Trip Reports
Duration
21 Nights
Journey Type
Sailing from Cambodia
Ports
15 Ports
11 October
Setting sail from Siem Reap
The town of Siem Reap is a pleasant enough place in its own right, but that's not why so many people flock here; this is the gateway to the sprawling ruins of Angkor, the spectacular seat of the ancient Khmer empire. The temple of Angkor Wat is the most famous, and some might say the most beautiful, of the structures that stand amongst the jungle around Siem Reap. We recommend getting here early in the morning if you can, to avoid the crowds. Other notable sights include the ruined city of Angkor Thom and the eerie temple of Ta Prohm, which has been left more or less as it was found, overgrown with vegetation, the stones gripped by huge tree roots.
Don't miss
Sunrise and sunset at the temples. An early morning will be well rewarded when you see the magical atmosphere the light creates at this time.
12 October
Cambodia: Kampong Cham
A visit to Kampong Cham will give you an insight into life in a provincial Cambodian city, well off the normal tourist trail. Situated on a bend in the Mekong river, the city is known for its quirky bamboo bridge which is rebuilt every year, and there are also some interesting temples nearby.
13-14 October
Cambodia: Phnom Penh
Cambodia’s lively, youthful capital has shown a remarkable resilience in bouncing back from the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime. The beautiful Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda shouldn’t be missed, while the former Tuol Sleng prison is a harrowing reminder of Phnom Penh’s recent past.
15-16 October
Vietnam: Tan Chau
17 October
Vietnam: Cai Be
Cai Be is home to a fascinating floating market, and it’s a great place to observe life along the Mekong. You can learn about the production of rice paper, coconut candy and whisky, and take a trip along the backwaters on a little two-person rowing boat.
18-19 October
Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon, as it was known then, was the capital of the South during the Vietnam War, and American-style capitalism has been embraced more enthusiastically here than in the North, with a clutch of shining skyscrapers standing as testament to Vietnam’s surging economic growth.
20-21 October
Myanmar (Burma): Yangon
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, may no longer be Myanmar’s capital, but it remains the largest and most important city, and the gateway to exploring this beautiful country. Visible from all around the city is Yangon’s crowning jewel, the shimmering golden Shwedagon Paya, one of South East Asia’s most beautiful Buddhist temples.
22 October
Myanmar (Burma): Bagan
It’s the sheer scale of Bagan that has catapulted the arid plains of central Burma to the top of so many travellers’ bucket lists. Over 2,000 temples, stupas and monasteries are spread over some 26 square miles, a stunning vista that’s best appreciated from a hot air balloon.
23-24 October
Myanmar (Burma): Magwe
25 October
Scenic river cruising
26-27 October
Myanmar (Burma): Bagan
It’s the sheer scale of Bagan that has catapulted the arid plains of central Burma to the top of so many travellers’ bucket lists. Over 2,000 temples, stupas and monasteries are spread over some 26 square miles, a stunning vista that’s best appreciated from a hot air balloon.
28-29 October
Myanmar (Burma): Pakokku, Yandabo
30 October
Myanmar (Burma): Mingun
The little village of Mingun lies just along the Ayeyarwady river from Mandalay, and is notable for a trio of extraordinary pagodas. The most impressive is the unfinished Mingun Paya, commissioned by King Bodawpaya in the 18th century, which would have been the world’s largest stupa had it been completed.
31 October
Myanmar (Burma): Amarapura
1 November
Arriving in Mandalay
Burma's second largest city is not especially pretty, though there are a few temples and pagodas of interest. More likely you will be in Mandalay at the beginning or end of a cruise along the Ayeyarwady river, or perhaps using the city as a hub to visit the sights of nearby Inwa and Sagaing.
Your home from home
Scenic Aura accommodates just 44 guests in 22 sumptuous balcony suites, a supremely luxurious way to explore Myanmar and the Ayeyarwady River.
What we love
Boasting a crew-to-guest ratio of almost 1:1, along with facilities including a swimming pool, steam sauna and open-air cinema, Scenic's first foray into Myanmar is a beautiful vessel with the feel of a small boutique hotel.
| Capacity | 44 Guests |
|---|---|
| Crew | 43 International Staff |
| Style | Relaxed and informal during the day, giving way to an elegant evening atmosphere. |
| Inclusions |
|
| Year Built | 2016 |
| Length | 213 feet |
Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Where to stay in Siem Reap
La Residence d’Angkor edges in front as our favourite.
Touring the temples
A tour of the main sites at Angkor can be squeezed into a day, but take three days to explorer the outer temples and learn more about the medieval world's greatest metropolis.
