Explore the striking cultural contrasts of Vietnam and Cambodia on this 8-day Upstream Classic Mekong Cruise from Saigon to Siem Reap aboard RV Bassac Pandaw. Travel from Saigon's vibrant French colonial port through the vast delta so rich in human life and endeavor to Cambodia's rich countryside. With a full day in charming Phnom Penh you then explore remoter waterways as you progress to the great monuments of Angkor. Disembark in Siem Reap.
Highlights
Visit the floating markets & fish farms by sampan in Chau Doc
Explore riverside villages, markets, and temples while traversing through Kampong Tralach
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Transfer from Saigon to the river port for embarkation. After lunch, you journey by sampans through mangroves and bamboo forests to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. This is an area rich in birdlife which you explore via local transport before transferring to a local rowboat. You journey slowly through the bamboo-covered canals before arriving at a village specializing in making local products. In the evening you are entertained by a Vietnamese dance troupe on deck.
Sailing through the delta offers a real insight into life along this vast waterway. After lunch, you pass through a small canal and head ashore to Con Phuoc Island where you visit local craftspeople weaving bamboo baskets the traditional way. After a demonstration, you try your hand at making your own. You then take a local tuk tuk for a drive through this peaceful village, stopping at a 100 year old church and meeting more of the friendly local community.
Go alongside at the picturesque border town of Chau Doc where you visit the floating markets & fish farms by sampan. You make a stop at a Chham Village and observe the lives of Vietnamese Muslims before taking minivans for a short drive to Sam Mountain, the location of Phuoc Dien Tu or the Hang Pagoda. You climb the 400 steps to the top to visit the pagoda. Upon return to the ship, you navigate a web of canals before dropping anchor on the Vietnam/Cambodia border to undergo Immigration formalities.
Morning orientation of Phnom Penh by cyclo visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda followed by the National Museum with its marvelous collection of Angkorian statuary. In the afternoon you visit the Killing Fields and Genocide museum to learn more about the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. Overnight in Phnom Penh city port with its lively bars, restaurants and night life.
Morning at leisure in Phnom Penh with its café life and many smart boutiques. After lunch, you sail up the winding channels of the Tonle Sap river to Kampong Tralach. You travel by ox-cart around the river-side villages, markets and temples to get a sense of life along the river. In the evening cocktails are round a village fire pit where you are joined by village folk keen to show you their traditional dancing show you more of the delightful Khmer culture.
In the morning, travel by coach to the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong. On the way you stop to visit the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre before taking a drive around the old capital. You re-join the ship at Prek Kdam before returning to the Mekong. After lunch you sail to Koh Nghe Tei (Silk Island) to study the entire silk-making process from worms to weavers. You visit silk makers and can buy from them their lovely silk scarves and other fabrics. This village is a center of the ancient martial art of L’bokator which roughly translates as 'pounding a lion'. It includes weapons techniques and is one of the oldest combat techniques in Cambodia and believed to date back to the Angkor empire.
Sunrise cruise to Angkor Ban village to see how local villagers live and visit the library which was donated by Pandaw to Angkor Ban secondary school.
NOTE: if you want to donate books, please bring along some Children’s books in English language (suitable for age 8 to 15 yrs) which you can personally gift to the library.
In the afternoon you sail north to Wat Hanchey, an important centre of worship during the Chenla period located on top of a hill above the mighty Mekong River with some of the best Mekong views in Cambodia. Visit 8th century structures some destroyed by American bombings during the Vietnam War.
Day 8: Siem Reap | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark and travel by coach from Kampong Cham through stunningly lovely countryside to reach Siem Reap, adjacent to Angkor Wat.
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$3,359
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Main Deck Stateroom
10 main deck staterooms
Bedroom: 12' x 10'
Bathroom: 6' x 4'
Showeroom: 2'8" x 3'4"
Single Bed: 6'7" x 3'3"
*Available in Twin and Double Configuration
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Upper Deck Staterooms
20 upper deck staterooms
Bedroom: 12' x 10'
Bathroom: 6' x 4'
Showeroom: 2'8" x 3'4"
Single Bed: 6'7" x 3'3"
*Available in Twin and Double Configuration
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
