The Lost Civilisation

Start your Journey in bustling Siem Reap, gateway to the magnificent temples of Angkor. Angkor Archaeological Park is the most significant archaeological site in Southeast Asia and contains the atmospheric remains of the Khmer capitals from the 9th to the 15th century. Seek out your favourite temple – perhaps the faces of Bayon or the mystical Ta Prohm, slowly disappearing into the jungle. Angkor Wat is the most famous, and you’ll visit this iconic monument in the late afternoon to see the golden sun set.

Transfer across the pretty Tonle Sap lake to meet your river cruise in Kampong Cham. Join the monks and climb the 291 steps up to the colourful Wat Hanchey temple (or take a motor taxi) and admire the views from the top. Sail on to Phnom Penh where you’ll dock to take a look around. Tour the grand Royal Palace, the exquisite Silver Pagoda and the harrowing Genocide Museum. Back on board, cross the border into Vietnam and sail the mighty Mekong across to Chau Doc, where you’ll explore the floating villages before continuing to Sa Dec. The next day, discover the verdant riverine islands on your way to My Tho.

Leave your cruise behind in My Tho and head on by road to the modern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. This energetic city buzzes day and night and is filled with modern shopping arcades as well as ancient pagodas and fascinating history museums. Sample some of the world’s best Vietnamese street food on the streets of Saigon - tuck in to steaming bowls of noodles filled with light aromatic flavours, washed down with a refreshing Bia Hoi. Crawl the very restrictive Cu Chi tunnel network and discover the underground history of the Vietcong.