The Lost Civilisation

Days 1 – 2: UK/Hanoi
Fly to Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, arriving on day 2. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 3: Hanoi
Today get to know Hanaoi with a tour of the city by rickshaw. You will also have some time to explore the city at your own pace today. This evening, join us to watch a water puppet show.

Day 4: Hanoi/Siem Reap
Today you will enjoy a cruise around Halong Bay, a truly beautiful spot that has been made famous by the stunning limestone karsts that punctuate the waters of the bay, carved over millions of years by the action of the wind and sea. Later today step aboard a traditional wooden junk boat for an overnight stay.

Day 5: Hanoi/Siem Reap
After breakfast take time to relax before you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel where you will stay for three nights. Enjoy time to explore at leisure this afternoon.

Days 6 – 7: Siem Reap
Siem Reap is a charming town focused around shady tree-lined boulevards and the slow-fl owing river. Ancient temples and sacred sights encircle the area. Explore the fortifi ed city of Angkor Thom, close to Siem Reap. Be certain to experience the splendid Bayon Temple, decorated with intricate Hindu carvings. Later today we will journey through paddy fields to the beautiful temple of Banteay Srei. You will also have the opportunity today to visit the English school that AmaWaterways sponsors. On day 6 your tour continues as we head to Angkor Wat – the largest and most breathtaking of the temples.

Day 8: Tonle Sap Lake
Today you will embark your cruise ship, AmaLotus which is moored on Tonle Sap Lake. Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia, its biodiversity puts it on the ‘ecological wonders of the world’ list.

Enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner this evening on board your ship.

Day 9: Tonle Sap Lake
Today you will take a motorboat excursion to discover the lakeside wetlands – look out for fascinating birdlife as we sail in this tranquil area. This afternoon you will take an oxcart ride through the countryside to the Kampong Tralach temple complex. After a tour of the pagodas we will then travel to Oudong, Cambodia’s former capital. Here you will tour the Buddhist monastery.

Day 10: Phnom Penh
After breakfast this morning step ashore and take a leisurely walk through pretty Chong Koh, a silk-weaving village. Later this afternoon we set sail for Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Enjoy a walking tour this afternoon to get your bearings in this tremendous, bustling metropolis.

Day 11: Phnom Penh
Discover the capital of Cambodia and hear of its turbulent history on a full-day tour. Visit the Royal Palace and the Wat Phnom temple after which the city is named. Step inside the Silver Pagoda, drive along tree-lined boulevards to the waterfront and linger in the National Museum. After lunch, you have the opportunity to gain an insight into Cambodia’s chequered past under the Khmer Rouge. There will be the opportunity to visit the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide and the Killing Fields Memorial.

Day 12: Cruise on the Mekong river
Relax aboard your ship and enjoy the passing scenery on the journey from Cambodia into Vietnam.

Day 13: Tan Chau
Our port of call today is Tan Chau, a remote town on the Mekong. After breakfast, transfer to small boats to visit a floating fish farm. Fishing is an important industry here, as is the production of handmade items. On shore, visit a rattan mat-making and a slipper making workshop to gain an insight into these industries.

Day 14: Sa Dec
This morning we will board local boats for the short journey to Sa Dec. Once in Sa Dec we visit a local market and the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Dura’s Chinese paramour, which is now a small museum. Later this morning we travel to Xeo Quyt, an important ecological site. Relax over lunch on board your ship, after which you’ll visit Cai Be’s floating market. This evening enjoy a Gala Dinner on board your ship.

Days 15 – 16: Ho Chi Minh City/UK
Today you will disembark your ship and transfer to your hotel in the city for a two-night stay. Named after Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s former ruler, and perhaps more commonly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling metropolis on the shores of the Mekong River. Enjoy a city tour on day 15. On day 16 enjoy the day at leisure to explore more of this extraordinary city.

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City/UK
Today you will transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Day 18: UK
Arrive in the UK.

Please note

AmaLotus

Built in 2011, AmaLotus combines French colonial elegance with regional Mekong touches providing an unforgettable setting for a cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia. Cabins are exceptionally spacious, public areas are tastefully decorated and there is a fine dining restaurant, fitness centre and spa. Relax on the sun deck, take a dip in the pool or simply watch the river scenery slip by.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotels you will stay in are:

5-star Sofi tel Legend Metropole in Hanoi
5-star Sofi tel Royal Angkor in Siem Reap
5-star Sofi tel Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City
All hotels offer excellent facilities. Guest rooms have en suite facilities.

All hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Your holiday includes

7 night full board cruise; wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner
7 nights’ hotel accommodation with breakfast
Overnight on a wooden junk boat
Welcome drinks and dinner plus Captain’s Gala Dinner
Scheduled flights from Heathrow
All transfers
Excursions as detailed

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
“Travelsphere are one of the biggest names in the Escorted Tour market. Finely tuned over the last 50 years their tours have been tried, tested and refined by thousands of customers.”