Mekong Experience

(17 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Hanoi, Hoi An, Saigon, Mekong Cruise, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (Angkor)

This comprehensive tour of Vietnam and Cambodia features ancient ruins and impressive landscapes, bustling cities and historic towns, and rural life along the Mekong River while aboard a luxurious expedition cruise.

Begin in Hanoi, Vietnam's fascinating capital and intellectual center. During private touring, visit the city's most important historical attractions, such as the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, the House on Stilts and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Take an in-depth tour of Hanoi's incredible Old Quarter, where each street was historically dedicated to a specific trade or material, such as bamboo, silk and lacquer. While touring the narrow streets, learn about the history of the Old Quarter and its traditional architecture, and see how it has transformed into a fashionable district with cafes, art galleries and boutiques featuring the finest Vietnamese design and style. Explore Hoan Kiem Lake and leafy backstreets lined with beautiful French colonial-era buildings, many of which are now upscale restaurants. If desired, also visit Hanoi's top museums, such as the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. One day, meet a culinary expert to tour one of Hanoi's excellent markets and sample local street food specialties like bun cha (barbecued pork with noodles) and pho cuon (fresh herb and beef rolls). Also attend a performance of Hanoi's renowned water puppet show, or attend a performance at the landmark Hanoi Opera House.

Continue to Hoi An, an atmospheric port town and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay at a luxury beachfront resort, and experience the best of this centuries-old town during private touring. Visit the vibrant morning market, where stalls are piled high with fresh fish and produce. Explore the colorful backstreets, and tour well-preserved historic homes, temples, the Japanese Covered Bridge and other interesting attractions. Perhaps visit a local tailor for custom-made silk clothing, a Hoi An specialty, and enjoy a boat ride on the river. Also visit the nearby Museum of Cham Sculpture, as well as the Marble Mountains, which contain Buddhist cave temples. Upon request, we can arrange additional activities in and near Hoi An, such as visits to local villages, cooking lessons and farm visits, an excursion to the Cham ruins in My Son, biking through the countryside, or a silk lantern-making lesson at a Confucian temple. There will also be time to relax and enjoy your resort's beautiful architecture, spa and beach.

Spend the next two nights in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam's most dynamic city. With an expert private guide and driver, learn about the city's history while touring French colonial-era landmarks, as well as the mid-century Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Visit interesting neighborhoods like Cholon (Saigon's Chinatown) and explore busy markets and temples. One evening, if desired, enjoy an evening street food tour by Vespa in different districts around Saigon. One day, visit the Mekong Delta, a vast network of islands and waterways where the Mekong River flows into the South China Sea. Cruise by private sampan (traditional boat) through the canals, visiting floating markets, fruit orchards and rural villages. While there, enjoy riding bikes and meeting local farmers and producers of local items such as sweets, tea, honey and dried fruit. Upon request, we can also arrange additional activities such as river boat rides, visits to private homes, philanthropic activities, an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, and more.

Next, embark on a four-night luxury expedition cruise up the Mekong River and choose from a variety of excursions led by expert guides. During the day, you will have opportunities to visit local Mekong villages and explore vibrant floating markets, lush fruit orchards and other aspects of life on the river. Observe rare wildlife along the waterways, enjoy gourmet meals created by one of Southeast Asia's top chefs. Admire charming colonial architecture, visit remote Buddhist monasteries and Hindu ruins, and learn about traditional weaving techniques and craftsmanship from local artisans. If desired, enjoy biking along the riverbanks of traditional villages, or board a sampan boat to explore narrow waterways, floating villages and forests.

Disembark the cruise in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh. Stay at the legendary Raffles Hotel Le Royal, a local landmark since 1927, and enjoy comprehensive private touring with a private guide and driver. Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, and see incredible sights such as a Baccarat crystal Buddha and another made of gold and diamonds. At the National Museum, view the world's premier collection of ancient Khmer sculpture and artifacts. Explore Phnom Penh's markets, and perhaps shop for silver or silk and cotton textiles. If desired, learn about Cambodia's more recent history during a visit to the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. There will also be time to relax at vibrant cafes and perhaps stop for a drink at the Foreign Correspondents Club, a Phnom Penh institution.

Continue to Siem Reap to explore incredible Angkor, the wondrous ruins of the ancient Khmer empire. With your private guide, tour the most interesting parts of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including Angkor Wat, an enormous temple city built as a model of the Hindu universe in stone; Angkor Thom, an ancient capital filled with iconic sites such as the Bayon, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King; Ta Prohm, a temple being devoured by the jungle; and serene Preah Khan, a former monastery and school. Also visit Banteay Srei, a petite temple with elaborate carvings in pink sandstone, and other lesser-known temples. Additional special-interest activities can also be arranged, such as a cruise on Lake Tonle Sap, bike riding, Khmer cooking lessons, private yoga sessions, visits to orphanages and children's centers, Khmer dance performances, photography excursions, shopping, village tours or chartering a helicopter to remote jungle temples.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Hanoi, Vietnam VIP airport assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 2 Hanoi Full-day private city tour. Evening water puppet or opera house performance Day 3 Hanoi Morning private market and culinary tour Day 4 Hanoi – Hoi An Private transfer to airport for flight to Da Nang. Private arrival transfer to Hoi An resort for 2 nights, with touring en route Day 5 Hoi An Morning private tour Day 6 Hoi An – Saigon Private transfer to Da Nang airport and flight to Saigon. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private city tour Day 7 Saigon Full-day private city tour or full-day private excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels and Cao Dai Temple Day 8 Saigon – Mekong Cruise Private transfer to Mekong cruise for 4 nights Day 9-11 Mekong Cruise Cruise-based excursions and activities Day 12 Mekong Cruise – Phnom Penh, Cambodia Full-day city touring. Afternoon transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 13 Phnom Penh Full-day private city tour Day 14 Phnom Penh – Siem Reap Private transfer to airport for flight to Siem Reap. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights. Sunset private tour of ruins Day 15 Siem Reap Private touring of temples and ruins Day 16 Siem Reap Private touring of more remote ruins Day 17 Depart Siem Reap Private airport transfer. VIP departure assistance

Hotels

Hanoi: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel or Capella Hanoi Hoi An: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai Saigon: Park Hyatt Saigon or The Reverie Saigon Mekong: Aqua Mekong Cruise Phnom Penh: Rosewood Phnom Penh or Raffles Hotel Le Royal Siem Reap: Amansara or Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor

Cost

$20,150 Per Person Cost (double occupancy)