Imperial Vietnam, Cambodia & Myanmar with Inle Lake

On arrival in Hanoi, you'll be met and transferred to your hotel located in the heart of the city. Later this evening, you'll get to know your fellow travellers and your local guide during a Welcome Dinner. Stay Two Nights: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (D)

A guided tour of Hanoi takes you to the city's most famous historical and cultural sites. Highlights include Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square and the Temple of Literature. You'll also enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old French Quarter. Then, explore more of this vibrant city on your selected Freedom of Choice experience. Tonight, choose your dining experience. (B/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Perhaps tour the 500-year-old village of Bat Trang, world-famous for its pottery. Or, relax and enjoy a foot massage back at your hotel. Embark on a walking tour to observe Hanoi's French colonial architecture, and explore the interior of the Hanoi Opera House, or take in a water puppet show. Another option is a leisurely bicycle ride past Hanoi's lush rice paddy fields.
• Tonight, you're invited to choose from a vast range of equally superb restaurants that have been carefully selected for you.

Travel by coach to Ha Long and set sail among thousands of limestone islets this afternoon, gliding slowly over the waters towards Ba Ham Lake while enjoying lunch on board. Take some time to enjoy a swim in the emerald waters, paddle in a kayak, or find a stretch of white sand at a nearby beach and soak up some sun. Tonight, perhaps take in a fun Vietnamese cooking demonstration on board your ship. The evening is yours to spend how you wish. You might like to watch a film in the onboard open cinema or order a cocktail to enjoy on the sundeck. Stay Two Nights: Ha Long Bay, The Au Co (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• Embark on your three-day cruise on the World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay.

Awake early and as the sun rises, perhaps rejuvenate your body and soul with a Tai Chi class. A secluded swim or chance to sunbathe is on the cards with a stop at Ba Trai Dao beach. After lunch back on board, gain a first glimpse of Cat Ba island before disembarking to discover Cat Ba National Park and Viet Hai Village. A barbeque dinner aboard The Au Co caps off an exciting day. (B/L/D)

Visit the Cua Van Floating Culture Centre, considered the most idyllic spot on the bay. Take part in a traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony on board as your ship makes its way back to port. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi airport for your included flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, be transferred to your hotel. Stay Three Nights: Siem Reap, Hotel Sofitel Angkor (B/L)

In World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park, 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 an Apsara dance show before dinner. (B/D)

Rise early this morning and travel back to Angkor Archaeological Park for a Signature Experience. Afterwards, join a guided tour of the temple, before breakfast back at your hotel. This afternoon, set out on your included Freedom of Choice experience. (B/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• Perhaps visit the temple of Wat Preah Prom Rath for a Buddhist blessing or enjoy a tuk tuk ride to the Senteurs d'Angkor workshop. If you're feeling energetic, join a quad bike adventure or take a leisurely bicycle tour through the Cambodian countryside. Other options include a horse and cart ride, a traditional Khmer cooking class, a shopping adventure, or why not indulge in a relaxing spa treatment.
• Tonight, take the opportunity to savour a taste of Cambodia with a choice of local restaurants for dinner.

Signature Experiences:

• At Angkor Archaeological Park, enjoy a special sunrise experience at Angkor Wat.

Journey through remote Cambodian villages to Kampong Cham, where you'll board the Mekong Serenity your home for the next seven nights. Following lunch on board, take a tuk tuk to explore the island of Koh Pen with its wooden stilt houses and local farming culture. Tonight, a Vietnamese welcome dinner awaits, showcasing the diverse flavours from the region. Stay Seven Nights: Mekong River, Mekong Serenity (B/L/D)

Join a walking discovery of Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Later, your ship glides along the lush banks of the Mekong to Oknha Tey, renowned for its silk weaving traditions. (B/L/D)

Disembark in Phnom Penh and discover Oudong, a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. While here, enjoy a Signature Experience. On the way back to your ship, take a leisurely stroll through the village of Koh Chen and perhaps visit some home workshops that make copperware. The afternoon is yours to explore Phnom Penh as you wish. Tonight before dinner, be treated to a special Khmer folk performance. (B/L/D)

Today presents a wealth of included sightseeing choices. After lunch back on board, more choices are presented. The evening is yours to relax back on board. (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• 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.

