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Angkor Wat

University of Montana Alumni Cambodia & Vietnam 2018

Example 15 Day Tour
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Spend 15 days on a focused tour of the highlights of Cambodia and Vietnam. Enjoy a few days touring Siem Reap, including a visit to Angkor Wat. Cruise along the Mekong River on the small ship, the Jahan. Continue exploring Vietnam by land through Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Halong Bay. Experience the highlights of these two distinct countries alongside fellow alumni of the University of Montana.
Reflections of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)Fresh spring rollsFloating fishing village in Halong BayBui Vien Street, Ho Chi Minh CityMonk at Ta Prohm temple, AngkorContrast of old & modern of Ho Chi Minh cityRice field workersAngkor Wat
Highlights
  • Experience the colorful culture and people of Cambodia
  • Cruise along the Mekong River on the luxury small ship, the Jahan
  • Explore the streets of Hanoi and the historical treasures of Vietnam
  • Visit the world-renowned temple of Angkor Wat
Activity Level: Moderate
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap

Welcome to Cambodia! Upon your arrival to the Siem Reap airport, you will be met by your guide and driver to be transferred to your hotel. You will have the afternoon on your own to rest or explore.

Around 7:30PM, you will get the opportunity to go to the Cambodian Circus show! This show focuses on traditional and contemporary themes, and actually benefits a non-profit art organization. The organization's purpose is to improve the development of local community members by providing education and professional art training. VIP reserved seating included

Enjoy a Welcome Dinner at Chanrey Tree restaurant before returning to your hotel to rest up for the next day's adventures. Overnight at the Victoria Angkor Hotel, Superior Room.

Day 2: Siem Reap

  • Hotels
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Departing early in the morning, you will take in a beautiful sunrise at the temple lake of Srah Srang. The sounds of the jungle will be playing along to the sunrise over the "king's bath" and Ta Phrom Temple.

After breakfast, you will continue to the South Gate of Angkor Thom to take a walk through the jungle to a hidden temple. Wander through the ancient ruins to discover many other temples. The entire afternoon is set aside for a visit to the main attraction, Angkor Wat. This famous temple was constructed in the early 12th century and is considered one of mankind's greatest building achievements. The temple, with its intricate carvings, elaborate details, and fascinating design was mysteriously abandoned by the Khmer civilization in 1431.

While the sun sets, you will be enjoying appetizers on a traditional gondola boat ride through the moat of Angkor Thom. DInner tonight is at The Square 24 restaurant. Overnight at the Victoria Angkor Hotel, Superior Room.

Day 3: Siem Reap | Kulen | Banteay Srei

  • Hotels
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning begins with breakfast and a journey through the stunning countryside in search of the mysterious waterfall at Phnom Kulen! Phnom Kulen is an isolated chain of small mountain plateaus that appears as a long silhouette on the horizon. It was important as a quarry in Angkorian times, and is widely regarded as the birthplace of the ancient Khmer Empire. Phnom Kulen is now protected as a UNESCO Heritage Site. You will follow a river to the waterfall, which is a main attraction for today. There are over 1,000 carvings just under the surface of the water, which is considered holy. Enjoy a refreshing swim and a local Khmer lunch at the waterfall before heading back to Siem Reap.

This afternoon, you will take a scenic drive to Banteay Srei, an ornate pink sandstone temple. Next, you will visit the Cambodia Land Mine Museum. A former child soldier who was forced to lay thousands of mines opened this facility that is not only a museum, but an orphanage, school, and clinic to victims of land mines. Conclude your day by taking in a sunset at Pre Rup Temple and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the Victoria Angkor Hotel, Superior Room.

Day 4: Depart Siem Reap | Embark Jahan River Cruise

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the boarding point. From here, you will embark on your Mekong River Cruise on the Jahan ship!
Meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner on the ship as your ship moors in the Tonle River.

Day 5: Cruise | Kampong Chhnang | Kampong Tralach | Kampong Cham

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Wake up early for a morning Tai Chi class onboard. Enjoy breakfast after a bit of exercise with spectacular scenery as the backdrop.

Kampong Chhnang is Cambodia's "water world" where every structure is on sticks balanced over water. You will take a local boat to share, then have a walking tour of a local village. Khmer style pottery and the making of palm sugar are the village specialties. After exploring other local floating villages, return to the Jahan for lunch. Continue cruising through leafy swaths of this jungle-like landscape toward Kampong Tralach. You will probably pass smiling children bathing their livestock in the river.

