Legendary Mekong
7 Nights - Saigon to Siem Reap
Based on the R/V Mekong Prestige II
Day 1 - Saigon & My Tho
Meeting at Sofitel Plaza hotel in Saigon at 9 am for the transfer arrangement to My Tho, located at 70 kilometers away. Arrival in My Tho and welcome on board of RV MEKONG PRESTIGE and settling into the cabins. Lunch on board. Start of sailing in the afternoon.
Welcome Dinner on board.
Day 2 - Cai Be - Sa Dec
Arrival at Cai Be in the morning. After breakfast we take a morning junk trip around Cai Be along a floating market, go ashore to see the French Gothic Cathedral. Walking along the bank river and sightseeing of the rice paper manufacturer and coconut sweets. We cruise past Vinh Long Province to arrive at Sa Dec for an afternoon walk. French writer Marguerite Duras spent some of her childhood in Sa Dec, a sprawling busy town in the Mekong Delta. In Sa Dec, Director Jean-Jacques Annaud shot much of his film 'The Lover'. Ancient riverboats load and unload at the wharves built almost to the shop doors. Both the school where Duras’ mother taught and the small house behind it where the family must have lived still stand. We see the house of the Chinese Lover of Marguerite. The house now is little museum of 'The Lover' in Sadec. Night navigation through the Delta.
Day 3 - Tan Chau & Border Crossing
Arrival in the morning at Tan Chau, a remote small town on the main Mekong River. After breakfast, transfer on small boats to visit a fishing farm. We go ashore to visit mat’s making workshop, and take a short walk in the village to visit a silk weaving workshop. A rickshaw ride round this fascinating town takes you back to the pier for lunch. Cast off for the Cambodian border for the usual formalities. Evening cruise up the broad Mekong River to Phnom Penh.
Day 4 - Phnom Penh
Arrival in Phnom Penh in the morning. The capital city of Cambodia still retains its old French colonial architecture in riverside streets. Visit the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. Lunch on board. Afternoon excursion is arranged to the former High School 'S21', converted to a detention center under the Red Khmer’s rule between 1975 and 1979. Then stop at the former detention camp of Choeung Ek, better known under the name of 'Killing Fields'. Dinner on board.
Day 5 - Koh Chong - Phnom Penh
Early morning, sailing from Phnom Penh to Koh Chong. Stop at this silk weaving village for a morning walk at leisure. We cruise past the Mekong’s timeless villages and river life with extensive fishing activities. Lunch on board. Return to Phnom Penh and afternoon at leisure for a discovery of the city on your own. Dinner on board
Day 6 - Oudong - Kampong Tralach
Morning journey upriver heading for Oudong. Lunch on board. Arrival at Oudong in the early afternoon, distant of 40 kilometers from Phnom Penh. Between 1618 and 1866, Oudong was the capital city of Cambodia. Erected at a hilltop, this place counts numerous Stupas dating of the last Khmer Kings. After the visit, departure in bus to Kampong Tralach. You will visit there the very charming Vihara of the Wat Kampong Leu Pagoda dating back from the last century and which has retained beautiful wall paintings. Return to the ship and Dinner on board.
Day 7 - Kampong Chhnang
Morning sailing on the Tonle Sap River, which connects the Mekong River to the Tonle Lake. Arrival at Kampong Chhnang, located at approximately 90 km from Phnom Penh. This is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Then, boarding on local boats to visit the authentic floating village. The life of the entire population is connected with the river and all people evolve in boats through the canal system which criss-cross this little town.
Lunch & Dinner on board.
Day 8 - Tonle Lake - Siem Reap
Crossing of the lake early in the morning. The great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150 km in length. Here bird life is profuse. Because the water levels of the lake and river vary a great deal according to the time of year and rainfall. Disembarkation after breakfast and transfer either to hotel in Siem Reap or to the airport.
Important notice: In case of low waters, it may happen that navigation on the Tonle Lake wouldn’t be possible for the RV Mekong Prestige. If that occurs, a fast boat or a coach will assure the link with the other bank of the lake where the embarkation on the RV Mekong Prestige will take place. Furthermore, all the aforementioned cruising schedule and program timing are indicative and subject to modification.
