Voyage on the Mekong

Day 1 UK-Ho Chi Minh City

After taking Saga’s included UK door-to-door travel service to the airport, depart on your overnight flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City

On arrival transfer to the locally rated 5-star Pullman Saigon for a two-night stay.

The hotel is ideally located for exploring the city and you have the rest of the afternoon to do so. Close by is the historic Ban Thanh Market, one of the earliest surviving buildings in Saigon, as well as many bars, restaurants and nightspots within walking distance. Good public transport services make it easy for visitors to get around. Amenities offered at the hotel include two restaurants and two bars, an outdoor pool, fitness centre, and spa (charges apply). Each of the 306 air-conditioned rooms has a television, tea and coffee-making facilities, minibar, safe, and hairdryer. Dinner is at your hotel. D

Day 3 Ho Chi Minh City

Start your holiday with a tour of Vietnam's largest city – formerly known as Saigon and often referred to as Vietnam’s Los Angeles.

It was part of Cambodia until the 17th century, when it was acquired by Vietnam, and later colonised by the French whose influence can still be seen. Look out for key sights such as the elegant French-colonial buildings, traditional temples and pagodas and the fallen 1960s Reunification Palace. You’ll also visit the History Museum. Lunch and dine wherever you please. B

Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City

Set off on a scenic drive to the port of My Tho to embark the RV Mekong Pandaw (4⚓) for your seven-night cruise. Lunch will be served on board. B, L, D

Day 5 Ben Tre-Banh Xeo

Embark on a ride by Sampan, travelling through mangroves and bamboo groves to the province of Ben Tre, known for its fruit orchards. Look forward to meeting local artisans and honey producers from the area before continuing to Cho Lach Island, concluding your day with a cookery lesson, making ‘Banh Xeo’ – a popular local pancake-style dish. B, L, D

Day 6 Gao Giong and Con Phuoc Island

Travel by coach to Gao Giong bird sanctuary, known for its water birds. Afterwards, you’ll cruise upstream to Con Phuoc Island and tour the island by Xi Loi - a form of ricksahw. B, L, D

Day 7 Tan Chau

Discover the canal system of Tan Chau together with local villages as you explore further by Xi Loi. Later you may like to join an optional tour of the ship and a fruit carving class. B, L, D

Day 8 Phnom Penh, Cambodia

This morning enjoy a city tour by bicycle carriage, or 'cyclo', visiting the Royal Palace complex, the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum.

This afternoon there is a choice of optional excursions: perhaps join a visit to the Choeung Ek killing fields and learn about the consequences of the Khmer Rouge's brutal regime under Pol Pot, or take a tuk-tuk to explore the riverfront area and enjoy High Tea at the famous Raffles Hotel.

This evening there will be a puppet show on board the ship, as you moor overnight in Phnoom Penh. B, L, D

Day 9 Tonle Sap cruise

Cruise up the narrow, winding Tonle Sap river for glimpses of rural village life.

The UNESCO-listed Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve supports up to one million people and a rich variety of wildlife including hundreds of varieties of water birds and fish, along with crocodiles, turtles and macaques. During the rainy season Tonle Sap Lake becomes South East Asia's largest freshwater lake. Visit Koh Okhna Tey, or ‘silk island’ to study the entire silk making process from worms to weavers.

There will also be a demonstration of the ancient Khmer martial art of Bokator before you cruise back along the river. B, L, D

Day 10 Koh Trong-Kratie

Explore the sandbar island of Koh Trong by bicycle or Ox Cart, with its charming scenery and temples.

Afterwards, continue to the French colonial town of Kratie. From here, you’ll head to a protected area of a national park to watch for the increasingly rare Irrawaddy Dolphins, now under threat with only around 92 individuals left in existence. Regarded as sacred by the Khmer and Lao peoples, this rare and enchanting dolphin is one of only three cetacean species that can live in both fresh and salt water. B, L, D

Day 11 Siem Reap

Sail downstream to Kampong, where you will disembark and transfer to Siem Reap to the locally rated 4-star Royal Angkor Resort for a three-night stay.

The hotel is near the ancient city of Angkor Thom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are various restaurants and bars in the resort – the Garden Café offers international cuisine and the AZ Royal Restaurant offers Asian fusion and Western cuisine. Other facilities include two additional restaurants, three bars, a lounge, swimming pool with Jacuzzi, a sauna and steam bath, gym and fitness centre, and souvenir shop. The Chinese-inspired Royal Spa offers massage therapies for an extra charge. The 198 rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a television, telephone, tea and coffee-making facilities, a hairdryer and safe. B

Day 12 Siem Reap

Begin your day with a visit to Ankor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument.

Next visit the nearby Angkor Thom, the most enduring capital built by the Khmer kings, also part of the 400-square-kilometre Angkor Archaeological Park. Set within a ten-kilometre enclosure and surrounded by a huge moat, the ruins of this once great city are ringed by walls that contained the Khmer capital between the 12th and 15th centuries. At its heart is the state temple, Bayon, with its 54 towers. See the Bayon Temple and other-worldly Ta Prohm monastery, which has been left as it was found, partially engulfed by giant tree roots. B

Day 13 Siem Reap

Spend today at leisure or perhaps join an optional excursion to Angkor Silk Farm. B

Day 14 Siem Reap-UK

After a day at leisure depart Siem for your return overnight flight. B

Day 15 UK

Arrive back in the UK for your included UK door-to-door travel service.