Welcome to Vietnam. Relax for the next two nights at your elegant Special Stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
Cruise the dynamic waterways of South East Asia in style and navigate your way through a tapestry of colour and culture. Cross country borders and see the river banks come to life whilst indulging in the luxuries of modern day cruising.
*Terms and Conditions: Prices are based on lowest available cabin category and are correct/available at advertising deadline. Availability by cabin category, can change daily. Prices based on per person twin share in CAD, are strictly limited & subject to availability on specific dates, until sold out. Offers for new bookings only and not in conjunction with any other offers and may be withdrawn at any time. Flights for “Fly Free” and special airfare offers, must be booked by Scenic and an additional non-refundable deposit is required. Scenic reserves the right to ticket the airfare upon receipt of deposit. Once issued, air tickets are subject to amendment and cancellation fees as established by the applicable airline. Fly Free including taxes offer is available on selected departures. Airfares are in economy class on airlines of Scenic’s choice in specific classes and surcharges may apply if specific class is sold out. Airline/Airport taxes up to $680 per person are included but may vary depending on gateway cities traveled. Once issued, air tickets are 100% non-refundable, subject to amendment and cancellation fees as established by the applicable airline. Offers based on twin share in CAD, are strictly limited and subject to availability until sold out. Port charges and taxes ($350 to $550 per person) are not included. For full terms and conditions refer to 2018/2019 South East Asia River Cruising Brochure visit www.scenic.ca/terms-and-conditions . Scenic Office: Suite 1025, 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5A1. BC consumer protection #40178.
Welcome to Vietnam. Relax for the next two nights at your elegant Special Stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
Travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn about the underground labyrinth of war-time passageways. After lunch, stop for some bargaining at Ben Thanh Market.
Enjoy a Vespa foodie tour of Saigon by night or enjoy a meal in the surroundings of an old French colonial house. Alternatively dine at Restaurant Nineteen or Square One.
Discover all about Vietnam’s modern history through a visit to the Reunification Palace and War Museum. Later travel by coach to My Tho to board the luxurious Scenic Spirit.
Later, immerse yourself in the historic town of Sa Dec and explore and interact with the sellers in the lively market, then visit the home of Mr Huynh Thuy Le who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant.
Board a sampan to visit Cai Be before stopping at local cottage industries and a French colonial or traditional Vietnamese house. Alternatively savour morning tea at a French colonial house or choose to stay on board for your special Freechoice activity.
Tonight enjoy a themed evening dinner to say farewell to Vietnam.
Visit the farmers on Evergreen Island and enjoy a ride in a Xe Loi. Alternatively, walk through Chau Doc market, visit a family-operated fish farm and cruise around Chau Doc waterfront or visit Tra Su Bird Sanctuary.
Cross the border into Cambodia and sail to the capital city, Phnom Penh.
Arrive in style by Tuk Tuk and immerse yourself in the historically celebrated luxury of Raffles, Hotel Le Royal. Enjoy a guided history tour followed by an indulgent high tea prepared in front of you by the hotel’s chefs, all whilst sipping on your signature cocktail named in honour of Jacqueline Kennedy. Choose to retire to the Elephant Bar for happy hour before returning to the ship viewing the floodlit Independence Monument en-route.
Later this afternoon marvel at the Royal Palace, with the famous Silver Pagoda within, on your included visit to this must-see attraction.
Journey to the Killing Fields and tour Tuol Sleng, or join a hands-on Khmer cooking demonstration. Alternatively, by Tuk Tuk explore Phnom Penh’s colonial buildings, the Central Market and the city’s modern architecture.
In Kampong Tralach, experience an ox cart ride through a local village and fields to Wat Kampong Tralach. Board your coach to the ancient capital of Oudong to visit the impressive pagoda and monastery to observe the lifestyle of the resident monks and nuns.
Later sail down the Tonle River and wander through the silversmith village of Kho Chen before continuing your cruise to Kampong Cham via Phnom Penh.
Receive a blessing from a monk and learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda before partaking in a ceremony, which contributes to the daily meal of the resident nuns and monks.
Walk (or drive) to the top of Wat Hanchey, an ancient hilltop pagoda and monastery to meet the resident novice monks. Sail downstream to Kampong Cham.
Learn about the history behind Phnom Pros (Man Hill) and Wat Nokor. Alternatively explore the ecotourism village of Cheung Kok or visit a rubber plantation factory and beetle nut village.
Discover the countryside of Cambodia on your drive to your stylish three night Special Stay located in the heart of the town of Siem Reap.
Take your Section A Reserved seat at the colourful Cambodian Circus, Phare.
Visit the colossal Angkor Wat before stopping at Angkor Thom and the multi-faced Bayon Temple. Later visit the atmospheric Ta Prohm Temple. Take advantage of your free night to visit the night markets.
