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MEKONG RIVER
CRUISE FROM SAIGON TO ANGKOR
Type of trip:
Cultural and Cruise
Traveling to:
Vietnam & Cambodia
There can be no tapestry
of river life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong. Indeed
there can be no more striking a cultural contrast as that between the
bustling Vietnam delta and the tranquility of Cambodia. We pass from the
vibrant French colonial port of Saigon, now called Ho Chi Minh City,
through the vast Delta so rich in human life and endeavor, to travel
along the main channel into the rich countryside of Cambodia.
A shipping link between
Saigon and Angkor is immensely practical for the traveler as it makes it
possible to connect three important destinations on one trip with easy
plane connections at either end: Saigon, the exotic Frenchified former
capital of South Vietnam, Phnom Penh, the quaint Cambodian capital, and
the stupendous World Heritage monuments at Angkor. One need no longer
check in and out of hotels and endure bumpy roads to visit these
magnificent places. In our Land Tour Section you will see that we have
selected the most fitting hotel partners in both Saigon and Angkor.
Day 1: Arrival Saigon
Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the hotel for check in (early check
in subject to availability). The remainder of the day is free at leisure
Meals:
None
Accommodation:
Sheraton Saigon Hotel/Deluxe Pool View
Day 2:
Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnel
Morning, enjoy a
2-hour-drive north west of downtown through the typical southern
Vietnamese countryside to Cu Chi tunnels. The tunnels complex was dug in
1948 so that the guerrillas could hide from French air and ground
sweeps. It was also served as communication routes, hospitals, food and
weapon caches and living quarters for numerous guerrilla fighters
throughout the American war.
Visit the underground
villages for better understanding of the tunnel history, life in the
tunnels, Vietnamese’s resilience during the combats and Cu Chi tunnels
today. Return to Saigon and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, embark
on a walking tour to Saigon’s historic landmarks including Central Post
Office built in the late 19th century in European style; Notre Dame
Cathedral, the huge red-brick edifice with twin spires, is clear
reminder that the French once ruled this city (closed to visitors except
during mass hours on Sunday morning); former Presidential Palace,
headquarter for the Saigon Government during the American war, War
Remnant Museum to have a deeper understanding about Vietnam war and
people.
Meals:
Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation:
Sheraton Saigon Hotel/Deluxe Pool View
Day 3:
Mekong River cruise
Saigon – My Tho – Cai Be
Registration:
9 AM registration and pick up at Hotel in Saigon
Transferring:
To My Tho port by bus (1.5 hrs)
Embarkation:
11.30 AM check in followed by welcome cocktail and cruise briefing
Departure:
1 PM
Afternoon Lunch on
board, cruise to Cai Be, followed by afternoon excursion with a
traditional sampan to Thoi Son islands in traditional sampan boats – a
first glimpse of fruit orchards, pagodas and local markets. Mooring
midstream. Cocktail reception at the funnel lounge and welcome dinner
served on the sun deck.
Cruise time:
3.5 hrs
Distance:
65 KM
Day 4:
Cai Be - Vinh Long – Tan Chau
Morning, cruise early
morning to Vinh Long – experience the commercial floating market from
the breakfast deck. Gothic cathedral, fruit-drying kilns, visit local
puffed rice/ snack-making family business coconut craft ware workshops
with a local boat. Enhance your trip with a short horse-drawn cart ride
along the village road. A surprise lunch picnic including of a fruit
tasting workshop in one of the fruit orchards will be presented by the
Jayavarman crew.
Afternoon, the cruise on board small sampans will later take us through
tiny winding canals for a close up view of lively Mekong river life with
many photo opportunities of the fish traps and fruit gardens along the
canals. On-site lecture: “Mekong Commerce”. Cruise towards Tan Chau/Chau
Doc
Cruise time:
6 hr
Daily Distance:
110 KM
Day 5:
Tan Chau - Chau Doc – Phnom Penh
Morning, breakfast on the upper deck – approaching Chau Doc. Mooring in
Chau Doc at the lovely colonial style Victoria Hotel. Boat excursion to
the floating village and catfish farms. Shore excursion to Chau Doc and
the village of the local minority Cham community.
Afternoon, cast off for the border crossing and cruise towards Phnom
Penh.
Cruise time:
7 hrs
Distance:
140 KM
Day 6:
Phnom Penh
Breakfast on the sun
deck while approaching Phnom Penh’s river promenade. After breakfast,
city tour in the capital of Cambodia which has retained its French
colonial charm. Morning sightseeing will include the Royal Palace, the
National Museum and Wat Phnom.
After lunch in a local
restaurant, continue your sightseeing with an excursion to the infamous
“Killings Fields”, the former detention, torture and execution center
during the Cambodian civil war. Introduction and onsite lecture through
a local history professor.
Evening, Khmer theme night – Apsara dance performance, the vibes of
traditional music, the smell of incense sticks and a delicious Khmer
food crossover buffet.
Cruise time:
1 hr
Distance:
20 KM
Day 7:
Phnom Penh – Kampong Chnang – Tonle Sap
“Rural Cambodia at its best”
Early morning, set sail to Kampong Chnang via Kampong Tralach along the
meandering Tonle River, rural Khmer life in Cambodia at its best. Visit
of Pagoda and humanitarian project sponsored by Heritage Line. Farewell
dinner at the sun deck.
Afternoon, motorboat excursion in Kampong Chnang, the wetlands and
floating houses of the great Tonle Sap
Cruise time:
7 hrs
Distance:
110 km
Day 8: Kampong Chnang – Udong (Disembarkation) – Siem Reap
“Farewell”
Morning Downstream cruise to Udong and Disembarkation. Transfer to Siem
Reap.
Disembarkation 9 AM
Cruise time:
4 hrs
Distance:
90 KM
Disembark the cruise and
transfer to the hotel for Check-In. Afternoon, enjoy a fun tuk-tuk ride
(motor bike drawn carriage) to the intricately carved Khmer ruins at
Angkor Wat– one of the world’s most impressive ruins The temple still
owns hundreds of fine carvings of Apsara and of the sciences from Hindu
mythology. The Khmer civilization constructed the temple between the 9th
and 13th centuries.
Strolling around the
massive hallways, you will find many small shrines still in use by the
local people at the ancient site. The tethered helium balloon rises 200
meters straight up for an amazing aerial view of Angkor Wat and the
jungles
Meals:
Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation:
Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa/Deluxe room
Day 9:
Siem Reap
After breakfast, stroll around the huge National Museum, the grand
entrance to a world-class heritage that reveals the glory of Angkor
Civilization. Explore its beautiful presentation using state-of-the-art
technology with collections themed by temples, kings, beliefs and
religions.Then drive to the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom. Enjoy a
round trip elephant ride from the South gate to the main complex. Its
50-tower temple is an awesome sight.
At first glance it seems
a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then
another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent,
heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out
from a primitive and remote time. Further, visit to the surroundings of
the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Leper King Terrace
and Royal Place area.
Continue your
exploration with a visit to the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly
disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and
exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge
stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, emphasizing the ‘lost
city’ legend
Meals:
Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation:
Victoria Angkor/Deluxe Room
Day 10:
Departure
Free at leisure until your transfer to the airport for the flight home
Meals:
Breakfast
End of services
Please contact our
Travel Agent for further information.
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