Upstream Cruising to Siem Reap 8 Days

 

Departure Dates in 2011
Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	Jun	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
2, 16, 30	13, 27	13, 27	10, 24	20	4, 18	1, 15, 29	12, 26	10, 24	7, 21	5, 19

Register between 11:00 to 12:00 at Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel. Transfer overland by motor coach to My Tho port for embarkation aboard the Indochina Sails’ ship for the journey from the Mekong Delta to Holy Angkor. Embark ship at 13:30. Welcome drinks served in Saigon Lounge. Short briefing is conducted before adjourning for lunch in Mekong restaurant. The cabins are ready for check-in after lunch. After port clearance formalities, captain raises the anchor and cruises towards Cai Be. Join the Cruise Director at Saigon Lounge for safety demonstration and briefing at 18:00, followed by Captain’s Cocktails. Enjoy the first gourmet dinner onboard with fellow travelers. Enjoy folk performances of the Mekong Delta from 21:00 to 21:45 in Saigon Lounge The ship moors. Overnight midstream near Cai Be.

After breakfast take a morning junk trip around Cai Be. See floating market, go ashore to visit French Gothic Cathedral and colorful port area, filled with colonial buildings, delightful flower gardens and local rice paper manufacturers. Return to the boat at noon. After enjoying lunch while ship sails toward Sa Dec, follow guides to the hometown of Marguerite Duras’ lover, Sadec, a quaint little city. Visit the old house of Huynh Thuy Le, partake in the bantering of local markets along the paved river banks, pagoda and the Fujian Temple, build and donated to the city by the late Le family. Pass by the home of Marguerite Duras from across the riverbanks. Reboard ship at 15:30. After that, ship sets sail to Tan Chau. Cocktails and briefing at 18:00 followed by dinner at 19:00. After dinner, onboard musician will entertain you in the Lounge.

Today’s highlight is a visit of Tan Chau ~ a small town untouched by tourism. In the morning, the excursion starts with sightseeing by local boats, navigating narrow channels to visit an evergreen island. Chance to visit floating fish farm and travels along the tiny tributaries where slit houses are haphazardly leaning on each other. Afterwards, go ashore and tour the town on rickshaw (Xe Loi). Visit rattan mats and slippers making factories. Return to the ship and enjoy lunch while the ship departs for border. In the afternoon, enjoy Fruits Carving and Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls demonstration by Executive Chef at Saigon Lounge. Border formalities are carried out concurrently. Cocktail hour from 18:00 – 19:00, dinner at 19:00. After dinner catch movie “The killing fields” in the Saigon Lounge. In the evening, cruise up the broad Mekong River, an international shipping route and moor overnight mid-stream just outside of Phnom Penh.

A busy day with many interesting sightseeing and activities, in the morning, sightsee Phnom Penh by bus. Visit Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum where outstanding Khmer crafts are exhibited. Afternoon excursion facilitates understanding of a crucial part of the Cambodia’s history: the Khmer Rouge’s grim Toul Sleng (S21 detention center) and the Killing Fields. (For a free and easy afternoon, please inform Cruise Manager). Cocktail hours are served from 18:00 to 19:00. Dinner is served from 19:30 to 21:00. After dinner, join the Khmer folk dances and songs at the Saigon Lounge. Before midnight, opt to chill in one the bars located across the road from the pier.

Early in the morning the ship sails towards little known village Chong Koh. After breakfast, take leisurely morning stroll through Chong Koh silk weaving village. Visit a school, some home workshops manufacturing traditional silk and cotton handicrafts and buy some local products. Return to the ship at 10:00.Enjoy a hearty lunch onboard at 12:30 as the ship sails to Kampong Cham. Join lecture onboard “Cambodia - The Past and Present” in the afternoon presented by the tour guides. Cocktail hour from 18:00 to 19:00. Dinner is served at 19:00. After dinner, join together in the Saigon Lounge with Cruise Manager for a “Nasty Quiz” night. Ship arrives at Wat Hanchey early in the morning.

Enjoy breakfast from 7:00 to 9:00. At 8:30, follow guides and explore Wat Hanchey, a hilltop pagoda overlooking the Mekong. Dating back to the 8th century, these ancient brick structures characterize the architecture of the Chenla Empire, which predated the glories of Angkor. On top of the hill, you will enjoy the beautiful panoramic view over the Mekong River. Return to the boat at 10:30 and cast off for Kampong Cham around 11:00. Enjoy lunch from 12:30 to 14:00. At 12:30, arrive at Kampong Cham. Afternoon touring departs by bus at 14:30. The upland regions near Kampong Cham are rich in timbers, including Ceylon ironwood, rosewood, bean trees, teak, and rubber trees. Visit 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor and Eco village. Back to the ship at 17:30. Ship sets sail to Kampong Chhnang afterward. A cocktail hour is served from 18:30 to 19:30 in the Saigon Lounge. Dinner at 19:30. After dinner, join the Crew Show in the Saigon Lounge. More music, more dancing afterward. Ship sails overnight to Kampong Chhnang.

Kampong Chhnang is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Mooring mid-stream, take a truly wonderful motorboat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of birdlife may be seen, and of considerable interest are local life and floating village. Return to the boat and cast off towards Tonle Lake. The great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150 km in length. Here bird life is profuse, and from the middle of the lake one cannot even see the shores. There is a great stillness and tranquility as the boat sails past floating fishing villages. Enjoy the great afternoon views to the boat cruise over the lake. Time for packing and prepare for Farewell Cocktail this evening. The ship moors overnight near Siem Reap.

Enjoy breakfast onboard. Bid farewell to the crew and guides. Disembark around 9:00 and take motorized boats to local jetty approximately 5 to 6 km away from the middle of the lake. Transfer by motor coach to Le Meridien Angkor Hotel. Arrive at hotel at 11:00.

* Note: From approximately December to May, water level in Tonle Sap Lake is shallow restricting the boat’s access through Kampong Chhnang, the only waterway to the Tonle Sap Lake. Hence, alternative route from Prek K’dam to Siem Reap is arranged. The program changes for DAY 8: Disembarkation - Prek K'dam - Siem Reap

Disembark the ship at Prek Kdam. Breakfast is served from 6:00 – 7:00 in the Mekong Restaurant. After breakfast, bid farewell to crew and disembark at Prek K’dam at 07:30. Take 5 and half hours bus drive to Siem Reap with a stop over in Kampong Thom. Arrive around 13:30 at Le Meridien Angkor Hotel. From late of March toward May, the water level is more shallow restrict the boat reach to Kampong Cham. Hence, the alternative
initinerary with the ports of call Vinh long, Xeo quyt in Vietnam and Oudong, Kampong Tralach in Cambodia is arranged.