Enrich
Marvel at sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Wat before moving to a special location for a champagne breakfast with food prepared by an NGO supported local bakery school.
Freechoice: Discover Banteay Srei and visit the Landmine Museum or explore Beng Mealea temples and Artisans D’Angkor. Alternatively, cruise on Tonle Sap (seasonal) or take a tethered balloon ride (weather dependent) above Angkor Wat before visiting a Pouk Silk Farm and Preah Khan Temple.
Enrich
Be wowed by a magical themed gala dinner at an Angkor temple, with included free flow drinks and a show featuring Apsara dancers in front of candle lit temple ruins.
Marvel at sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Wat before moving to a special location for a champagne breakfast with food prepared by an NGO supported local bakery school.
Discover Banteay Srei and visit the Landmine Museum or explore Beng Mealea temples and Artisans D’Angkor. Alternatively, cruise on Tonle Sap (seasonal) or take a tethered balloon ride (weather dependent) above Angkor Wat before visiting a Pouk Silk Farm and Preah Khan Temple.
Be wowed by a magical themed gala dinner at an Angkor temple, with included free flow drinks and a show featuring Apsara dancers in front of candle lit temple ruins.
Depart Cambodia treasuring many wonderful memories.
Welcome to Myanmar. Settle into your hotel for a two night Special Stay in Yangon. (Please book flight to arrive by 4.30pm).
Later, view the enchanting Kandawgyi Lake and visit Chaukhtatgyi Paya, Yangon’s reclining Buddha.
Board the Circle Train for a unique opportunity to observe the lively and colourful life of rural Burmese people. Alternatively, embark on a guided tour of Yangon’s thriving art scene, or ride a ferry across the Yangon River to Dhala village.
As the sun begins to set, wander around Shwedagon Pagoda and learn about the ritual of ‘oil lamp lighting’ before partaking in this local tradition.
Drive to Pyay, stopping in Htaukkyant to visit the Allied War Cemetery. In Pyay board Scenic Aura and raise a toast to the journey ahead.
Start with a visit to Shwesandaw Pagoda before heading to Sri Ksetra, the ancient Pyu Kingdom’s capital and also Myanmar’s first World Heritage-listed Site. Later commence your cruise north into the heart of Myanmar.
A morning of exploration awaits in Thayetmyo. Try your hand at putting on the oldest golf course in Myanmar, admire the region’s old colonial buildings and explore the gems at the local market before returning to the ship to continue to Magwe.
In Magwe, explore the town by traditional trishaw, similar to a side car. Visit Mya Tha Lun Pagoda, a mesmerising architectural vision set on Naguttama Hill. Enjoy the remainder of the day cruising to Salay.
On your morning walking tour of Salay admire a beautiful teak monastery and look inside the largest lacquer Buddha in Myanmar.
After arriving in Bagan visit the most iconic sight of this hypnotic region, the Ananda Temple before travelling by horse cart through a local village and the surrounding temple ruins.
Soak up the ambience of the river and the colonial feel of the town whilst enjoying traditional Burmese tea and snacks in a restored colonial villa dating from 1906.
Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight - Take a hot air balloon flight over the majestic temples of Bagan. Must be purchased prior to your cruise. (Plese note: available only from late-October to mid-March; all flights weather permitting).
Afterwards, learn all about the production of Burmese lacquerware.
Venture to Mount Popa, home to Myanmar’s nats or nature spirits, before heading to a Toddy Farm where a traditional lunch awaits. Alternatively, explore the markets at Nyaung U before discovering the Temple Circuit, or enjoy a visit to Old Bagan.
Travel to Clay Pot ‘mountain’ and indulge in a relaxing drink while soaking up magical views at sunset over the Bagan plain.
Leaving Bagan, stop off at the traditional riverside village of Schwe Pyi Thar.
Rise early to attend morning alms for the local monks before being invited to eat mohinga, a traditional breakfast with the local people.
Sail to Yandabo where in 1826, the peace treaty ending the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed. Now famous for its pottery, stroll through the village and witness the craftsmen honing their craft and observe their unusual way of firing the pottery.
In the ancient capitals of Sagaing and Inwa, spiritual enlightenment awaits.
Later by horse and cart, explore Inwa, for more than 400 years the capital of the Ava Kingdom. Visit a 200-year-old teak monastery, a brick pagoda and remains of Inwa Fort.
In Sagaing interact with novice monks and nuns during a special visit to a monastic supported school before continuing to a quiet nunnery where you will partake in our donation to the resident nuns before their midday meal.
Cruise to Mingun to discover the stories behind a massive unfinished brick pagoda. Admire the famous un-cracked Mingun Bell and the all-white Hsinbyume Pagoda. Sail to Mandalay to visit Amarapura.
