Vietnam/Cambodia
Angkor Wat & the Mekong River: The Wonders of Cambodia & Vietnam
Program No. 19033RJ
On a riverboat voyage along the legendary Mekong River, meet the people and discover the places that make Vietnam and Cambodia two of the most fascinating countries in Southeast Asia.
Itinerary
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All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
15 days
14 nights
What's Included
34 meals (
12B, 11L, 11D
)
4 expert-led lectures
20 expert-led field trips
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
12 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Depart the U.S.
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
En Route
Location:
In Flight
Day
3
Arrive Siem Reap, Orientation
Location:
Siem Reap
Meals:
D
Stay:
Tara Angkor Hotel
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 2:00pm
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Rest and relax after your long journey to Cambodia. The hotel has many amenities to explore. In the early evening, convene at the hotel with other participants for our Program Orientation. We will gather in our private meeting room where the Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances or weather. River conditions and water levels could affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of field trips and excursions without prior notice. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
Welcome dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Settle in and get a good night’s rest for the days ahead.
Day
4
Ta Promh, Landmine Museum, Banteay Srei
Location:
Siem Reap
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Tara Angkor Hotel
Activity Note
Participants must be able to get in and out of the bus, and sit and stand for nearly the whole day in hot and humid weather conditions.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We take a drive to Ta Prohm and begin our introduction to the temples of Angkor with a visit to the Jungle Temple. Unlike most of the temples of Angkor, Ta Prohm has been largely left to ruins. With its dynamic interaction between nature and man-made art, this atmospheric temple is a favorite for many - who can't help but feel a little like Indiana Jones or Lara Croft (which was filmed here) as we wander through the rubble. We then have a field trip to the Angkor National Museum. This new national museum will provide us with an informative introduction to Cambodian temples and their art.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
As a group, we will transfer to the Landmine Museum and enjoy a lecture. We will gain an understanding of the efforts being made to rid the countryside of these terrible munitions. Later in the afternoon we visit Banteay Srei, the Citadel of Women. This pink sandstone temple was built in the latter half of the 10th century by Rajendravarman II and Jayavaraman V. The carvings of Banteay Srei are among the oldest and most intricate that we will see.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
5
Sunrise at Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Free Time
Location:
Siem Reap
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Tara Angkor Hotel
Activity Note
Participants must be able to walk on uneven terrain. Climbing is required on stone steps, sometimes without railings.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We wake up early and enjoy coffee/tea and a light snack before sunrise. We immerse ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of Angkor Wat silhouetted against the brightening sky during sunrise. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th century. The best-preserved temple at the site, Angkor Wat is also the only temple to have remained a significant religious center since its construction. It was built to embody the Hindu tradition - specifically dedicated to the god Vishnu - but gradually shifted to become a primarily Buddhist site as the official religion of the Khmer Empire changed. The temple is in the high classical style of Khmer architecture. After this breathtaking experience, we return to the hotel for a full breakfast. We will then continue our morning with the temple exploration of Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire. Established in the late twelfth century by King Jayavarman VII, at the center of the city is the mesmerizing temple of Bayon.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After enjoying some free time, we go off the beaten path and visit an elementary school, where we will be introduced to the educational system of Cambodia (subject to school holidays and exam schedules). Road Scholar makes a donation to this school. We return to our hotel and have the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Dinner:
At own arrangements. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Free Time, Board Riverboat for Mekong Cruise
Location:
Tonle Sap
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
CF Mekong Toum Tiou
Activity Note
Water levels vary. If traveling during the high water season (roughly September to end of October), we will sail downstream on Toum Tiou. If traveling during the low water season (November to August), we will coach south for 5-6 hours with stops along the way. Midway, we visit a Silk Farm (we do not visit the farm when traveling on Toum Tiou). The cruise itinerary is subject to change based on water levels.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We have some free time this morning before coming together to travel to our vessel. Depending on the water levels in the river, we will either have a short transfer to the vessel or a 5-6 hour coach ride to join the vessel in Koh Chen.
Lunch:
Lunch will be at our hotel before we transfer to the vessel.
Afternoon:
Upon boarding the Toum Tiou, the captain and crew will give everyone a safety briefing. We have time to settle into our cabins before dinner.
Dinner:
Captain's 'Welcome Drink and Dinner' on board with additional beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. You must obtain your Vietnam visa in advance. This evening the Ship Manager and Group Leader will collect and check passports and visas in preparation of the Vietnamese border crossing on Day 10.
