Categories Cruises

From bustling Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to the calm and pristine villages of the unspoiled Cambodian countryside, this fantastic itinerary will satisfy even the most demanding traveler! Superb hotels, most meals and an 8 day cruise aboard our 5* DELUXE M/V MEKONG PRESTIGE OR ADVENTURER” these fabulous, teak enhanced modern vessels feature all outside cabins with private BALCONIES, a maximum of 66/60 passengers and spacious public areas including a spa/jacuzzi! Sumptuous meals are accompanied by FREE beer, soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages all day and added wine with dinner, a crew of 30, plus multi-lingual Cruise Managers – and all your on board activities and shore excursions are included!

Itinerary

Welcome to Vietnam! Due to various flight arrival times in the afternoon and evening, no meals or other activities are planned for today. Overnight at Park Royal or similar.

After breakfast depart on a full day of sightseeing starting with an excursion to the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels. Built during the Vietnam War to protect from bombing raids, the tunnels extend underground for over 212 km and range in depth from 3 to 12 meters! They feature remnants of a living city; schools, community kitchens, sleeping quarters, hospitals as well as military production facilities. Return to the city and enjoy a Vietnamese style lunch at a local restaurant. Then continue with a city sightseeing tour that will include the Post Office, built by Gustav Eiffel, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. End the tour with a unique performance of the Water Puppet show where puppet masters are submerged under water while their puppets entertain above! Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight.

Meet at the Sofitel Plaza hotel in Saigon at 9 am for the 2 hour transfer to My Tho, located 70 kilometers away. The transfer includes a stop at the Cholon Market and visit to a lacquer factory. On arrival in My Tho board the RV PRESTIGE II or RV ADVENTURER. Lunch on board. Set sail in the afternoon. An info meeting will precede a welcome Dinner followed by a Music Show.

Arrival at Cai Be in the morning. After breakfast we take a morning junk trip around Cai Be to visit a floating market and go ashore to see the French Gothic Cathedral. Take a stroll along the river bank and visit a local manufacturer producing rice paper and coconut sweets. Return to the ship for lunch. Cruise past Vinh Long to arrive at Sa Dec for an afternoon walk. The Famous French writer Marguerite Duras spent part of her childhood in Sa Dec, a sprawling busy town on the Mekong Delta. Both the school where Duras’ mother taught, the small house behind it where the family lived and the “Chinaman’s House” featured in her famous novel “The Lover”, also made into a movie, still stand. Night navigation through the Delta.

Arrival in the early morning at Tan Chau, a remote town on the main Mekong River. After breakfast, transfer to small boats to visit a local fishing farm. We also go ashore to visit a local workshop producing woven mats, and take a short walk in the village to visit a silk weaving workshop. A rickshaw ride round this fascinating town takes you back to the ship for lunch. Depart for the Cambodian border. An evening cruise along the broad Mekong River to Phnom Penh,

Full day of sightseeing in Phnom Penh. The capital city of Cambodia still retains its old French colonial architecture in riverside streets. Visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. Lunch on board. Afternoon excursion to the former High School « S21 », converted to a detention center under the Red Khmer’s rule between 1975 and 1979, is followed by a visit to Wat Phnom after which the city was named. Dinner on board will be followed by a traditional Khmer Apsara Dancing Show!

Early morning sailing from Phnom Penh to Chong Koh or Oknathey (both located on Silk Island) Visit this silk weaving village on a morning walk. This excursion includes a visit to a pagoda and a meeting in a primary school. We cruise past the Mekong’s timeless villages and river life all centered around the river. Return to Phnom Penh in the afternoon. Balance of the day it at leisure.

In the morning, sail up river heading towards Oudong. Lunch on board. Arrival at Prek Dam in the early afternoon. Excursion by coach to reach Oudong. Between 1618 and 1866, Oudong was the capital city of Cambodia. Erected on a hilltop, it is the home to numerous Stupas dating from the last Khmer Kings including the Vipassana Dhura Pagoda, a place of meditation for Buddhist Monks. Then, continue by bus to Kampong Tralach to visit the charming Vihara of the Wat Kampong Leu Pagoda dating back to the last century. Return to the ship by popular “local taxi” – ox-drawn carriages!. Dinner back on board.

Kampong Chhnang is one of Cambodia’s largest fishing ports and the center of fish farming. It is also famous for its archaic pottery making which supplies the whole country. After the tour of this bustling town, board local boats and sail through the “Floating Village” of Chnok Tru, a unique town completely set on water! See the people living on boats, including a local “floating” school and church! The smiles of the local children are priceless! Captain’s Farewell dinner!

High water: Early this morning, set sail and observe the local farmers, water buffalo and other unspoiled views as you cross the vast 150 km in length. Tonle Sap Lake (approximate sailing time is 4 to 5 hrs). On arrival to the port (located 45 min. from the town) bid your wonderful crew and ship goodbye as you disembark and transfer to the city for the next part of your adventure (arrival around 1.00pm)! Check-in to your hotel and enjoy a light lunch.

Low water: After breakfast, you will transfer to Siem Reap via speed boat, hydrofoil or air conditioned motor coach bus (approximately 5 hrs) arriving at around 1:30pm. Check-in.

PM: In the early evening depart for the city center for a walking tour through the vibrant Pub Street and Night Market prior to enjoying dinner at the popular (and air conditioned) Champay restaurant! After dinner you may want to explore further on your own or return to your hotel which is only a 5 minutes tuk-tuk ride away!

The day is devoted to an in-depth exploration of the fascinating “Lost City of Angkor”. Once, the capital of the ancient Khmer empire, which ruled the area from the 9th to the 13th century, the city and its fascinating temples were slowly covered by jungle until the city was lost to civilization. The temples were rediscovered at the end of the 19th century, the jungle was cleared over the next 70 years to reveal the “8th Wonder of the World” – the ancient Temples of Angkor Wat – today a UNESCO Heritage sight. After a buffet breakfast at your hotel, your morning tour will take you to explore the south gates of Angkor Thom, Bayan Temple, Elephant Terrace, the Royal enclosure and the Terrace of the Leper King. A break for lunch will be held al fresco at a local restaurant nearby. The afternoon is reserved for a visit to Ta Phrom (Jungle Temple) and the magnificent main Temples of Angkor Wat!

End the day with dinner and farewell folk show at a popular local restaurant.

Enjoy breakfast prior to departing on a half day city tour which will include a stop at the famous Artists D’ Angkor where you will see local artists at work. A great place to purchase those last minute souvenirs! The balance of the day is free to take a final stroll through Pub Street OR to transfer to the airport for your late night flights out. (LAND SERVICES END with transfer or final overnight- rooms are retained until departure.)

As all good things must come to an end, so does your wonderful exploration of this unique part of Southeast Asia! After a final breakfast, check-out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your home bound flights.

Notes