Mekong River Encompassed – Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap
10 days
from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap
From
$ 2749
Duration10 days
Experience Cambodia and Vietnam from a truly different perspective – the waters of the mighty Mekong River. Sail for eight days aboard a classic riverboat from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. Discover Phnom Penh, roam the famous floating markets of Cai Bei, and explore the stilt village of Chnok Tru. There's an incredible (and incredibly beautiful) view of Southeast Asia that's waiting for you.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 10 daysService level: Upgraded
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Starts in: Ho Chi Minh CityPhysical Grading: Light
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Ends in: Siem ReapAges: 12+
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Itinerary
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City/Mỹ Tho
Embark around 3:30pm. Once on board, enjoy a welcome beverage and get to know the crew during an informational meeting.
Enjoy a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels before embarking in the evening. Enjoy a welcome drink and briefing on board.
Meals: B, D
Day 3: Mỹ Tho/Sadek
Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda with a short tour of My Tho town en route. Take local boats to Thoi Son Island to see a coconut product manufacturer, taste some local fruit and honey and meet traditional musicians. Continue on to Cai Be and enjoy a visit to the floating market. Opt to wander the small paths through local communities on the island and visit a rice popping cottage industry. Continue by local boat to Vinh Long to meet the vessel. Embark on the evening sail to Sa Dec.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Sadek/Xã Vĩnh Xương
Visit the Kien An Cung Pagoda in Sa Dec and stroll through the market along the river. View the old colonial houses by the delta. Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board as you cruise the Mekong. Arrive at Chau Doc and visit Sam Mountain. Gaze out over the rice paddies or relax in a hammock. Visit some temples and pagodas along the way. Opt for dinner in town.
Meals: B, L
Day 5: Xã Vĩnh Xương/Phnom Penh
Cross the border into Cambodia and continue on to Phnom Penh. Enjoy an evening in the capital city starting with a cyclo tour to see the city from a new perspective. Opt to finish up at the Foreign Correspondents Club for Happy Hour overlooking the river or dinner in town.
During the border crossing all passengers must stay on board and the formalities are done on the riverboat. The ship will usually stay at the border for a 2-3 hours whilst all the formalities are completed. Depending on the time spent at the border, the itinerary for the afternoon may vary, although this process is usually quite simple delays can happen.
End place: Phnom Penh
Meals: B, L
Day 6: Phnom Penh
Start place: Phnom Penh
Visit the sobering S21 Museum and the Killing Fields with a local guide. Enjoy an included lunch at Friends, a social enterprise. Opt to visit sights like the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, the National Museum, or the Russian Market with free time.
Enjoy lunch at a training restaurant.
End place: Phnom Penh
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Phnom Penh/Kâmpóng Trâlach
Start place: Phnom Penh
Wander through the town of Koh Chen on an island in the river. Visit silver and copper workshops and meet a Khmer Rouge survivor eager to tell his story. Continue to Kampong Tralach and visit the local vihara (Buddhist monastery) and Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. Opt to cycle, or ride in a tuk tuk or buffalo cart, through the village and past rice paddies to reach the monastery.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Kâmpóng Trâlach/Chnok Tru
Sail on to Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap River. Learn more about the fish farming, pottery and sugar palm production in the area. Wander through the local market then opt to cycle to visit the local industries. Enjoy lunch on the boat en route to Chnok Tru. Hop in a local boat to visit one of the largest floating villages on the river. Enjoy an evening cocktail and the Captain's farewell dinner.
When water levels are too low (possible from mid December to mid August) it may not be possible to visit the floating village at Chnok Tru. Alternatively, the group will visit a floating village at Kampong Chhnang and anchor near Koh Chen.
Enjoy the Captain's farewell dinner on board.
End place: Chhnok Tru
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: Chnok Tru/Siem Reap
Start place: Chhnok Tru
Enjoy a slow morning crossing Tonle Sap Lake. Arrive at the pier near Siem Reap and bid farewell to the boat. Visit the G Adventures-supported New Hope project for dinner and learn more about the important work being done here. Wander the city and explore the markets with some free time.
If there is inclement weather, or when water levels are too low (possible from mid December to mid August) it may not be possible to sail to the port in Siem Reap. Alternatively, the group will transfer from Koh Chen to Siem Reap by bus. The meal at New Hope will be moved to dinner and include an evening tuk tuk ride to the restaurant.
End place: Siem Reap
Meals: B, D
Day 10: Siem Reap
Start place: Siem Reap
Rise early to catch the sunrise at the Angkor Wat temple complex. Explore for a couple of hours before returning to the hotel for breakfast and checkout. Head back to the complex and continue exploring. Return to the hotel at midday where the tour ends. All onward travel must be booked after 3pm.
All onward travel must be booked after 3pm.
End place: Siem Reap
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: New Hope Vocational Training Restaurant, Siem Reap Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Arrival transfer
- 7 nts aboard the Toum Tiou II Riverboat
- Cu Chi Tunnels visit (Ho Chi Minh City)
- Vinh Trang Pagoda visit
- Thoi Son Island cottage industries tour
- Kien An Cung Pagoda visit (Sa Dec)
- Sam Mountain sunset visit
- Cyclo tour (Phnom Penh)
- Choeung Ek (Killing Fields) guided tour
- Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison) guided tour
- Koh Chen island visit
- Vihara and pagoda visit (Kampong Tralach)
- Kampong Chhnang visit
- Chnok Tru floating village visit
- Farewell cocktail and Captain's Dinner
- Sunrise tour of Angkor Wat
- All transport to/from included activities and between destinations
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Transport
Toum Tiou II Riverboat, Private vehicles, Walking -
Accommodation
Aboard the Toum Tiou II Riverboat (7 nts), Hotels (2 nts)