Discover Mekong Delta from Saigon to Siem Reap with RV Indochine 14 days and 13nights

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Overnight Flights

Overnight flights to Vietnam.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Welcome to Vietnam! On arrival and customs formalities you will be met and transferred to your first class hotel. Due to various flight arrival times throughout the day, no meals or other activities are planned for today.

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City/ Embarkation (B, L, D)

After breakfast meet your local guide and board your motor coach for a morning sightseeing tour of this bustling capital. Sights will include the Post Office, built by Gustave Eiffel, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Presidential Palace. Embarkation formalities and check in to your floating hotel. Buffet lunch served on board. In the afternoon, continue your city tour which will include a rickshaw ride to the main Chinese Market where you will have free time to explore on your own. Return to ship for dinner. Evening at leisure. Overnight on board.

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D)

Morning excursion to the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels. Built during the Vietnam War to protect from bombing raids, the tunnels extend underground for over 212 km and range in depth from 3 to 12 meters! They feature remnants of a living city; schools, community kitchens, sleeping quarters, hospitals as well as military production facilities. Return to the city in time for lunch. In the afternoon, wave goodbye to Ho Chi Minh as you set sail on your fabulous Mekong adventure! Enjoy a welcome cocktail and info meeting before your sit down dinner on board. Overnight.

Day 5: My Tho - Cai Be - Vinh Long (B, L, D)

Sightseeing of My Tho will begin by crossing the river on local boats. Then, a visit by bus to the Vinh Trang pagoda will be followed by a panoramic tour of the city with stops at a local Snake Farm and market. Afterwards, return to the pier and visit Thoi Son island in local boats. Return to the ship and enjoy lunch as you sail on to Cai Be & Vinh Long. On arrival in Cai Be you will tour the floating market in local boats, including a brick and pottery making farm. Then continue via local boats to Vinh Long island located in the center of the Delta. Called the “Majestic Dragon” it is home to vast orange and tangerine plantations, Return to the ship in the late afternoon and set sail for Sa Dec. On board, enjoy an informal lecture on Vietnam “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”.

Day 6: Sa Dec - Chau Doc (B, L, D)

After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic tour of Sa Dec by coach including a visit to a Bonsai Seedbed on the way back to the ship. Sail to Chau Doc. Lunch on board. Arrival at Chau Doc. Here, your sightseeing will begin with a visit to the village of the local minority Cham community in local boats. Upon your return to Chau Doc, visit of the Chua Xu Temple and the Tay An Pagoda. Return to the ship in time for dinner. The evening is free to explore the nearby market or enjoy a cocktail at the lovely, colonial style Victoria hotel, located dockside. Return to the ship and set sail upstream where you will lay anchor for the night.

Day 7: Koh Dek Chau (border crossing) - Phnom Penh (B, L, D)

Cross the border into Cambodia. After lunch, arrive at the tiny island of Koh Dek Chau with time to meet and mingle with the local people - population 600! Later on, marvel at the magnificent views as you continue sailing until nightfall. Your on board guides will present a lecture on Cambodia’s past and present. Dinner on board. Evening arrival to Phnom Penh.

Day 8: Phnom Penh (B, L, D)

Tour the capital of Cambodia which has retained its French colonial charm. Your morning sightseeing will include the Royal Palace complex and the renown Silver Pagoda. After a buffet lunch continue sightseeing with a visit to the national Museum featuring the best samples of Khmer art. Continue with an excursion to the infamous “Killings Fields”, the former detention, torture and execution center during the Cambodian civil war between 1975 and 1979. Dinner on board. The balance of the evening is free.

Day 9: Phnom Penh (B, L, D)

Enjoy a thrilling morning ride through the city streets via the local tuk-tuks (motorized tricycles). Stop at the Russian market to bargain for souvenirs! Buffet style lunch on board. Free afternoon to explore the vibrant river promenade’s café’s, street vendors and shops. Evening dinner and live performance featuring Cambodia’s traditional “APSARA” dances. Balance of the evening free

Day 10: Koh Chen - Kampong Tra Lach (B, L, D)

Tour this small village renown for its silver! Walk through the village and observe the local craftsmen at work. Lunch on board as you sail. On arrival to Kampong Tralach, tour the village and rice plantations including the Vihara pagoda. Return to the ship and continue sailing. Dinner on board.

