CHARMS OF THE MEKONG RIVER CRUISE AND TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1 – Hotel check in at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still referred to by locals as Saigon, is Vietnam’s former capital. Once known as the ‘Paris of the Orient’ Ho Chi Minh City is a city of contrasts blending old and new, east and west.
DAY 2 – Ho Chi Minh City city tour and Cu Chi Tunnels
In the morning, enjoy a city tour exploring Ho Chi Minh’s most famous landmarks, including the former Presidential Palace, Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum. In the afternoon, visit Cu Chi, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam War.
DAY 3 – Ho Chi Minh City Ben Thanh Market and transfer to My Tho to embark AmaDara
In the morning, visit Ben Thanh Market one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer via motorcoach from Ho Chi Minh City to AmaDara at My Tho Port for your river cruise and meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be.
DAY 4 – Cai Be
Cai Be boat ride and visit local workshops OR local workshops and active walking tour to historic Kiet House. Local boat ride to Sa Dec and visit to local market and temple.
In Cai Be you will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, or may also choose to add an active walking tour to the historic Kiet House followed by a visit to candy and rice paper workshops.
Later in the day, you will travel to Sa Dec, a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta, where French writer Marguerite Duras spent part of her youth. You will visit the colorful market and Cao Dai Temple, home to the unique religion of Caodaism in Southern Vietnam, a fusion of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Confucianism.
DAY 5 – Tan Chau and border crossing to Cambodia
Trishaw ride to craftsmen’s workshops OR Trishaw ride to craftmen’s workshops and active walking tour to Evergreen Island OR Tra Su Forest and Sanctuary*
Border Crossing from Vietnam to Cambodia.
**You will need this information for your visa applications:
Exit Point from Vietnam: Song Tien Landport | Entry point to Cambodia: Phnom Penh
Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism and a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops.
You may also choose the trishaw ride with visits to craftsmen’s workshops, followed by an active walking tour to ‘Evergreen Island’. As a third alternative, explore the stunning Mekong Delta on an intimate tour through Vietnam’s Tra Su Forest and Sanctuary.
Board a traditional sampan boat and glide through this diverse ecosystem that includes more than 70 species of birds, including the painted stork and oriental darter, and lush greenery encompassing majestic cajuput trees, lotuses, water lilies and a carpet of bright green moss in the rainy season that appears to glow as you gently drift through it.
Later in the day, cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh. *Please Note: Tra Su Forest visit is capacity controlled.
DAY 6 – Phnom Penh
Royal Palace and National Museum OR Royal Palace and Central Market, Killing Fields and Genocide Museum.
This morning, you will visit the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. Alternatively, you may wish to shop for unique treasures at the bustling, yellow colored Central Market after you visit to Royal Palace.
After lunch on board, the excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge.
DAY 7 – Oudong. Buddhist Blessing Ceremony, Phnom Penh and Tuk tuk tour.
Visit Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital from the early 17th century until 1866. Today, Oudong is a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. While here, be treated to a memorable Buddhist Blessing Ceremony at a monastery. You may walk around Oudong’s monastery or take an active walking tour to see panoramic views of the Oudong plain.
Later in the day, experience Phnom Penh via a tuk tuk ride and be enchanted by the city’s French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture.
DAY 8 – Oknhatey Village. Visit a Silk Village and local school.
In the morning, set sail for Oknhatey Village. Oknhatey is the “Silk Island,” located on the lush banks of the Mekong River and known for its rich tradition of silk weaving. While here, you will visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving, an art that has been preserved for centuries. Your cruise continues to sail to Angkor Ban.
DAY 9 – Ankgor Ban
Walking tour, Kampong Cham and Wat Nakor OR Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei “Twin Mountains” visit.
Go on a walking tour of Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Here people still live in their traditional wooden abodes and keep their old cultural traditions alive. Hundreds of wooden houses stand intact on stilts, shaded with banana trees, among the hustle and bustle of the daily agricultural on-going of the local villagers.
After visiting here, the ship sets sail for Kampong Cham, where you will go on an afternoon excursion to Wat Nokor, perhaps the most treasured monument within the ancient complex of Banteay Prey Nokor. Fusing the Old-World with the “new,” this centuries-old temple now boasts a contemporary pagoda within its walls inside which you will delight in the colorful depictions of Buddha’s life.
Alternatively, visit the Twin Mountains, known as Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (the male and female mountains). Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board.
DAY 10 – Kampong Cham DISEMBARKATION
Motor coach transfer to Siem Reap, hotel check-in and Ta Prohm Temple.
Disembark in Kampong Cham and transfer by motorcoach to Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of the Khmer empire. You’ll visit nearby Ta Prohm, known as the “Kingdom of the Trees,” for the way in which the temple stones have become intertwined with thick forest vegetation.
DAY 11 – Siem Reap, Angkor Wat and Banteay Srei
Begin your morning exploration of the temple complex at Angkor Wat, the most iconic of all Angkorian temples, built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century to honor the Hindu god, Vishnu.
An afternoon excursion takes you to see the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei, which means “Citadel of Women,” as it has been said that the carving is too fine to have been done by the hand of man.
In the evening, be treated to a special “Apsara Dancing Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers.
DAY 12 – Siem Reap, Angkor Thom and flight to Hanoi.
After breakfast, you will have a guided sightseeing tour of Angkor Thom meaning “the great city” and the last capital of the Khmer Empire. This is home to Bayon Temple, best known for its gigantic smiling stone faces, as well as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Later in the day, take a short flight to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam.
DAY 13 – Hanoi city tour and rickshaw ride and water puppet show.
From ancient temples to French Colonial architecture and modern-day skyscrapers, along with beautiful parks and lakes, Hanoi is an eclectic and lively city.
A morning sightseeing tour will showcase some of Hanoi’s most famous historic and cultural sites, including The Temple of Literature and Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest temples in Vietnam.
You will also visit the infamous prison that American POWs sarcastically dubbed the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War.
In the afternoon, experience an authentic rickshaw ride (known as a “cyclo”) in the Old Quarter, followed by a traditional Water Puppet Show.
DAY 14 – Hanoi and motor coach transfer to Ha Long Bay.
Take a scenic drive from Hanoi to one of Vietnam’s most renowned locations, Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Board an elegantly appointed ship designed with all the modern conveniences to ensure smooth sailing for an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience. The backdrop of the bay’s magnificent scenery and dramatic limestone cliffs and rock formations provide you with the perfect setting for a memorable sojourn.
DAY 15 – Ha Long Bay and transfer to Hanoi.
Spend the morning sailing across the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay with more than 2,000 small islands rising from the water like a dragon’s back. Later in the morning, disembark the ship and transfer back to Hanoi where you can enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
DAY 16 -Hanoi and return flight home
Bid farewell to Vietnam and prepare for your flight home.
*Itinerary is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule provided with your final documents.
