall, Xa Loi Pagoda and the War Remnants Museum
- See the infamous Cu Chi tunnel complex, Viet Cong hideaway
- Unwind at the end of a busy tour with time spent at a boutique resort on Hồ Tràm’s pristine white-sand beaches
- Choose from optional daily activities in Hồ Tràm, from kayaking on the open ocean to guided walks through the surrounding rainforest
Our Price Includes
- 16 nights’ carefully chosen bed and breakfast accommodation in Bangkok (3 nights), Battambang (1), Siem Reap (3), Phnom Penh (1) Chau Doc (1), Can Tho (1) Ho Chi Minh City (2) and Hồ Tràm (4), plus two nights on the aircraft
- 31 meals included in the price
- Visit to the Damnoen Saduak and Cai Rang floating markets
- Tour of Bangkok
- Excursion to a Kok Sangke community
- Visits to Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat
- Tour of the Tuol Sleng Museum
- Mekong River cruise
- Visit to Nui Sam
- Excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Tour of Ho Chi Minh City
- Return flights to Bangkok and from Ho Chi Minh City
- Air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
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Other Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.
Tonle Sap
Should the water in Tonle Sap Lake be too low, the journey by boat on Day Seven will be replaced with coach transportation.
Passports and visas
British citizens require machine-readable passports when travelling overseas. A visa is required for entry to Cambodia which can be obtained upon arrival. Your passport must contain two blank pages and be valid for six months beyond the exit date from Cambodia. The current charge for British Citizens is £35. British Citizens do not require a visa to visit Thailand or Vietnam (if staying for less than 15 days). Other nationalities should always check with the relevant authorities.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
On your flight
All flights travel overnight and land at your destination the next day. On-board meals will usually be dinner and breakfast. All drinks are complimentary.
Luggage allowance
You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.
Travel vaccinations
Requirements and advice can vary over time, and from person to person, so please contact your GP about eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or any other preventive measures.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Changes to your hotels
Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.
Road Conditions
In developing countries road networks are continually being improved and expanded, which can mean that, from time to time, roadworks and rough road surfaces can extend journey times. Some journeys are made on winding mountain roads and passes, which may also make for slow travelling - although the scenery is usually worth it! Many roads do not have separate pavements or safety barriers, and great care should be taken when crossing or walking alongside roads.
Holiday code
N2809Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Newmarket Holidays (ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812), you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.