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Mekong River Cruise / Tour • 15 Day / 13 Night
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Ho Chi Minh • 7 Night Mekong Cruise aboard the Mekong Pandaw
or Tonle Pandaw • Angkor Wat
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Day 01
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Day 02
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USA - HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON):
Depart on your overnight flights to Asia. Meals and services as per airline policies.
HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON):
Arrive in Saigon late afternoon / evening. Due to various arrival times no meals or services are scheduled for tonight. Accommodations are at one of the 5* downtown hotels: Legend, Renaissance, Sofitel or similar. Enjoy your rest or explore Saigon on your own.
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Day 03
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HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON):
After a buffet breakfast take a motor coach city tour that includes the Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the History
Museum and a unique Water Puppet Show. Tour the infamous
Presidential Palace etched in the world's memory as US Helicopters
flew out the lucky few from its rooftop just hours before Saigon fell.
In the afternoon tour the War Remnants Museum featuring a
vast compilation of photographs depicting the tragedy of Vietnam's
recent history. Finish the day with a Welcome Dinner featuring Vietnamese specialties. (B, D)
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Day 04
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HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON):
Morning excursion to the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels. This unique
location was the dividing line between the Viet Cong and the South
Vietnamese. Due to massive bombing raids the local villagers and
Viet Cong built a vast underground series of tunnels covering an
area of over 212 km where they could survive allied attacks for years. Return to the city for a lunch break (on your own). After
a short rest at your hotel, the afternoon sightseeing will end on a
lighter note with a delightful 45 minute cycle tour through the
heart of the city's bustling China Town. Dinner will be at one of
Saigon's popular local restaurants. (B, D)
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Day 05
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HO CHI MINH - MY THO - EMBARK - CAI BE:
Transfer by motor coach to My Tho (apprx. 2 hrs) to embark your luxurious floating hotel.
Set sail during a light buffet lunch. In the afternoon, arrive in Cai Be and take a trip by a traditional junk - a small boat - across the river to Vinh Long and Tiem Giang islands. Here you will tour a former mandarin residence of An Kiet where surviving members of the family will welcome you with homemade tea. (B, L, D)
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Day 06
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CRUISE / CAI BE - CHAU DOC:
In the morning, take local boats to visit the floating market of Cai Be where locals buy and sell a variety of vegetables and fruit.
Stop and tour the French Gothic Cathedral and colorful port area. Tour several small riverside villages to see locals hand make coconut candy and famous rice paper used for for cooking, e.g. summer rolls. The use of quality local rice combined with traditional methods of manufacturing makes transparent rice paper delicious. Return to your floating hotel for lunch and continue sailing to Chau Doc for early evening arrival. (B, L, D)
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Day 07
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CRUISE / CHAU DOC - BORDER:
Enjoy a morning ricksaw ride around this charming French style town. Later on board smaller boats to visit a local Cham Minority Tribal village. Speaking the Cham language, they are considered to be descendants of the kingdom of Champa. Cham people form the core of the Muslim communities in both Cambodia and Vietnam. Later stop at a local catfish farm. Return to your floating hotel for lunch and sail on towards the border with Cambodia for border formalities. End the day moored near Phnom Penh.
(B, L, D)
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Day 08
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CRUISE / PHNOM PENH (Cambodia):
Phnom Penh, The capital of Cambodia retains a French colonial charm. Your morning tour will highlight several impressive Wats (temple-monasteries) and the Magnificent Royal Palace that has become a popular tourist attraction. Visitors are able to visit the Silver Pagoda and the Throne Hall, however, they may not enter the Khemarin Palace where Norodom Sihamoni, the present King of Cambodia currently resides.
After lunch on board you may wish to join an optional excursion to the infamous Killing Fields. The evening is free to explore Phnom Penh on your own. (B, L, D)
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Day 09
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CRUISE / PHNOM PENH - KAMPONG CHAM:
Your first stop is at the Chong Koh silk weaving village for a morning walk at leisure. Then continue cruising this less travelled part of the Mekong.
In the afternoon stop at Peam Chi Kang village to visit the local monastery and school (educational gifts, pens, crayons will be appreciated by the kids).
Return to the ship and continue sailing. (B, L, D)
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Day 10
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CRUISE / KAMPONG CHAM AREA:
Morning journey to the hilltop Temple of Wat Hanchey. Dating from the 8th century, these ancient brick structures characterize the architecture of the Chenla Empire. Lunch on board.
In the afternoon travel by motor coach to the 12th century Temple of Wat Nokor. This tample is unique as a modern Wat is set within the ruins of the original ancient temple. Continue to the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei. Return to the ship for dinner. (B, L, D)
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Day 11
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CRUISE / KAMPONG CHHNANG:
In the early morning we sail along the Tonle River. This portion of
the cruise is usually considered the highlight of the cruise. The
river winds its way through jungle and you feel as though you can
reach out and tough the houses and the people who cheer the ship on!
Arrive in Kampong Chnang in the afternoon. On arrival explore this
busy rural port and its bustling markets during a wonderful motor
boat excursion into the lake wetlands. The evening is reserved for
our Captain's farewell dinner. (B, L, D)
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Day 12
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DISEMBARK / SIEM REAP:
After breakfast disembark and take the hydrofoil across the vast
Tonle Sap Lake to Siem Reap port (approx. 3 hours). From there transfer (1 hour by motor coach) to the city of Seam Riep, check-in at your first class hotel (Angkor Borei, Angkor Century or similar), and enjoy a light lunch and some rest.
In the afternoon take a city tour that includes a stop at a Silk Farm and
the renowned "Les Artisans d' Angkor" - an artists village where you will see local artisans creating beauty right before your eyes. Shopping.
The evening is reserved for an al fresco dinner at the renowned Foreign Correspondents Club. (B, L, D)
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Day 13
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SIEM REAP - ANGKOR WAT:
This fabulous day begins with a tour of the lesser known Temples of
the Angkor Wat Complex: Angkor Thom, Elephant Terrace and Leper King. Excellent Cambodian and Asian specialties will be served at Red Piano restaurant, a favorite of Angelina Jolie.
Finally, it is time to continue to the highlight of anyone's visit to South-East Asia - the fabulous Angkor Wat Temples, one of the ten greatest man-made structures in the world for a truly magnificent sunset tour of this UNESCO World
Heritage Site. A special dinner with a performance of the Apsara Dances ends this day. (B, L, D)
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Day 14
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SIEM REAP- ANGKOR WAT:
Savor a full free day to relax in your hotel and explore this unique World Heritage site further on
your own! We highly recommend an early morning visit to the
Angkpr Wat Temples.
Visit local marketplaces, bargain for those last minute
souvenirs, take an optional Tuk Tuk tour to the local crocodile farm, and in the evening hit one of the many local pubs and restaurants.
(B)
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Day 15
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SIEM REAP / Asian gateway / Home:
As all good things must come to an end, after a hearty breakfast and
a final look at the magnificent Angkor at Temples, pack you memories
away as you transfer to the airport for your homebound flights. (B)
BON VOYAGE!
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2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8
For reservations call:
1 (800) 578 - 7742