Your package includes:
- Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
- 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- 7-night Mekong River Cruise
- 2 nights in Siem Reap
- Transfers, sightseeing and entrance fees to museums and sites mentioned in itinerary
- Arrival and departure transfers
Price per person cruise only: $5,610.00 based on two sharing based a Category B Cabin and including port charges
Not included: personal expenses, international airfare and taxes, meals not specified, tipping. Single supplement: $2,635.00 Hold your space with a $500 non-refundable deposit.
Itinerary:
Saturday, November 10 | Ho Chi Minh City – Arrival
Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred to by locals as Saigon, is Vietnam’s former capital. Once known as the “Paris of the Orient”, it is now an industrial, cultural and educational hub. Upon arrival, transfer with the group to our city centre hotel for a 2 night stay in this urban city.
Sunday, November 11 | Ho Chi Minh City – City Tour
Always bustling, Ho Chi Minh City is a city of contrasts blending old and new, and east and west. Explore some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the former Presidential Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum. Afterwards, visit the Ben Thanh Market – one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City, where we can search for local handicrafts and other unique souvenirs. (B,L)
Monday, November 12 | Ho Chi Minh – Embarkation
Today we board the AmaDara at My Tho Port. Meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be (B,L,D)
Tuesday, November 13 | Cai Be – Sa Dec
Take a local boat to Cai Be. We will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops or alternatively visit the historic Kiet Old House. Later in the day, our journey takes us to Sa Dec, a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta. We will visit the local market, Cao Dai Temple and the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour, which her prize-winning novel, “The Lover,” is said to be based on. (B,L,D)
Wednesday, November 14 | Tan Chau – Border Crossing
Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. We will have the opportunity to take a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around town, with stops at silk-making, slipper and rattan mat workshops. Alternatively, take a boat ride through the narrow channels of the Mekong River to several scenic locations, including a small village known as “Evergreen Island.” Later in the day, we will cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border enroute to Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)
Thursday, November 15 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia
This morning’s excursion takes us to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum) just outside the city. After lunch on board, we explore the highlights of the city, followed by a visit to the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge. (B,L,D)
Friday, November 16 | Phnom Penh – Koh Chen
Experience Phnom Penh via an authentic tuk tuk ride and be enchanted by the city’s French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture. Alternatively, you may wish to shop for unique treasures at the bustling yellow-colored Central Market. Later in the morning, we set sail for Koh Chen. (B,L,D)
Saturday, November 17 | Oudong – Kampong Tralach
Situated on a picturesque hillside not far from Phnom Penh, lies 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. In Kampong Tralach, experience another truly memorable excursion – an oxcart ride through a local village. (B,L,D)
Sunday, November 18 | Kampong Chhnang – Tonle Sap Lake
A local motorboat takes us into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the Tonle Sap River. Enjoy the stunning variety of bird life here as well as tranquil floating villages. Cap the day off with a Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)
Monday, November 19 | Prek Kdam – Disembarkation – Siem Reap
Disembark at Prek Kdam, a small village on the Tonle River, and transfer by motor coach to Siem Reap, gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of the Khmer empire. During the evening, be treated to a special “Apsara Dancing Show” at our hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers. (B)
Tuesday, November 20 | Siem Reap – Angkor
We begin our morning exploration of the temple complex at Angkor Wat, the most iconic of all Angkorian temples. Afterwards, we visit Ta Prohm, known as the “Kingdom of the Trees”, for the way in which the temple stones have become intertwined with thick forest vegetation. We will also gaze upon the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei, which means “Citadel of Women” – the carving is too fine to have been done by the hand of man. Later in the day, we visit the English-language school in the village of Ta Toum. (B,D)
Wednesday, November 21| Siam Reap – Departure Day
After breakfast we transfer to the Siem Reap airport for our departure flight home or continue on the optional extension to Hanoi. (B)
Optional Extension: (Ask for pricing!)
Wednesday, November 21 | Siem Reap – Hanoi
After breakfast, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Angkor Thom or “the great city”. Explore the 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. (B,L)
Thursday, November 22 | Hanoi
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 showcases some of Hanoi’s most famous historic and cultural sites, including Ba Dinh Square, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature. 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. (B)
Friday, November 23 | Hanoi – Ha Long Bay
Enjoy a scenic drive from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Vietnam’s most renowned destinations. Board a deluxe Junk, which combines classic beauty with modern conveniences for an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience. The back drop of the bay’s magnificent scenery and dramatic limestone cliffs and rock formations provide the perfect setting for a memorable dinner. (B,L,D)
Saturday, November 24 | Ha Long Bay, 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 this morning, disembark the Junk and transfer back to Hanoi to enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. (B,L)
Sunday, November 25 | Hanoi – Departure
Bid farewell to Vietnam and prepare for your homeward flight (B)