It’s time to say goodbye to Ho Chi Minh City and move toward the powerful Mekong River, so get up and shine! Take in the scenery from a window seat during the two-hour trip to Cai Be. When you arrive at Cai Be, take the wooden boat and relax as you go by the Mekong’s verdant islands. Savor your meal while on board. Discover the typical rural life on the Mekong by taking a cruise by little riverside towns like Vinh Long. After your cruise, you’ll have free time to explore Can Tho’s bustling town, vibrant riverfront, and charming backstreets!

The floating marketplaces in Cai Rang are the best spot to get a glimpse of river life. Take a boat excursion 6km from Can Tho to visit the interesting marketplaces, where hundreds of wooden rowboats trade everything from garments and rice to exotic fruits on the river, after you’ve finished your hearty breakfast at your hotel. Take a stroll around the markets on foot and stop at the Orchard Garden in the area. After that, proceed to Chau Doc for a boat tour of the Tra Su Sanctuary, which is deep into the Mekong Forest and is home to a variety of tropical birds and beautiful canals. Complete your activities in Chau Doc town and get some rest before we head over the border into Cambodia early the next morning!

Vietnam bye, and hello to Cambodia! Make sure to set an early alarm for your 7 a.m. public speed boat transfer to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Take a nap en route, and arrive in Phnom Penh by 1:00 pm, giving you plenty of time to spend exploring the fascinating city in the afternoon on a guided tour. First up, the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda complex, one of the city’s most visited sights! Constructed in 1866 by King Norodom’s predecessors, the palace is one of the most remarkable examples of Khmer-style architecture in Cambodia. After that, pay a visit to Wat Phnom Temple and the Independence Monument for some breathtaking city views! Explore a horrific era by visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh.

We’re heading to Battambang today. Explore more of history as we proceed to Phnom Udong, the former capital of the Khmer Empire! See the National Museum to gain knowledge about the past. Two sizable hills in the city offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Perched atop the twin humps are a number of striking stupas that have withstood bombing during Cambodia’s recent wars, by both the Americans and the Khmer Rouge. Continue to Kompong Chhnang after taking in the scenery, and make a stop at a nearby pottery village. The traditional Khmer pottery made in this area is well-known, having been passed down through the generations for more than 1,500 years! We’ll travel to the Phnom Sampeau Mountains as night descends over Southeast Asia to see thousands of nocturnal bats take to the skies via the caverns. Sitting at the base of the Phnom Sampeou caverns in Battambang, watching the sun set and a throng of thousands of bats darting through the caves and over the night sky, is a truly amazing experience. Don’t forget to pack your camera!

Have you ever taken a Bamboo Train ride? Come along as we go 8 kilometers through Battambang’s picturesque countryside and rice farms. The locals built this bamboo train to make it easier to move people and goods. With just one bamboo platform, four wheels, and a little motor, it is simple but efficient. Next, prepare your camera and trekking shoes for a visit to Phnom Banan, an 11th-century Angkorian temple. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with serene vistas of the surrounding countryside and more than 350 steps! Take in these gorgeous settings. We’ll depart Battambang and head for Siem Reap in the afternoon. Visiting a silk shop in Puok District is a fantastic opportunity to discover more about Cambodian silk. Here, we’ll spend some time studying the mulberry harvesting procedure, silkworm life cycle, and silk production process. We advise getting a good night’s sleep tonight in preparation for tomorrow’s much anticipated trip to the renowned Angkor Wat temples!

Get ready for an incredible day in Angkor Wat, the largest temple complex in the world! You will start by going to the South Gate of Angkor Thom to witness the elaborate Bayon Temple. This temple is well-known for its 54 towers that are adorned with more than 200 huge smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara, as well as its Elephant Terraces. Then, we’ll visit the revered heart and soul of Cambodia—Angkor Wat—again, a temple included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Capture some stunning images of the temple reflecting in its magnificent moat. After that, stroll around the exterior gallery walls as your local guide tells Hindu mythological tales. We’re going to the Phare Circus in Siem Reap tonight to see some of the most amazing performers in Cambodia! Young performers and recent graduates have the chance to polish their skills and make a respectable living doing what they love in this distinctively modern circus!

It ends in an instant! After said farewell to complete strangers who swiftly became friends, our journey will come to an end in Siem Reap. Before leaving the hotel at 11:00 a.m., have one more breakfast as a group.