THE HEART OF CAMBODIA & VIETNAM: October 17 - November 3, 2021
OCTOBER 16, 2022: Depart Canada.
OCTOBER 17, 2022 | DAY 1: Siem Reap,
Cambodia.
Welcome to Siem Reap, home to the Temples
of Angkor, considered by many to be the most
spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! Hotel rooms
are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
DAY 2: Siem Reap.
The Tranquil Temples of Angkor and Joyful Dances
CLASSIC: Explore the temples by tuk-tuk. Start at the
best preserved and most famous of all the temples:
Angkor Wat. Featuring five trademark towers, it
is the symbol of Cambodia. Then, continue your
Guided Excursion to visit Angkor Thom, where you
will explore Bayon Temple with its 200 striking
faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas relief
sculptures, OR:
ACTIVE: Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon
Temple by bike.
Enjoy some time at your leisure this afternoon to
explore Siem Reap’s shops for local artisan crafts.
DISCOVERY: This evening, a private Apsara Dance
Performance brings ancient Khmer culture to life
through music, song, and dance. (B,L,D)
DAY 3: Siem Reap.
Root-Covered Ruins and Native Noodles
CLASSIC: Continue your Sightseeing Tour of the Angkor temples at Ta Prohm. Tree roots cover the
ruin walls, allowing you to experience the temple with the same wonder as early explorers. Then visit Banteay Srei, a unique temple built on a small scale from red sandstone, which can be carved like wood. En route, stop at a village famous for making Khmer noodles by hand. (B,L,D)
OCTOBER 20, 2022 | DAY 4: Phnom Penh
(Embarkation).
Your intimate Suite Ship® Awaits!
Fly to Phnom Penh and transfer to the port where
your ship’s crew will be waiting to welcome you
onboard. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening.
• Afternoon/evening cruise to Wat Hanchey. (B,L,D)
DAY 5: Wat Hanchey—Angkor Ban.
Water Blessings and Back-to-School Adventures
DISCOVERY: Visit Wat Hanchey, a hilltop temple
dating back to the 8th century. Climb or be driven to
the top where you will enjoy stunning views of the
surrounding area and partake in a traditional water
blessing given by local monks.
DISCOVERY: After lunch, enjoy a Walking Tour
through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here, you
will visit a traditional Khmer house and interact with
children at a local school.
• Evening/overnight cruise to Kampong Tralach. (B,L,D)
DAY 6: Kampong Tralach—Konpong Louang.
Calm in the Cambodian Countryside
DISCOVERY: Your Guided Sightseeing starts in
Kampong Tralach with an Ox-Cart Ride through the
beautiful Cambodian countryside. Along the way,
stop to meet a local farmer and learn about his daily
life. At the silversmith village in Konpong Louang, see
talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn
pure silver into works of art.
Sail to the capital city of Phnom Penh this afternoon.
PHNOM PENH: A Dark History or Market Dynamics
CLASSIC: After lunch, a Visit to the Tuol Sleng
Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields for a
glimpse into the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian
people by the Khmer Rouge regime, OR:
DISCOVERY: Visit the lively Central Market with its
unique Art Deco design by tuk-tuk.
This evening, spend some free time exploring the
city on your own. Perhaps follow the riverfront
promenade to the historic Foreign Correspondents
Club (FCC). (B,L,D)
DAY 7: Phnom Penh.
The Royal Treatment
CLASSIC: Join a Guided Tour of the city by private
cyclo with visits to the Royal Palace with the
spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum
featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts.
The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your
leisure. Consider a guided optional tour of a local
brewery with free-flowing local beer! Just before dinner, children from a local orphanage will perform
a show, featuring local song and dance.
• Evening/overnight cruise to Vietnam/Cambodia
border. (B,L,D)
OCTOBER 24, 2022 | Day 8: Border Crossing—
Chau Doc, Vietnam.
Good Morning, Vietnam!
DISCOVERY: Take a Village Walk through the Chau
Doc market, and absorb the atmosphere as locals
are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce.
After lunch, embark on a Guided Excursion down
the backwaters of the Mekong. Along the way, see
traditional floating homes, speedboat merchants,
religious sites, a market selling dried goods, and more.
• Evening cruise to Long Khanh A (B,L,D)
DAY 9: Long Khanh A—Cu Lao Gieng.
Cotton Weaving, Conical Hats, and Handcrafted
Sampans
DISCOVERY: This morning, a sampan brings you to
the village of Long Khanh A, for a Cotton-Weaving
Demonstration of this well-preserved tradition.
DISCOVERY: This afternoon, enjoy scenes of daily life
on Cu Lao Gieng Island via sampan and local motor
cart. Your Guided Excursion starts with a stop at one
of Vietnam’s oldest Catholic churches. Then, visit
the home of a local family that makes Vietnamese
conical hats, or “Non la,” from materials available to
them such as palm leaves and bamboo. These iconic
hats are primarily used as protection from the sun
and rain but you may also see them used as a basket
to carry home goods from the market. Lastly, visit
a local workshop where a skilled family hand-crafts
sampan boats.
• Evening cruise to Vinh Long. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Vinh Long.
Sweets and Rice Treats
DISCOVERY: Board a sampan this morning to Visit a
Local Workshop in Vinh Long where you will see
how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies
are made.
