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Siem Reap to Saigon Discovery Program










Please arrive at 1 p.m. at the hotel Lotus Blanc (1) in Siem Reap. Transfer by coach to your cruise boat in Koh Chen (5-6 hours). After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail and have dinner on board. We'll spend the night on board.
Sail to Kampong Chhnang and lunch on board. Visit Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap Lake. Here they also have many fish farms. The region is also known for its traditional pottery combining ancient knowledge with modern techniques - Chhnang itself means "pot." We'll enjoy a tasting of regional products before returning on board and beginning to cruise to Kampong Tralach. Option: For those seeking more activity, there will be an option at Kampong Chhnang to cycle alongside the riverside and then to the pottery village to explore this area. We'll have dinner and spend the night on board.
Breakfast on board.
We will set out to Udong, Cambodia’s former capital. On arrival, first we visit the colorful Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Center where you will hear about the school of Vipassana or Insight Meditation. After that walk up the steps to the various temples and the three large stupas where the ashes of three former kings are preserved. You will be rewarded by wonderful views of the plains below. Lunch on board.
We’ll continue to visit the beautiful Vihara at the Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To get there, we'll cross the village of Kampong Tralach on board a local tuk-tuk for even more authenticity. On the way back to the boat, you can choose between a tuk-tuk or a bicycle ride through the countryside, with breathtaking views of the rice paddies before returning to the ship.After returning on board, start cruising towards Phnom Penh.
Enjoy a performance of classical Khmer dancing and music then dinner. Night on board.
Breakfast on board. We'll enjoy a tour of the fabulous Royal Palace, one of the most impressive examples of Cambodian architecture, and its Silver Pagoda. Onward to visit the National Museum. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the area by "tuk-tuk," for an authentic and immersive experience like no other. Visit the beautifully renovated Art Deco Central Market and experience the local shopping scene firsthand. Known as "Phsar Thmei" locally the market is a bustling hub for clothing, food and souvenir shopping. After exploring the market, we will stroll through the city's off-the-beaten-path alleyways, where you'll have a chance to engage with the locals and see how they live their daily lives in the city. Observe and experience the locals enjoying their coffee while playing Cambodian-style chess and see the local food in its most authentic form, learning about the way of live in this vibrant city. Continue your visit to the city's namesake, Wat Phnom. Founded in 1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river. From there, we will enjoy a short walk to the French Quarter, where you'll get a glimpse of the city's colonial era while admiring the beautiful architecture. The area boasts a number of Belle Époque and Art Deco houses and public buildings dating from the French Protectorate (1863-1953). We'll return on board for dinner in the evening and start sailing towards Vietnam. Night on board.
Breakfast on board.Located on the border between Cambodia and Vietnam, the prosperous town of Chau Doc has developed around fishing and fish farming.
We will board a cable car and embark on an unforgettable journey to Sam Mountain with our exclusive addition to the excursion program in Chau Doc – the Nui Sam Cable Car. Passengers will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views as the ride unfolds. Upon the summit of Sam Mountain, we will embrace spectacular views towards the border of Cambodia and Vietnam. After soaking in the views, we will pay a visit to the Ba Chua Xu Temple on the way back down the mountain before heading back to the ship. Lunch on board.
We'll transfer to Tra Su Forest. We'll experience this beautiful forest with small local boats, where you can witness this incredible and diverse flora and fauna.
Set sail for Sa Dec. Dinner on board, overnight at anchor.
Breakfast on board. Local boat picks up for a short panoramic tour of Sa Dec and stroll around the local market along the River bank. This small city of 30,000 inhabitants is fascinating in its unspoiled authenticity and undisturbed by tourists. It provides a glimpse of the delta where a few colonial houses still remain, including the "Chinaman's house" (from Duras' novel "The Lover", also made into a movie). This is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy the charming river surroundings.
Ship leaves Sa Dec for Cai Be. Cai Be offers many exciting attractions, activities, and excursions. Nature lovers will enjoy the lush natural landscape and those interested in local culture will love meeting the very hospitable local people and discovering the way of the life in this region. Arrive Cai Be, take a local boat trip to cruise along the Mekong River. Disembark to visit the craft village where you can witness how the local products are made. Continue cruising on the boat. Get off at the fruit orchards comprising of many kinds of fruits such as: jack-fruit, durian, guava, rambutan, longan etc... Drink hot tea, eat fresh fruits and enjoy a live local music performance. Head to the local restaurant by boat, attend a cooking class with local chef, and then enjoy your lunch. After lunch, take a rest, then enjoy a kayaking adventure. Don't worry if you are a first- time paddler, it is not difficult. This is a unique experience in the Mekong Delta providing a unique aquatic perspective of the surrounding natural beauty. Then there is the opportunity to explore the countryside by mountain bike providing another view of the local scenery. Whichever of the activities you do, you will get a distinctive glimpse into the beauty and authenticity of the Mekong River. Ship leaves Cai Be for My Tho. Dinner during cruising and night on board.
Breakfast on board.
