8 Days Siem Reap Saigon on Mekong Prestige Cruise: Sailing to Kampong Chhnang, visiting the floating village, strolling through the authentic market; heading to Oudong, enjoying the Vipassana Dhura Pagoda. Departing by bus to discover the very charming Vihara of the Wat Kampong Leu Pagoda dating back from the last century which has retained beautiful wall paintings.
Table of Contents
Day 1: Siem Reap
Activities: Picking you up at the meeting point in Siem Reap, and embarking on the cruise ship.
Morning
Transferring from Sokha Angkor Resort hotel in Siem Reap to the pier at Phnom Krom in the morning
*(Please note that in case of low waters, the transfer to the ship will be made by coach or speed boat). Welcomed on board the RV MEKONG PRESTIGE II and settling into your cabin. Lunch on board.
Afternoon
Departing crossing the Tonle Lake*.
Evening
Having dinner on board. Staying overnight on board
*Please note that in case of bus transfer, a light lunch buffet will be served on board upon arrival.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Mekong Prestige Cruise Ship
Day 2: Kampong Chhnang – Kampong Tralach – Oudong
Activities: Sailing to Kampong Chhnang, visiting the floating village, strolling through the authentic market; heading to Oudong, enjoying the Vipassana Dhura Pagoda.
Morning
Arriving at Kampong Chhnang, located approximately 90 km from Phnom Penh. This is a busy rural port town with bustling markets.
Boarding on 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 crisscrosses this little town.
We will go ashore to stroll through the scenic market and return on board for lunch while sailing towards Kampong Tralach.
Afternoon
Departing by bus to discover the very charming Vihara of the Wat Kampong Leu Pagoda dating back from the last century which has retained beautiful wall paintings.
Returning by ox-drawn carriage and bus transfer to Oudong, 40 kilometers from Phnom Penh. Between 1618 and 1866, Oudong was the capital city of Cambodia.
Erected at a hilltop, this place houses numerous Stupas dating from the last Khmer Kings.
We will see the Vipassana Dhura Pagoda, a place of meditation for Buddhist Monks.
Evening
Having dinner on the boat. Staying overnight on board
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Mekong Prestige Cruise Ship
Day 3: Koh Oknha Tey – Phnom Penh
Activities: Arriving Koh Chong, visiting the silk weaving village, sailing to Phnom Penh, visiting Wat Phnom, and enjoying the traditional Khmer Apsara Dancing Show.
Morning
Arriving in Koh Chong or Oknathey ( both local on Silk land) in the morning. Stopping at this silk weaving village for a morning walk at leisure and a visit to the local workshop. Visiting a Pagoda and meeting in a primary school and chatting with pupils.
Afternoon
Having lunch on board. Sailing to Phnom Penh and visiting to Wat Phnom after which the city was named.
Evening
Having dinner on board & staying overnight on board. Traditional Khmer Apsara Dancing Show on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Mekong Prestige Cruise Ship
Day 4: Phnom Penh
Activities: Discovering Phnom Penh, visiting Royal Palace & the Silver Pagoda, joining an excursion to the former High School, shopping at the “ Central Market”
Morning
Admiring old French colonial architecture in riverside streets.
Taking morning bus tour including the Royal Palace & the Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. Having lunch on board.
Afternoon
An afternoon excursion will be arranged to the former High School « S21 », which was converted into a detention center under the Red Khmer’s rule between 1975 and 1979. HavingLeisure time and shopping at the “Central Market”.
Evening
Having dinner on board. Staying overnight on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Mekong Prestige Cruise Ship
Day 5: Phnom Penh – Navigation – Border crossing
Activities: Departing towards the border with Vietnam, cruising past the Mekong’s timeless villages.
The ship will depart towards the border with Vietnam. We will cruise past the Mekong’s timeless villages and river life with extensive fishing activities. Crossing the border and completing the required formalities (normally lasts 4 hours).
Having dinner on board. Staying overnight on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Mekong Prestige Cruise Ship
Day 6: Tan Chau
Activities: Exploring Tan Chau, a remote town on the main Mekong River
Morning
Arriving at Tan Chau in the morning, a remote town on the main Mekong River.
Transferring on small boats to visit a fishing farm after breakfast.
We will 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 around this fascinating town will take you back to the pier for lunch.
Afternoon
Navigation in the afternoon
Evening
Having dinner on the boat. Staying overnight on boat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Mekong Prestige Cruise Ship
Day 7: Sa Dec – Cai Be
Activities: Arriving at Sa Dec, visiting the house of Marguerite’s Chinese Lover, strolling through the local market, enjoying a traditional Music Show.
Morning
Arriving at Sa Dec.
The French writer Marguerite Duras spent parts of her childhood in Sa Dec, a sprawling busy town on the Mekong. Both the school where Duras’ mother taught and the small house behind it where the family lived still stands.
Seeing the house of Marguerite’s Chinese Lover. The house is a small museum of « The Lover » in Sadec.
Visiting a Caodaist Temple and a stroll through the colorful local market. Having lunch on board.
Afternoon
Cruising past Vinh Long Province, located in the middle of the Delta region, between the two tributaries of the Mekong.
Arriving at Cai Be, tour on local boats to see the French Gothic Cathedral.
Walking along the river bank and visiting a manufacturer of rice paper and coconut sweets.
Evening
Having dinner on board & traditional Music Show. Staying overnight on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Mekong Prestige Cruise Ship
Day 8: My Tho – Saigon
Activities: Arriving at My Tho, disembarking after breakfast, and transferring to Saigon city center by bus.
Morning
Arriving at My Tho. Disembarking after breakfast and transferring to Saigon city center by bus. The transfer will include a stop at the Cholon Market and a lacquer factory visit.
*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 ship. Passengers will be informed of details before departure. The cruise schedule and program timing are indicative and subject to modification.
Meals: Breakfast
