Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery Tour, 9 Days from Istanbul

We meet at Istanbul Airport at 09:00 to complete check-in formalities. Singapore Airlines departs at 13:15, starting the journey to Cambodia with a layover in Singapore. The night is spent resting on the plane. Flight details: SQ391, Istanbul 13:15, Singapore 04:45 the next day, arriving Siem Reap 09:50.

After the layover in Singapore we land in Siem Reap at 09:50. After checking into the hotel there is free time to explore the boutiques of the Old Market (Psar Chas) or take in the city's calm atmosphere. Accommodation: Grand Bayon Siem Reap Hotel, 4-star or similar.

The day begins with the magnificent Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With the guide we examine the mythological scenes carved from the Hindu and Buddhist periods, a witness to the temple's grand history. Lunch follows at a local restaurant, with time to capture the temple's striking silhouette on camera. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: Grand Bayon Siem Reap Hotel, 4-star or similar.

After breakfast we head to Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. A boat tour takes in the schools, homes and fishing villages built on the water, a close look at Cambodia's authentic side. In the afternoon a five- to six-hour drive through rice fields brings us to the capital, Phnom Penh. Meals: Dinner included. Accommodation: Pavilion Hotel, 4-star or similar.

The tour of the capital opens at the Royal Palace, representing Cambodia's royal tradition, and the Silver Pagoda, adorned with precious stones. We then visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a sobering look at the country's recent history. A special dinner in the evening offers a taste of Cambodian cuisine. Meals: Dinner included. Accommodation: Pavilion Hotel, 4-star or similar.

After breakfast we drive to the Vietnam border by private vehicle. After border formalities we arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) through the lush landscape of the Mekong Delta. The city tour takes in the French colonial architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, along with the Reunification Palace, a witness to recent history. Meals: Dinner included, featuring Vietnamese cuisine. Accommodation: Eden Star Saigon Hotel, 4-star or similar.

The day begins at the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network carrying some of the most striking traces of the Vietnam War. We explore the secret passages, rooms and trap systems used by the Viet Cong, hearing the stories behind them. The afternoon is free to take in Saigon's well-known coffee culture. Accommodation: Eden Star Saigon Hotel, 4-star or similar.

The tour closes with a boat ride along the branches of the Mekong River, taking in the settlements among the palm trees, tasting tropical fruit and getting a close look at delta life. In the evening we transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for the return flight. Flight details: SQ185, 19:50-22:55.

We land at Istanbul Airport at 08:45 in the morning, closing this Cambodia and Vietnam journey, from Angkor Wat to the Cu Chi Tunnels. ---