Enjoy an ox cart ride once you reach Kampong Tralach. Back on board, sail downstream passing the confluence of the Tonle and Mekong Rivers. Enjoy dinner onboard while your ship continues cruising.

Day 6: Cruise: Kampong Cham | Okhna Tey | Phnom Penh

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, learn more about the education of the younger Cambodian generation.  Children join us on board the ship excited to share their skills in music and art.

Arrive at the enchanting pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey around 9:30AM. This complex sits on a hilltop with breath-taking views of the Mekong. Enjoy lunch onboard as you watch the landscape go by.  Arrive at the island of Koh Oknha Tey - a spot in the middle of the Mekong famed for the manufacturing of quality silk products. Explore the island by tuk tuk.  At the workshops, you will learn the process of silk production from silkworm to the final product. 

After some more time cruising, arrive at the pier of Phnom Penh.  After dinner, feel free to go explore the city on your own. Stroll along the river promenade, people watch, or have a drink at one of the numerous bars.

Day 7: Cruise: Phnom Penh

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Phnom Penh was once called the "Paris of the East". Despite its rapid development, the city has retained much of its rustic charm and elegance. Welcome to this amazing town of incredible history and rich culture.

This morning take an excursion to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and also visit the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum) just outside the city. Both sites display the cruel chapter of history when the Khmer Rouge ruled the country with terror and oppression.  There is an alternative option to explore the city on your own during the morning before re-joining the group.

After lunch at a nice restaurant in town, your afternoon tour explores the highlights of the city, famous for its French colonial architecture, busy cafés, and colorful nightlife. Visit the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. The day ends with a "cyclo" ride through bustling streets back to the ship. Rest in your cabin or join other guests at the bar for a drink once back onboard. A barbecue dinner on the sun deck commences in the early evening, along with a traditional Apsara dance performance. Enjoy a good glass of wine while marveling at the skyline of Phnom Penh and the calm flow of the Tonle River.

Day 8: Cruise: Phnom Penh | Border Crossing | Tan Chau, Vietnam

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, gather at the ship's lounge for a lecture about Cambodia's modern history. The first-hand insight of this Royal University of Phnom Penh professor is a highlight of the cruise. Feel free to ask questions!

This afternoon is for your leisure: enjoy a massage, relax on the balcony, or visit the bridge for one of the captain's stories.  After lunch, a culinary class is offered if you want to sharpen your knowledge and skills of local cuisine.  Enjoy high tea near the time we reach the border and finally arrive to Vietnam. Moor at Tan Chau, a slow-paced border town with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community.

Dinner is served after which you can join the evening cinema onboard.

Day 9: Cruise: Tan Chau | My An Hung | Sa Dec

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning, visit Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. Once on share, hop on "xelois" to explore the town. A xeloi is a local vehicle which serves as a taxi in this region. Slowly move through the streets passing workshops and homes. You will soon feel the laid-back vibe of this town.

Stop at a colorful local market to bargain with friendly vendors. Cruise in local boats through floating houses before reaching a floating fish farm. Back onboard the Jahan this afternoon, you may want to pamper yourself with spa treatments or take a dip on the sun deck pool.

Set off into the My An Hung village to visit a private household and meet a local family. Enjoy a Vietnamese tea tasting in their home, complete with honey and fruits harvested by the family. An artist group performs a typical traditional dragon dance while you enjoy your snacks.

Back on the ship, watch the sun set and enjoy a delicious dinner.

Day 10: Cruise: Binh Thanh Island | Cai Be | My Tho

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
During breakfast, your ship arrives at the island of Binh Thanh. This island is one of the largest in the vast stream of the Mekong. Some communities have settled here and make their living by growing water hyacinths. We will wander through an untouched village to get a deeper sense of life here. Also, you will see (and even try) the process of manually weaving mats! Interact with some of the local people all the while.

Lunch is served back on the ship. Arrive early afternoon to Cai Be, a charming town famous for its Catholic French church, as well as local crafts & food products. The floaring market of Cai Be is shrinking every year, but you will still be able to see some boat-to-boat trading of goods. Visit a workshop to learn about how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies, and rice wine is manufactured. In a local boat, continue to cruise through a lush and green canal network to observe farmers while they work.

Before your farewell dinner on the ship, enjoy some dancing and music.

 

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City | Disembark Cruise

Your cruise comes to an end as the ship docks at My Tho Port. From here, you will be taken to your hotel for a free day at your leisure.