Enjoy the morning cruising. This afternoon, you might like to take in a fruit-carving demonstration by one of the ship's chefs while border formalities are carried out as you cross into Vietnam. Upon entering, your ship will continue cruising towards Tan Chau. (B/L/D)

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)

Disembark in My Tho and continue to Ho Chi Minh City, once the bustling French colonial city known as Saigon. Your first day here offers you the chance to choose from two Signature Experiences, during which you'll learn about Vietnam's recent past. Stay Two Nights: Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• 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.

A range of Freedom of Choice options await today. This evening, we have arranged a special Signature Experience for you. (B/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• 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.

Board a flight to Myanmar. In Yangon, be met on arrival and transfer to your luxury river ship, the . This afternoon, join a walking tour and take in the colonial buildings of Pansodan Street. Walk through Mahabendoola Park on your way to Sule Pagoda, a unique structure that also now acts as a round-about. Later, one of the world's most famous pagodas awaits – the Shwedagon Pagoda. No visit to Yangon is complete without gazing in awe at this 99-metre tall golden masterpiece. This evening back on board, a welcome reception awaits before your welcome dinner. Stay 14 Nights: Irrawaddy River, RV Samatha (B/L/D)

Take a short ferry ride to the small village of Dala today. Situated on the banks of the Yangon River, this village offers the chance to experience an authentic way of life for the local Burmese people. Hop on a trishaw to visit a candle-making workshop. You'll also see how the villagers make crafts by utilising materials from a recycling workshop. Return to your ship for lunch on board before spending the rest of the day at leisure as your ship sets sail for your next destination. (B/L/D)

We arrive at Danuphyu, and first things first: hop aboard a trishaw, a popular form of transport here. Visit a local workshop and see how the locals prepare a yellowish paste called thanaka, which is applied to protect their skin from the sun. Burmese men and women have been wearing thanaka for more than 2,000 years and applying it to the cheeks in different patterns is a time-honoured ritual in Myanmar. You'll also pay a visit to a local monastery. (B/L/D)

Today, set out on a local village tour of Tayoke Maw. Meet the friendly locals and catch a glimpse of unspoiled country life. (B/L/D)

Be sure to head out on deck and check out the spectacular views of the Akauk Mountains and its famous cliff carvings as you cruise onwards towards Pyay today. When you arrive at this lively riverside village, join a tour of the imposing Shwesandaw Pagoda. Later, travel to the south-east of Pyay to the ancient ruins at the old Pyu kingdom capital, Sri Ksetra. The region's 1,500-year-old stupas are among the world's earliest and most intriguing Buddhist monuments. (B/L/D)

Continue on to Thayetmyo today, a peaceful port town that once sat on the border between Upper and Lower Burma, which the British annexed during the Second Anglo-Burmese War. Here, join a tour of the historic colonial-era post office before taking a swing at Myanmar's oldest golf course. (B/L/D)

Today, step ashore in the town of Minhla. Learn how the British captured this fort and the town. Back aboard your ship, cruise onwards to Magwe, where you will head up to Mya Tha Lon Pagoda, perched on a hill overlooking the Irrawaddy River. Take in the views and explore the pagoda, which was constructed with thousands of solid gold bricks and home to numerous shrines devoted to nats (Buddhist spirits). (B/L/D)

Cruise to the small village of Salay, a colourful religious village. Visit Yoke Sone Kyaung, the region's oldest surviving wooden monastery built in 1882. Next up is Man Paya Pagoda, home to Myanmar's largest lacquer Buddha image dating back to the 13th century. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, go ashore to New Bagan and witness a cultural elephant dance, where locals create life-sized elephant figures out of bamboo and paper and dance to drums, cymbals and bamboo clappers. You'll also have the chance to visit Gubyaukgyi Temple. This afternoon, go on foot to discover more of Bagan's temples, including the well-preserved Ananda Temple, affectionately coined the ‘Westminster Abbey of Myanmar'. Later, enjoy your Signature Experience. (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• Top off an exciting day with a glorious sunset over the glittering temples of Bagan, complete with free-flowing drinks and canapes.

