Thailand, Cambodia and the Mighty Mekong
Thailand, Cambodia and the Mighty Mekong
Thailand, Cambodia and the Mighty Mekong
15 Days
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TTTCV
From:
$4452 including Flights from the UKNB: Prices correct on 01-Jun-2024 but subject to change.
Tour Overview
Immerse yourself in the spiritual and sensory delights of Southeast Asia on this tour that starts in the sprawling, temple-rich megacity Bangkok and ends in high-octane Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. In between, you’ll witness the haunting Burma Railway in rural Kanchanaburi, ride the rickety Battambang bamboo train, visit exquisite Angkor Wat and talk broom making and mushroom farming with local families and farmers in Cambodia and the Mekong. Staying in premium hotels with all the highlights covered and travelling overland by road - and by speedboat on the Mekong - you’ll experience scenes that are fast and futuristic, and as old as time. If you want the best of Southeast Asia in a nutshell, this is how it’s done.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your direct flight to Bangkok.
Day 2
On arrival in Bangkok, you’ll be met and transferred to the hotel. Enjoy an evening at leisure to relax after your flight.
Day 3
Experience the chaotic charm of Bangkok on this morning’s included tour. First off, we’ll admire some of the country’s finest Thai-Buddhist architecture amongst the gilded spires and intricately carved temples of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, home to the treasured Emerald Buddha.
After that it’s a short walk to Wat Pho, which has the biggest collection of Buddha images in Thailand (over 1,000) as well as its largest Reclining Buddha; all 46 metres of it wrapped in gleaming, gold-leaf.
Day 4
We journey by road from the urban sprawl of Bangkok to the peaceful province of Kanchanaburi. Here, we’ll explore the harrowing stories and history behind the Burma Railway, known as the ‘Death Railway’, which was built using forced POW labour during WWII. We’ll take a ride on the train and see the Bridge over the River Kwai - heavy with history and made famous in film - and after lunch we’ll visit the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, resting place for almost 7,000 British and Allied soldiers.
Lastly we’ll witness Hellfire Pass and its Memorial Museum, which tells the human suffering behind this infamous engineering feat, before we return to Bangkok.
Day 5
It's on to Cambodia today, crossing the Phsar Prom Border on foot to meet our Cambodian guide. After passing through immigration, we’re on the road to laid-back Battambang. This afternoon’s walking tour takes us over the Sangker River to see some of the architectural surprises in this historic small town, like the art deco-inspired Central Market and Sangker Cinema with its white modernist façade. Later, we’ll visit nearby Wat Kor to see heritage Khmer homes built over a century ago and get our first taste of Khmer village life.
Day 6
It’s all about the views this morning as we visit 11th-century Wat Phnom Banan. Set on a 400m-high hill, the views across the surrounding Cambodian countryside are breathtaking. After that we’ll ride on the famous Battambang Bamboo Train. Sitting on straw mats laid across a simple bamboo flatbed, this rickety and sometimes bumpy ride is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
This afternoon we’ll continue our journey to Siem Reap, gateway to the temples of Angkor, and this evening we’ve arranged a visit to the Big Top of Phare, whose young circus performers enthral audiences with their acrobatics and stories about Cambodian history and folklore.
Day 7
The first stop on today’s temple tour is 12th-century Bayon, known as the ‘face temple’ thanks to the 216 smiling Avalokiteshvara faces carved into its façade. Next it’s Ta Prohm, whose crumbling walls have been swallowed by root systems from the surrounding jungle - an atmospheric testament to its age.
Finally, we come to Angkor Wat, the most exquisite and complete structure in the whole complex, where we’ll hear about its myths, stories and religious history from an expert local guide. After lunch at a local restaurant, spend an afternoon relaxing at the hotel.
Day 8
Today we turn our focus to the water, specifically the stilted Khmer villages on Tonlé Sap Lake, which farm fish and vegetables on floating platforms. Boarding a local boat we’ll sail out through mangrove forests, keeping a look out for birds and wildlife, to visit one of these fascinating floating communities. We’ll get hands on in the art of broom making with a local family, and help with village chores - farming, fishing or taking care of animals - during a guided walk.
After a simple Khmer lunch, there’s time to see or try more activities, or just chat with the villagers about life on the lake. Heading back to Siem Reap, we’ll stop at a Buddhist temple to receive a blessing from the monks and tonight we’ll take our seats for a traditional Apsara Dance show - a memorable end to a memorable day.
Day 9
We leave Siem Reap behind and make our way through the scenic Cambodia countryside to Phnom Penh. Arriving later this afternoon, there’s time to rest before this evening’s Mekong River cruise, when we’ll watch the sun set over the spires and skyscrapers on the Phnom Penh skyline.
