Mekong and TemplesCombine an in-depth exploration of Vietnam’s lush Mekong Delta with a foray into the ancient Khmer kingdom on our Mekong & Temples journey. Experience an unforgettable boat trip along the mighty Mekong River, from Chau Doc in Vietnam to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Along the way, we’ll show you a side of this mighty river that most travellers never see.Our experience will likely begin before even landing in Asia. As airplanes descend into Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, as it is still known, a look out the window will reveal a land dominated by rivers and canals; welcome to the Mekong Delta. Our first few days will be spent in Vietnam’s brash and colourful commercial heart. There’s a special energy about Saigon. Perhaps it’s the humid, frangipani-laden air. Or the buzz on the streets: the millions of motorbikes, the roadside stalls and restaurants, the fact that the Saigonese seem to live their lives al fresco. Perhaps it’s the youthfulness of the population (50% of the estimated 9+ million are thought to be under 30!). Whatever it is, we’ll have a chance to soak some of it up after checking in to our luxurious, iconic hotel – the Caravelle. Take a stroll through the streets, and maybe enjoy a cocktail at our hotel’s rooftop bar – a popular place for expatriates and locals to enjoy live music and panoramic views over the city as the sun sets. And be sure to enjoy a delectable feast at some of the country’s best restaurants – all a stone’s throw from our accommodation. Over the next few days we’ll get to know Saigon a bit better. Explore the city’s famous and historic city landmarks – Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), the Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, the Municipal Theatre and Notre Dame. Visit the Reunification Palace, once the home and workplace for the president of South Vietnam, and a visit to Saigon’s Chinatown and its sprawling Binh Tay market. We’ll also take a speedboat ride along the Saigon River to the amazing tunnel system at Cu Chi. The tunnels were used by Vietnamese guerrillas to win the French and American wars. Learn more about the resilience of the Vietnamese people as we climb through a few of the remaining tunnels. Leaving the bright lights of Saigon behind, we travel to Can Tho in the heart of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. With a population of a little over 1 million, Can Tho is the Delta’s largest city, an important commercial centre and transportation hub, but Can Tho remains a friendly, laidback place to explore. We will arrive in Can Tho in the afternoon, allowing plenty of time to settle in to our charming colonial-era riverfront hotel and to take a leisurely stroll by the Mekong. As the sun goes down and the heat loses some of its intensity, the promenade becomes a hive of activity; a place for families and couples, both old and young, to congregate. As the street lights go on, watch as sampans glide across neon-lit waters. We continue deeper into the Delta, and take an early morning boat trip to the colourful floating markets at Cai Rang, before we continue by comfortable speedboat to Chau Doc. Chau Doc is a fascinating border town and a visit to the local markets is a must! There, we will climb nearby Sam Mountain to watch the sun set over the vast rice fields stretching over the border and into Cambodia. Spend some time relaxing in our comfortable hotel, and the next morning we depart for Cambodia. Like explorers in the colonial days, we travel to the capital, Phnom Penh, by boat. This stretch of the Mekong (we’re on what’s known as the Bassac, or Lower Mekong, now) is beautiful; sparsely inhabited and rich with wildlife. In the early afternoon we will arrive in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s riverside capital. With its faded French architecture, wide tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenade, Phnom Penh is one of the most appealing and accessible of all the cities of Indochina. The colonial splendour of the historic Raffles Hotel le Royal is the most exclusive address in town, and it is where we will call home. While in Phnom Penh we’ll visit the beautiful Royal Palace, home to the Silver Pagoda (so-named for its silver tiled floor) and the fascinating National Museum. Built in 1920, the museum features an incredible collection of Hindu and Buddhist statues, testament to Cambodia’s glorious cultural past. Also visit the Tuol Sleng Museum, which serves as a poignant reminder of the insanity of the Pol Pot era. In the evening take a stroll along Phnom Penh’s renewed riverfront before enjoying some tasty Khmer cuisine in one of the city’s many fine restaurants. Thankfully, Phnom Penh has finally bounced back from its years of civil war, and is currently experiencing a kind of renaissance. This becomes most evident during a walk along the riverside Sisowath Quay at dusk. With its palm-lined promenade and rows of restaurants and shops housed in open-fronted colonial-era dwellings, the riverfront is a throwback to the prosperous days of French rule. Locals rub shoulders with expats and tourists, enjoying picnics or evening strolls along the ambient river. A drink on the Bassac’s banks at the Foreign Correspondent’s Club is the perfect end to the day. We leave Phnom Penh behind, and travel into the Cambodian countryside to Siem Reap. We pass through beautiful rice paddy landscapes dotted with sugar palms and witness traditional rural life and local markets. After lunch we continue to Siem Reap on a road used during Angkorian times as a trading and pilgrimage highway. A small number of thousand-year-old stone bridges still exist today and our vehicle will actually pass over one of these. Siem Reap is the gateway to the remarkable temples of Angkor, a collection of over one hundred temples constructed in the glory days of the Khmer Empire from the 8th to the 12th centuries. The complex is acknowledged as the most exquisite example of ancient architecture in Southeast Asia and is considered one of the wonders of the world. Angkor is also a potent symbol (it appears on everything – the flag, the local beer and even cigarettes!) of the resilience of Khmer culture. Our exploration begins with a short visit to Angkor Wat, followed by a visit to the fortified city of Angkor Thom, home to one of Angkor’s most striking temples, the Bayon. The next morning we begin with a sunrise visit to Angkor Wat. Seeing the sky light up behind the silhouetted spires is an unforgettable experience. After watching the sunrise our local guide will explain the stories behind the stunning bas reliefs that line the complex’s inner walls. And if the steep, narrow steps don’t deter, we will climb the central tower that represents the Abode of the Gods, Mount Meru, for superb views over the temple and surrounding countryside. A short drive will take us to one of the most atmospheric of Angkor’s temples, the jungle-covered edifice of Ta Prohm. The play of shadows and light as we wander through these stunning ruins make it a very special experience. Taking a break from the temples, we cruise on incredible Tonle Sap Lake to view fascinating floating villages, complete with floating schools, beauty salons, petrol stations and even livestock. Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Asia; a natural marvel that must be seen to be believed. One of the highlights of the Mekong & Temples journey is a visit to some of the outlying temples. Isolated during Cambodia's civil war, Boeng Mealea is the largest temple outside the main Angkor complex and is very similar to Angkor Wat in design. In places it is remarkably intact, but in other places utterly destroyed, with tree roots enveloping many of the temple’s walls and doorways. The temple of Banteay Srei is easily one of the most intriguing and beautiful. Known as the Citadel of Women, the temple is in remarkable condition and is considered to have some of the finest carvings and sculpture in the country. Once we return from these temples we will celebrate with a farewell meal at one of Siem Reap’s fine Khmer restaurants, an opportunity to reflect on a fascinating journey. Click here to find out more about our Mekong and Temples Small Group Journey. |
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