Saigontourist - Luxury cruises from Siem Reap via Phnom Penh to Saigon

Time: 8 days 7 nights

Transport: RV Toum Tiou II boat & car

Origin: Siem Reap

Destination: Mekong Delta - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Ho Chi Minh City

Highlights

The Toum Tiou II offers an unmatched cruising experience of the Mekong with spectacular views of its fauna and flora and opportunities to observe day-to-day life of the people of Cambodia and Vietnam in close proximity. Larger than its sister vessel, Toum Tiou II offers even greater comfort with additional in-cabin facilities, including a private lounge area, air-conditioning, hi-fi system, an en-suite bathroom with hot/cold shower and complimentary tea & coffee.

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Discover Indochina along the Mekong River

DAY 1: SIEM REAP
We gather at the FCC for the transfer to Phnom Krom, the Siem Reap pier. Transfer by local boats to the ship.

* Note: When water levels are too low (sometimes between mid-December and August) it may not be possible to embark at the pier in Siem Reap. Alternatively, you will be transferred from Siem Reap to Koh Chen by air-conditioned bus (5-6 hours) where you will embark at approximately 6.30pm.

DAY 2: CHNOK TRU – KAMPONG CHHNANG
You enjoy a sumptuous breakfast onboard before we visit Chnok Tru and tour a floating village. The entire community – temples, houses and schools – sits merrily on the water. We return to the ship before setting off for Kampong Chhnang.
After lunch, we head off to Kampong Chhnang, which is renowned for its fine clay pottery. In fact, its name in Khmer means ‘Port of Pottery’. Kampong Chhnang is a tranquil province lined with sugar-palm trees and paddy fields which blend into the horizon in dazzling hues of gold and green.
We return to the ship and begin our journey to Kampong Tralach. The ship drops anchor a few miles downriver and dinner is served.

DAY 3: KAMPONG TRALACH – PHNOM PENH
Breakfast is served as we cruise to the spectacular Wat Kampong Tralach Leu Pagoda at Kampong Tralach. We return to the ship and depart for Phnom Penh, with lunch served onboard. We arrive in the capital, Phnom Penh and passengers are free to explore this “Pearl of Asia” for the balance of the afternoon. In the early evening, you are entertained by the graceful and beguiling ‘Apsara Dance’ before dinner is served.

DAY 4: PHNOM PENH
A buffet breakfast is enjoyed before we visit the Royal Palace, its Silver Pagoda and the famed Russian Market. We return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. We recommend you set aside some time to visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. Dinner and overnight onboard.

DAY 5: KAAM SAMNAR – VINH XUONG BORDER, VIETNAM – SA DEC
The ship leaves at the break of dawn for the Kaam Samnar Border (Cambodia) and Vinh Xuong Border (Vietnam). Breakfast is served. We arrive at the check-point. After formalities have been concluded, we depart for Sa Dec.
Dinner is served onboard. The ship moors overnight.

DAY 6: SA DEC – VINH LONG
After breakfast, local boats collect you for a delightful cruise around Sa Dec. We return to the ship.
After lunch, we cruise to Vinh Long and tour a brick and pottery factory and the Binh Hoa Phuoc Islet Fruit Tree Nursery. We visit a typical local dwelling and a showroom of traditional farming tools. Vinh Long, Vietnamese for ‘Majestic Dragon’, sits merrily in the middle of the Delta, protected by the two great arms of the Mekong. The soil of Vinh Long is enriched by silt deposits, making it ideal for growing mandarins and other citrus fruit.
Life here centres on the water. Houses are perched precariously on stilts that cling to the banks of the river. Hawkers peddle knick-knacks from their boats. Hundreds of small boats traverse the river every day. The unbridled warmth of the locals makes this a destination par excellence. The ship cruises towards Cai Be for a short panoramic tour. We then sail onto My Tho where we moor overnight.

DAY 7: CAI BE – MY THO
After breakfast, local boats transfer you to the mainland for a short panoramic tour of My Tho. My Tho, which translates as ‘fragrant herb’ in Vietnamese, draws thousands of tourists each year, eager to embrace the untouched beauty of the Mekong Delta. It is a prosperous city of some 100,000 inhabitants, famous for its myriad fruit orchards, gardens and vast rice fields. The climate is warm and pleasant throughout the year. The surrounding countryside is home to one of the most verdant gardens of Vietnam, encircled by coconut palms and banana and mango trees.
We return to the ship and then cruise towards Saigon. A sumptuous farewell dinner is served and the ship moors overnight.

DAY 8: MY THO – SAIGON
After breakfast, the ship departs for Saigon. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board before packing your bags and relaxing in good time for our arrival at Saigon Port.