| DAY
1 Overnight flight via Bangkok by Thai Airways arriving
in Ho Chi Minh City the next day. On arrival transfer to the Renaissance
hotel for the next two nights. Spend the next few days exploring
the city. The History Museum provides a chilling insight into the
terrors of the ‘American War’ and enjoy in the evening
a traditional Vietnamese buffet dinner. Journey by ‘cyclo’
through the streets of the Old Quarter and view grand examples of
French colonial architecture in the city’s Post Office, Cathedral
and Grand Theatre. Journey outside of Ho Chi Minh City to the Cu
Chi Tunnels, an amazing underground network from the Vietnam War.
Visit also the bustling streets of Chinatown and enjoy traditional
Vietnamese food.
DAY 4 Transfer to the Mekong Delta and the bustling
port of My Tho. Board your Pandaw cruise boat and set sail upstream
for the next seven days on your Mekong River journey. Later moor
near to the town of Cai Be and travel onwards by traditional junk
to Vinh Long and Tien Giang, exploring evergreen islands and examples
of cottage industries before returning to the boat for dinner.
DAY 5 Wake early and experience the river as it
comes alive and enjoy a small boat journey to a floating market.
Take a trip to shore and visit the French Gothic Cathedral and colourful
port of this provincial town with its colonial architecture and
pretty flower gardens. Return to the boat and relax on deck as you
cruise through the Mekong Delta to the bustling city of Chau Doc,
close to the Cambodian border.
DAY 6 Breakfast onboard then head down canals and
backwaters by local ferry boat. Once at Chau Doc transfer to smaller
boats and visit a Cham tribal village for an insight into their
unique culture and customs. Continue with a trishaw ride through
Chau Doc, take a trip to its main market and see crumbling colonial
buildings on your orientation tour. Return onboard for lunch and
head north to the border to complete crossing formalities. This
evening cruise the Cambodian waters to Phnom Penh.
DAY 7 Phnom Penh manages to retain a charming colonial
ambience with its crumbling French architecture providing an attractive
backdrop to its lively riverfront cafés. Today includes visits
to Wat Ounalam and Wat Phnom, the cities founding structure and
namesake. Visit also the National Museum, Silver Pagoda, the Killing
Fields and the S21 detention centre. This evening relax onboard
or explore a little of Phnom Penh’s many riverside cafés
and restaurants.
DAY 8 Depart this morning for Kampong Cham. En
route disembark to see how local villagers make silk at the village
of Chong Koh before continuing north through villages almost lost
in time. The scenery this area is spectacular and provides a true
picture of real Cambodian life on the river. Later stop off at a
local village and visit a school, temple and monastery.
DAY 9 Take a morning journey upriver today to the
hilltop temple of Wat Hanchey, dating back to the 8th Century. Sail
back downstream before exploring the area surrounding Kampong Cham
then travel by bus to the 12th Century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor,
unique within Cambodia for its colours and design.
DAY 10 Head north on the Tonle Sap River, winding
your way through jungle vegetation, passing riverside houses as
local families wave and cheer as you cruise by. Temples abound along
the river banks at Kampong Chaanan providing an almost sacred path
upstream. Take a motorboat to the wetlands and view the variety
of birdlife in great abundance and see how the innovative locals
fish along the river. Continue cruising and moor by the riverbank
for a night under the stars.
DAY 11 The Tonle Sap (Great Lake) is Asia’s
largest inland lake, providing a lifeline to a large percentage
of Cambodia’s population. Over 95 miles long this lake is
profuse in its birdlife. Cruise the lake this morning arriving into
Siem Reap midday. Due to tidal patterns on the lake that vary by
season in some cases it may be necessary to transfer to a coach
or small speedboat for your journey into Siem Reap. Transfer to
your hotel for the next two nights. Over the next two days explore
the mighty temples of Angkor. Experience Angkor Wat at sunset from
the top of Phnom Bakheng hill, visit the south gate of Angkor Thom
and the many subdued faces of the Bayon. See the Royal Enclosure
and the Elephant and Leper King Terraces. Visit temples further
afield including Pre Rup, the Eastern Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Pean and
Preah Khan. Enjoy a traditional Apsara dance on your last evening
as you dine on fine Khmer cuisine.
DAY 13 Wake early on your last day, continue your
temple sightseeing and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Early evening
transfer to the airport for your Bangkok Airways flight to Bangkok
and onward with Thai Airways for your overnight flight arriving
in the UK the next day.
DEPARTURES: EX UK Weekly, Wednesdays:
Jan 02-Mar 19 and Oct 01-Dec 03. Departures are also available on
May 28; Jul 02, 30; Aug 27 and Sep 24. Departure dates and a reverse
itinerary from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City are also available.
MEAL PLAN: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
are included daily with the exception of dinner only on Day 2 and
breakfast only on Day 13.
The tours includes:
- Accommodation and meals as indicated above
- Transfers and tours with an English speaking guide
- Entrance fees
ACCOMMODATION: The RV Mekong has 34 twin cabins on three decks.
All cabins have private facilities and a shower room. Cabins on
the lower decks have portholes, whereas cabins on the main and upper
decks have windows and an outside seating area. There is a spacious
dining room on the middle deck and a bar area on the upper deck.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The RV Mekong cruise is often subject to minor alteration
en route due to road conditions and water levels. Delays at the
Vietnam/Cambodia border are almost always guaranteed. River conditions
depend on the season From November to March river levels are at
their lowest and boats are often needed to go to shore. From June
to September the river, although wider, can be difficult to follow
- occasional grounding may happen. Sensible shoes and a sense of
adventure are required for this remarkable journey. |
