Thailand & Mekong Experience

Fly overnight to Saigon. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before your welcome dinner.

Enjoy a relaxed introduction to Saigon, including architectural landmarks such as the French colonial-style Notre Dame and Central Post Office. Tonight's dinner is at NOIR, a true 'dining in the dark' experience. This social enterprise employs visually impaired locals, who invite you on a culinary journey with lasting impact.

This morning, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the Viet Cong's tactical strategies during the Vietnam War. Relax with a fresh 'farm-to-table' lunch at a Vietnamese farm before an afternoon at leisure.

Travel from Saigon to Can Tho, the beating heart of the Mekong Delta, where you will board the Victoria Mekong, your home for the next four nights. Sip a sundown cocktail and hear a traditional music performance as the ship casts off towards Long Xuyen.

Tender ashore to visit Long Xuyen floating market and the An Giang Traditions Museum with its exhibitions on local cultures. During lunch, the ship sails upstream to Tiger Island. Head ashore to explore by rickshaw, visiting local crafters such as, incense makers and a wood carver. Tonight, the ship cruises on to Tan Chau.

Head ashore by sampan to visit the local silk village where you will witness the many steps involved in silk production, from traditional looms to the use of natural dyes made from tree bark, leaves and fruit.

Today the ship will cruise to Phnom Penh, crossing the border en route. Spend the day in the infinity pool or taking part in the onboard activities. On arrival in Phnom Penh, enjoy a lively apsara dance performance to welcome you into Cambodia.

Disembark the ship this morning and discover Phnom Penh by cyclo, taking in the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and Wat Phnom. Your afternoon is at leisure.

This morning's excursion to the Killing Fields outside the city gives a sombre insight into Cambodia's turmoil under the regime of Pol Pot. This afternoon, fly to Siem Reap.

The Angkor Archaeological Park is home to over 1,000 temples dating back to the Khmer Empire. Best preserved of all the temples is Angkor Wat, while the jungle-swathed ruins of Ta Prohm evoke a sense of mystery and true adventure. This evening, enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the moat of Angkor Thom as the sun sets.

This morning, visit APOPO Hero Rats Project. This humanitarian centre trains rats to scent-detect unexploded wartime landmines in rural areas of Cambodia so they can be safely deactivated by expert teams, saving untold lives. The afternoon is at leisure.

Take a one-hour flight from Siem Reap to Bangkok. Check in at your hotel to refresh yourself before a street food tour.

Relax or explore Bangkok independently.

Optional private excursions, e.g. to Ayutthaya or the Thonburi canals, are available.

Travel to Kanchanaburi, made famous by 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. Here, learn about the experience of Southeast Asian and Allied POWs who were forced to work on the railway under WWII Japanese occupation. Pay respects to the victims at the cemetery and museum before a short train journey through the Kwai Noi Valley.

Depart Kanchanaburi and travel south to the beach resort of Hua Hin, stopping en route to visit a toddy palm plantation. Arrive at Hua Hin after lunch. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Head to Monsoon Valley Vineyard for a surprising insight into Thai viticulture. These award-winning New Latitude varietals have revolutionised wine-making, succeeding in a truly unexpected climate. Enjoy a tasting and lunch at the vineyard before continuing to Kui Buri National Park, where you'll join a park ranger on a half-day wildlife safari. Kui Buri elephants are completely wild and sightings cannot be guaranteed, but afternoon safaris here average a 90% sighting rate.

Depart Hua Hin and return to Bangkok for your short flight to the peaceful, laidback city of Chiang Mai in Thailand's cooler northern highlands.

Explore Chiang Mai's highlights by rickshaw before driving out to Doi Suthep's magnificent hilltop temple with its panoramic views. Return to Chiang Mai for lunch at a social enterprise restaurant offering life-changing vocational training to reformed women from Chiang Mai's Correctional Institution. Enjoy some free time before tonight's cooking class, in which you will learn to prepare a traditional Thai dinner.

Drive out to the Elephant Nature Park, widely respected as a flagship of responsible ecotourism. Home to more than 35 elephants, rescued chiefly from the tourist and illegal logging industries, this sanctuary offers the herd respite and veterinary care in their retirement. Enjoy walking with the elephants and watching them bathe in the river before returning to Chiang Mai. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with a traditional Thai performance.

Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the following day.