Follow the Mekong - Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam

Begin your holiday with an overnight flight to Bangkok, via Dubai.

Arrive in Bangkok, meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel. Spend your afternoon relaxing and enjoying the hotel's facilities, or head out to begin exploring the city.

Immerse yourself in Thai culture, 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.

Relax in Bangkok, or perhaps join today's optional River Kwai and the Death Railway excursion. Travel by train, through a fascinating landscape of rice fields and sugar-cane plantations and into the Thai jungle, to Nam Tok Sai Yok Noi. Enjoy lunch, and visit Kanchanaburi's beautifully-tended war cemeteries as well as the various museums connected with this area's tragic WWII history, the construction of the Death Railway and the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai.

An early start sees you journey, through a stunning rural landscape barely changed in centuries, to the border at Psar Phrum, where you'll cross into Cambodia. Formalities completed, you'll begin the second part of your adventure with the short journey to the elegant French colonial city of Battambang.

Please note: While the Thailand-Cambodia border remains closed, you'll be taking an internal flight from Bangkok to Siem Reap today and the order of the hotels may change. A confirmation of the final itinerary will be advised closer to departure whilst we closely monitor the situation.

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 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.

Journey to Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, a French colonial treasure-chest on the banks of the Mekong River, which exudes dusty, faded glory, except in its stupendous Royal Palace with 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.

This morning, take breakfast at the hotel before board the coach for a scenic drive north past rice past traditional rice paddies to the rural outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. 

Here, you'll find the remarkable Cu Chi tunnel complex, which provides a poignant reminder of the country's recent history. Enjoy an introductory talk, outlining the wartime experience of the Vietnamese people, and settle in for up-close demonstrations of the cunning traps created by the Viet Cong.

If you're feeling adventurous, you'll have the opportunity to delve beneath the surface for a crawl through a section of this 200 km tunnel network. Formerly used as a base of operations for the Viet Cong's guerilla campaign, this underground complex now serves as a national memorial for those who lost their lives in the conflict.

Afterwards, head back into Ho Chi Minh City for a fascinating guided tour. This excursion will reveal the city's fascinating blend 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.

The day will end with a celebratory farewell dinner, the perfect opportunity to look back on your holiday and relive the many highlights.

Please note: For 2028 departures, the tour of Ho Chi Minh City will take place on the morning of Day 14 instead.

After breakfast at the hotel, spend your final few hours in Ho Chi Minh City at leisure and be sure to tick off any remaining must-see highlights. 

Later this afternoon, transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.

You'll touch down in the UK, today, after an overnight flight and an unforgettable tour of South East Asia.