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Mekong River Cruise - Reverse - Saigon To Siem Reap


Cruise the Mekong and discover the timeless splendour of Asia's great waterway




On a journey from Vietnam to Cambodia we are transported to a bygone era as we witness aspects of rural life along the river that meanders along at a more peaceful pace than the bustle of the major roads. Travelling on a deluxe riverboat we depart from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and discover the vibrant Mekong Delta by stopping off in market towns, visiting schools and pagodas and witnessing the local cottage industries that make this probably the most vibrant region in Vietnam. Continuing into Cambodia we encounter the sombre and moving memorials to the excesses of the Khmer Rouge era on our stop in the capital, Phnom Penh. As we cruise up the Tonle Sap River into South East Asia’s largest lake, Tonle Sap, we experience the tranquillity of lakeside fishing villages before our cruise ends on arrival near the town of Siem Reap – home to the magnificent Angkor ruins.



Gallery View map

Tour Highlights

  • Phnom Penh's history
  • Tuol Sleng Prison Museum
  • Cai Be floating market and the longtail boats of the Mekong
  • Colonial house in Sa Dec

Inclusions

  • • The services of expert English-speaking local tour local guides.

    • Sightseeing (including entrance fees where relevant): Floating village on Tonle Sap, Kampong Chnang fishing village, Kampong tralach Pagoda, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Tuol Sleng Prison Museum, Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, Chau Doc, Sa Dec panoramic tour, Vinh Long pottery and brick factory, Binh Hoa Phuc Nursery, Cai Be Floating Market, Vinh Trang Pagoda and Thoi Son Island.

    • All meals, tea, coffee and water on board the cruise.

    • Arrival transfer.

  • Minibus
  • Riverboat
  • 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners

Mekong River Cruise - Reverse - Saigon To Siem Reap

Day 1
Saigon
Meals Privided:
Upon arrival in Saigon, you are met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. You meet your tour leader and the rest of the group. After a pre-trip briefing, we adjourn for a group dinner in town (cost not included).
Day 2
Saigon - My Tho
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Dinner
We have a free morning in saigon then get transferred to the Saigon boat where we can board anytime after 4:00pm onwards. After settling in to your cabin, meet your crew and enjoy dinner and overnight on board.
Day 3
My Tho - Cai Be - Vinh Long
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We begin our journey navigating the marvelous canal of Cho Gao as we make our way to My Tho.

My Tho translates into "fragrant herb" where tourist come to discover the beauty of the delta. We are transferred by local boats to the mainland where we can soak in the sites of the prosperous town famous for its fruits and gardens. We arrive early at Vinh Long , which translates into "Majestic Dragon". This town sits right in the middle of the delta between two arms of the Mekong. The soil is rich so it makes it ideal for growing citrus fruits. Local boats pick us up so we can explore these orchards as we make our way to the Cai Be floating market. As life is organised around the water these markets are a tourist mecca with houses on stilts, hawkers on boats and hundreds of small craft crisscrossing in all directions. We continue our jouney along the river to set anchor for the night just outside of Sa Dec.

Day 4
Sa Dec -Chau Doc
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We arrive at the little know town of Sa Dec. This small city is fascinating in it unspoiled authenticity and undisturbed by tourists. It provides a glimpse of the Mekong delta where few colonial houses still remain. We visit the local primary school for girls before returning to the boat and continuing along the Mekong to Chau Doc. This is a fishing village near the Vietnam border which straddles both banks of the Mekong River and is surrounded by an immense mosaic of rice paddies. The market place is where the heart beats of this city as we explore it by local boats. Fish is the business and business is good for this village as your senses are overloaded. We dine at the Victoria Hotels Restaurant.
Day 5
Chau Doc - Phnom Penh
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We depart Chau Doc early in the morning and make our way for Vinh Xuong (Vietnamese border). After border formalities are completed we cross into Cambodia and we make our way to teh "Pearl of Asia". We arrive here late in the afternoon and passenegsr can enjoy and evening in the natiosn capital.
Day 6
Phnom Penh
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we spend a full day in the capital of Cambodia. The name originated from a woman named Penh. In about 1370, Lady Penh discovered a statue with four representations of the Buddha and she had a small pagoda built on top of the hill, or phnom, in which to keep the statue. A morning tour introduces the highlights of this charming city with its strong reminants of a french colony. The morning takes us to Tuol Sleng Museum which gives us a sober reminder of past atrocities. There is much to see and do in Phnom Penh, including the celebrated FCC (Foreign Correspondents Club), the Russian Market and numerous boutiques. In the evening there's a traditional Apsara dance show on board.
Day 7
Phnom Penh - Kompong Tralach
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We have a final half day in Phnom Penh where we visit the Royal Palace and National Museum. we travel to Kampong Tralach where we experience one of the last standing Viharas ( Buddhist Monastery) in Cambodia as under the evil reign on Pol Pot this is one of the last survivors of the cultural destruction. This Monastery is attached to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu Pagoda. The Vihara dates back to last century. To get to this pagoda and monastery we cross Kompong Tralach Krom village and walk another couple of kilometres along a small road crossing some gorgeous stretches on emerald rice paddies.
Day 8
Kompong Tralach - Ko Chau
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We continue through Tonle Sap (Lake) towards the town of Kompong Chhang. This is the biggest fishing port n Tonle Sap and is also famous for its pottery, which has not changed in style for centuries. We have an opportunity to make our way on local boats into the countryside where we can witness these pottery makers working their craft. A craft that is so respected it supplies the whole country. We continue our cruise towards Siem Reap dropping anchore near Ko Chau. It is here we have our Captain's farewell dinner.
Day 9
Ko Chau - Siem Reap
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
In teh morning we leave the boat and cross Tonle Lake by speedboat (a road transfer if offered during the low water season) and expect to arrive in Siem Reap after midday, where you are dropped off at the Foreign Correspondents Club.

IN A NUTSHELL

9 days
$2,295

TOUR INFORMATION

Start End Price
03/02/201211/02/2012 $2,295
26/12/201203/01/2013 $2,295
12/01/201320/01/2013 $2,295
02/02/201310/02/2013 $2,295
09/02/201317/02/2013 $2,295
17/02/201325/02/2013 $2,295
24/02/201304/03/2013 $2,295
10/03/201318/03/2013 $2,295
11/03/201319/03/2013 $2,295
11/12/201219/12/2012 $2,295
08/12/201216/12/2012 $2,295
17/11/201225/11/2012 $2,295
18/02/201226/02/2012 $2,295
04/03/201212/03/2012 $2,295
19/03/201227/03/2012 $2,295
13/08/201221/08/2012 $2,295
28/08/201205/09/2012 $2,295
18/10/201226/10/2012 $2,295
27/10/201204/11/2012 $2,295
11/11/201219/11/2012 $2,295
26/03/201303/04/2013 $2,295
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