Saigon, Heart of Cambodia & Vietnam 2022 ex Siem Reap to Hanoi – 31 Oct 2022

17 Night Cruise and Land Package including a 7 Night Cruise sailing from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh aboard Avalon Saigon.

DAY 1: SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA
Welcome to Siem Reap, home to the Temples of Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

DAY 2: SIEM REAP
The Tranquil Temples of Angkor and Joyful Dances CLASSIC – Explore the temples by tuk-tuk. Start at the best preserved and most famous of all the temples: Angkor Wat. Featuring five trademark towers, it is the symbol of Cambodia. Then, continue your Guided Excursion to visit Angkor Thom, where you will explore Bayon Temple with its 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas-relief sculptures, OR: ACTIVE – Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple by bike. Enjoy some time at your leisure this afternoon to explore Siem Reap’s shops for local artisan crafts. DISCOVERY – This evening, a private Apsara Dance Performance brings ancient Khmer culture to life through music, song, and dance. (B,L,D)

DAY 3: SIEM REAP
Root-Covered Ruins and Native Noodles CLASSIC – Continue your Sightseeing Tour of the Angkor temples at Ta Prohm. Tree roots cover the ruin walls, allowing you to experience the temple with the same wonder as early explorers. Then visit Banteay Srei, a unique temple built on a small scale from red sandstone, which can be carved like wood. En route, stop at a village famous for making Khmer noodles by hand. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. (B)

DAY 4: PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (EMBARKATION)
Your Intimate Suite Ship Awaits! Fly to Phnom Penh and transfer to port where your ship’s crew will be waiting to welcome you on board. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO WAT HANCHEY (B,L,D)

DAY 5: WAT HANCHEY-ANGKOR BAN
Water Blessings and Back-to-School Adventures DISCOVERY – Visit Wat Hanchey, a hilltop temple dating back to the 8th century. Climb or be driven to the top where you will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a traditional water blessing given by local monks. DISCOVERY – After lunch, enjoy a Walking Tour through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here, you will visit a traditional Khmer house and interact with children at a local school. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KAMPONG TRALACH (B,L,D)

DAY 6: KAMPONG TRALACH-KONPONG LOUANG-PHNOM PENH
Calm in the Cambodian Countryside DISCOVERY – Your Guided Sightseeing starts in Kampong Tralach with an Ox-Cart Ride through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Along the way, stop to meet a local farmer and learn about his daily life. At the silversmith village in Konpong Louang, see talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn pure silver into works of art. Sail to the capital city of Phnom Penh this afternoon. PHNOM PENH A Dark History or Market Dynamics CLASSIC – After lunch, join a Guided Visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields for a glimpse into the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime, OR: DISCOVERY – Visit the lively Central Market by tuk-tuk to see its unique Art Deco design. This evening, spend some free time exploring the city on your own. Perhaps follow the riverfront promenade to the historic Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC). OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PHNOM PENH (B,L,D)

DAY 7: PHNOM PENH
The Royal Treatment CLASSIC – Join a Guided Tour of the city by private cyclo with visits to the Royal Palace with the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure, Consider a Guided Optional Tour of a local brewery with free flowing local beer! Just before dinner, children from a local orphanage will perform a show, featuring local song and dance. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIETNAM/CAMBODIA BORDER (B,L,D)

DAY 8: BORDER CROSSING-CHAU DOC, VIETNAM
Good Morning Vietnam! DISCOVERY – Take a Village Walk through the Chau Doc market, and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. After lunch, embark on a Guided Excursion down the backwaters of the Mekong. Along the way, see traditional floating homes, speedboat merchants, religious sites, a market selling dried goods, and more. EVENING CRUISE TO LONG KHANH A (B,L,D)

