This trip will take us to Cambodia, where we will stay in Siem Reap, the starting point for one of the world's wonders: Angkor, the former largest city in the world, home to an astounding one million people and 200 temples. We will also have the opportunity to spend time in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia and regarded as the most beautiful of the French colonial capitals in Indochina. Phnom Penh is situated at the meeting point of the Tonle Sap and Mekong. Once we get off the ship, we'll remain in the center of Saigon, now called Ho Chi Minh City, with its busy riverfront and French colonial buildings. For tourists wishing to see these fascinating Asian locations, this vacation is perfect.
Day 1: Saigon - My Tho - Embarkation (Lunch & Dinner On Board)
Day 2: Cai Be (Tan Phong) - Sa Dec (All Meals On Board)
Day 3: Tan Chau – Border Crossing (All Meals On Board)
Day 4: Phnom Penh (All Meals On Board)
Day 5: Phnom Penh-Silk Island – Phnom Penh (All Meals On Board)
Day 6: Angkor Ban (All Meals On Board)
Day 7: Wat Hanchey – Kampong Cham (All Meals On Board)
Day 8: Kampong Cham - Siem Reap (Breakfast On Board)
DAY 1: SAIGON - MY THO - EMBARKATION
Meet at hotel in Saigon in the morning 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 La Marguerite. Lunch on board. Departure in the afternoon. Welcome
Dinner on board & traditional Music Show.
Meals: Lunch, DinnerDAY 2: CAI BE (TAN PHONG) - SA DEC
Arrival at Cai Be in the morning. After breakfast, departure in small local boats to reach the island of Tan Phong. Walk to discover the making of decorative objects from water hyacinths. The afternoon continues by taking small vehicles through the fruit fields. Stop in a garden for an introduction to exotic fruits. Before returning on board, the ship trip past the Gothic cathedral of Cai Be and meeting a family producing rice paper and coconut candies. 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDAY 3: TAN CHAU – BORDER CROSSING - PHNOM PENH
Arrival at Tan Chau in the morning, a remote town on the main Mekong River. After breakfast, transfer on small boats to visit the village. 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDAY 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. Before lunch on board, stop at Central Market to stroll around the largest market of the city. Afternoon excursion to the former High School « S21 », now the Tuol Sleng Museum, converted to a detention center under the Red Khmer’s rule between 1975 and 1979.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDAY 5: PHNOM PENH-SILK ISLAND – PHNOM PENH
Early morning sailing from Phnom Penh to 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 visit to Wat Phnom Hill after which the city was named. Time at leisure in the city. In the evening, traditional Apsara dances show onboard
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDAY 6: ANGKOR BAN
Morning navigation on the Upper Mekong. Arrival at Angkor Ban in the morning. Overlooking the River Mekong, Angkor Ban offers a peaceful and majestic image of the river bathed in morning light in this still pristine area. Angkor Ban is one of the very few villages that has not been burned or destroyed during the Red Khmer period. It is a dive in intimate Cambodia, to the rhythm of its inhabitants. Visit of the village on stilts, discovery of traditional houses some of which are more than a century old. Back onboard for further navigation to the north.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDAY 7: WAT HANCHEY – KAMPONG CHAM
Stop at Wat Hanchey in the morning and after breakfast, visit the pre-Angkorian temple located on top of a hill overlooking the Mekong. Dating back to the 8th century, its ancient brick structures characterize the architecture of the Chenla Empire, which preceded the glory of Angkor. Back on board for lunch.
Continued navigation and arrival at Kampong Cham during lunch. In the afternoon, departure by bus to discover the temple of Wat Nokor. This twelfth century Buddhist temple built on the ruins of an ancient temple, is unique in Cambodia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDAY 8: KAMPONG CHAM - SIEM REAP
Early morning, disembarkation and transfer (5h) to Siem Reap. Stop at the Kampong Kdei Bridge dating from the Angkorian period, built during the reign of Jayavarman VII and arrived in Siem Reap at lunch time.
Meals: Breakfast
PRICES INCLUDE:
▪ Upstream transfers from the Sofitel Plaza hotel in Saigon to the ship in My Tho on day 1 and from the ship to Siem Reap Sokha Angkor Resort hotel on day 8
▪ Downstream transfers from Siem Reap Sokha Angkor Resort Hotel on day 1 to the ship and from My Tho to Sofitel Plaza Hotel in Saigon on day 8.
▪ Full board in the selected category of the R/V La Marguerite
▪ All meals from Lunch on Day 1 until Breakfast on Day 8
▪ Drinks on board: Mineral Water, non-alcoholic beverages, local beers and local wine during meals
▪ On board tips/gratuities
▪ All excursions and entrance fees with English speaking guide as per included excursions in the itinerary
▪ A lecture on board during the call at Phnom Penh
▪ The services of an English-speaking Cruise Director
▪ Port taxes
PRICES EXCLUDE:
▪ Overseas flights
▪ Beverages other than those mentioned above
▪ Tipping/gratuities for land services (30USD/pax recommended)
▪ Visa arrangements
▪ Insurance
