Mekong in a different way - Between adventure and must-see sites (port-to-port cruise) Tour by CroisiEurope

9 daysDuration

Cruise TourExperience this tour on a cruise

15 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Ends

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Highlights

An authentic, dynamic trip in small groups

Crossing through the splendid Cho Gao canal

The hidden treasures of the Mekong by bike, kayak, sampan or on foot

Discover historic cities Phnom Penh and Hô Chi Minh City

Meet the locals and discover their way of life in Sa Dec, Cai Be...

Pottery wheel demonstration and take a cooking class to immerse yourself in the local culture

Climb the astonishing Oudong hill

Pottery wheel demonstration and take a cooking class to immerse yourself in the local culture

Climb the astonishing Oudong hill

Itinerary

The Mekong River reveals its secrets in a whole new way with this nine-day port-to-port cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City. Designed for small groups seeking authentic adventure and cultural immersion, this itinerary features biking, kayaking, sampan rides, and walking tours that unveil the hidden treasures of the Mekong. Visit traditional villages, climb the stunning Udong Hill, and journey by boat through the breathtaking Tra Su Forest, where you’ll encounter remarkable flora and fauna. With a focus on personalized service and dynamic experiences, this tour package stands out for its unique combination of light adventure, local interaction, and the charm of an intimate river cruise.

day 1 - Siem Reap

Please arrive at 1 p.m. at the hotel Lotus Blanc(1) in Siem Reap. Transfer by coach to your cruise boat in Koh Chen (5-6 hours). After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail and have dinner on board. We'll spend the night on board.

day 2 - Koh Chen - Kampong Chhang

Sail to Kampong Chhnang and lunch on board. Visit Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap Lake. Here they also have many fish farms. The region is also known for its traditional pottery combining ancient knowledge with modern techniques - Chhnang itself means "pot." We'll enjoy a tasting of regional products before returning on board and beginning to cruise to Kampong Tralach. Option: For those seeking more activity, there will be an option at Kampong Chhnang to cycle alongside the riverside and then to the pottery village to explore this area. We'll have dinner and spend the night on board.

day 3 - Udong - Kampong Tralach - Phnom Penh

Breakfast on board.We will head to Udong, which was the royal residence and the capital of Cambodia for over 250 years. Visit the Vipassana Dhura Pagoda, located at the foot of a hill where many stupas from the last Khmer kings can be found. It is also a place for meditation for Buddhist monks. Then, it will be the opportunity to explore Oudong Hill, which requires climbing many steps. The ascent may seem a bit tough, but your effort will be rewarded at the top with a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside, rice fields, and Tonlé Sap, before strolling through this historic site of Cambodia.
Lunch on board.
In the afternoon, visit the beautiful Vihara of the Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To access the pagoda, we need to cross the village of Kampong Tralach, moving along a small road that runs perpendicular to the river in the middle of magnificent rice fields. The vihara dates from the early 20th century and was probably built on an older site, as suggested by the laterite foundations. It features beautiful murals.

We then offer clients to return to the ship by enjoying a mountain biking experience through the stunning countryside to witness the beauty of the rice fields surrounding the area before returning to the ship.After returning on board, start cruising towards Phnom Penh. Enjoy a performance of classical Khmer dancing and music then dinner. Night on board.

day 4 - Phnom Penh

Breakfast on board. We'll enjoy a tour of the fabulous Royal Palace, one of the most impressive examples of Cambodian architecture, and its Silver Pagoda. Onward to visit the National Museum. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the area by "tuk-tuk," for an authentic and immersive experience like no other. Visit the beautifully renovated Art Deco Central Market and experience the local shopping scene firsthand. Known as "Phsar Thmei" locally the market is a bustling hub for clothing, food and souvenir shopping. After exploring the market, we will stroll through the city's off-the-beaten-path alleyways, where you'll have a chance to engage with the locals and see how they live their daily lives in the city. Observe and experience the locals enjoying their coffee while playing Cambodian-style chess and see the local food in its most authentic form, learning about the way of live in this vibrant city. Continue your visit to the city's namesake, Wat Phnom. Founded in 1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river. From there, we will enjoy a short walk to the French Quarter, where you'll get a glimpse of the city's colonial era while admiring the beautiful architecture. The area boasts a number of Belle Époque and Art Deco houses and public buildings dating from the French Protectorate (1863-1953). We'll return on board for dinner in the evening and start sailing towards Vietnam. Night on board.

