Duration: 8D7N
Destinations: Tonle Sap–Kampong Chhnang–Kampong Cham–Phnom Penh–Chau Doc–Cai Be–Sa Dec–My Tho–Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Featured Highlights:
With RV Pandaw, you will cruise from the vibrant French colonial port of Ho Chi Minh City through the vast delta so rich in human life, and along the main channel into the rich countryside of Cambodia. With a full day in charming Phnom Penh we then explore remoter waterways as we progress to the great monuments of Angkor.
Day 1: Siem Reap-Tonle Sap
Day 2: Kampong Chhnang- Kampong Cham
Day 3: Kampong Cham- Wat Hanchey
Day 4: Phnom Penh Highlights
Day 5: Phnom Penh- Border Crossing
Day 6: Chau Doc- Cai Be
Day 7: Cai Be- Vinh Long
Day 8: My Tho- Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Day 1: Siem Reap-Tonle Sap
Welcome to Siem Reap, home of the mysterious Angkor temples! Your journey will begin in the late morning, where you will be transferred to the pier for your cruise. Settle into your cabin and prepare for a breathtaking 8 day adventure to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The Tonle Sap lake dominates a big portion of Cambodia. As the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, bird life is profuse, and from the middle of the lake one cannot even see the shores. There is a great stillness and tranquility in the air as we sail through floating fishing villages. Because of seasonal rain/winds and varying water levels, we will begin our journey one of the following ways:On the way to your ship excursion, explore the fascinating floating villages of the Tonle Sap by motorboat. Enjoy a fresh lunch onboard. We will cross the great lake in the afternoon and drop our anchor after sunset. This evening is yours to relax.Transfer by coach to Prek Dom Bridge on the Tonle River, enjoying a snack and cold drink en route with a stop in Kampong Thom. Passengers staying at our partner hotel Victoria Resort and Spa will be collected from the hotel shortly after. This evening, we will cruise to Kampong Chhnang. The rest of the day is yours to relax.
Day 2: Kampong Chhnang- Kampong Cham
High Water: We will begin our day with some early morning sailing as you enjoy your breakfast. After a brief stop at Kampong Chhnang, we will cruise all day to enter the Mekong River. We will proceed upstream and stop for an afternoon walk at a rural village.Kampong Chhnang is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. After pausing mid-stream, we will make a truly wonderful motor boat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here, you will discover great fish traps and a stunning variety of birdlife. We will pass through the capital of Phnom Penh in the afternoon to change pilots and enter the Upper Mekong, bound for Kampong Cham with a stop for an afternoon walk at a rural village.
Day 3: Kampong Cham- Wat Hanchey
This morning, we will journey up the river to the hilltop pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Dating from the 8th century, these ancient brick structures characterize the architecture of the Chenla Empire which predated the glories of the mighty Angkor complex. Sail back downstream as you enjoy your lunch for an exploration of the Kampong Cham area. We will then travel by bus to the 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor. Next, continue on to the eco village of Cheungkok, supported by the French-Cambodian NGO, AMICA, and a Kampong Cham orphanage, supported by the Pandaw Pro Bono program. We will make a late afternoon departure from Kampong Cham and navigate towards Phnom Penh.
Day 4: Phnom Penh Highlights
Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s industrious and bustling capital city. Explore Phnom Penh’s several impressive temples, including Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and the newly-painted Wat Lang Ka. Next, enjoy a trip to the Royal Palace and the spectacular Silver Pagoda, one of the few places in Cambodia where artifacts embodying the brilliance and richness of Khmer culture were preserved by the Khmer Rouge. The National Museum is another great highlight, with its outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. An afternoon excursion will be arranged to the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng detention centre situated in the suburbs of the city followed by some shopping at the Russian market or Central market.Phnom Penh has a lively nightlife, and passengers may choose to dine ashore or try one of the capital’s many watering holes; a favorite being the Foreign Correspondents’ Club.
Day 5: Phnom Penh- Border Crossing
Today is a day for cruising in the main Mekong channel, an international shipping route. in the afternoon, we will stop to visit the impressive fruit orchards at the jungle village of Prek Touch before setting off for the Vietnamese border for the usual formalities.
Day 6: Chau Doc- Cai Be
Today we will make our way from the main Mekong channel at Tan Chau and travel down the canals and backwaters by a local ferry boat. At Chau Doc, visit a Cham tribal village and a local catfish farm. We will take a trishaw ride around this fascinating town of fine French-colonial buildings and bustling markets. We will return to the ship for lunch and set sail for Cai Be.
Day 7: Cai Be- Vinh Long
This morning, take a junk boat trip to Dong Hoa Hiep Island before sailing the rest of the way to Cai Be. In Cai Be, you will see a vibrant floating market and go ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral and colorful port area, with its colonial buildings, delightful flower gardens and local rice paper manufacturers. We will explore the evergreen islands and visit the former Imperial residence at the An Kiet House. In the afternoon, we will continue our sightseeing by boat to Vinh Long to visit the Bonsai Gardens and a brick making factory.
Day 8: My Tho- Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Our ship will make its way from My Tho to Ho Chi Minh as you enjoy your final breakfast on board. Say goodbye to your crew as we approach our final destination. We will arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the early morning where we will transfer you to your hotel and leave you to continue your onward journey.
Inclusions:
Exclusions:
Passion Indochina Travel will provide you with a dynamic professional local private tour guide, a private chauffeur and a transportation that suits your style and gives you pleasure, comfort and security through every points of your destination.All our tour guides in our company are registered English Speaking Guides, they are passionate about their city and they take pride in sharing it with others.With our private local tour guide, you’d get the chance to see and learn more among the historic places in the world and their cultures. Be amazed with the breathtaking scenery of Asia and enjoy some once in a lifetime adventure!
Private Tour Guid
The tour guide is always punctual on every destination he/she is needed. You will be picked up at the airport and will be escorted to your hotel and tend to your stuff til their services is needed again. They will also assist you at the airport at every departure, seeing to it that you have checked in and passed through the security checkpoint. All the tour guides in all your choices of destination are Locals. Since they know all the areas of the tours you're taking, they make sure that they share to you all the information may it be historical facts, dates and anecdotes or tell stories about the tour sites to make it more interesting and entertaining. They would also suggest the best spots for picture taking.Our tour guides are also flexible when it comes to the itinerary changes if there's any unexpected reason and will be more than accommodating to any alternative suggestions just to ensure that you will have an incredible experience.
Private Chauffeur Services
Arrive in the comfort of your style. Depending on the group size, and the tour packages of your choice, we would accommodate you with the best transportation and a professional Chauffeur to assist you wherever and whenever you need. They would be happy to transport you.