Day 2 Tuesday November 10, 2009 Siem Reap
On arrival we are met by our private coach and transferred to our hotel. where we spend the next three nights. After lunch Philip Brady will take us on our first visit to the famous temple of Cambodia, Angkor Wat. It is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. Its massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising sixty-five meters from ground level. This temple is the centrepiece of any visit to the temples of Angkor.

Day 3 Wednesday November 11, 2009 Angkor Wat
Today we will visit the South Gate of Angkor area. We will see Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of the Elephant, Terrace of the Leper King and Pimean Akas. After lunch at the stylish Café Indochine, we visit Thommanon, Chau Say Teveda, Ta Keo, Ta Promh, Banteay Kdei and Sras Srang. We take in the romantic view at sunset from Bakheng Hill before we return to the hotel.

Day 4 Thursday November 12, 2009 Siem Reap
A free day to explore the town of Siem Reap.

Day 5 Friday November 13, 2009 Siem Reap
Today we visit Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, and East Meborn.

Day 6 Saturday November 14, 2009 Siem Reap
This morning after we check out of our hotel, we transfer to the ship and begin our cruise down the Mekong to Saigon. We will enter and sail through the great Tonle Lake that dominates Cambodia and is over 150 km in length. Here bird life is profuse, and from the middle of the lake one cannot even see the shore. There is a great stillness and tranquillity as we pass floating fishing villages.

Day 7 Sunday November 15, 2009 Tonle River
Today we sail the Tonle River, which connects Tonle Lake with the Mekong and Bassac Rivers that merge at Phnom Penh. This river journey is a highlight of the cruise. We wind our way through jungle, and as the river narrows, we feel we can almost reach out and touch the houses and people who come out to cheer our ship on. Temples abound along the river banks at Kampong Chhnang, and we see the rich tapestry of Cambodian rural life. This is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Mooring mid-stream, we make a truly wonderful motor boat excursion into the lake-side wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of bird life may be seen. Of considerable interest are the great fish traps, some half a kilometre long, which net a huge tonnage of fish after each monsoon as the fish migrate from the falling lake into the Tonle River.

Day 8 Monday November 16, 2009 Kampong Cham Area
This morning we visit the eco village of Cheungkok that is supported by the French- Cambodian NGO AMICA. We also visit the Kampong Cham orphanage, supported by the Pandaw Trust programme. Legends abound about the origins of these hills, and there are many pagodas and shrines on the hilltops. We will explore the Kampong Cham Area. We travel by bus to the 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor. This colourful temple is unique in Cambodia, as a modern wat it is set within the ruins of an ancient temple. This afternoon we travel upriver to the hilltop pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Dating from the 8th century, these ancient brick structures characterise the architecture of the Chenla Empire that predated the glories of Angkor.

Day 9 Tuesday November 17, 2009 Kampong Cham
This morning we stop at Peam Chi Kang village to visit the wat or monastery and school. As we cruise along the Mekong, we see its timeless villages and river life, including its extensive fishing activities. The scenery is lovely here, and in the distance, forested hills rise. We stop at the little-known Chong Koh silk weaving village for a short walk.

Day 10 Wednesday November 18, 2009 Phnom Penh
This morning we arrive into the city of Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. The old French colonial architecture makes an attractive backdrop to busy cafes, and the renovated river corniche is full of life. The city has several impressive wats, including Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and the newly-painted Wat Lang Ka. Pride of place goes to the spectacular Silver Pagoda, one of the few places in Cambodia where artefacts embodying the brilliance and richness of Khmer culture were preserved by the Khmer Rouge. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. An afternoon excursion is arranged to the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention centre situated in the suburbs of the city. More happily, Phnom Penh has a lively night life, and you may choose to dine ashore or try one of the capital’s many watering holes; a favourite being the Foreign Correspondents’ Club.

Day 11 Thursday November 19, 2009 Chau Doc
This morning we cruise the broad Mekong channel, which is an international shipping route. We head to the Vietnamese border for the usual formalities. We then travel from the main Mekong channel at Tan Chau, and travel down the canals and backwaters by local ferry boat. At Chau Doc, we transfer to small boats to visit a Cham tribal village. We also visit a cat fish farm. We take a tri-shaw ride through this fascinating town with many fine French colonial buildings to its bustling market.

Day 12 Friday November 20, 2009 Cai Be
We take a morning junk trip around Cai Be to see a floating market, and travel ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral and colourful port area, with its colonial buildings, delightful flower gardens and local rice paper manufacturers. We return to the ship and cruise over to Vinh Long to visit a Bonsai garden and fruit farm, followed by visit to a brick and pottery factory. We return to the ship and cruise past Vinh Long City and the delta islands. The remainder of the day is spent cruising through the Mekong Delta. This afternoon we will have a session of Trivial Pursuit.

Day 13 Saturday November 21, 2009 Saigon
This morning we make a fascinating trip by traditional junk to explore the local islands and visit the former Imperial residence, An Kiet House. Surviving members of the Kiet family will welcome us with tea and we will wander in the fruit orchards around the house. We disembark the ship and are transferred from the delta port of My Tho by coach to the city of Saigon. We check into the hotel and have a sightseeing tour of the city. We visit the Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office, Former US Embassy, City Hall, War Museum of Remnants. There will be time for shopping at Ben Thanh market.

Day 14 Sunday November 22, 2009 Saigon
This morning we drive to the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels, about sixty-five kilometres (1½ hours drive) from Saigon. The complicated underground network was built by Viet Cong guerillas. We will see local people engaged in occupations such as cashew nut farming, duck breeding, rice farming and production of rice paper, a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. This afternoon will be free to explore Saigon.

Day 15 Monday November 23, 2009 Departure
This morning we will be transferred to the airport for our flights back to Australia.

Day 16 Tuesday November 24, 2009 Back in Australia
Arrival back in Australia. The tour and cruise concludes. Relax and enjoy