Saigon – Siem Reap
Upstream Iternerary
Day 1
SAIGON - MY THO - EMBARKATION
(Lunch & Dinner on board)
Meet at the Sofitel Plaza hotel in Saigon at 9 am for the transfer arrangement to My Tho, located 70 kilometers away. The transfer includes a stop at the Cholon Market and visit to a lacquer factory. Arrival in My Tho and welcome on board the RV MEKONG PRESTIGE II. Lunch on board. Departure in the afternoon. Welcome Dinner on board & traditional Music Show.
Day 2
CAI BE - SA DEC (All meals on board)
Arrival at Cai Be in the morning. After breakfast we take a morning junk trip around Cai Be to visit a floating market and go ashore to see the French Gothic Cathedral. Take a stroll along the river bank and visit a local manufacturer producing rice paper, and coconut sweets. Return to the ship for lunch. Cruise past Vinh Long Province to arrive at Sa Dec for an afternoon walk. We see the house of Marguerite’s Chinese Lover. The house is a small museum of « The Lover » in Sadec. Visit to a Caodaist Temple and stroll through the colorful local market.
Day 3
TAN CHAU – BORDER CROSSING (All meals on board)
Arrival at Tan Chau in the morning, a remote town on the main Mekong River. After breakfast, transfer on small boats to visit a fishing farm. We go ashore to visit a local workshop producing woven mats, 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. Depart for the Cambodian border. 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 and the Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. Lunch on board. Afternoon excursion to the former High School « S21 », converted to a detention center under the Red Khmer’s rule between 1975 and 1979, followed by a visit to Wat Phnom after which the city was named. Dinner on board. Traditional Khmer Apsara Dancing Show on board.
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Day 5
CHONG KOH - PHNOM PENH (All meals on board)
Early morning sailing from Phnom Penh to Chong Koh or Oknathey (both located in Silk Island). Visit this silk weaving village for a morning walk at leisure and a visit to the local workshop. The excursion includes a visit to a Pagoda and a meeting in a primary school. We cruise past the Mekong’s timeless villages and River life with extensive fishing activities. Return to Phnom Penh and afternoon at leisure. Dinner on board.
Day 6
OUDONG – KAMPONG TRALACH (All meals on board)
Morning journey upriver heading towards Oudong. Arrival at Prek Dam in the early afternoon, 40 kilometers from Phnom Penh. Excursion by coach to reach Oudong, the former capital city of Cambodia, between 1618 and 1866, Visit of the Vipassana Dhura Pagoda, located at the foot of a hill on the top of which were erected numerous Stupas dating of the last Khmer Kings. This is a place of meditation for Buddhist Monks. After the visit buses depart for Kampong Tralach to visit the very charming Vihara of the Wat Kampong Leu Pagoda dating back to the last century to see the beautiful wall paintings. Return to the ship by ox-drawn carriage. Dinner on board.
Day 7
KAMPONG CHHNANG (All meals on board)
Morning sailing on the Tonle Sap River, which connects the Mekong River to the Tonle Lake. Arrive at Kampong Chhnang, located approximately 90 km from Phnom Penh. This is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Then board local boats to visit the authentic floating village. The life of the entire population is connected to the river with local people using the canal system which crisscross this little town. We go ashore to stroll through the scenic market. Lunch & Dinner on board.
Day 8
TONLE - SIEM REAP (Breakfast on board)
We cross the lake early in the morning* (Please note that when there is low water, the transfer to Siem Reap will be made by coach or speed boat). The great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150 km in length, with interesting and varied bird life resulting from the varied the water levels in the lake and river depending on the time of year and rainfall. Disembarkation after breakfast and transfer to Siem Reap.
*Important notice: it may not be possible to cross Lake Tonle if the water is low. Alternative arrangements will be made to cross the lake either by bus or speed boat to meet the pier. Passengers will be informed of details before departure. The cruise schedule and program timing are indicative and subject to modification.
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