Day 10
Today we’ll lean into the history of Cambodia and Phnom Penh. Starting at the Royal Palace with its ornate roof and curlicue spires, we’ll gaze at the Silver Pagoda with its silver-tiled floor before our morning takes a darker turn with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Museum which documents the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge against the Cambodian people.
Then it’s the landmark art deco Central Market, a noisy hubbub where you’ll find everything from Buddhas to bandanas. After lunch, we’ll up the tempo as we board a speedboat for the next leg of our Mekong River tour. Passing the rice fields and grassy meadows of the Mekong Delta, and perhaps the occasional water buffalo, it’s a thrilling way to arrive in Vietnam.
Day 11
This morning’s walking tour of Chau Doc reveals a bustling town of winding streets and stilted river houses. Bang in the middle we find Chau Doc market where, surrounded by fragrant and vividly coloured fruit, vegetables, fish and fish sauce, we’ll learn about the role of agriculture in the region.
Later we’ll see a different side to life in rural Vietnam as we take a small boat downriver to a Muslim Cham village, whose mosques and stilted houses have a distinct architectural style. Back on board we’ll cruise to Sam Mountain, the highest peak in the Mekong Delta and a Buddhist pilgrimage site, for spiritual temples and spectacular views over the surrounding paddy fields.
Day 12
We’re on the water again today as we head to My Tho, to board a motorised wooden sampan and head out across the Mekong Delta to the floating farms around Tan My and Tho Son islands. We’ll chat with the fishermen, and then swap our sampan for a rowboat to scull the little canals shaded by water coconut trees. Then it’s on by bicycle to learn about other local cottage industries like mushroom cultivation, bee keeping and a weaver who makes straw hats and baskets.
After tucking into Mekong delicacies for lunch, eaten al fresco in a family’s garden, we head back to the sampan to return to the mainland, and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Day 13
Once known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is as fast and furious as it is timeless and serene. Today’s tour shows us both sides of the city, starting at Vinh Nghiem, the first traditional Vietnamese pagoda in Vietnam to be constructed in concrete. We’ll see history first-hand at the War Remnants Museum and at Reunification Palace, which witnessed the end of the Vietnamese War in 1975. And we’ll visit the Central Post Office which was designed by the French architect Gustav Eiffel.
Lastly, we’ll explore the graceful curves of one of the city’s most flamboyant and beautiful buildings, the Saigon Opera House. Spend this afternoon at leisure, exploring more of the city or relaxing at the hotel.
Day 14
This morning we’ll delve deeper into Vietnamese history as we go underground at the Cu Chi Tunnels. We’ll watch a video about life for the Viet Cong soldiers who lived there, and see the rooms and passageways where they hid, housed troops, transported supplies and made their resistance plans. Today, the Cu Chi Tunnels are seen as a testament to the spirit and resilience of the Vietnamese people. After an afternoon at leisure, tonight we’ll toast the end of our tour with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 15
Our Southeast Asia tour comes to an end this morning, as we return to the airport for the flight back to the UK. Upon arrival your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
What's Included
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13 nights in hotels and 1 in flight
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International and regional flights as detailed. Prices are based on return flights with Thai Airways from London Heathrow - inbound via Bangkok.
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Titan tour manager
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32 meals: 13 breakfasts 11 lunches 8 dinnersundefined excursions and visits
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Bangkok city sightseeing tour
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The Burma Railway ‘Death Railway’, Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and Hellfire Pass and Memorial Museum
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Battambang sightseeing and visit to Wat Kor village
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Wat Phnom Banan temple visit and Bamboo Train ride
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Cultural evening including Phare Cambodian Circus
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Temple tour including Bayon and Angkor Wat
Check out our Q&As
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Do I have to pay a Single Supplement?
In most cases a single supplement will apply. If the price for a Single room for sole occupancy is not shown, please ask our team for details and we will be able to check the details for you.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We've been taking our customers across the world on escorted tours for more than 40 years
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our commitment to sustainable travel is part of our ethos. We love exploring the world and hope that, alongside our customers, we can be part of a bigger change in respecting the people and wildlife on our planet and minimising the impact we have on our environment.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
With some COVID-19 rules and restrictions still in place there are a few details that you need to know. This information is subject to change. It’s your responsibility to monitor changes and ensure you fulfil all relevant criteria for travel. Rest assured that we’re on hand to help and answer any questions you might have.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You’ll receive your Final holiday documents via email approximately 14 days prior to your departure.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Why book with Barrhead?
Fully Protected
All our holidays are fully financially protected.
Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.
Range
Our bespoke holidays are tailor-made to suit your personal requirements.
We can book flights, rail journeys, accommodation, cruises, attraction tickets and much more.
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
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We know because we go – our Touring & Adventure specialists have travelled to over 55 countries.
Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.
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We look after you every step of the way.