Mekong Explorer
Mekong Explorer
Mekong Explorer
22 Days Starting and ending in UK
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1613
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 28
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
From spectacular Halong Bay and the treasures of old Hanoi, travel the length of this beautiful country, through Hue and Hoi An to the bright lights of Saigon, experiencing authentic Vietnam all the way. Then, embark on a four-night cruise on the Mekong, relaxing onboard as you witness life on the river, ending up in Cambodia to explore Phnom Penh and magnificent Angkor.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 : Days 1-2 Fly To Hanoi
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly overnight to Hanoi. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 1 - 2 : Days 1-2 Fly To Hanoi
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly overnight to Hanoi. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 3 Discover Hanoi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the morning exploring the sights of Hanoi today, with the Ho Chi Minh quarter, Mausoleum, Humble House on Stilts, One Pillar Pagoda and more. In the evening, attend The Quintessence of Tonkin, a beautiful open-air performance on a lake.
Day 4 Halong Bay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight on a traditionally designed boat on Halong Bay, cruising amongst the karst peaks on the tranquil green waters. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a vision of awe-inspiring beauty, it isn't hard to see why it is one of Vietnam's most popular destinations. A fresh seafood meal is included during your voyage.
Day 5 Travel To Hue
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Rise early to watch the sun rise over the bay, and enjoy an invigorating session of Tai Chi. Transfer back to Hanoi and fly to Hue, Vietnam's imperial capital.
Day 6 Imperial Hue
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning visit the imposing Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City at the heart of Hue, once the home of Vietnam's emperors. Cruise on the picturesque Perfume River and admire the Thien Mu Pagoda. Later, see the magnificent tomb of Minh Mang before heading to Zen house where you learn about architecture and spiritual meaning of this beautiful place. Finally, visit Tha Om Garden house to learn of the 19th century heritage of Mr Vinh, its owner.
Day 7 Golden Bridge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave Hue for Hoi An, taking a scenic route over the Hai Van Pass. Stop en-route at Ba Na Hills and journey up to 1,400m by cable car to visit the Golden Bridge, a beautiful bridge held by gigantic stone hands with panoramic views.
Day 8 Explore Hoi An
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head out into Hoi An's verdant surroundings to Tra Que, where you'll see the local farmers at work, tending lush gardens of vegetables and herbs. Join a local family for lunch and a cooking demonstration. In the afternoon, take a walking tour of this charming town. Visit the Japanese Bridge, the colourful market and Chinese temple. Stop en route to visit Reaching Out, a social enterprise craft workshop, and watch the artisans at work.
Day 9 Travel To Saigon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly to Saigon, with the rest of your day at leisure.
Day 10 Sights Of Saigon
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The exuberant city of Saigon is driving Vietnam forward into the modern world, but it is also a treasure trove of fascinating heritage. See the colonial Notre Dame Cathedral and visit the Central Post Office, the Reunification Palace, and the chilling War Remnants Museum.
Day 11 Cu Chi Tunnels
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head out of the city to the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground passageways used by the Viet Cong during the war. After an afternoon at leisure, enjoy dinner in the dark at Noir, a restaurant supporting Saigon's visually impaired.
Day 12 Embark The Victoria Mekong
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to the meeting point in Saigon, where you will say goodbye to your National Escort and be picked up for your cruise by your local guide from Victoria Mekong. Dine on delicious local cuisine at the welcome dinner and enjoy a traditional music show as you cruise upstream. Later, retire to your comfortable stateroom for the night.
Day 13 Tiger Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tender ashore to Tiger Island, where you will enjoy an exploration of local industries such as net weaving, incense making and banh in (rice cakes) making. Sit down to dinner and evening entertainment before retiring to your cabin. Tonight, the ship will drop anchor at Vam Nao.
Day 14 Tan Chau
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continue your cruise with excursions around Tan Chau, including a stop at a Cao Dai temple, a silk village and the option of a visit to the submerged Tra Su Forest. In the evening, enjoy a thrilling lion dance performance on board.
Day 15 Border Crossing
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cross over into Cambodia, taking in the passing scenery. Onboard activities such as cocktail making will be available. In the late afternoon, dock at Sisowath Quay for a traditional Apsara performance and a farewell dinner.
Day 16 Disembark The Victoria Mekong
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy breakfast in the restaurant before disembarking and bidding farewell to the Victoria Mekong and meeting your Cambodian National Escort. Board a cyclo into the heart of Phnom Penh, where you will visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum.
Day 17 Phnom Penh's History
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Reflect on the history of the city with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Museum and Killing Fields, locations that provide chilling reminders of the Khmer Rouge regime. Later today, fly to Siem Reap.
Day 18 Temples Of Angkor
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey to the old city of Angkor Thom and pass through the magnificent South Gate flanked by 54 gods and demons. At Angkor Thom's centre is the enigmatic Bayon, a breathtaking temple of innumerable sculptural decorations. Also admire the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm. The rest of the day is dedicated to Angkor Wat, the most magnificent and best preserved of all of Angkor's treasures. Later, relax on a boat as you watch the sunset from Angkor's moat.
