General Information
Tour Route: Tour Route: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat – Banteay Srei – Kampong Chhnang – Kampong Tralach – Oudong – Koh Chong – Phnom Penh – Tan Chau – Sa Dec – Cai Be – My Tho – Ho Chi Minh City
Duration: 12 Days
Start/End: Siem Reap/Ho Chi Minh City
River Cruise Name: Mekong Prestige II Cruise (Downstream)
Cruise Type: Luxury, Sharing, 32 Cabins
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Siem Reap – Ta Prohm – Apsara Dance Show (D)
Welcome to Siem Reap – Treasures of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Enjoy a moment of warmly meeting with our local guide before being transferred to hotel for check-in. Take a short rest and start the journey with a visit to Ta Prohm embraced by the roots of tremendous fig trees and huge creepers. Ta Prohm has been derelict to the elements which are the witnesser for the Khmer empire’s up and down. The site is a proof for the uncontrollable power of nature marches on through human history. In the evening, get a glimpse of Cambodian traditional cuisine by enjoying the welcome dinner.
Overnight at Siem Reap.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Angkor Thom – Bayon – Angkor Wat (B)
Wake up in the early morning and take a cycling tour passing several local villages and dozens of local shops to reach the World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat. Enter the West Gate of Angkor Thom, then, step by step explore numerous temples inside the complex: Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Baphuon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, The Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Continue to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Being the world’s largest religious structure, this temple is the flawless combination of symbolism and symmetry. Angkor Wat stands as a powerful pride to all Cambodians. Dated back to the 12th century built by King Suryavarman II, the site delivers a quiet and peaceful magnificence. Listen to your guide telling tales from Hindu mythology and of the glories of the Khmer empire to understand the mysteries of the bas-reliefs.
Overnight at Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Sunrise – Banteay Srei – Kbal Spean (B)
Boost your energy and witness the stunning sunrise at Angkor Wat. No one can claim to visit Seam Reap if they missed this unforgettable experience. Today we keep exploring the rest of Angkor Wat Complex. Take a walk to Banteay Srei marking visitors’ attention by its compact size, an impressive state of preservation, and the delicate of it decorative carving. After that, visit Kbal Spean which in English means “The head of the River.” The river is a part of 1000 Lingas that set up unique Lingas which have a special spiritual meaning that fed the Eastern bay and enriched the rice fields. Finish the trip with a visit to Banteay Samre which is famous for its rose-colored sandstone walls.
Overnight at Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: RV Mekong Prestige II Cruise – Embarkation (B, L, D)
After breakfast at your hotel, our driver transfers you to check-in the RV Mekong Prestige II Cruise. Start your delightful journey on the mighty Mekong River. While sailing through the beautiful Tonle Sap Lake, you will enjoy lunch on board. Then, it is a free leisure day relaxing while the ship glides along the water.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight on board
Day 5 – RV Mekong Prestige II: Kampong Chhnang – Kampong Tralach – Oudong (B, L, D)
Enjoy breakfast onboard and wait for the ship sails across the Tonle Lake to the marshlands floating along the river banks. This province called Kampong Chhnang province which is a bustling busy rural port town. An experience like a local by boarding local boats to enter deep inside the canal and visit the village. Then, back to cruise to sail towards Kampong Tralach.
Hop on a local bus to explore the impressive Vihara of the Wat Kampong Leu Pagoda to admire numerous beautiful wall paintings. Then, transfer to Oudong – the former capital of Cambodia. Climb up to a hilltop to witness plenty of Stupas dating of the last Khmer Kings and the Vipassana Dhura Pagoda where monks use for meditation.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight on board
Day 6 – RV Mekong Prestige II: Kok Chong – Phnom Penh (B, L, D)
Today we will visit highlights of Koh Chong including a silk weaving village, a morning walk at rural areas, a local pagoda, and a warm meeting in a primary school to chat with students. After lunch, spend a while fishing on board. When arriving at Phnom Penh, freely discover the city on your own, shop till you drop at the Russian Market, or enjoy a cup of coffee along the river bank.
In the evening, get ready for a wonderful event: enjoy dinner with Apsara Dance show at a local restaurant. This is the most famous kind of Khmer dance which is described as ‘dance-drama’ because of the story it tells.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight on board
Day 7 – RV Mekong Prestige II: Phnom Penh (B, L, D)
Today will be filled with a sightseeing tour around Phnom Penh – the capital of Cambodia. Despite its rapid development, the city has remained the authentic charm and elegance. Follow your guide to little by little explore this dynamic, historical, and impressive city. Start with the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda which mark your impression with the stunning white and gold edifice. Followed by outstandingly beautiful Khmer crafts at the National Museum. After lunch on board, take a short visit to the former High School “S21” which was used as a detention center under the ruling of Khmer Rouge.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight on board
Day 8 – RV Mekong Prestige II: Phnom Penh – Navigation – Border Crossing (B, L, D)
This morning will be your lazy time on board. In the afternoon, leave Cambodia behind and cross the border to Vietnam. Keep freely enjoying entertainments on the cruise such as basking in the glow on the sun deck, letting our staff relax your body in the spa, or learn how to prepare meals in Cambodian and Vietnamese cuisine cooking class.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight on board
Day 9 – RV Mekong Prestige II: Tan Chau Town (B, L, D)
Visit another country always coming with another culture. Today learn about Vietnamese culture by witnessing the real life of Vietnamese people along the Mekong River. Head to a fishing farm in Tan Chau on the Ban Sac River. Then, walk to local handicraft villages where villagers made woven mats and raw silk. Finally, take an exciting cyclo ride around this peaceful town before back to cruise for lunch.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight on board
Day 10 – RV Mekong Prestige II: Sa Dec – Cai Be (B, L, D)
The ship leads you to Vinh Long Province where you will take a short tour in Sa Dec. Journey out to French Writer Marguerite Duras’s house to understand the life of Marguerite Duras, her mother, and her Chinese Lover. Afterward, visit a Caodaist Temple – a special religion in Vietnam which is the combination of many other religions such as Catholic, Buddhism, and so on.
In the afternoon, get a glimpse of local life by hopping on a sampan to visit Cai Be floating market. Witness hundreds of sampans and junk boats used as grocery stores selling food, fruits, and commonly used items. Then, visit a beautiful French Gothic Cathedral before learning how to make rice paper and coconut candy under the guide of local villagers. Return to the ship and enjoy a wonderful farewell party awaits you.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight on board
Day 11 – RV Mekong Prestige II: My Tho – Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Arrival at My Tho. After disembarking, hop on a bus and transfer to Ho Chi Minh City center.
Start your Saigon sightseeing tour by sequently visit the city’s highlights including the bustling Chinatown, Thien Hau Pagoda, the symbolic Reunification Palace, the old-fashion Opera House, and Hotel de Ville. If time permits, head to War Remnants Museum and understand more about the Vietnam War in the past. Live like a local by venturing into the lively outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street. This place is lined up with shops selling clothes and accessories by talented Vietnamese designers, highland tribe crafts, high-quality linens, and housewares. In the evening, freely experience the city on your own.
Meals include: Breakfast
Overnight at Ho Chi Minh City
Day 12 – Ho Chi Minh City – Departure flight (B)
After breakfast at hotel, driver transfer to the airport. Take the departure flight at a good time.
Trip ends.
Meals include: Breakfast
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