Day
7
Kampong Chhnang
Location:
Kampong Chhnang
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
CF Mekong Toum Tiou
Activity Note
While cruising upstream over the next few days, we stop for shore excursions along the way. Be prepared for getting on and off the riverboat by ladder and getting into and out of smaller boats to go ashore. Many shore landings have limited stairs and railings. Water levels on the Mekong vary depending on when you go and, obviously, also because of variations in the seasons from year to year. Our itinerary is subject to change based on the water levels during the program.
Breakfast:
On board.
Morning:
A great morning awaits you in Kampong Chhnang village, or Pottery Village, where villagers still produce pottery using traditional methods. Located some 56 miles from Phnom Penh, the town of Kampong Chhnang is one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap. Fish farming is practiced widely in the area. The area is also famous for its pottery-ware, unchanged in style for centuries. Pottery is produced in sufficient enough quantities to supply the entire country. However, other village products are not to be overlooked, such as the Thnot tree (sugar palm – a real national symbol) that abounds in the area - a mellow tasting, caramel-colored sugar sold in large cakes, and palm wine.
Lunch:
On board.
Afternoon:
Enjoy the afternoon sailing on board the Toum Tiou.
Dinner:
On board.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
8
Kampong Tralach, Phnom Penh
Location:
Phnom Penh
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
CF Mekong Toum Tiou
Activity Note
Participants will be walking and standing on and off for at least 3 to 4 hours today. Must be comfortable getting on and off an ox-cart, and sitting on hay bales for half an hour. A pair of socks may come in handy for the temple visit afterwards.
Breakfast:
On board.
Morning:
We arrive at Kampong Tralach and visit its wonderful Vihara belonging to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To reach it, we cross some gorgeous stretches of emerald rice paddies. The Vihara dates back to early last century. It was probably built on an older site, as indicated by the laterite foundations. The Vihara is home to some outstanding mural paintings. Standing by itself in the middle of rice fields, it is a modest pagoda that receives very few visitors. Unfortunately, its isolation may well be its undoing, as was the case for Wat Tani Pagoda in the province of Kampot.
Lunch:
On board.
Afternoon:
We enjoy a lecture by our study leader on the "Economic Development Along the Mekong Delta." Upon our arrival, we have some free time to explore Phnom Penh. Visit one of the local markets, walk the city streets or just relax. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Back on board the vessel, we enjoy an 'Apsara' dance preformance. As evidenced in part by the innumerable Apsaras (celestial dancers) that adorn the walls of Angkorian and pre-Angkorian temples, this dance has been a part of Khmer culture for more than a millennium.
Dinner:
On board.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
9
Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, S-21 Interrogation Center
Location:
Phnom Penh
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
CF Mekong Toum Tiou
Activity Note
Participants need to be able to walk and stand on and off for at least 3 to 4 hours today. Heat and humidity need to be taken into account.
Breakfast:
On board.
Morning:
Phnom Penh is renowned for its traditional Khmer and French-influenced architecture. We take a step back to ancient times by exploring the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. We then visit the National Museum. This museum is the most significant public repository of Khmer artifacts in the country, displaying many important rare pieces.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Explore Choeung Ek Killing Fields, where thousands of Cambodians were executed for unwarranted crimes. We return to town to visit the S-21 (Tuol Sleng) Interrogation Center, where Cambodians were tortured and forced to confess to crimes they did not commit. Through these visits, we will hopefully gain a better understanding of the recent tragic period in Cambodian history, the scars it left, and how it affects both social and economic development in the country today.
Dinner:
On board.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
10
Kaam Samnaar, Border Crossing into Vietnam, Chau Doc
Location:
Chau Doc
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
CF Mekong Toum Tiou
Activity Note
Must be able to comfortably walk anywhere from 1 to 1 1/2 miles in the morning.
Breakfast:
On board.
Morning:
We navigate towards Kaam Samnaar, arriving mid-morning at the Cambodian Border. The barge undergoes some formalities as it is cleared to cross into Vietnam. From the border, the Toum Tiou proceeds toward Chau Doc in Vietnam.
Lunch:
On board.
