Spend 9 days feeling the rhythm of the Mekong River and take advantage of the enriching excursions included on this adventure from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. During this trip visit floating villages using small local boats, observe imposing gardens, admire magnificent landscapes of rice fields, stop at vibrant markets, and cruise the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia.
Highlights
Discover the French colonial landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City
Cruise to Chau Doc, a town at the border between Cambodia and Vietnam
Enjoy a trip in a “tuk tuk”, the traditional mode of transport in Phnom Penh
Visit Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap
Meet at the Liberty Central Riverside Hotel restaurant between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, we will tour the city: Reunification Palace, Notre Dame cathedral and Central Post office. We’ll visit Cholon, the Chinese-influenced section of the city, including its hectic market and Ba Thien Hau Pagoda dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail, have dinner and spend the night on board downtown.
We’ll leave by coach for the Cu Chi tunnels, an immense network of underground tunnels that Viet Cong soldiers used as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food, and weapon caches. Lunch will be done on board. Visit the Museum of Vietnamese History. We’ll then set out to cross the very narrow Chao Gao Canal. Night on board.
We continue our cruise toMy Tho along the magnificent Chao Gao Canal. Visit a bee farm and enjoy some honey tea and exotic fruit. Lunch on board. We’ll discover a brick and pottery factory as well as a traditional factory producing puffed riced, rice-paper wrappers used to make nems, and rice alcohol*. Night on board.
Visit the former house of Huynh Thuy Le, the man on who Marguerite Duras based her book The Lover on. After our excursion, enjoy some free time in Sa Dec. We’ll return on board our ship and have lunch. Sailing towards Cambodia. Night on board.
Have breakfast, and spend the day afloat, first heading for the Cambodian border, where you must pass through customs during the morning, and continue your journey. Enjoy lunch and dinner on board, and arrive towards the end of the day in Phnom Penh. Late in the afternoon or after dinner, experience a trip in a “tuk tuk”, a motorized tricycle which is the traditional mode of transport in Phnom Penh. Stay in port in Phnom Penh for the night.
Founded in 1434, the capital of Cambodia retains much of its colonial charm, thanks to the rehabilitation of part of its architectural heritage. Visit the Silver Pagoda, a wooden construction from 1892, and subsequently rebuilt in 1962, and the Royal Palace, the symbolic heart of the nation and one of the finest examples of Cambodian architecture in classical Khmer style. Then, visit the National Museum built in 1917 by the French in traditional Khmer architectural style.
Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, and this afternoon join a visit of Tuol Svay Prey S21 school, the former detention, torture and execution center used by the Khmer Rouge during the civil war. Have free time in the market, overflowing with all types of businesses. In the evening, attend an Apsara dance show by student dancers and musicians. Return on board for dinner, and stay in port overnight.
Visit Koh Chen, a small village where craftspeople specialize in silver and copper work. Lunch on board. Visit the beautiful Vihara at the Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To access the pagoda we need to cross the village of Kampong Tralach in ox carts, moving along a small road that runs perpendicular to the river in the middle of magnificent rice fields. Our ship will remain anchored overnight.
Visit Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on Tonle Sap Lake. Here they also have many fish farms. The region is best known for its fine traditional pottery which is a major source of revenue for the entire country.Tasting of some local products. Lunch on board. We'll then continue our cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in southeast Asia which forms the heart of the hydraulic system of the Mekong. Cocktail and gala dinner tonight. Our ship will remain anchored overnight.
Day 9: Siem Reap | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembarkation and transfer to downtown Siem Reap. End of our services around 12:00 p.m. Please do not book your flight before 3:00 p.m.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$2,595
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Main Deck
8 outside-facing cabins on the main deck equipped with two low beds that can be moved together; ample storage space; private bathroom with shower; air-conditioning; safe; hair dryer; and dresser.
Select a Date
Upper Deck
18 outside-facing cabins on the upper deck equipped with two low beds that can be moved together; ample storage space; private bathroom with shower; air-conditioning; safe; hair dryer; and dresser.
Notes
Please Note: The itinerary, ports of call and visits are subject to modification by the ship owner and/or our representatives on the spot. The excursions may be amended or completed in the reverse order if it is deemed necessary. The ship’s captain reserves the right to modify the cruising itinerary to ensure the safe navigation of the vessel. The banks of the river on which we travel can be very steep and slippery, depending on the water levels.
(1) Crossing the Tonle Sap Lake : when water levels are high, from August to the end of December, the RV Indochine crosses the lake. When water levels are low, from January to April, we cross the lake by air-conditioned coach to join the RV Indochine at Koh Chen.
This offer includes:
The cruise in the category of cabin chosen at booking stage
All meals throughout the tour
All transfers, visits and excursions as listed in the itinerary
English-speaking national Vietnamese and Cambodian guides for the visits to Ho Chi Minh City
Local guides throughout the cruise
Tour leader throughout the cruise and tour
Drinks at all meals (1 soda or 1 beer or 1 water and 1 coffee or tea per person and per meal)
Emergency and repatriation insurance INCLUDED FREE OF CHARGE
All tips for crew during the cruise included.
This offer does not include:
Drinks that are not listed in the program
Personal expenses
Cancellation and baggage insurance
Compulsory Vietnamese and Cambodian visas
Tips for guides, bus drivers and local boats pilots during the 9-day cruise
Formalities Valid passport compulsory. Non-EU nationals are advised to consult their embassy or consulate. Please note: Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the last day of your travels.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.