DAY 1: FLY USA TO VIETNAM
Overnight flights. Services as per airline policies.
DAY 2: HO CHI MINH CITY (Saigon), VIETNAM
Welcome to Vietnam! On arrival and customs formalities you will be met and transferred to your first class hotel (Renaissance, Legend, Majestic or similar). Due to various flight arrival times in the afternoon and evening, no meals or other activities are planned for today.
DAY 3: HO CHI MINH CITY
EMBARKATION
After breakfast, meet your local guide and board your motor coach for a morning sightseeing tour of this bustling capital including the major sights such as the Post Office, built by Gustave Eiffel, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Presidential Palace. After lunch, in a local restaurant, transfer to your floating hotel, conveniently located near the city center. The afternoon is free to settle in or explore the riverside promenade. Before dinner, enjoy a welcome cocktail and information meeting as you are introduced to your Captain, Cruise Manager and Crew. (B, L, D)
DAY 4: HO CHI MINH CITY
This morning, depart on your 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 and enjoy a Vietnamese style lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue your tour which will include a rickshaw ride to the main Chinese Market where you will have free time to explore before enjoying a buffet dinner at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)
DAY 5: SET SAIL: MY THO – CAI BE – VINH LONG
Breakfast while crossing the splendid canal of Cho Gao. Upon arrival at My Tho, the R/V INDOCHINE will set anchor close to Thoi Son island. The 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 along the way 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. On arrival in Cai Be you will tour the floating market in local boats. Then continue to Vinh Long for a tour before returning to your ship. (B, L, D)
DAY 6: SA DEC – CHAU DOC
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.
In the afternoon, arrive at Chau Doc, where 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, depart by bus to the Nui Sam Hill which offers splendid views of the river and the nearby Cambodian border. Then, on the way back, 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. (B, L, D)
DAY 7: KOH DEK CHAU (border crossing)
This morning, you cross the border to Cambodia. In the early afternoon you arrive at Koh Dek Chau with time to visit this tiny island to meet and mingle with the local people. Then, embark and enjoy the magnificent views as you continue sailing until nightfall. (B, L, D)
DAY 8: KAMPONG CHAM – PREK TA KUNG – PHNOM PENH
After breakfast, you arrive at Kampong Cham. Enjoy a tour of this city, famous for its many Wats (Temples) dating back to the Chenla Empire.
Return to the ship for lunch and continue sailing. In the afternoon, you arrive in Prek Ta Kung, renowned for its traditional craftsmen. Dinner will be served on board before arriving in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city. The evening is free and we highly recommend a visit and an after dinner cocktail at the famous Foreign Correspondents Club located a short, fun and inexpensive bicycle rickshaw ride from the docking area. Or take a stroll down the bustling riverside promenade full of street vendors and night markets. Return to the ship is at your leisure. (B, L, D)
DAY 9: PHNOM PENH
After breakfast, tour the capital of Cambodia which has retained its French colonial charm. Your morning sightseeing will include the Royal Palace, the National Museum and Wat Phnom. After lunch in a local restaurant, continue your sightseeing with an excursion to the infamous “Killings Fields”, the former detention, torture and execution center during the Cambodian civil war which lasted between between 1975 and 1979. Return to the ship for dinner. Tonight, enjoy a special live on board performance featuring a local folklore group and Cambodia’s traditional “APSARA” dances. The balance of the evening is free. (B, L, D)
DAY 10: PHNOM PENH – KAMPONG TRALACH
The morning is free to enjoy the city, explore the nearby Russian market or, if interested, the Museum of Genocide. Return to the ship and set sail. Upon arrival at Kampong Tralach you will tour the Pagoda Wat Kampong before continuing sailing along the Tonle River to Kampong Chhnang. (B, L, D)
DAY 11: KAMPONG CHHNANG - KAMPONG LUONG/CHONK TRU
At Kampong Chhnang the river narrows and one can view the rich tapestry of rural life including its busy port and bustling markets. Disembark for an exploration on foot. Return to the ship for lunch and continue sailing either to Kampong Luong (High water) or Chnok Tru (Low water), where you will enjoy a tour. The evening is reserved for your Captain's Farewell Dinner. (B, L, D)
DAY 12: END CRUISE - SIEM REAP
DISEMBARKATION
This morning, bid your crew goodbye as you disembark and are transferred to your hotel. After lunch, depart on your introductory tour of this fast growing gateway to the Angkor Temples. Stops will include the National Silk Center and a local market. Return to your hotel around. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner and Apsara show. (B, L, D)
DAY 13: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES (B, L, D)
After breakfast, your morning tour will take you to explore the south gates of Angkor Thom, Bayan, Baphoun Temple, Elephant Terrace, the Royal enclosure and the terrace of the Leper King. A break for lunch will be held al fresco at the recently opened FCC club nearby. The afternoon is reserved for a visit to 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 after sunset. The day is not over yet as you depart your hotel for the town center where you will enjoy a dinner at the “Red Piano” restaurant a favorite of actress Angelina Jolie during her filming of the “Tomb Raider” movies. After dinner enjoy some free time to explore the lively downtown night life featuring night bazaars, café’s and night clubs. (B, L, D)
DAY 14: SIEM REAP*
A full free day to do as you please! Sleep in and enjoy your hotel 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 (motorized tricycle) which will whisk you around town with stops 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 with explanations from your guide. The balance of the day is free and meals are on your own. (B)
DAY 15: SIEM REAP* – HOME
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. (B)
*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.
Vietnam & Cambodia
