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Cruise Vietnam & Cambodia

Vietnam

Tour Code : VC018

17 Days. Cruise from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap on the luxury Jayavarman Cruise, explore the colonial town of Hanoi and cruise through Halong Bay before returning to the...

Ho Chi Minh

2 days

Jayavarman Cruise

8 days

Siem Reap

3 days

Hanoi

3 days

Halong Bay

2 days

Day 1 Ho Chi Minh
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh and transfer to your hotel, spend the rest of the day free at leisure
Day 2 Ho Chi Minh
Take a tour of Ho Chi Minh, starting with a visit to the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the Southern Vietnam President until the end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. You'll also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the best examples of Taoist temples in Vietnam. After your own lunch you'll be driven to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network of approximately 200km constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Viet Cong in the American War.
Day 3 Saigon - My Tho
Bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon while settling into your cabin. The ship will begin by meandering along busy ports and waterways. Soon after, the change is abrupt and you’ll find yourself in the UNESCO listed Mangrove Biosphere Reserve of Can Gio which had been destroyed during the Vietnam War by toxic chemicals. Amazingly, the 75 hectares of forest has come back to life through a reforestation. Enjoy a cocktail reception at the Funnel Bar and Lounge followed by a Welcome Dinner on the Sun Deck. Drop anchor just outside of Cai Be for the night.
Day 4 Cai Be - Chau Doc
Today’s tour starts with the visit of Cai Be’s colorful floating market. Cruise among local sampans coming from all provinces of the delta full of fruits and vegetables. Proceed to Dong Hoa Hiep island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. During a 40 minute cruise, discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong Delta rural life. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people. Back on the sampans, we will lead to you to observe the activity of the biggest rice stock market in Cai Be. Further stops will allow you to see traditional brick and tile factories and how locals use palm leaves for houses. Cruise 20 minutes further to Phu An hamlet passing by Cai Be’s beautiful cathedral. Visit some interesting home factories to see how rice paste, rice cookies and coco candies, are made, along with the longan fruit drying process. Lunch will await you at Le Longanier, a superb Indochinese villa located in a lush tropical garden by the river, surrounded by fruit orchards. After lunch, group 1 takes a stroll along the canals to experience the local environment first hand while group 2 explores the edges of the canals on bicycle. After touring the canals, head to the An Kiet ancient house to have tea with the descendants of the former imperial residents. Board the Jayavarman for a relaxing evening cruise towards Chau Doc. Moor midstream overnight.
Day 5 Chau Doc - Border Crossing
Welcome to the circus of fish. The early birds will be treated to Thai Chi lessons on the Sun Deck. Brace yourself for a boat excursion to the exciting floating villages and catfish farms witnessing masses of bassa fish being fed, hand in hand with a shore excursion to the village of the local Muslim Cham community. Take a ride through this fascinating town of rich French colonial architecture and see its bustling market flooded with tropical fruits in full display by women in cone shaped palm leaf hats. Observe beautiful textiles being woven on old wooden looms; a tradition that has been passed from generation to generation. By mid-afternoon, The Jayavarman casts off for the border towards Phnom Penh.
Day 6 Phnom Penh
Off we go early in the morning to witness a truly indescribable scene while approaching Phnom Penh’s river promenade. After breakfast, embark on a city tour in this dynamic, historical capital of Cambodia which has retained its French colonial charm. Sightseeing in the morning will include the dazzling white and gold architecture of the Royal Palace, outstanding displays of Khmer crafts at the National Museum and the temple on a hill - Wat Phnom. After lunch in a local restaurant, examine the painful, heart wrenching reminders of Cambodia’s ugly past under the Khmer Rouge regime with an excursion to the infamous “Killing Fields”; the former detention, torture and execution centers during the Cambodian civil war. Introduction and onsite lecture by a local history professor. Thereafter, to ease the nerves a variety of cocktails will be at your disposal, followed by Cambodia’s traditional Apsara dance performance. Experience the brilliance and richness of the culture, the soothing sounds of traditional music, the calming scent of incense sticks and a delicious Khmer food buffet.
Day 7 Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham
Depart before the break of dawn from Phnom Penh with a stop at the little known Chong Koh silk weaving village for a leisure walk. We cruise past the Mekong’s tranquil villages and mind blowing river life with scores of fishermen on duty. Visit Wat Nokor, a wat built within the ruins of an ancient temple that holds a timeless story. Then, travel to the Cheung Kok Ecotourism Village, a small village developed with support from Assistance Médiation Internationale (AMICA). Travelers can visit the village and take part in activities to experience village life. Profits from tourism go towards re-investment into long-term projects.
Day 8 Kampong Cham - Wat Hanchey
Wake up in the wee hours of the morning, truly energized to embark on a journey upriver to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Located at the top of a hill overlooking the river, it offers some of the best views in Cambodia. Dating from the 8th century, these ancient structures do justice to the architecture of the Chenla Empire which predated the glories of the mighty Angkor. Enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding well organized rice paddy plains, as well as a travelers blessing performed by the local monks.
Day 9 Kampong Cham - Kamping Chhnang - Tonle Sap
Before the sun rises, The Jayavarman sets sail to Kampong Chhnang via Prek K’dam along the meandering Tonle Sap River, which narrows through leafy swaths of the South East Asian jungle. Take a walk through Kampong Louang, one of the last silversmith villages, to see the entire community involved in making various silver items to sell. Get back aboard The Jayavarman to eat lunch while cruising towards Kampong Chhnang. After lunch, take a motorboat excursion from Kampong Chhnang to see the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region. Make a stop at a Heritage Line sponsored floating school to interact with the children and teach them some English! This is the day to truly experience rural Khmer life. In the evening, a mouth watering Farewell Dinner will be served on the Sun Deck.
Day 10 Tonle Sap - Siem Reap
This great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150 km in length. The birdlife is profuse and from the middle of the lake one cannot even see the shores. Witness stillness and tranquillity on the way to Siem Reap. The water level varies a great deal according to the time of the year and the amount of rainfall recorded. Thus, changes may occur for the different seasons. High Water Program (approx. between July and December): Cross the Tonle Sap Lake at dawn and 11:00 disembark at Siem Reap Port for onward coach transfer to the hotel by 12:00 pm Low Water Program (approx. between December and June): Cruise early morning to Prek K’dam where you will disembark Jayavarman after breakfast. Board a coach at 9:00am which will take you to see a pre-Angorian temple on your way to Siem Reap. A packed lunch and refreshments will be available along the way. Arrive in Siem Reap early afternoon.
Day 11 Siem Reap
Visit Angkor Wat - The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. To approach the temple, first cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. As you enter the main building, ascend through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside. On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Visit Angkor Thom - The fortified city of Angkor Thom covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter by the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the Terrace Of The Elephants and the Terrace Of The Leper Kings, former spaces for public ceremonies. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas relief and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle. Visit Ta Prohm - one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them. Finally, visit Phnom Bakheng - a hill that provides one of the best views of Angkor Wat.
Day 12 Siem Reap
Visit Banteay Srei Temple - Seemingly Miniature In Comparison To The Other Angkor Temples, Banteay Srei is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built in pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. Because of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favourite with visitors. Visit Preah Khan - a temple built by King Jayavarman VII with towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors in a jungle setting. Preah Khan covers a very large area but the temple itself is enclosed within a rectangular wall of around 700 by 800 meters. Finally, visit Les Artisans D'Angkor, a craft shop attached to an EU-sponsored school which teaching local apprentices traditional woodcarving, stone carving, lacquer ware painting, among other crafts. Take a tour of the workshops and learn about the craft processes before browsing in the stylish gift shop.
Day 13 Siem Reap - Hanoi
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Hanoi, rest of the day free at leisure
Day 14 Hanoi
After breakfast at hotel, you are followed by a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this site is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origin dates back to the foundation of Hanoi a thousand years ago. Your tour of Hanoi continues with a trip to the remarkable Temple of Literature, well known as Vietnam’s first university. After lunch, you’ll enjoy the always impressive Ethnology Museum dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. You'll then continue to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem. In front of this lake is the famous Water Puppet Theatre where you'll see a fantastic performance.
Day 15 Hanoi - Halong Bay
After an early breakfast you start with a transfer out to the internationally famous and stunningly beautiful Halong Bay. Arriving just before lunch, you’ll embark on a traditional Vietnamese junk. Take lunch on board and enjoy the afternoon and overnight cruise as it provides you with fantastic views of the fabulous scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands which amazingly rise from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves, some of which you’ll visit. Overnight on board in Halong Bay.
Day 16 Halong Bay - Hanoi
The tour continues with a morning spent cruising through the local bays including the Tortoise islands, take a small bamboo boat to visit Luon Cave. After brunch check out and continue to travel though Bai Tu Long to Bai Chay where you will say goodbye to this wonderful bay and transfer back to Hanoi
Day 17 Hanoi - Depart
Depart Hanoi for your departing flight
 

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All of our itineraries are tailor-made - click on a price below to see what you can expect at each budget level

The quoted price exludes any international flights but includes all internal flights while on the tour. Tour costs are based on two people travelling and sharing a room. The price quoted may vary depending on the time of year and the final itinerary. If you have a specific budget please get in contact with us so we can make a proposal.


Medium: Price from
£2,490

 

Deluxe: Price from
£2,670

 

Luxury: Price from
£2,920

 


For a lower or higher budget contact us for a tailored made solution

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For a lower or higher budget contact us for a tailored made solution

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Tailor-made holidays designed for you. Our expertise in the region through our local offices and contacts on the ground means great planning, expert up to date knowledge and value for money, creating the perfect trip to meet your budget and requirements.