In My Tho we will kick off our day with a local boat pick-up that will take us on a boat cruise to Thoi Son Island where we will have the opportunity to explore the daily lives of the local people and enjoy seasonal fruits. We will also take a Sampan ride along the scenic canals for a closer look at the Mekong Delta and its unique features. Later we'll go biking on our own and explore the village to see firsthand how the local people live and to admire the magnificent fruit orchards in the area. This is the perfect chance to connect with the locals and witness their way of life.
Lunch on board and cruise the magnificent Chao Gao canal, the entrance to Saigon where you will experience the lively and vibrant canal full of ships and activity, yet still feel close to the life on shore. A must-see part of the cruise and that we're the only cruise line offering this unique passage.
Arrive in Saigon, dinner on board. Night on board.
"Saigon After Dark" is a part night excursion, part street/local food adventure from 6pm to 10pm. Guests experience the nightlife of Saigon the way locals do. An evening excursion with a culinary adventure. On the back of a vintage Vespa scooter, you'll enter the heart of Saigon's nightlife. From stop to stop, you'll sample local flavors, including cocktails, seafood tastings, cold drinks and Vietnamese creperies. After this, the tour will bring you to a live music venue to enjoy the drinks with live music.
Enjoy a tasty breakfast on board before our Ho Chin Minh city tour. Take a short downtown drive to the city. Walking tour commences and stop for some photographs at notable sites like Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Municipal Post Office, City Square and the Opera house all of which were heavily influenced by French colonialism in the 19th century. Enjoy the vibrancy of this city by foot and explore the city's green space enjoying the beauty of nature in the middle of this dynamic city. Experience the local coffee scene - Vietnam is famous for producing high-quality coffee and coffee shops are a common sight in the downtown. Transfer back to ship for lunch.
After lunch, we'll explore the local Chinatown and experience the daily life of the people. We'll also visit the Giac Lam Pagoda, which is over 300 years old and is the oldest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City. Lastly, we'll visit the Flower Market and Binh Tay market for a 15-minute walking tour to explore how locals buy and sell local food and products. Transfer to the ship to enjoy our farewell cocktail and dinner onboard.
We'll remain in port overnight.
Enjoy a tasty breakfast onboard before disembarking. After breakfast, we’ll then proceed to the War Museum to learn more about the history of Vietnam.
Then, we'll transfer to Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel (hotel address: 17 Ton Duc Thang Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Phone: +84 28 3827 1717) for lunch at this hotel restaurant or at a local restaurant before bidding you farewell at approximately 2:00 pm.
Please note that you should not book your flight before 5:00 pm.
Inclusion
This offer includes: cruise in the category of cabin chosen at booking stage - transfers between meeting point and ship - full board - visits and excursions as listed in the itinerary - National Vietnamese and Cambodian guides - onboard drinks included (except for drinks from our special list) - emergency and repatriation insurance - tips.
Exclusion
This offer does not include: International flights - transfers not mentioned in the program - Cambodia and Vietnam visas - cancellation and baggage insurance - drinks other than those mentioned.
Note
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
An authentic, dynamic trip in small groups.
Crossing through the splendid Cho Gao canal.
EXCURSIONS INCLUDED
THE MUSTS:
The hidden treasures of the Mekong by bike, kayak, sampan or on foot.
Discover historic cities: Phnom Penh and Hô Chi Minh City.
Meet the locals and discover their way of life in Sa Dec, Cai Be.
Take a cooking class to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Climb the astonishing Oudong hill.
Important Note:
These cruises and tours are not recommended for persons with reduced mobility as there are no lifts on board the ships.
Low waters can happen at any time during the year. The time frames are given as examples, but are dependent on the quality of rainfall.
The banks of the river we will cruise on can be steep and slippery depending on the water level.
The itinerary, stopovers, and excursions can be modified by the cruise company and our on-site representatives if needed. The captain of the ship is the sole authority who can modify the ship itinerary for safety or navigational reasons.
VIETNAM VISA
Passengers joining the Mekong Cruise from Cambodia to Vietnam (Siem Reap to Saigon), please be reminded to put the right date when the ship crosses the border as well as the right border gate name or port of entry in Vietnam when applying for Vietnam visa, the new official border name is Vinh Xuong international land and border gate - An Giang Province (formerly called Song Tien Landport Checkpoint). We would like to suggest that passengers put the entry date on their Vietnam visa one (1) day before the ship crosses the border. Please thoroughly review the program that is sent to you once you’ve made your bookings with us. Furthermore, please do not hesitate to contact us if you are unsure of the day the ship crosses the border.
Passengers joining the Mekong Cruise from Vietnam to Cambodia (Saigon to Siem Reap), please apply for your Vietnam visa in advance at the Vietnam embassy in their own country or get an e-visa online. Some countries do not need a visa for short stays in Vietnam as they have a Visa Exemption, the list of countries and maximum duration of stay can be found online.
(1) Or similar, meeting points will be confirmed in your travel document.
*Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.
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Small Ship Cruising
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Tour Category
Tour Guide
Local Multi Lingual only guide