At 6:30PM, it is time for dinner at Cuch Gach Quan - one of the best and most beautifully decorated restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City! Enjoy a variety of traditional Vietnamese countryside dishes.  

Overnight at Silverland Yen Hotel, Premier Deluxe room (Standard option) OR Liberty Central Riverside Hotel, Premier River View room (Luxury option). 

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City | Flight to Hanoi

  • Hotels
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, is the country's most dynamic city and a vital economic and cultural hub. Throughout the city, modern and traditional Vietnamese traits collide. Sleek skyscrapers, Chinese-style pagodas, bustling food stalls, and urban shops all coexist.

The first half of your day will include a visit to Thien Hau Temple in Chinatown, Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, and the War Museum. After exploring and having lunch in Ho Chi Minh City, you will board a short flight to Hanoi!

Upon arriving, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Later that evening you will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with your group to welcome you to Hanoi.

Overnight at The Chi Hotel, Deluxe room (Standard option) OR Silk Path Hotel, Executive room (Luxury option).

Day 13: Explore Hanoi

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
We recommend you skip the hotel breakfast if you want a hearty appetite for all the foods you will taste throughout the day. In the morning, your guide will meet you around 7:00AM to head towards Hoan Kiem Lake. This early in the morning, you are sure to observe the typical scene of local people practicing tai chi and aerobic exercise to start their day. You will visit Ngoc Son Temple, which is actually located in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Exploring this interesting site will leave you thirsty for a traditional Vietnamese coffee. At a charming coffee shop, taste the traditional iced coffee or if you are more adventurous, try the egg coffee! Wander the streets to Hanoi's Old Quarter, and enjoy a guided walking tour. Stops along the way include a street food vendor for banh mi sandwiches, St. Joseph Cathedral, and Hoa Lo Prison.

For lunch in the Old Quarter, try Hanoi's specialty dishes at Bun Cha restaurant. Continue with a full stomach to the Temple of Literature where Vietnam's first university was established in order to educate royalty and elite members. The university, which functioned for 700 years, is a fascinating glimpse into history with its well-preserved gardens and architecture. Your final stop of the day will be the Hanoi railway tracks, which run just feet away from entrances of homes and businesses! This unique layout provides a great opportunity for interesting photos of the city streets. End today with an evening of local beers and dinner at Madame Hien restaurant. If you still want to explore Hanoi after dinner, you are free to do so on your own.

Overnight at The Chi Hotel, Deluxe room (Standard option) OR Silk Path Hotel, Executive room (Luxury option).

Day 14: Hanoi | Ha Long Bay

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After an early breakfast, depart for Ha Long Bay - one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as the world's largest marine limestone karst landscape. The towering limestone pillars are quite a site to witness.

After some time to enjoy this area, you will drive to Hon Gai International Harbor where the Indochina Dragon Legend Cruise ship will be waiting for you. A welcome drink will refresh you before settling into your cabin as the ship sets sail. Lunch is served as you take in views of limestone karsts on the way to Bai Tu Long Bay. This afternoon, you will have the chance to swim or relax on the white sandy beach of Vung Dang. A kayaking adventure is next - paddle through the mysterious Karst Mountains of Vung Dang. After paddling through this unique landscape, enjoy the sunset, a seafood dinner, and drinks back on the Indochina Dragon Legend Cruise ship. Relax on the deck or try your hand at squid fishing before turning in for the night.

Day 15: Ha Long Bay | Hanoi | Departure

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Wake up to your LAST morning of the trip to views of Ha Long Bay and breakfast in the fresh air. You will cruise to Cong Do to explore the beautiful, hidden Thien Canh Son Cave. Lunch will be served on the ship as you cruise toward Hon Gai Harbor. Around noon, you will disembark the ship and meet your driver for the journey back to Hanoi. Along the way, you will visit Yen Duc Village where you can participate in their farming and fishing techniques.

The afternoon brings the end of your tour as you arrive at the Noi Bai Airport for your departure flight. Return home or continue your independent travels!

Accommodations

Hanoi - Hotels

Ho Chi Minh City - Hotels

Siem Reap - Hotels

Dates & Prices

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Notes

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Included
  • 14 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 14 Dinners
  • 14 Nights Accommodations
  • 6 Days Guide Service
  • Both Arrival and Departure Transfers are included.
  • Gear Rental
    • Kayaking in Ha Long Bay
Excluded
  • International Flights
  • Meals not Included
  • Optional Excursions
  • Tourist visas
    • US citizens must obtain a visas for both countries.

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

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