This afternoon, enjoy time on board the ship as we
sail to exciting Ho Chi Minh City.
• Afternoon cruise to Ho Chi Minh City. (B,L,D)
OCTOBER 27, 2022 | DAY 11: Ho Chi Minh City
(Disembarkation).
Motorbikes, Monuments and Mouthwatering Cuisine
CLASSIC: Take a Walking Tour of Ho Chi Minh
City’s historic landmarks, including a stop at the Rex
Hotel for a refreshing drink at the rooftop bar where
the U.S. Military held the infamous “Five O’Clock
Follies” during the war. Then, visit the War Remnants
Museum and bustling Ben Thanh Market.
DISCOVERY: For lunch, participate in a hands-on
Vietnamese Cooking Class. Learn to prepare several
local dishes and how to recreate them at home. Last,
but not least, sample your delicious creations!
Enjoy time at your leisure this afternoon and evening
for independent exploration. Maybe stop for a drink
at the famous rooftop bar at the Caravelle Hotel. (B,L)
DAY 12: Ho Chi Minh City. Excursion to
Cu Chi Tunnels.
Secret Passageways and Underground Hideouts
CLASSIC: Drive out of the city for a Guided Visit to
the Cu Chi Tunnels—an extraordinary network of
tunnels more than 120 miles in length—used as a
hideout and secret village by the Viet Cong.
Explore the city further during free time this
afternoon. This evening, join your traveling
companions for a special dinner in a local restaurant.
(B,D)
DAY 13: Ho Chi Minh City—Hanoi.
Today, transfer to the airport and fly to Hanoi. Upon
arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (B)
DAY 14: Hanoi.
Historic Hanoi and Water Puppets
CLASSIC: First, join a Guided Visit of the mausoleum
and the humble cottage from which “Uncle Ho” ruled
Vietnam until his death in 1969. Next, see iconic
sites, including One Pillar Pagoda, the Presidential
Palace, and the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.” Lastly, visit
the 900-year-old Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first
university.
Enjoy lunch at Koto, a non-profit restaurant and
hospitality program that teaches local street children
restaurant skills for stable employment opportunities.
CLASSIC: After lunch, enjoy an Electric Cart Ride
through the fascinating Old Quarter—with its 36
ancient streets where peddlers trade as they have for
centuries.
DISCOVERY: An early dinner this evening is followed
by a fascinating Live Performance of Hanoi’s
renowned water puppets, a traditional 11th-century
art form. (B,L,D)
DAY 15: Hanoi—Ha Long Bay.
Island Shapes and a Floating Village
Travel from Hanoi through the fertile countryside to
Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The
bay is dotted with more than 3,000 limestone islands
carved into fanciful shapes. Board the luxurious
Paradise Elegance for a 2-Night Cruise on the bay.
DISCOVERY: Visit the Cua Van Floating Village, home
to more than 700 people, by bamboo raft, OR:
ACTIVE: Take a Kayak Ride to visit Cua Van Village.
Enjoy scenic sailing for the remainder of the day
before anchoring for the night. (B,L,D)
DAY 16: Ha Long Bay.
Caves, Kayaks, and Scenic Climbs
DISCOVERY: Visit Ti Top Island, for a Guided
Excursion for a swim, or climb 400 steps to the top
of the island for stunning views. You can also visit
Luon Cave by boat, and explore Dark & Bright Cave
by bamboo raft, OR:
ACTIVE: Explore Luon Cave and Dark & Bright Cave
by Kayak Ride.
After a day of exploring, consider a spa treatment or
simply relax for happy hour prior to dinner! (B,L,D)
DAY 17: Ha Long Bay–Hanoi.
Surprising and Amazing Beauty
This morning, relax onboard your ship, or visit Sung
Sot Cave, considered one of the most beautiful in
the area with its magnificent formations. Afterwards,
return to Hanoi and check in to your hotel. The
remainder of the day is yours to spend at your leisure.
(B)
NOVEMBER 3, 2022 | DAY 18: Hanoi.
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
IT’S ALL INCLUDED!
Because it’s all about YOU. You are the reason we’ve used our 90 years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. Inspired by you, we’ve taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. Here are some of the features and amenities you’ll experience on board our Avalon ships.
• Intimate cruise experience with maximum capacity of 36 people
• Unique cultural activities & interactions with locals
• More cruising! Avalon has eliminated 7 hours of motorcoach travel time*
• Expert Local Guide with all excursions
• Headsets for all guided shore excursions
• Bottled water on all excursions
• Fresh fruit & tea after all ship excursions
• Complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, and local beer/spirits throughout the day at the bar
• Complimentary wine, local beer/spirits, soft drinks, coffee & tea at dinner
• Bar serving premium local spirits
• Daily early riser coffee & tea
• Full buffet breakfast
• Nightly option of entrées
• Complimentary local beer/spirits, soft drinks and coffee & tea at lunch
• English-speaking crew
• Non-smoking interior
• Comfort Collection BedsSM, featuring premium mattress covers
• Large private bathrooms featuring full shower with glass door, hairdryer, and premium bath amenities
• Spacious closets with shelves for ample storage
• Easy under-bed luggage storage
• Bathrobes & slippers
• And, much more.
* Depending on water levels
