Bangkok to Saigon

22 days - from $

This overland journey takes us from Bangkok to Saigon and combines the best of Laos and Cambodia - two of Indochina’s treasure troves. After years of war, peace and tranquillity have come to Laos and this small land-locked nation is slowly opening its doors and offering the adventurous traveller a warm welcome. We travel on a wide variety of local transport including bus, songthaew, tuk-tuk, Mekong River boat, mini-van, train and pirogue. Accommodation is in simple hotels and guesthouses. A flight across to Cambodia enables us to uncover the mysteries of the ancient Khmer civilization. Our journey of discovery begins in Siem Reap, where we explore what is regarded as one of the world’s greatest archaeological monuments - the magnificent Angkor temple complexes. A bus journey takes us to the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, where we spend the day exploring this re-emerging city and visiting the sad and sobering Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Then it’s on to a countryside homestay and enjoying the waterfalls outside Kirirom National Park, then driving to the beach resort town of Sihanoukville before returning to Phnom Penh. The final leg of our journey takes us to Vietnam, where we end our trip in the vibrant city of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

Highlights

• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkor Wat
• The colossal stone-carved human faces of Angkor Thom
• Cambodia’s best beach resort - Sihanoukville
• The rising phoenix of Phnom Penh
• The monks of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Luang Prabang
• Slow boat cruise on the Mekong
• Kuang Si Waterfalls
• Huay Xai - an old Mekong disembarkation point for Yunnanese caravans
• Muay Thai in Bangkok
• Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar - Lanna handicrafts and traditional wares of the hilltribes
• Cu Chi Tunnels - the underground network of the Viet Minh and Viet Cong

Itinerary:

Day 1-2: Bangkok3: Chiang Mai4-5: Huay Xai - Mekong River - Pakbeng6-7: Luang Prabang8-11: Vang Vieng - Vientiane12-14: Siem Reap - Angkor15-16: Phnom Penh17: Chambok Homestay18-19: Sihanoukville20-22: Phnom Penh - Saigon
EquipmentIncluded: 31 Dec 69
Starts/Ends: to
Trip Reference: GTBN