Day 1 - Sunday - Apr 28, 2024
| Ho Chi Minh City (Formerly Saigon), Vietnam |
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Welcome to Vietnam and step foot into a world of luxury starting with your air-conditioned airport transfer to your hotel, located downtown in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Meet your tour director and fellow guests at your welcome dinner.
Day 2 - Monday - Apr 29, 2024
| Ho Chi Minh City (Formerly Saigon), Vietnam |
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| Ho Chi Minh City (Formerly Saigon), Vietnam |
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After breakfast, travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels and spend the morning learning about the development and establishment of this hidden covered tunnel network that the Viet Cong soldiers hid in for months on end. Return to the city for lunch and the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Day 3 - Tuesday - Apr 30, 2024
| Ho Chi Minh City (Formerly Saigon), Vietnam |
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After breakfast and check-out, visit the War Museum and Reunification Palace. The former Presidential House of South Vietnam become famous in 1975 with images of tanks crashing through its gates leading to the South's surrender and end of the War of Independence. After lunch, a motorcoach will transfer you to My Tho where the breathtaking Scenic Spirit awaits. Start with a cocktail reception hosted by your cruise director. Take a stroll around the decks to orientate yourself as to where all the amenities are. After your welcome dinner, settle into your private suite. At any time, your dedicated personal butler is available to assist with a nightcap and delivery of your preferred pillows. A calm 4-hour sail brings you to halt off Cai Be where the ship will anchor overnight.
Day 4 - Wednesday - May 1, 2024
Enjoy a full gourmet champagne breakfast before heading out on your chosen Scenic Freechoice excursion. After your morning activity, head back to the ship for lunch while sailing to Sa Dec. You may wish to unwind in the Scenic Spirit library to learn more about each port you will visit and the exciting activities ahead. Or head to the heart of this ship, the Scenic Spirit Lounge, which is a great place to unwind with a glass of wine and meet other guests. Later, upon arrival in Sa Dec, re-board your sampan to explore and interact with the sellers in the lively wet market where you will see live fishes, frogs, and even snakes. This 2-hour exploration lets you dive deep into the local lifestyle. You can also see the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le (currently under restoration) who inspired Marguerite Duras to write novel L'Amant, a story of tragic love told by your entertaining local expert. After returning to the ship, you will have time to take an evening dip in the pool overlooking the Mekong as the sun sets. The ship will set sail after your arrival back onboard for the 6-hour journey to Tan Chau. After dinner, retire in your suite for a restful cruise up the Mekong River.
Day 5 - Thursday - May 2, 2024
| Vietnam-Cambodia Border Crossing, Vietnam |
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You may wish to start your day with some exercise in the onboard gym, try stretching at the early morning yoga class or relax in the sauna before setting off to a Scenic Freechoice excursion of your choosing in the areas surrounding Tan Chau. After lunch upon your arrival back onboard, enjoy sailing to the Vietnamese and Cambodian border. Some down time is a great way to relax and what better way to do that than heading to the Wellness Centre or Beauty Salon for a bit of pampering. While the ship clears immigration into Cambodia at the border, you will experience a fantastically themed dinner onboard Scenic Spirit along with a lion dance performed by locals on the expansive Sun Deck. Settle in for an overnight sail towards Phnom Penh, bidding farewell to Vietnam.
Day 6 - Friday - May 3, 2024
Welcome to Cambodia, arriving into the capital of Phnom Penh early this morning. Soak in Cambodia's rich history; from the food, the people, and the remarkable temples that have stood for thousands of years. After breakfast, it will be time to head into Phnom Penh. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure.
Day 7 - Saturday - May 4, 2024
Board your motorcoach for the short drive to the former capital of Cambodia, Oudong. Witness the life of the monks and nuns who reside at the monastery and if you are lucky, you may be able to join in one of the many festivals and customs often held here. Experience the opulent side of Phnom Penh this afternoon at the Royal Palace with the famous Silver Pagoda, during your included visit to this must-see attraction. This evening, you may wish to dress up for the Scenic Sunset Drinks cocktail reception on the Sun Deck against the backdrop of Phnom Penh's lights. Enjoy the passing scenery and panoramic views as the ships sets sail towards Oknha Tey, commonly known as Silk Island.
Day 8 - Sunday - May 5, 2024
| Koh Oknha Tey, Cambodia, Cambodia |
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This morning, we explore the island of Oknha Tey, dedicated to the art of silk weaving. Travel by tuk tuk to the farm and learn about the process of silk production. Return to Scenic Spirit for lunch and some free time. You may wish to socialize by the pool with a refreshing cocktail and swim. Next port after lunch is Angkor Ban. Explore its historical rural wooden houses, which survived the Khmer Rouge and visit a school that teaches English to the local students after their regular school lessons. Back onboard, continue sailing to Kampong Cham. Immerse yourself in local culture with Scenic team by learning how to make and wear the Cambodian scarf.
