Duration: 8D7N
Destinations: Siem Reap–Tonle Sap–Kampong Chhnang–Wat Hanchey–Kampong Cham–Phnom Penh–Chau Doc–Cai be–My Tho–Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Featured Highlights:
Join us on a magical adventure from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City as we sail down the mighty Mekong River. This Avalon ship offers an intimate experience, so you can truly immerse yourself in the culture, people, and sights along the Mekong River. Visit local riverside villages, watch their ancient village traditions, and marvel at mysterious caves.
Day 1: Siem Reap- Tonle Sap
Day 2: kampong Tralach- Ou Dong- Prek Dam
Day 3: Wat Hanchey- Kampong Cham
Day 4: Angkor Ban- Prek Bang Kong
Day 5: Phnom Penh Highlights
Day 6: Phnom Penh- Border Crossing- Chau Doc
Day 7: Sa Dec- Cai Be
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Day 1: Siem Reap- Tonle Sap
Welcome to Siem Reap, home of the mysterious Angkor temples! Your journey will begin in the late morning, where you will be transferred from the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa to board your Mekong River Cruise. Settle into your cabin and prepare for a breathtaking 8 day adventure to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Admire the spectacular floating villages and sun-hardened fisherman as we begin to sail through the Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. After the rainy season, this massive body of water can cover around 10,000 square miles and is a perfect breeding ground for fish, which play a vital role in providing food for the people living on the lake. This evening, enjoy a lovely dinner and welcome reception.
NOTE: During low water conditions we will be unable to cruise on the Tonle Sap. In these cases, we will transfer by coach from Siem Reap to Prek Dam for our cruise departure. Low water conditions vary from year to year depending on rainfall but are generally from mid-January/early February through June. Due to these yearly variations, our ability to cruise on Tonle Sap will be evaluated on a cruise-by-cruise basis.
Day 2: kampong Tralach- Ou Dong- Prek Dam
Today you will visit Kampong Tralach for an ox cart ride, passing fields of rice paddies and the beautiful Cambodian countryside. We will then continue on to Oudong, Cambodia’s former capital city. Upon arrival, take a guided tour to visit a local monastery with an in-depth lecture on buddhism. Next, a coach will transfer you to Prek Dam, where you will join the ship for lunch. The rest of the day is free for you to relax on board.
Day 3: Wat Hanchey- Kampong Cham
This morning, visit Wat Hanchey, a marvelous temple dating back to the 8th century and the Chenla Empire. Located on a hilltop, enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a traditional water blessing given by local monks.After lunch, a coach will take you to see the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey (man and woman hill), where you will see the beautiful stupa as well as two huge Buddha statues. Our last stop of the day is at Nokorbachey, an Angkorian temple complex featuring several original statues of Buddha.
NOTE: The climb to Wat Hanchey features a steep incline. If you feel you are unable to make the climb you will be driven to the top by car.
Day 4: Angkor Ban- Prek Bang Kong
Today we will begin with a lovely walking tour through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here you will be able to discover traditional Khmer houses, a local school, and a Buddhist Monastery, where you will be able to meet with the local monks.After lunch, enjoy a visit to the village of Prek Bang Kong, where silk-weaving is a well-preserved tradition. Spend time exploring the many houses in the village to see the weaving and to learn more about the how silk is produced.
Day 5: Phnom Penh Highlights
Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s bustling and industrial capital city. To this day, Phnom Penh has retained much of its French charm. Sightseeing this morning will provide you with a glimpse of the horrible atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime. Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school that housed over 17,000 prisoners. You will also visit one of the Killing Fields, where over 200,000 people were killed by the Khmer Rouge.After lunch on the ship, enjoy a sightseeing tour with visits to the Royal Palace with its spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts.
Day 6: Phnom Penh- Border Crossing- Chau Doc
Enjoy some free time to admire the sights in the morning as we cross the border into Vietnam.After lunch on the ship, we will cruise down the backwaters of the Mekong to Chau Doc. Along the way you will see many traditional Vietnamese floating markets and villages. Upon arrival, learn about some of the many species of fish living in the Mekong at a local fish farm. Then, enjoy a walking tour of the bustling outdoor market. Last stop is at the many pagodas and temples at the base of Sam Mountain.
Day 7: Sa Dec- Cai Be
This morning, you will board a sampan (traditional vietnamese rowing boat) and enjoy various scenes of daily life along the river as we make our way towards Sa Dec. On the way, we will stop at both a brick and rice factory. Here, you will see workers forming bricks and learn about the many different types of rice produced in the region. You will be taught and to learn about the importance of the rice husk in fueling brick kilns. Then, take a ride through the local market and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busily buying and selling fish, meat and produce. Your final stop today is the ancient house of Mr. Hyunh Thuy Le, former “lover” of Marguerite Duras, famous French novelist, and inspiration for the film L’Amant (The Lover), directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud.
This afternoon, board a sampan for a scenic cruise through Cai Be Harbor, passing the city’s beautiful French Gothic cathedral. Once on land, tour the An Kiet House and its surrounding gardens, which feature several indigenous fruits. Next, stop at a local establishment to see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candy are made. Visit the beautiful waterfront cathedral before returning to the ship.
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)! Here, our magnificent cruise comes to an end. If requested, you will continue on with your tailor made extension tour to Cu Chi Tunnels, Phu Quoc Island, Nha Trang or Hoian.
Note: Although it is our intention to operate the itinerary as detailed proposal, we will do our utmost to stick to the set itinerary, however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. It may be necessary to make some changes as a result of climatic conditions, alterations to cruise schedules or other operational factors.
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Exclusions:
Passion Indochina Travel will provide you with a dynamic professional local private tour guide, a private chauffeur and a transportation that suits your style and gives you pleasure, comfort and security through every points of your destination.All our tour guides in our company are registered English Speaking Guides, they are passionate about their city and they take pride in sharing it with others.With our private local tour guide, you’d get the chance to see and learn more among the historic places in the world and their cultures. Be amazed with the breathtaking scenery of Asia and enjoy some once in a lifetime adventure!
Private Tour Guide
The tour guide is always punctual on every destination he/she is needed. You will be picked up at the airport and will be escorted to your hotel and tend to your stuff til their services is needed again. They will also assist you at the airport at every departure, seeing to it that you have checked in and passed through the security checkpoint. All the tour guides in all your choices of destination are Locals. Since they know all the areas of the tours you're taking, they make sure that they share to you all the information may it be historical facts, dates and anecdotes or tell stories about the tour sites to make it more interesting and entertaining. They would also suggest the best spots for picture taking.Our tour guides are also flexible when it comes to the itinerary changes if there's any unexpected reason and will be more than accommodating to any alternative suggestions just to ensure that you will have an incredible experience.
Private Chauffeur Services
Arrive in the comfort of your style. Depending on the group size, and the tour packages of your choice, we would accommodate you with the best transportation and a professional Chauffeur to assist you wherever and whenever you need. They would be happy to transport you.