Thailand & Mekong Experience
Thailand & Mekong Experience
Thailand & Mekong Experience
21 Days Starting and ending in UK
Visiting: Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnel, Mekong River Delta, Long Xuyên, Tân Châu, Koh Dach, Phnom Penh, Krong Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, ChangChill, UK
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1994
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 18
Physical rating:
Medium, Level1
Age range:
16-70
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Cruise, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Activities:
Art Galleries & Museums, Boat/Cruise Excursion, Sightseeing, Walking
Tour Overview
Experience the very best of Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in a three-week Asian adventure. Begin in Saigon, cruise upriver to Phnom Penh, and travel north to explore the jungle-swathed temples of Angkor, before heading west into historic Thailand to discover its sandy beaches, revolutionary vineyards and wild national parkland with free-roaming elephants.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Fly To Vietnam
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly to Saigon, now officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City, where you will be met at the airport in the arrivals hall by your Local Guide or National Escort. This evening, you'll meet your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner and guide briefing.
Day 3 : Saigon
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed introduction to Saigon, including architectural landmarks such as the French colonial-style Notre Dame and Central Post Office. Tonight's dinner is at NOIR, a true dining in the dark' experience. This social enterprise employs visually-impaired locals, who invite you on a culinary journey with lasting impact.
Day 4 : Cu Chi Tunnels
Location: Cu Chi Tunnel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the Viet Cong's tactical strategies during the Vietnam War. Relax with a fresh farm-to-table' lunch at a Vietnamese farmhouse before an afternoon at leisure.
Day 5 : Board The Victoria Mekong
Location: Mekong River Delta, Long Xuyên
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel from Saigon to Can Tho, the beating heart of the Mekong Delta, where you will board the Victoria Mekong, your home for the next four nights. Sip a sundown cocktail and hear a traditional music performance as the ship casts off towards Long Xuyen.
Day 6 : The Mekong Delta
Location: Long Xuyên, Tân Châu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tender ashore to visit Long Xuyen floating market and the An Giang Traditions Museum with its exhibitions on local cultures. During lunch, the ship sails upstream to Tiger Island. Head ashore to explore by rickshaw, visiting local crafters such as incense makers and a wood carver. Tonight, the ship cruises on to Tan Chau.
Day 7 : Mekong Silk Village
Location: Mekong River Delta, Koh Dach
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head ashore by sampan to visit the local silk village. Here you will witness the many steps involved in silk production, from traditional looms to the use of natural dyes made from tree bark, leaves and fruit.
Day 8 : Into Cambodia
Location: Phnom Penh
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today the ship will cruise to Phnom Penh, crossing the international border en route. Spend the day in the infinity pool or taking part in the onboard activities. On arrival in Phnom Penh, enjoy a lively apsara dance performance to welcome you into Cambodia.
Day 9 : Phnom Penh
Location: Phnom Penh
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Disembark the Victoria Mekong this morning and discover Phnom Penh by cyclo, taking in the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and Wat Phnom. Your afternoon is at leisure.
Day 10 : Cheung Ek & Siem Reap
Location: Krong Siem Reap
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning's excursion to the Cheung Ek Killing Fields outside the city gives a sombre insight into Cambodia's turmoil under the regime of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. This afternoon, fly to Siem Reap.
Day 11 : The Glories Of Angkor
Location: Angkor Wat
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
The Angkor Archaeological Park is home to over 1,000 temples dating back to the Khmer Empire. Best preserved of all the temples is Angkor Wat, while the jungle-swathed ruins of Ta Prohm evoke a sense of mystery and true adventure. This evening, enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the moat of Angkor Thom as the sun sets.
Day 12 : Siem Reap
Location: Krong Siem Reap
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, visit APOPO Hero Rats Project. This humanitarian centre trains rats to scent-detect unexploded wartime landmines in rural areas of Cambodia so they can be safely deactivated by expert teams, saving untold lives. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Siem Reap's streets.
Day 13 : Fly To Bangkok
Location: Bangkok
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take a one-hour flight from Siem Reap to Bangkok. Check in at your hotel to refresh yourself before this evening's flavour-filled street food tour, encompassing all the world-famous flavours of authentic Thai food.
Day 14 : Bangkok At Leisure
Location: Bangkok
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bangkok offers something different for everyone, so today is at leisure to explore Bangkok independently. Optional private excursions, e.g. to the historic palaces of Ayutthaya, or longtail rides through the Thonburi canals, are available.
