Mekong River Experience – Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
8 days
from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
From
$ 2399
Duration8 days
Experience the beauty of both Cambodia and Vietnam during this eight-day river cruising journey. Take in Wat Phnom, the Grand Palace, the S21 Museum, and the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary and prepare to see things you’ll never forget (but bring your camera anyway). Get a true taste of river cruising while visiting the Cai Be floating market, the fishing port of Kampong Chhnang, and stilt villages like Chnok Tru, where you’ll learn about fish farming, pottery, and sugar palm production. Opt for bikes, tuk tuks, or local boats to get around and see rice paddies, monasteries, and local businesses.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 8 daysService level: Upgraded
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Starts in: Siem ReapPhysical Grading: Light
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Ends in: Ho Chi Minh CityAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Siem Reap/Koh Chen
After embarking, enjoy a welcome beverage and get to know the crew during an informational meeting before dinner on board.
Arrive at the meeting point in Siem Reap by 1:30pm for the included transfer to the pier. The group will transfer from Siem Reap to Koh Chen by bus and embark at Koh Chen at approximately 6:30pm.
Meals: D
Day 2: Koh Chen/Kampong Chhnang
After the day's excursions, enjoy dinner on board and relax as the riverboat drops anchor for the night.
Enjoy the morning in Koh Chen, an island in the river. Visit silver and copper workshops and meet a Khmer Rouge survivor eager to tell his story. Then, continue on to one of the biggest floating villages on the Tonle Sap River, Kampong Chhnang. Learn more about fish farming, pottery, and sugar palm production in the area. Wander through the local market then opt to cycle to visit the local industries.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Kampong Chhnang/Phnom Penh
Embark on an early morning cruise 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. This afternoon, continue to the capital city of Phnom Penh. Take a cyclo tour past sights like Wat Phnom and the Grand Palace. Opt to finish up at the FCC for a happy hour cocktail overlooking the river or for dinner in town.
Meals: B, L
Day 4: Phnom Penh
Spend the day exploring all this city has to offer. Start with guided visits to the S21 Museum and the Killing Fields. Enjoy free time to explore the National Museum, Grand Palace or Russian Market. In the evening, return to the boat for an Apsara show before departure.
Meals: B, D
Day 5: Phnom Penh/Sadek
Cross the border into Vietnam and cruise to Chau Doc. Visit the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary and soak in the view from the top of Sam Mountain.
During border crossing all passengers must stay on board as formalities are done on the riverboat. The boat will usually stay at the border for 2-3 hrs whilst all formalities are completed. Depending on time spent at the border, the itinerary for the afternoon may vary. Although this process is usually quite simple, delays can occur. Please note for visa purposes that the official name of the border in Vietnam is Son Tien border and in Cambodia it is Kaam Samnar border.
Meals: B, D
Day 6: Sadek/Mỹ Tho
Visit the Kien An Cung Pagoda in Sa Dec and take the time to stroll through the market along the river. View the old colonial houses by the delta. Continue on to Vinh Long. Learn about rice popping and opt to wander small paths through the communities here. Continue to Cai Be by local boats and meet up with the vessel. Drop anchor tonight near Thoi Son Island.
End place: My Tho
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Mỹ Tho
Start place: My Tho
Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda in the morning, catching a glimpse of My Tho town on the way. Cruise to Thoi Son Island by local boats for some local industry visits. Enjoy learning more about coconut product manufacturing and honey farming, with samples of honey and local fruit. Meet traditional musicians here. Opt for a local lunch on the island. Enjoy a farewell cocktail on board before the Captain's dinner.
Enjoy the Captain's farewell dinner on board.
End place: My Tho
Meals: B, D
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City
Start place: Ho Chi Minh City
Depart My Tho in the morning. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City. Tour ends upon arrival.
End place: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights aboard the Toum Tiou II Riverboat
- Chhnok Tru floating village visit
- Kampong Chhnang visit
- Vihara and pagoda visit (Kampong Tralach)
- Koh Chen island visit include cottage industries
- Cyclo tour (Phnom Penh)
- Choeung Ek (Killing Fields) guided tour
- Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison) guided tour
- Apsara show
- Tra Su Bird Sanctuary visit
- Sam Mountain sunset visit
- Kien An Cung Pagoda visit (Sa Dec)
- Vinh Long excursion
- Vinh Trang Pagoda visit
- Thoi Son Island cottage industries tour
- Farewell cocktail and Captain's Dinner
- 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)