Afternoon:
Located to the north at the beginning of Mekong's famous delta, Chau Doc straddles both banks of the Mekong, which fans out to the dimensions of a river mouth here. Floating fish farms have sprung up everywhere. Bamboo fish drying racks are set up a meter above the water's surface. The bourgeoning downtown area features some charmingly rustic colonial buildings, squeezed in by the marketplace - the colorful, vibrant heart of the city. This is the perfect place to discover the effervescence of the local market.
Dinner:
On board.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
11
Sa Dec
Location:
Sa Dec
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
CF Mekong Toum Tiou
Breakfast:
On board.
Morning:
We cruise from Chau Doc to Sa Dec this morning. We enjoy a historical overview of Vietnam and Cambodia on our way to Sa Dec.
Lunch:
On board.
Afternoon:
This afternoon, we arrive in Sa Dec and transfer by bus to Kien An Cung Pagoda. In Sa Dec, we stroll around Sa Dec Market along the bank of Sa Dec River. This small city of 30,000 inhabitants is fascinating in its unspoiled authenticity and remains largely undisturbed by visitors. It provides a glimpse of the delta where a few colonial houses still remain, including the "Chinaman's house" (from Duras' novel "The Lover", also made into a movie).
Dinner:
On board.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
12
Vinh Long, Cai Be, My Tho
Location:
My Tho
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
CF Mekong Toum Tiou
Activity Note
This will be an active day. There will not be a lot of walking, but participants must be able to climb ladders on the side of the barge without assistance. Participants must also be comfortable getting in and out of small wooden boats at least 3 to 4 times today.
Breakfast:
On board.
Morning:
We arrive in Vinh Long and visit a brick and pottery factory, the Binh Hoa Phuoc Islet Nursery of fruit trees, as well as a typical house and a show room for traditional farming tools. Vinh Long, which translates to "Majestic Dragon", is right in the middle of the delta, between two arms of the Mekong. The soil of Vinh Long is enriched by silt deposits, making it ideal for growing mandarins and other citrus fruits. Life is organized around the water - houses on stilts, hawkers on boats, and hundreds of small crafts crisscrossing the river in all directions. We continue to Cai Be floating market.
Lunch:
On board.
Afternoon:
On the banks of a northern arm of the Mekong, My Tho, which translates as "fragrant herb", is where vistors come to discover the beauty of the delta. It's a quiet, prosperous city of about 100,000 inhabitants, famous for its many fruit orchards, gardens and the huge rice fields that surround it. The climate is warm and pleasant all year round. We disembark the boat and transfer to Vinh Trang Pagoda. We explore the city and pause at the market. We return to the vessel and prepare for our final night on board.
Dinner:
Captain's 'Farewell Dinner' on board.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
13
Cruise arrives Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), City Orientation
Location:
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sila Urban Living
Activity Note
Transfer by private motorcoach approximately 2 miles. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) exploration in the afternoon by bus on busy streets with lots of traffic and noise.
Breakfast:
On board.
Morning:
We arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) this morning. This vibrant city is a thriving metropolis reflecting Vietnam's contentious past as well as its fast-forwarding future. We clear port formalities and transfer to the hotel.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we check into our hotel. We regroup for a lecture by a local educator on Vietnam's history. We then board our motorcoach to explore the city. We will pass by some of the major sites, including the General Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Hotel d'Ville, Dong Khoi Street (also called the People's Committee Building) and the Waterfront. We return to the hotel and have some down time before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
14
Reunification Hall, Traditional Medicine Museum, Free Time
Location:
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sila Urban Living
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, we first head to the Reunification Hall. Also known as the Independence Palace, this stunning building was the former residence and workplace of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. Later, we visit the FITO Museum which is dedicated to traditional Vietnamese medicine and pharmacy. There are nearly 3,000 items, some dating back to the Stone Age, including instruments used to prepare traditional medicine, objects from a traditional pharmacy, books, documents, and much more.
Lunch:
Enjoy the taste of Vietnam as you sample Pho - a local favorite!
Afternoon:
This afternoon is free for you to explore Ho Chi Minh City on your own.
Dinner:
'Farewell Dinner' and program wrap-up at a local restaurant.
Evening:
Say farewell to new Road Scholar friends; pack and prepare for departures home tomorrow.
Day
15
Program Concludes, Departures Home
Location:
In Flight
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out is 12:00 noon.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet. Program concludes.
Morning:
Transfer to the Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and Instagram Feed to share photos of our program. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Nov 9 - Nov 23, 2025 Itinerary Differences:
This departure commences in Siem Reap, Cambodia and concludes in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.