Early birds may like to rise early to capture a first glimpse of World Heritage-listed Bagan aboard a hot air balloon (own expense). Scattered across its lush plains lie more than 2,200 sacred stupas, many dating as far back as the 11th and 13th centuries. Discover the ancient kingdom with a selection of Freedom of Choice Sightseeing options. (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice:

• If you're feeling active, jump on an electric bicycle and zip through the archaeological wonders of Bagan. Alternatively, perhaps visit the golden Shwezigon Pagoda, followed by a discovery of the buzzing Nyaung U Market, which offers a great chance to mingle with the locals. Otherwise, visit a sugar palm workshop where products including plum jam and local spirits are made. This is followed by a visit to the village of Phwar-Saw, where you can see the locals weaving bamboo, as well as constructing the parts used to make bullock carts.

Why not start your day in the best way possible and head up to the Sun Deck this morning, the perfect place to enjoy the sunrise? Arrive in the village of Pakokku. A tuk tuk ride reveals a series of local workshops which feature cheroot (cigar) and textiles, including the famous Burmese sarong – the longyi. Spend the afternoon exploring a small village and gain an insight into local life. (B/L/D)

In Yandabo, go ashore to explore Yandabo today, a village known for its terracotta wares. See a pottery-making demonstration by local artisans and gain a glimpse into village life. (B/L/D)

Follow the Irrawaddy River to Sagaing and visit the Soon Oo Pon Nya Shin Pagoda to take in the views over the river and rolling green hills. Silver plays an important role in local cultural celebrations, so it's only fitting you visit a silversmith workshop for a local's insight into the craft. You also have the chance to take part in the daily ritual of giving alms to the local monks here. Monks will line up along the streets and walk slowly to receive food donations from the local people. Later, cruise to Mingun, home to the massive ruins of Pahtodawgyi (Unfinished Pagoda). Here, see the second largest ringing bell in the world, the Mingun Bell. Tonight, enjoy a cultural show from the Mandalay Fine Art School on board your ship. (B/L/D)

Set out on a full-day exploration of Mandalay. Visit the Mahamuni Temple, a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists. and the world's largest book at Kuthodaw Pagoda. Later, discover the Shwenandaw Monastery. (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:

• What better way to admire a fiery sunset than by sampan cruise alongside the U-Bein Bridge, accompanied by the fizz and bubble of a celebratory drink?

After disembarking your ship one last time, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Heho. Here, you will set off to explore a local family-run workshop, which is famous for making Shan paper. Afterwards, travel to the small town of Nyaung Shwe, situated on the edge of Inle Lake. Continue on to your hotel, where you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Stay Three Nights: Inle Lake, Sanctum Resort (B/D)

Begin your day with a visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, which houses five small golden Buddha images. Continue to Nga Phe Chaung Monastery, the oldest and largest monastery on the lake. It's then time for a special dining experience at Inthar Heritage Restaurant. The owners have taken inspiration from old family recipes to create a modern twist on the region's traditional cuisine. Following lunch, visit local manufacturing workshops, including a silk factory wherein the silk is spun from the stem of a lotus flower. (B/L)

Climb aboard a local boat and cruise past the floating gardens. You may even spot the local fisherman using their iconic one-legged fishing technique. Continue to Indein Village to see the Shwe Indein Pagoda. Traverse narrow canals, gliding by paddy fields along the river banks. A gentle walk up a hill will bring you to hundreds of ancient stupas.

On return to your boat, make a pit stop at a local market and enjoy time to browse. After lunch, visit a local manufacturing workshop. You might even enjoy the opportunity to meet members of the Padaung Tribe, known for the women wearing brass coils around their necks. Tonight, be sure to take in a final sunset over Inle Lake before a farewell dinner. (B/D)

Board a coach to Heho, where an included flight takes you to Yangon for your onward flight. (B)