day 5 - Chau Doc

Breakfast on board. Arrival at Vinh Xuong border. Customs clearance and entry formalities, departure for Chau Doc. Situated on the border between Cambodia and Vietnam, the prosperous town of Chau Doc has developed around fishing and fish farming. We’ll then transfer to Tra Su Forest. We’ll experience this beautiful forest with small local boats, where you can witness this incredible and diverse flora and fauna. Return to the boat for lunch. In the afternoon, we will board a cable car and embark on an unforgettable journey to Sam mountain. You will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views as the ride unfolds. Upon the summit of Sam Mountain, we will embrace spectacular views. We will pay a visit to the Ba Chua Xu Temple before heading back to the ship. Continuation to Sa Dec, dinner and overnight on board.

day 6 - Sa Dec - Cai Be

Breakfast on board. Local boat picks up for a short panoramic tour of Sa Dec, including a promenade at Sa Dec market on the riverbank. This small town of 30,000 inhabitants is fascinating for its preserved authenticity. A few colonial houses remain, including the former house of Huynh Thuy Lê, the man who Marguerite Duras based her book The Lover on, which we will visit. This is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy the charming river surroundings.Ship leaves Sa Dec for Cai Be. Cai Be offers many exciting attractions, activities, and excursions. Nature lovers will enjoy the lush natural landscape and those interested in local culture will love meeting the very hospitable local people and discovering the way of the life in this region. Arrive Cai Be, take a local boat trip to cruise along the Mekong River. Disembark to visit the craft village where you can witness how the local products are made. Continue cruising on the boat. Get off at the fruit orchards comprising of many kinds of fruits such as: jack-fruit, durian, guava, rambutan, longan etc... drink hot tea, eat fresh fruits and enjoy a live local music performance. Head to the local restaurant by boat, attend a cooking class with local chef, then enjoy your lunch. After lunch, take a rest, then enjoy a kayaking adventure. Don't worry if you are a first-time paddler, it is not difficult. This is a unique experience in the Mekong Delta providing a unique aquatic perspective of the surrounding natural beauty. Then there is the opportunity to explore the countryside by mountain bike providing another view of the local scenery. Whichever of the activities you do, you will get a distinctive glimpse into the beauty and authenticity of the Mekong River. Ship leaves Cai Be for My Tho. Dinner during cruising and night on board.

day 7 - My Tho - Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon)

Breakfast on board.In My Tho we will kick off our day with a local boat pick-up that will take us on a boat cruise to Thoi Son Island where we will have the opportunity to explore the daily lives of the local people and enjoy seasonal fruits. We will also take a Sampan ride along the scenic canals for a closer look at the Mekong Delta and its unique features. Later we'll go biking on our own and explore the village to see firsthand how the local people live and to admire the magnificent fruit orchards in the area. This is the perfect chance to connect with the locals and witness their way of life.Lunch on board and cruise the magnificent Chao Gao canal, the entrance to Saigon where you will experience the lively and vibrant canal full of ships and activity, yet still feel close to the life on shore. A must-see part of the cruise and that we're the only cruise line offering this unique passage.Arrive in Saigon, dinner on board. Night on board."Saigon After Dark" is a part night excursion, part street/local food adventure from 6pm to 10pm. Guests experience the nightlife of Saigon the way locals do. An evening excursion with a culinary adventure. On the back of a vintage Vespa scooter, you'll enter the heart of Saigon's nightlife. From stop to stop, you'll sample local flavors, including cocktails, seafood tastings, cold drinks and Vietnamese creperies. After this, the tour will bring you to a live music venue to enjoy the drinks with live music.

day 8 - Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy a tasty breakfast on board before our Ho Chin Minh city tour. Take a short downtown drive to the city. Walking tour commences and stop for some photographs at notable sites like Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Municipal Post Office, City Square and the Opera house all of which were heavily influenced by French colonialism in the 19th century. Enjoy the vibrancy of this city by foot and explore the city's green space enjoying the beauty of nature in the middle of this dynamic city. Experience the local coffee scene - Vietnam is famous for producing high-quality coffee and coffee shops are a common sight in the downtown. Transfer back to ship for lunch.After lunch, we'll explore the local Chinatown and experience the daily life of the people. We'll also visit the Giac Lam Pagoda, which is over 300 years old and is the oldest pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City. Lastly, we'll visit the Flower Market and Binh Tay market for a 15-minute walking tour to explore how locals buy and sell local food and products.Transfer to the ship to enjoy our farewell cocktail and dinner onboard.We'll remain in port overnight.

day 9 - Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking. We'll then proceed to the War Museum to learn more about the history of Vietnam.Then, we'll transfer to a local restaurant for lunch.We'll bid you farewell at approximately 2:00 p.m. Please do not book your flight before 5:00 p.m.

The Mekong in a different way - Between adventure and must-see sites (port-to-port cruise)

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What's Included

Meals

All meals

Transport

Transfer to your cruise boat on d1

Others

Your cruise in the cabin category of your choiceOnboard drinks included (except for drinks from our special lists)Visits and excursions mentioned in the programThe services of an english-speaking local tour guidesTravel assistance and repatriation insurance

What's Excluded

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