Vietnam & Cambodia Highlights

Meet your tour director and fellow travellers at a welcome briefing before heading to Angkor Archaeological Park. Here, discover the last capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom, and the 12th-century temple of Bayon. This afternoon, explore the temple of Ta Prohm, a World Heritage-listed site famous for its intertwined trees.

Later, visit ‘Opportunities of Development thru Art' (ODA), a Siem Reap organisation that provides education opportunities for disadvantaged children. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner and traditional Apsara dance performance, once reserved for the royal family's entertainment. (B/D)

• Perhaps visit the temple of Wat Preah Prom Rath and participate in a Buddhist blessing. Maybe enjoy an exciting tuk tuk ride to the Senteurs d'Angkor workshop, where you can shop for local handmade crafts. Should you wish to get active, take off on a thrilling quad bike adventure, or enjoy a leisurely bicycle tour across the Cambodian countryside. If you wish to take things a little easier, a horse and cart ride is ideal, or learn the tasty secrets to Khmer cuisine during a cooking class. For those craving a little retail therapy, a shopping adventure awaits. Or if you desire the ultimate indulgence, surrender to a soothing spa treatment.
• Tonight, take the opportunity to savour a taste of Cambodia with a choice of local restaurants for dinner.

• Visit Angkor Archaeological Park to enjoy a special sunrise experience at Angkor Wat. As the sun rises over this World Heritage-listed monument, stand before the silhouette of the temple's tips, while brilliant shades of orange and pink light up the sky.

• In Oudong, be treated to a Buddhist Blessing Ceremony at a monastery.

• Experience some of Cambodia's sobering history with a moving excursion to the infamous Killing Fields. Afterwards, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, located on the site of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21). Otherwise, discover Phnom Penh on a tuk tuk ride past the railway station and the city's namesake, Wat Phnom. You will also stop to haggle for a bargain at the Central Market. History buffs can embark on a visit to the National Museum, while the active can hop on a leisurely bike ride through the quiet back roads. After lunch, perhaps explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, partake in some retail therapy on a shopping expedition, or take a little high tea indulgence accompanied by panoramic views over Phnom Penh.

Transfer to a small boat for a journey along the tiny tributaries that snake around the riverside town of Tan Chau. Cruise past a floating fish farm, then step ashore for a rickshaw tour of Tan Chau. On board your rickshaw, you'll glide past shops, rice wine rooms and friendly locals who are always eager to say hello. Stop to pay a visit to a local silk and rattan weaving workshop.

Later, step back in time during a visit to an evergreen island, where you'll experience authentic rural Mekong life. The remainder of today is left free for you to relax on board your river ship. Perhaps take a moment to watch local life gently glide by. (B/L/D)

Cruise towards the quaint town of Sa Dec. It was here where French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese-Chinese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. On arrival, tour Huynh Thuy Le's old house and learn the story behind Marguerite Duras' best-selling novel, The Lover. Later, pay a visit to a traditional Cao Dai temple. Watch visitors and pilgrims come and go, and appreciate the beauty of the building.

This afternoon, continue to Cai Be and step ashore to visit the French Gothic cathedral and the colourful port area filled with crumbling colonial buildings and flowering gardens. Afterwards, you'll visit a rice paper manufacturer and learn about how this Vietnamese staple is made. (B/L/D)

• Perhaps journey to Ba Ria and learn about the Battle of Long Tan. Afterwards, attend a memorial service at Long Tan Cross – a memorial erected by the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, which is set in a rubber plantation and marks the site of the battle. Alternatively, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war. These tunnels served as Viet Cong hiding spots, supply and communication routes, as well as hospitals and weapon caches.

• Perhaps rise early and join the locals for a morning Tai Chi class. Then enjoy a leisurely walking discovery of Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the Reunification Palace and the Central Post Office. Or jump on the back of a motorbike for an exciting city ride. Alternatively, tour the Ky Long Art Villa where you'll learn about Vietnamese lacquer art and see artist workshops. You may like to try out your culinary skills with a fun cooking class at GRAIN cooking studio, or take a final shopping spree.

• Experience dinner at Vietnam House, founded by Australia-born Vietnamese celebrity chef Luke Nguyen.