Day 11: Kampong Chhnang - Floating Village - Tonle Sap (B, L, D)

Kampong Chhnang, 90 km from Phnom Penh, is one of Cambodia’s largest fishing ports and the center of fish farming. It is also famous for its archaic pottery making which supplies the whole country. Your walking/mini-bus tour will take you to a pottery farm and a local village where locals will demonstrate pot making. Return to the ship for lunch and sail on to Tonle Sap Lake. Set sail via local boats through the “Floating Village” a unique town completely set on water! See the people living on boats and floating rafts including a stop at the local floating Catholic Church! The evening is reserved for our festive Captain’s Farewell Dinner!

Day 12: Siem Reap - Disembarkation (B, D)

High water: Set sail early and observe the local farmers, water buffalo and other unspoiled views as we cross the vast 150 km wide Tonle Sap Lake (approximate sailing time is 4 to 5 hrs). On arrival to the port (located 35 to 45 min. from the town) bid your wonderful crew and ship goodbye as you disembark and transfer to the city! Arrival appx 11:30. Low water: Cross the Tonle Sap Lake via speed boat or hydrofoil (approximately 3 hrs) arriving at Siem Reap port around 11:00. Arrive to Siem Reap proper and check into your delightful resort hotel. Enjoy an introductory tour of this fast growing gateway to the Angkor Temples stopping at the National Silk Center and a local market. Return to your hotel to enjoy a welcome dinner and folk show.

Day 13: Siem Reap - Angkor Temples (B, L, D)

The day is devoted to exploration of the fascinating “Lost City of Angkor”. Once the capital of the ancient Khmer empire, which ruled the area from the 9th to the 13th century, the city was slowly covered by jungle until it was lost to civilization. Rediscovered at the end of the 19th century, the jungle was cleared over the next 70 years to reveal the “8th Wonder of the World” – the ancient Temples of Angkor Wat – today a UNESCO Heritage sight. Your morning tour will explore the south gates of Angkor Thom, Bayan, Baphoun Temple, Elephant Terrace, the Royal enclosure and the terrace of the Leper King. After lunch al fresco at the recently opened FCC club nearby visit Ta Prhom and the magnificent main Temples of Angkor Wat where an optional tethered balloon ride is said to offer the most magnificent sunset views in the world! Return to your hotel for a short break. Then depart for the town center where you will pass the “Red Piano” restaurant, a favorite of actress Angelina Jolie during her filming of the “Tomb Raider” movies before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant. Free time to explore the lively downtown night life.

Day 14: Siem Reap (B)

A full free day to do as you please! Sleep in and enjoy your resort pool and amenities, explore the town and shop at the local market for those last minute souvenirs or take the optional half day “Tuk-Tuk” tour which will whisk you around town stopping at the local Alligator Farm, the Wat Bo Pagoda and the renowned village of Artisan’s d’ Angkor where local artists will introduce you to the traditional techniques of wood carving, stone sculpting and lacquer work. The balance of the day is free and meals are on your own.

Day 15: Siem Reap - Home (B)

As all good things must come to an end, so does your wonderful exploration of this unique part of Southeast Asia! After a final breakfast, check-out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your homebound flights.

*NOTE: Depending on airline schedules, the last night in Siem Reap may be substituted for an overnight at another Asian gateway (Bangkok, Singapore, Seoul and similar). In all such cases transfers, 1 night bed and breakfast at a first class hotel in the gateway city will be provided at no extra cost.

