Cochinchine and Kingdom of Cambodia

Saigon arrival - personal discoveries/rest (D)

Arrival in Saigon, welcomed by your guide and driver. Transfer to the city center and check-in at the hotel. Free time to rest or explore the city on your own. Welcome dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel in Saigon.

Saigon (B/L)

The full day is dedicated to discovering the city: departure for Cho Lon district and discovery of its old quarters, its market, Thien Hau temple and Giac Lam pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in the city, its architecture, layout and decoration have remained almost intact since its construction in 1744.

Return to the city center to visit the Cathedral, the Central Post Office.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Independence Palace and Ngoc Hoang Temple then finish with Ben Thanh market. Overnight at the hotel.

Saigon – Ben Tre (B/L/D)

You will take the road to Ben Tre and embark on a boat upon arrival for an excursion to the beautiful region in the Mekong Delta, renowned for its coconut candy production.

Stop to visit Mr. Tu Lo's brick kiln and discover the traditional methods of brick making. This is followed by a visit to the coconut product factory.

Continue our boat excursion on the canals to Nhon Thanh village. A short walk will help you deeply discover local life. This will be an opportunity to taste fresh fruits.

Then, a bike ride on small paths through the villages, observing coconut groves, rice fields, vegetable gardens.

Lunch by the river or at a local's home.

We finally arrive at the house where we will spend the night. Bike excursion to Mr. Sau Khanh's house to admire his collection of antique objects, then we continue through the rice fields. Meet farmers and you can also participate in their work by helping them!

End of the afternoon: dinner preparation with the owner. Overnight at a local's home.

Ben Tre – Can Tho (B/L)

After breakfast, we will start the day by visiting local markets, Phu Nhuan temple where you can see a hundred-year-old cycas pectinata.

Departure for a rowing boat excursion that takes us through a maze of arroyos surrounded by two rows of nipa palms (a type of palm tree), the main navigation route for locals.

Disembarkation then road towards Can Tho.

Arrival in Can Tho, check-in at the hotel. Overnight in Can Tho

Can Tho - Chau Doc (B/L)

Early in the morning, we will take the boat to participate in the Cai Rang floating market, the largest and most lively floating market in the Mekong Delta. The setting is magnificent: hundreds of motor sampans filled with rice, fruits, and handicrafts gather there to trade and sell.

Then we go to lush orchards, an opportunity to taste fresh fruits picked on site. Road to Chau Doc, a city on the border with Cambodia.

Departure by boat to visit the fish farm where fish are kept in cages suspended under floating houses on the River. Continue with a visit to Cham minority houses. Overnight at the hotel in Chau Doc

Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B/L)

Speedboat to Phnom Penh departing from Chau Doc. Arrival in Phnom Penh around noon. Time for lunch and rest.

In the afternoon, we discover Phnom Penh, the languid Cambodian capital and visit the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda, which is located within the Royal Palace grounds, and the Vat Phnom Pagoda. Overnight at the hotel

Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B/L/D)

You will take the road towards Siem Reap passing through Kompong Thom, 168 km from Phnom Penh, one of the 5 provinces bordering Tonle Sap lake. On the way, you will visit Skun market known as the tarantula market, then visit the temples of Kuha Nokor, Phum Prasat and stone carving workshops.

Lunch in Kompong Thom.

Crossing villages towards the pre-Angkorian temples of Sambo Prei Kuh, the ancient capital before Angkor.

The road continues to Siem Reap, 147 km away, through villages, rice plains, stopping at Kompong Kdei to visit an ancient archaeological bridge dating from the Angkorian era. Check-in at the hotel.

Apsara dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel

Siem Reap - Angkor Thom - Angkor Wat - Siem Reap (B/L)

In the morning, visit Angkor Thom (Great City) starting with the South Gate, the famous Bayon of the 12th & 13th century, Baphuon (11th C.) dedicated to Brahmanism, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, Phimean Akas (celestial palace).

In the afternoon, discover the marvelous Angkor Wat temple, a world heritage site, and Phnom Bakheng (mountain temple). Overnight at the hotel.

Siem Reap - Small Circuit - Grand Circuit - Siem Reap (B/L/D)

Breakfast, visit the "Small Circuit" group: Ta Prohm, where gigantic trees dominate the monastery, imprisoning the ruins with their impressive roots like giant octopuses holding their prey.

Continue with a visit to Thommanon, Chau Say Teveda, Ta Keo, Banteay Kdei, and the Sras Srang terrace. Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the sites of the Eastern Baray "Grand Circuit": Pre Rup, Mebon, Tasom, Neak Pean, Prah Khan.

Farewell dinner at the restaurant with traditional APSARA dance. Overnight at the hotel

Siem Reap – Tonlé Sap - Departure (B)

The morning is entirely dedicated to an excursion on Tonlé Sap lake, which is connected to the Mekong by a 100 km long channel. We will take a boat trip on the waters of this lake, to meet the fishermen and the stilt-house floating village of Chongneas.

Then visit a factory of the Chantier-Ecole d'artisans d'Angkor.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight