Mekong Cruise: Vietnam to Cambodia with Angkor Wat Extension

Day 1: Your arrival at Noi Bai – Hanoi International Airport
Upon your arrival at Noi Bai – Hanoi International Airport, our tour guide will be holding a welcome signboard with Bravo Indochina Tours & your name outside the baggage claim area and escort you to Hanoi downtown with a brief introduction en route. Check in hotel.
The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the tree-lined boulevards, French Indochinese architectures and tranquil lakes of this unique city.

Day 2 - Day 3: Halong Overnight Cruise
The Halong bay cruise overnight offers exclusive 2 days 1 night tour for an authentic Halong bay experience and be able to discover the charm of the World Heritage Site. On this classic itinerary you ll see the highlights of Halong Bay featuring cave and beach excursions, visit to a floating pearl farm with the opportunity to kayak as well as a range of family-friendly, on-board activities.
At the end of the trip, you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 4: Exploring Cu Chi Tunnels - The witness of Saigon's history
Learn the struggles of life in wartime Vietnam firsthand when you go below ground in the notorious Cu Chi Tunnels. See how soldiers and civilians lived through the conflicts and the ingenious methods used to conceal themselves.
Explore the extremely complex tunnel system, the Cu Chi network covers a wide area of countryside near to Ho Chi Minh city and was an excellent way for the Viet Cong to move underground, undetected by American forces. There is also the chance to take part in your own "HUNGER GAMES" and fire an authentic AK rifle used during the war

Day 5: Saigon – Cai Be – Can Tho – Long Xuyen (50km, 3.5 hrs cruising)
Depart Saigon via coach and drive towards Can Tho, the beating heart of the Mekong Delta. Stop at the rustic, riverside town of Cai Be where lunch is served at the elegant Le Longanier Restaurant set amidst lush fruit trees by the river. Continue to Can Tho, arriving mid-afternoon and board the Victoria Mekong Cruise Ship.
As the ship cruises towards Long Xuyen, watch the sunset over the Hau River, sundowner in hand. As day turns into night, enjoy a traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music performance known as don ca tai tu, followed by a Vietnamese dinner to officially welcome you aboard your Victoria Mekong Cruise. Overnight near Long Xuyen.

Day 6: Long Xuyen – Tiger Island – Vam Nao (32km, 2hrs cruising)
After breakfast tender ashore to visit the authentic Long Xuyen Floating Market and the An Giang Traditions Museum, with fascinating exhibits on Vietnamese, Chinese, Khmer and Cham cultures in the region. During lunch the ship sails on before anchoring near Tiger Island.
Head ashore by sampan and explore Tiger Island by “xe loi”, visit a plant pot and incense making. Visit a pagoda locally known as “Mr. Tiger’s Temple”, hear the story that won the island its name. Return on board in time for cocktail competition as the ship continues cruising to Vam Nao where we stay overnight.

Day 7: Vam Nao – Tan Chau (40km, 2.5 hrs cruising)
Wake up to another leisurely breakfast as the ship cruises towards Phu Tan the provincial capital of An Giang in the Mekong Delta. Tender ashore to visit “Ca Rang craft village” a type of cooking stove made of clay.
Ca Rang is the name of a type of cooking stove made of clay of the people in the countryside, but perhaps the Khmer liked this type of stove the earliest. Clay cooking stove a unique feature of Southern residents hundreds of years ago.
Have lunch on board as the ship continues sailing to Tan Chau, heading by sampan to the shore where you will then board a local rickshaw to a silk village to witness all the labor-intensive steps to producing this fine textile, including the use of natural dyes made from tree bark, leaves and fruit. Return to the ship in time for a traditional Vietnamese lion dance, followed by dinner and the evening’s entertainment. Overnight in Tan Chau.

 

Day 8: Tan Chau – Phnom Penh (110km, 8hrs cruising)
As the ship begins cruising towards the Vietnam-Cambodia border, start the day on the Sky Deck or by the Infinity Pool, followed by a leisurely breakfast in the restaurant.
After, select from the many on-board activities including a ship’s tour, a mini- golf or simply enjoy the scenery as we sail on towards Phnom Penh and cross the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. We arrive late afternoon in the charming capital of Phnom Penh, once known as the “Pearl of the Orient” for its French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic riverwalk.
Before the farewell dinner, take in a lively performance of Khmer Apsara dancing with the opportunity to meet the performers afterward. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

 
Day 9: Phnom Penh Sightseeing Tour
Enjoy a final breakfast on board before disembarking at Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh’s downtown riverside promenade. Go on a full day tour to see Phnom Penh's finest sightseeing destinations. visit to the Independence Monument and then get directly to the Royal Palace - a typical royal construction in Khmer style and still the home of the royal family. The Silver Pagoda is located in the same area as the Royal Palace which is the most well-known royal temple in Cambodia and is famous for its silver floor and precious ornaments from diamonds, emeralds, and gold. Nearby is the National Museum which exhibits over 5000 objects that can tell you more about Cambodia's history and culture.
Finally, you will visit Wat Phnom - a sacred hill in the city where you can hear a story about how Phnom Penh was born.

 

Day 10: Road Trip to Siemreap
Begin the scenic drive to Siem Reap (approximately 7 hours, including stops). Along the way, swing by a local village restaurant for a tasty lunch. Arrive in the small but expanding town of Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor and the most popular destination for travellers in all of Cambodia, perhaps even in South East Asia. You'll probably notice a change of pace here, so take a walk and enjoy the atmosphere. A visit to the old market is a must, even if you're not looking for souvenirs, wandering through the stalls and surrounding shops the silks, cottons, sarongs, silver and statues are a riot of colour and a feast for the eyes – and there will be one for your stomach too if you try some of the cheap, delicious street food! Overnight in Siemreap

Day 11: Fullday Angkor with Sunset Viewing (Lunch)
Spend a full day visiting the amazing temples of Angkor on a guided exploration. Angkor Wat is the largest and most complete structure, and the only one of Angkor's temples that has its entrance facing west – the others face east. Of all the temples visited today, Bayon is the centrepiece, with over 200 smiling carved faces and more than 50 gothic towers. Visit an ancient monastery where you’ll meet a Buddhist monk and take part in a ritual that has survived for thousands of years. Sit on the floor as the monk chants and sprinkles holy water over you before tying a sacred thread around your wrist, ensuring protection and good luck for the rest of your journey. For lunch you'll visit the Sala Bai Hotel School where disadvantaged local youth learn skills that enable them to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry. Afterward, you will head to Ta Prohm, a temple where nature has taken over, as large trees have become embedded in the stone foundations of the structure. End the day with a sunset view of the temples – an extraordinary way to see the sun go down.
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Day 12: Sunset Tour Of Floating Village In Siem Reap (Sunset Dinner)
Once on the water we will stop at the floating Crocodile & Fish Farm to learn about some of the trades people on the life work in. If catfish and crocodiles don’t interest you, there is a souvenir shop and a viewing deck on board for you to purchase some presents for loved ones or take a few photos.
The boat ride through the floating village will allow you to see ordinary Cambodians going about their daily life. Fishermen, boat-makers, markets, schools, spirit houses and waving children are always in plentiful supply on this mesmerizing scenic route, and it is not uncommon for the scenery to provoke silence on the Mini Tara, as guests take in the sights and sounds that surround them. Once the trip through the floating village is complete, your boat will dock with the Queen Tara Riverboat, the biggest boat on the Tonle Sap Lake with unrivaled views of the floating villages, flooded forests and of course the best place to watch the sunset. There you will enjoy a well-deserved buffet meal (or fixed menu) (vegetarian options available) and all you can drink including Cocktails, beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks for free. Afterwards you can lie back in a hammock, take a seat on the viewing deck or get your photo taken on the bridge at the steering wheel. Watch as other tour groups drive past on their rickety little boats whilst you chill out, relax, and enjoy the comfort & luxury of the biggest boat on the lake. And if the weather is good, you will get a first-class view of a spectacular sunset, the likes of which you will never forget. Even if there isn’t a sunset, the magnificent & unique cloud linings that form above the great lake are always a spectacle to behold. At about 6:45pm you’ll leave the Queen Tara and head back to the port where your air-conditioned vehicle will be waiting to transport you directly home to your hotel or Guesthouse or the pub street/market areas to continue your night.

Day 13: Departure
After breakfast, you are free to leave at any time, as there are no activities planned today. If you would like to spend some more time in Siem Reap, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you.

INCLUSION

• Air-conditioned vehicles with experienced driver
• English speaking licensed guide
• All admission fees as mentioned in the program
• VAT 7% and all Government taxes (no service charge)
• Accomodation based on twin/double/Triple sharing room

EXCLUSIONS

• Lunch meal
• Food and drinks
• Travel insurances
• Gratuities
• Sinlge Suplement