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The banks of the Mekong are home to cultures and lifestyles which remain as unchanged and enduring as the rhythm of the river itself.

Cruise for 10 days in beautifully crafted ships finished by traditional craftsmen that combine luxury and comfort with character and ambiance - from the capital of Cambodia - Phnom Penh to the bustling Saigon delta in Vietnam.


Destinations:  Siem Reap   |   Phnom Penh |   Tonle Sap Lake |    Kratie   |   Kompong cham |  Chau Doc |   Saigon (Vietnam)

Itinerary - The upper Mekong

Mekong Delta

Floating Village

Angkor Wat

Tonle Sap Lake

DAY 1: HO CHI MINH City - MY THO

We transfer passengers from the Renaissance Hotel in Saigon to the Delta Port of My Tho by coach avoiding tidal delays on the Cao Gao canal. The time saved in cruising this more industrial sector gives us more time in the wilder areas upstream.

The transfer time is approximately two hours. My Tho is the hub of the Delta but not of great cultural interest so once on board we set sail and have lunch.

In the afternoon we moor near Cai Be and make a fascinating trip by traditional junk to Vinh Long and Tien Giang. We explore evergreen islands and at the former mandarin’s residence An Kiet House.

Here surviving members of the Kiet family will welcome you with tea and we can wander in the fruit orchards around the house. On the way back we stop at Dong Hoa Hiep Island to see boat yards, brick works and traditional roofers. Overnight moor midstream Cai Bei.

DAY 2: CAI BE

We make a morning junk trip around Cai Bei to see a floating market and walk ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral and colourful port area with its colonial buildings and delightful flower gardens and local coconut candy and rice paper manufacturers. Remainder of day cruising through the Mekong Delta; moor overnight at Chau Doc.

DAY 3: CHAU DOC

Travel from the main Mekong channel at Tan Chau down the canals and backwaters by local ferry boat. At Chau Doc we transfer to small boats to visit a Cham tribal village. We also visit a cat fish farm.

We make a trishaw ride round this fascinating town with it fine French-colonial buildings and bustling market. Return to the ship by boat for lunch and cast off for the Border for (lengthy)
formalities.

Evening cruise up the broad Mekong channel, which is an international shipping route. Moor overnight just downstream from Phnom Penh.

DAY 4: BORDER PHNOM PENH

The capital of Cambodia, retains a French charm. The crumbling colonial architecture makes an attractive backdrop to lively cafes and the redeveloped river "area" is full of life. The city has several impressive Wats, including Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and the newly painted Wat Lang Ka.

Pride of place goes to the spectacular Silver Pagoda, one of the few places in Cambodia where artifacts embodying the brilliance and richness of Khmer culture were preserved by the Khmer Rouge.

The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. An afternoon excursion is arranged to the Killing Fields and the grim Khmer Rouge detention centre called S21 situated outside the city (ptional) Phnom Penh has a lively night life and some passengers choose to dine ashore or try one of the capital’s many watering holes a favourite being the Foreign Correspondent’s Club.

DAY 5: PHNOM PENH - KAMPONG CHAM

Early morning departure from Phnom Penh and stop at the little known Chong Koh silk weaving village for a morning walk at leisure. We cruise the Mekong seeing timeless villages and river life and see extensive fishing activities.

The scenery is very lovely here and in the distance forested hills rise. On the river above Phnom Penh there is little shipping, only real Cambodian life. In the afternoon we stop at Peam Chi Kang village to visit the wat or monastery and school. Passengers are at leisure to explore this peaceful and friendly community. In the wat the splendid village racing boats are stored.

DAY 6: UPSTREAM TO KRATIE

Cruise along the river and if time permits explore a jungle village on foot. Evening arrive at Kratie - lovely French style provincial town. Overnight Kratie

DAY 7: KRATIE - BEYOND

We continue upstream on the Tonle Pandaw or if water levels too low will use country boats. Our
objective is to sight the elusive Irrawaddy dolphin found between Kratie and Stung Treng.

DAY 8: UPSTREAM TO KRATIE

Return downstream and morning stop at the hilltop pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Dating from the 8th century, these ancient brick structures characterise the architecture of the Chenla Empire which predated the glories of Angkor. Sail back downstream over lunch for an exploration of the Kampong Cham Area. We travel by bus to the 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor.

This colourful temple is unique in Cambodia as a modern wat is set within the ruins of an ancient temple. We continue to the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei, or Man and Woman Hill. Legends abound about the origins of these hills and there are many pagodas and shrines on the hilltops.

DAY 9: TONLE RIVER

We touch the capital Phnom Penh in the early morning to change pilots and then sail the Tonle River which connects the Tonle Lake with the Mekong and Bassac Rivers that merge at Phnom Penh.

This river journey is a highlight of the trip. It winds its way through jungle and as the river narrows you feel you can reach out and touch the houses and people who ecstatically cheer our ship on.

Temples abound along the river banks At Kampong Chhaanan the river narrows and one can view the rich tapestry of Cambodian rural life. This is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Mooring midstream.

We make a truly wonderful motor boat excursion into the lake side wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of birdlife may be seen and of considerable interest are the great fish traps, some half a km long, that net a huge

DAY 10: TONLE SAP LAKE

The great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150km in length. Here bird life is profuse and in the midst of the lake one cannot even see the shores. There is a stillness and tranquillity on the Tonle Lake and we pass floating fishing villages.

Due to low water levels we transfer passengers by boat from the mouth of the lake to Siem Reap from November to March. By late Feb the waters may be too low even for the speedboats and it may be necessary to transfer by coach via Angkor Thom on the new Phnom Penh – Siem Reap highway. In each case we arrive at Siem Reap by lunchtime for transfer to your hotels.

Tour Prices: Upon request

Accommodation

Tour includes

• Full board (water, tea, coffee included)

• Accommodation in double cabin and in

• Double room in Victoria Chau Doc hotel

• Mentioned visits

• French or English speaking guide on board

Tour excludes

• Transfers in Phnom Penh or in Saigon

• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks

• Visas

• Personal expenses and personal insurance

   

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