Day 15 : Bridge On The River Kwai
Location: Kanchanaburi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel to Kanchanaburi, made famous by 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. Here, learn about the experience of Southeast Asian and Allied POWs, thousands of whom who were forced to work on the railway during the Japanese occupation of WWII. Pay respects to the victims at the cemetery and museum before a short train journey through the Kwai Noi Valley. Your hotel tonight is in Kanchanaburi.
Day 16 : Wine & Dine
Location: Hua Hin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel south to the beach resort of Hua Hin, stopping en route to visit a toddy palm plantation. Later this afternoon, head to Monsoon Valley Vineyard for a surprising insight into Thai viticulture. These award-winning New Latitude varietals have revolutionised winemaking, succeeding in a truly unexpected climate. Enjoy a tour and tasting before dinner at the vineyard's acclaimed restaurant.
Day 17 : Wild Elephant Safari
Location: Hua Hin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a morning at leisure in Hua Hin, perhaps visiting the beach, before heading out to Kui Buri National Park, where you'll join a park ranger on a wildlife safari. Kui Buri elephants are completely wild and sightings cannot be guaranteed, but afternoon safaris here have excellent sighting rates.
Day 18 : Fly To Chiang Mai
Location: Hua Hin, Bangkok, Chiang Mai
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart Hua Hin and return to Bangkok for your short flight to the relaxed city of Chiang Mai, situated in Thailand's cooler northern highlands.
Day 19 : Discover Chiang Mai
Location: Chiang Mai
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore Chiang Mai's highlights by rickshaw before driving out to Doi Suthep's magnificent hilltop temple with its panoramic views. Return to Chiang Mai for lunch at a social enterprise restaurant offering life-changing vocational training to reformed women from Chiang Mai's Correctional Institution. Enjoy some free time before tonight's cooking class, in which you will learn to prepare a traditional Thai dinner.
Day 20 : Elephant Rescue
Location: ChangChill
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the morning at Chang Chill, a pioneering new ethical elephant sanctuary. This is a respite and care centre for elephants rescued chiefly from the tourist and illegal logging industries. Meet the keepers, enjoy a forest walk, and watch the elephants playing and bathing in the mud pit. Tonight, enjoy a farewell Khantoke dinner with a traditional Thai performance.
Day 21 : Departure
Location: Chiang Mai International Airport, UK
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to Chiang Mai airport and fly back to the UK, arriving the same or following day.
What's Included
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Accommodation
19 nights in 3+/4/4+ star
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Country Entry Visas
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International Travel
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Local Taxes
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Meals
Breakfasts: 19, Lunches: 14, Dinners: 14
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Cruise
Victoria Mekong Cruise
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Drinks with Meals
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
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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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.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Wendy Wu allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the 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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How we Keep you safe on our Tours
Your safety and well-being will always be our Number 1 priority which is why we’ve instituted the most stringent COVID health and safety protocols on all of our tours. Here is a brief summary of the steps we are taking to ensure you will be safe, secure and satisfied when you travel with us.
Guides and National Escorts
Our National Escorts and guides will conduct a Health and Safety briefing with you before the tour begins and will help everyone ensure they adhere to social distancing, hygiene practises and local regulations. They will carry a supply of face masks and hand sanitiser for you to use free of charge and will, of course, observe the highest level of personal hygiene at all times.
Should anyone on the group fall ill your National Escort will ensure the individual receives swift medical attention and can only return to the group once cleared to do so.
Transport & Sightseeing
Vehicles will be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant after each excursion service, overnight and between different groups.
You will always have at least one seat between you and your fellow tourers, hand sanitiser will be given to the group on each embarkation and vehicles will be thoroughly ventilated prior to passengers boarding.
Drivers will always embark vehicles after clients, disembark the group vehicle prior to clients disembarking, and maintain social distancing and a high level of personal hygiene at all times.
Your guides will assess the situation on the ground avoiding large crowds – where possible, alter timings and splitting the group into smaller sizes.
Accommodation
Wendy Wu Tours will only offer hotels that have undergone a detailed hygiene assessment, have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with government standards.
We will ensure these protocols include staff practising social distancing and wearing appropriate PPI, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in all areas and food safety.
Dining
All the restaurants we visit will be researched and inspected regularly to ensure that they follow the strictest health, cleanliness and safety guidelines.
All waiting staff will wear face masks and gloves and we will arrange à la carte dining, waiter-served meals or waiter-assisted buffets throughout the tour. We will not share open-buffet meals with other hotel or restaurant guests.
Hand sanitiser will be provided to the group before and after every food and beverage service.