Prices

Prices quoted in US$ nett per person
Arrive Saigon	Depart for Home	Cruise Only	Land/Cruise
2010 Jan 25	2010 Feb 7	$ 2, 599	$ 3, 299
2010 Feb 12	2010 Feb 25	$ 2, 699	$ 3, 199
2010 Mar 2	2010 Mar 15	$ 2, 699	$ 3, 099
2010 Mar 20	2010 Apr 2	$ 2, 599	$ 3, 099
2010 Oct 9	2010 Oct 22	$ 2, 599	$ 3, 199
2010 Oct 27	2010 Nov 9	$ 2, 699	$ 3, 299
2010 Nov 14	2010 Nov 27	$ 2, 699	$ 3, 399
2010 Dec 2	2010 Dec 15	$ 2, 699	$ 3, 399

Upgrade from Main Deck Category “C” to Main Deck Category “B”. add $299.00
Upgrade from Main Deck Category “C” to Upper Deck Category “A”. add $499.00
Single room occupancy: add 50% of the total price Port charges:
add 2009-$132
2010/2011-$144

Include:

Ho Chi Minh: 1 night deluxe hotels (Equatorial, Palace or similar)
Siem Reap: 3 nights deluxe hotels (Sokha, Angkor Century , Prince D’ Angkor or similar)
All meals on board Welcome drink and info meeting
Farewell Captain’s Dinner
Free unlimited non-alcoholic beverages: water, coffee, tea, soft drinks
All on board commentary provided by cruise guides and Cruise Manager
Local Folk performance
All shore excursions and sightseeing including transportation (boat/bus)
English speaking guides and cruise directors throughout

Not Include

Visas, Insurance, I nternational transportation, Tips on board, Port taxes, Items of a personal nature

RV Toum Tiou Cruise Information

Built in the traditional style, the Toum Tiou was christened in 2002 on the river at Phnom Penh, the first Cambodian cruise boat with international standard accommodation.

Fully-paneled in wood, with charm and comfort in mind, we designed it in keeping with the local style. Modestly sized and with the safety of a steel hull, its low draught makes it possible for the boat to access the smallest of villages. With the tasteful decoration of a bygone era, it has 10 cozy double cabins with private shower, a large lounge area, a panoramic viewing space to the front, a half-covered bar-restaurant to the rear and a roof patio. Air conditioning, hi-fi system and library are provided. The captain, boat hands, hostesses, cooks and boat master are quiet and insonspicuous in the performance of their duties.

The legend of Toum and Tiou
The Toum Tiou derives its name from a traditional Khmer tale of star-crossed lovers, the Cambodian equivalent of Romeo and Juliet, Toum being the boy and Tiou, the girl. This beautiful love story turned tragedy features Tiou's mother, an ambitious woman who wants to marry her daughter off to the king and Toum as the awkward lover. The king, good-hearted and understanding, eventually gives up on the marriage to make Tiou happy. It ends tragically when a frame-up involving the mother and the governor leads to the death of one of the two lovers, the other committing suicide to follow suit. This story is taught from primary to high school. Many songs and pieces of traditional music allude to the pair of ill-fated lovers.

Construction
This traditional locally built boat started out as a freighter with a metal hull and a capacity of 150 tons, with two large but low-ceiling decks in order to maximize storage space. Like all boats of this type, it went up and down the Tonle Sap and Mekong, stopping at Siem Reap, Kompong Cham, Kratie and Stung Treng. We stayed as close as we could to the original line of the boat, because we wanted to retain its slightly curved and elegant lines.

The Toum Tiou is 38 meters long and 6.5 meters wide in the middle. It has 10 rooms in all (3.3 m x 2.5 m), 4 on the first deck and 6 on the second, each air-conditioned and with a bathroom (2.5 m x 1.4 m) including toilet, shower and sink. The water on board is taken from the river, passed through a powerful filtration system and chlorinated in the final step of the treatment.

In order to make the best possible use of the common areas from the standpoint of both size and variety we have installed a library-reading room on the lower deck. There is also a covered space at the front of the middle deck, a restaurant to the rear anda half-covered sundeck on top.