Later, enjoy your last dinner on board.
Enjoy an evening drink in boats under U-Bein Bridge, the world’s longest teak bridge, to capture that memorable photo of the bridge at sunset.
After disembarkation, marvel at the intricate artistry of Shwenandaw, a beautiful wooden monastery covered internally in gold leaf. Equally as impressive are the sights at Kuthodaw Pagoda, where the ‘World’s Largest Book’ is housed. Later walk through the rebuilt Mandalay Palace, destroyed during World War II.
Later as the sun sets, head to the top of Mandalay Hill to enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding countryside before your farewell dinner and a night at Mandalay.
Learn how to produce gold leaf at a local workshop. At Mahamuni Pagoda, male guests will be able to place the gold leaf on the iconic Buddha statue.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your journey home.
After arriving in Vietnam, you will be welcomed and taken to your meeting point. If arriving earlier, please arrive at the Park Hyatt hotel by midday. From here travel by coach to My Tho to board the luxurious Scenic Spirit. Toast the start of your cruise with a cocktail reception. Please book flight to arrive before 8am.
Later, immerse yourself in the historic town of Sa Dec and explore and interact with the sellers in the lively market, then visit the home of Mr Huynh Thuy Le who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant.
Board a sampan to visit Cai Be before stopping at local cottage industries and a French colonial or traditional Vietnamese house. Alternatively savour morning tea at a French colonial house or choose to stay on board for your special Freechoice activity.
Tonight enjoy a themed evening dinner to say farewell to Vietnam.
Visit the farmers on Evergreen Island and enjoy a ride in a Xe Loi. Alternatively, walk through Chau Doc market, visit a family-operated fish farm and cruise around Chau Doc waterfront or visit Tra Su Bird Sanctuary.
Cross the border into Cambodia and sail to the capital city, Phnom Penh.
Arrive in style by Tuk Tuk and immerse yourself in the historically celebrated luxury of Raffles, Hotel Le Royal. Enjoy a guided history tour followed by an indulgent high tea prepared in front of you by the hotel’s chefs, all whilst sipping on your signature cocktail named in honour of Jacqueline Kennedy. Choose to retire to the Elephant Bar for happy hour before returning to the ship viewing the floodlit Independence Monument en-route.
Later this afternoon marvel at the Royal Palace, with the famous Silver Pagoda within, on your included visit to this must-see attraction.
Journey to the Killing Fields and tour Tuol Sleng, or join a hands-on Khmer cooking demonstration. Alternatively, by Tuk Tuk explore Phnom Penh’s colonial buildings, the Central Market and the city’s modern architecture.
In Kampong Tralach, experience an ox cart ride through a local village and fields to Wat Kampong Tralach. Board your coach to the ancient capital of Oudong to visit the impressive pagoda and monastery to observe the lifestyle of the resident monks and nuns.
Later sail down the Tonle River and wander through the silversmith village of Kho Chen before continuing your cruise to Kampong Cham via Phnom Penh.
Receive a blessing from a monk and learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda before partaking in a ceremony, which contributes to the daily meal of the resident nuns and monks.
Walk (or drive) to the top of Wat Hanchey, an ancient hilltop pagoda and monastery to meet the resident novice monks. Sail downstream to Kampong Cham.
Learn about the history behind Phnom Pros (Man Hill) and Wat Nokor. Alternatively explore the ecotourism village of Cheung Kok or visit a rubber plantation factory and beetle nut village.
Discover the rural side of Cambodia on your drive to your hotel in Siem Reap, your stylish three night Special Stay located in the heart of Siem Reap.
Take your Section A Reserved seat at the colourful Cambodian Circus, Phare.
Visit the colossal Angkor Wat before stopping at Angkor Thom and the multi-faced Bayon Temple. Later visit the atmospheric Ta Prohm Temple. Take advantage of your free night to visit the night markets.
Enrich
Marvel at sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Wat before moving to a special location for a champagne breakfast with food prepared by an NGO supported local bakery school.
Freechoice: Discover Banteay Srei and visit the Landmine Museum or explore Beng Mealea temples and Artisans D’Angkor. Alternatively, cruise on Tonle Sap (seasonal) or take a tethered balloon ride (weather dependent) above Angkor Wat before visiting a Pouk Silk Farm and Preah Khan Temple.
Enrich
Be wowed by a magical themed gala dinner at an Angkor temple, with included free flow drinks and a show featuring Apsara dancers in front of candle lit temple ruins.
Marvel at sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Wat before moving to a special location for a champagne breakfast with food prepared by an NGO supported local bakery school.