Day 9 - Monday - May 6, 2024
Meet the novice monks at Wat Hanchey, an ancient hilltop pagoda and monastery. Walk (or drive) to the top and soak in some of the best elevated views of the cruise. Back onboard Scenic Spirit, enjoy some time to relax and overlook the gorgeous sunset of the Cambodian skyline before your engaging farewell dinner with the crew.
Day 10 - Tuesday - May 7, 2024
| Kampong Kdei, Cambodia, Cambodia |
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Today, we journey to Siem Reap via stops at Kampong Thom and the Angkorian bridge in Kampong Kdei. Siem Reap is a split in time with ancient and traditional architecture weaved between the modern developments. Your hotel is a step back in time in the definition of luxury and your historical home for the next three nights in Siem Reap. This brilliantly appointed accommodation is styled with a mix of French inspired architecture, local interior furnishings, the attentive staff providing a service beyond expectations, and brilliant amenities fit for royalty.
Day 11 - Wednesday - May 8, 2024
The second day of your explorations in Siem Reap starts with a delicious champagne buffet breakfast at the hotel. Later this afternoon, all guests will explore Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument. Originally constructed by the Khmer Empire as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. An afternoon visit provides the perfect light for those idyllic pictures of this colossal structure. After the day of adventure, tonight is free to shop away at the night markets of Siem Reap or venture to Pub Street, both in walking distance or a short tuk tuk ride from your hotel.
Day 12 - Thursday - May 9, 2024
After breakfast, visit the atmospheric, jungle-covered Ta Prohm Temple, before stopping at Angkor Thom and the multi-faced Bayon Temple. You have the remainder of the afternoon to discover more of the Siem Reap markets or relax at your luxury hotel after your early morning start.
Day 13 - Friday - May 10, 2024
Check out this morning and transfer to Siem Reap Airport. Fly to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos, for a three-night Special Stay. This luxury property is in a prime location of this UNESCO World Heritage city. The vast amount of greenery and island-like decor provides the ultimate stay in this colonial style building. Later, walk to the top of Luang Prabang's highest mountain, Mount Phousi, and watch the sunset over this historical town.
Day 14 - Saturday - May 11, 2024
Today, visit the city's main sites including the former Royal Palace now converted into the National Museum, Wat Xieng Thong, one of the most important and oldest temples in Laos, and Wat Mai, the city's largest temple. Later, enjoy a 2-hour cruise along the Mekong River to explore the Pak Ou Caves (locally called Tam Ting) flooded with thousands of gold Buddha statues buried within a limestone cliff. This well known attraction is a must-see in Laos. When returning by road, stop at Ban Xang Hai, a village specializing in rice wine. Tonight is yours at leisure leaving you with free time to shop in the well-known night market for those gifts to take back home.
Day 15 - Sunday - May 12, 2024
| Kuang Si Falls, Laos, Laos |
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A truly beautiful and empowering moment awaits upon the streets of Luang Prabang. Attend the morning ritual and admire the silent movements of the local monks as they collect their daily alms. Afterwards, return to the hotel for breakfast before heading out for the day. Begin with a journey to Kuang Si waterfalls, a set of picturesque, tiered waterfalls and swimming holes set amongst the dense jungle. En route back to town, stop at a small village, home to one of the area's many ethnic minorities, to learn about their traditions and culture.
Day 16 - Monday - May 13, 2024
Take in the surrounding views from Mount Phousi, a 100-meter-high hill which lies in the heart of the old town peninsula and is bordered on one side by the Mekong River and on the other side by the Nam Khan River. Transfer to the local train station to experience traveling on the new high-speed train to Vang Vieng. Check into your resort located alongside the Mekong River and take in the dramatic vista of the surrounding mountains and countryside from the pool lounge or your balcony.
Day 17 - Tuesday - May 14, 2024
Vang Vieng is home to some amazing natural formations and beautiful landscapes. Take in this natural beauty of the region with visits to the beautiful turquoise 'Blue Lagoon' and Chang Caves, discovered by villagers seeking refuge deep in the forest during the wars. Later drive to the capital, Vientiane, a city full of a mix of French colonial architecture and Buddhist temples. Upon arrival, visit the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE). COPE's mission is to help people with mobility-related disabilities move on by supporting access to physical rehabilitation services in the Lao PDR. Later, check into your historic hotel for an overnight stay. Built in 1932, the hotel has been painstakingly restored to its former imperial glory and serves as a testament to the long lost era of classical elegance, gracious service, and French colonial charm. This evening, enjoy your delicious farewell dinner and relive the memories together from your journey.
Day 18 - Wednesday - May 15, 2024
| Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand |
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After your breakfast, commence a morning tour of the capital including visits to Pha That Luang, a national symbol that is a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the center of the city, and Patuxay Monument, a war monument built between 1957 and 1968 that is dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. Then say farewell to Laos with many wonderful memories and fly to Bangkok where your journey ends on arrival. Please book your flight to depart out of Bangkok after 7 PM. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, disruptions to cruising and alteration to itinerary arrangements may occur. Hotels are indicative and are subject to change.