Day 19 Tonle Sap Lake
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the high water season (Aug to Feb), enjoy a morning cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, visiting the floating village of Kampong Phluk and observing the way of life of these lake communities. In the low water season (Mar to Jul), visit Chong Kneas floating village. Return to Siem Reap to enjoy a rollicking performance of the Phare Cambodian Circus.
Day 20 Cambodian Cooking
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel by tuk tuk to a cooking lesson, where you will learn to prepare traditional Khmer dishes. The chef will teach you all about what goes into the local cuisine, as you create a delicious meal!
What's Included
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Accommodation
4* -
4* accommodation
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all meals
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entrance fees, guides and daily tours
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visa fees for UK passport holders
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Drinks with Meals
Accommodation
Muong Thanh Hanoi Centre
In the atmospheric area around Hoan Kiem Lake, the Muong Thanh offers stylish and comfortable accommodation in a great location. Surrounded by shops, restaurants and street food, the hotel has free Wi-Fi, a spa, bar and restaurant serving local dishes. Bright and spacious rooms come with city views, an en suite bathroom with bath or shower, plus air-conditioning, safe, television, minibar and tea and coffee making facilities.
Bhaya Classic
Aboard a traditional-style junk, refurbished in 2015, a Bhaya Classic cruise offers a convivial atmosphere and classic oriental style. There is a sundeck for admiring the scenery and a spa and jacuzzi for relaxing whilst the restaurant serves freshly prepared Vietnamese and international cuisine. Onboard activities as you cruise include Tai Chi and cooking classes. Cabins are cosy and comfortable with big windows for beautiful views, a fridge and a bathroom with walk in shower.
Mondial Hotel
Excellently located close to the Perfume River and Hue’s Imperial Citadel, the Mondial Hotel has 106 rooms and plenty of facilities. Make use of the swimming pool and three dining options before relaxing in the Lobby Lounge with a drink. Rooms offer city, pool or mountain views, have large, modern bathrooms with shower and/or bath and robe and slippers.
Vinh Hung Old Town
Vinh Hung Old Town Hotel is the perfect base to discover the heritage town, at only a 6 minute walk away. With 33 rooms, all rooms have high standard amenities with free wifi, air conditioning, mini bar, hair dryer and more. Home to a swimming pool, pool bar and in house dining, this hotel won a TripAdvisor traveller’s choice award in 2018 and is sure to offer the perfect place to relax after exploring Hoi An.
Muong Thanh Saigon Centre
Muong Thanh Saigon Centre Hotel is situated in District 1. Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and have a private bathroom fitted with a bath or shower. For your comfort, you will find bath robes, slippers and a hairdryer. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar, indoor swimming pool and free WiFi.
Victoria Mekong
The Victoria Mekong is a four star river cruise ship offering superior service and elegance.
Offering 3-4 night luxury cruising itineraries between Vietnam's Mekong Delta and Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh, there is no better way to experience the beauty of the Mekong. Furnished with 33 spacious deluxe cabins, all with private balconies, the ship is also home to a cocktail bar and pool, games room, lounge area and treatment spa.
Queen Grand Boutique Hotel and Spa
Queen Grand Boutique Hotel and Spa is centrally located in the heart of Phnom Penh, close to a number of the city's major monuments. Featuring an onsite spa offering Khmer massage, a rooftop Jacuzzi, and a sky bar, this modern boutique hotel offers a number of options for relaxation. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available.
Lotus Blanc Resort
Perfectly combining a French and Khmer aesthetic, the Lotus Blanc is a 10 minute tuk tuk ride from the lively heart of Siem Reap. Stately but chic, there is a large pool, fitness centre, spa, 3 bars and 3 restaurants serving a variety of local and international dishes. Rooms are expansive, bright and minimalist and boast a balcony, bathroom with rain shower, television, tea and coffee making facilities, safe, armchairs and air-conditioning.
Experiences
Dining in the Dark
Place your trust in your other senses on a fun 'dining in the dark' experience at Noir, a Saigon restaurant that works with local people who are blind or visually-impaired.
Siem Reap Cooking Class
Jump aboard a tuk tuk to journey through the bustling streets of Siem Reap to a cooking class, where you'll learn all the skills you need to prepare several Khmer specialities.
Angkor Thom Sunset Cruise
After a day of exploration, relax as you float on the gentle waters of the moat of Angkor Thom, seeing the old walled city from a different perspective and savouring the beauty of a peaceful sunset.
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.
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Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?
Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.
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What is 'Happy to Share'?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance in line with our normal booking conditions. Either way, our Operations Team will contact you around 75 days before departure to let you know whether a share partner has been found or not. We regret that Happy to Share requests cannot be accepted within 75 days of departure. Wendy Wu Tours reserves the right to change or withdraw this arrangement at any time.
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Do you allow children on your tours?
We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.
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Low Deposit
Wendy Wu requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wendy wu charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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