Discover Banteay Srei and visit the Landmine Museum or explore Beng Mealea temples and Artisans D’Angkor. Alternatively, cruise on Tonle Sap (seasonal) or take a tethered balloon ride (weather dependent) above Angkor Wat before visiting a Pouk Silk Farm and Preah Khan Temple.
Be wowed by a magical themed gala dinner at an Angkor temple, with included free flow drinks and a show featuring Apsara dancers in front of candle lit temple ruins.
Depart Cambodia treasuring many wonderful memories.
Begin your Myanmar adventure in Mandalay. Meet your local guide in the foyer of the Mandalay Hill Resort at 3:00pm. Transfer to the luxurious Scenic Aura to begin your Myanmar adventure. On board meet your Cruise and Tour Directors at tonight’s welcome reception whilst cruising to Mingun. Please book flights to arrive by midday.
In Mingun discover the stories behind a massive unfinished brick pagoda. Nearby, admire the un-cracked Mingun Bell and the all-white Hsinbyume Pagoda.
Enjoy an evening drink in boats under U-Bein Bridge, the world’s longest teak bridge, to capture that memorable photo of the bridge at sunset.
In the ancient capitals of Sagaing and Inwa, spiritual enlightenment awaits.
Later by horse and cart, explore Inwa, for more than 400 years the capital of the Ava Kingdom. Visit a 200-year-old teak monastery, a brick pagoda and remains of Inwa Fort.
In Sagaing interact with novice monks and nuns during a special visit to a monastic supported school before continuing to a quiet nunnery where you will partake in our donation to the resident nuns before their midday meal.
Sail to Myinmu and drive across the countryside through Monywa to explore the sandstone grottoes decorated with spectacular mural paintings and hundreds of Buddha statues inside niches. Return to the ship and continue your cruise to Yandabo.
Arrive in Yandabo where in 1826, the peace treaty ending the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed. Now famous for its pottery, stroll through the village and witness the craftsmen honing their craft and observe their unusual way of firing the pottery. En-route to Bagan, stop off at the traditional riverside village of Schwe Pyi Thar. As the day progresses, enjoy demonstrations about the traditional dress Longyi and the time-honoured face decoration that is Thanaka.
Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight - Take a hot air balloon flight over the majestic temples of Bagan. Flights last approximately 45 minutes and must be purchased prior to your cruise to guarantee availability. (Plese note: available only from late-October to mid-March; all flights weather permitting).
Afterwards, visit the most iconic sight of this hypnotic region, the impressive Ananda Temple.
Tonight attend a traditional string puppet show.
Venture to Mount Popa, home to Myanmar’s nats or nature spirits, before heading to a Toddy Farm where a traditional lunch awaits. Alternatively, explore the markets at Nyaung U before either exploring the Temple Circuit, or enjoying a visit to Old Bagan.
Travel to Clay Pot ‘mountain’ and indulge in a relaxing drink while soaking up magical views over the Bagan plain.
Later travel by horse cart through a local village and the temple ruins before learning all about the production of Burmese lacquerware. Later continue cruising downstream to Salay. On your walking tour explore Paya Thonzu, a small trio of brick shrines, admire Youqson Kyaung, a beautiful teak monastery and look inside the largest lacquer Buddha image in Myanmar.
Rise early to attend morning alms for the local monks and be invited to eat mohinga, a traditional breakfast with the local people.
From the river front, soak up the ambience of the river and the colonial feel of the town whilst enjoying traditional local Burmese tea and snacks in a restored colonial villa dating from 1906
Enjoy the morning sailing to Magwe, where in the cool of the afternoon you will experience a tour of the town by trishaw. Take in the views from Mya Tha Lun Pagoda, a mesmerising architectural vision set on Naguttama Hill.
An afternoon of exploration awaits in Thayetmyo, which once marked the border between Royal and British Burma. In this quaint port town you can try your hand at putting on a green at the oldest golf course in Myanmar, admire the region’s old colonial buildings and explore the gems at the local market before returning to the ship
Berth in Pyay later this morning. Begin with a visit to Shwesandaw Pagoda which contains a series of five terraces. In the afternoon explore Sri Ksetra, one of the ancient Pyu Kingdoms that flourished between 200 B.C. and 900 A.D. and became Myanmar’s first World Heritage-listed Site in 2014. Later, enjoy a farewell dinner back on board.
Disembark with a picnic lunch and drive to Yangon (Please note drive from Pyay to Yangon is approximately 7 hours). Just outside of Yangon’s city limits, stop in Htaukkyant to visit the Allied War Cemetery. From here continue onto the Sule Shangri-La Yangon where your adventure ends or change vehicles and continue onto Yangon airport for your onward flight. Expect to arrive in Yangon around 4:00-4:30pm. Please book flights to depart after 6:00pm.