DAY 9: LONG KHANH A-CU LAO GIENG
Cotton Weaving, Conical Hats, and Handcrafted Sampans DISCOVERY – This morning, a sampan brings you to the village of Long Khanh A, for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration of this well-preserved tradition. DISCOVERY – This afternoon, enjoy scenes of daily life on Cu Lao Gieng Island via sampan and local motor cart. Your Guided Excursion starts with a stop at one of Vietnam’s oldest Catholic churches. Then, visit the home of a local family that makes Vietnamese conical hats, or “Non la,” from materials available to them such as palm leaves and bamboo. These iconic hats are primarily used as protection from the sun and rain but you may also see them used as a basket to carry home goods from the market. Lastly, visit a local workshop where a skilled family hand-crafts sampan boats. EVENING CRUISE TO VINH LONG (B,L,D)

DAY 10: VINH LONG
Sweets and Rice Treats DISCOVERY – Board a sampan this morning to Visit a Local Workshop in Vinh Long where you will see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies are made. This afternoon, enjoy time on board the ship as we sail to exciting Ho Chi Minh City. AFTERNOON CRUISE TO HO CHI MINH CITY (B,L,D)

DAY 11: HO CHI MINH CITY (DISEMBARKATION)
Motorbikes, Monuments, and Mouthwatering Cuisine CLASSIC – Take a Walking Tour of Ho Chi Minh City’s historic landmarks, including a stop at the Rex Hotel for a refreshing drink at the rooftop bar where the U.S. Military held the infamous “Five O’Clock Follies” during the war. Then, visit the War Remnants Museum and bustling Ben Thanh Market. DISCOVERY – For lunch, participate in a hands-on Vietnamese Cooking Class. Learn to prepare several local dishes and how to recreate them at home. Last, but not least, sample your delicious creations! Enjoy time at your leisure this afternoon and evening for independent exploration. Maybe stop for a drink at the famous rooftop bar at the Caravelle Hotel. (B,L)

DAY 12: HO CHI MINH CITY. EXCURSION TO CU CHI TUNNELS.
Secret Passageways and Underground Hideouts CLASSIC – Drive out of the city for a Guided Visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels-an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length-used as a hideout and secret village by the Viet Cong. Explore the city further during free time this afternoon. This evening, join your travelling companions for a special dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D)

DAY 13: HO CHI MINH CITY-HANOI
Today, transfer to the airport and fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (B)

DAY 14: HANOI
Historic Hanoi and Water Puppets CLASSIC – First, join a Guided Visit of the mausoleum and the humble cottage from which “Uncle Ho” ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969. Next, see iconic sites, including One Pillar Pagoda, the Presidential Palace, and the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” Lastly, visit the 900-year-old Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university. Enjoy lunch at Koto, a non-profit restaurant and hospitality program that teaches local street children restaurant skills for stable employment opportunities. CLASSIC – After lunch, enjoy an Electric-Cart Ride through the fascinating Old Quarter-with its 36 ancient streets where merchants trade as they have for centuries. DISCOVERY – An early dinner this evening is followed by a fascinating Live Performance of Hanoi’s renowned water puppets, a traditional 11th century art form. (B,L,D)

DAY 15: HANOI-HA LONG BAY
Island Shapes and a Floating Village Travel from Hanoi through the fertile countryside to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bay is dotted with more than 3,000 limestone islands carved into fanciful shapes. Board the luxurious Paradise Elegance for a 2-Night Cruise on the bay. DISCOVERY – Visit the Cua Van Floating Village, home to more than 700 people, by bamboo raft, OR: ACTIVE – Take a Kayak Ride to visit Cua Van Village. Enjoy scenic sailing for the remainder of the day before anchoring for the night. (B)

DAY 16: HA LONG BAY
Caves, Kayaks, and Scenic Climbs DISCOVERY – Visit Ti Top Island on a Guided Excursion for a swim, or a climb 400 steps to the top of the island for stunning views. You can also visit Luon Cave by boat, and explore Dark & Bright Cave by bamboo raft, OR: ACTIVE – Explore Luon Cave and Dark & Bright Cave by Kayak Ride. After a day of exploring, consider a spa treatment or simply relax for happy hour prior to dinner! (B,L,D)

DAY 17: HA LONG BAY-HANOI
Surprising and Amazing Beauty This morning, relax onboard your ship, or visit Sung Sot Cave, considered one of the most beautiful in the area with its magnificent formations. Afterwards, return to Hanoi and check in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. (B)

DAY 18: HANOI
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)