Riviera Travel A Journey on the Mekong

– See the fascinating Cu-Chi tunnels
– Stay in the heart of Saigon
– Discover the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat

– 7nts on a 4-star ship
– 5nts in 4-star hotels
– Return flights and transfers
– Programme of daily tours and visits
– Full board cruise, B&B hotels
– Non-alcoholic soft drinks, local beer and local wine at mealtimes onboard
– Complimentary tea & coffee on board ship
– Checked luggage
– Services of an expert tour manager

Day 1 – Departure
You should arrive at the airport for your overnight flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Day 2 – Arrival in Saigon
After your morning arrival, transfer to the hotel where you’ll stay for the next two nights. Breakfast is available after checking in. Take an introductory tour of the city. Highlights include the Reunification Palace. You’ll also see the War Remnants Museum and the lively Ben Thanh market. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3 – Saigon
Visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels, seeing the tunnels themselves and examples of the many mantraps and stake pits which protected them. In the afternoon, return to Saigon, passing through rural farming communities.

Day 4 – Board the ship
Drive into the Mekong Delta, stopping at the picturesque Cholon market before you board the ship. After an excellent lunch, the ship begins an afternoon of cruising before mooring at Cai Be.

Day 5 – Cao Dai Temple
This morning, sail by local junk along Cai Be’s waterfront and local market. Visit the remarkable French Gothic cathedral. In the afternoon, cruise through Vinh Long to Sa Dec, with a guided stroll through the colourful local market. This highlight of today is a visit to the Cao Dai Temple, centre of a unique indigenous religion.

Day 6 – Tan Chau
Awake in remote Tan Chau near Cambodia. This is Vietnam’s leading silk centre which you’ll explore during the morning. Later on, the ship sails across into Cambodia, heading for Phnom Penh.

Day 7 – Phnom Penh
Sightseeing today includes an exciting rickshaw ride to the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, followed by a visit to the National Museum to view beautiful Khmer craft. You’ll also visit the haunting Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and a number of the city’s excellent markets.

Day 8 – Chong Koh/Oknathey
This morning, navigate to visit Chong Koh, a silk weaving village where you’ll discover fascinating workshops. Return to the ship in Phnom Penh for lunch and head to the hill Vat Phnom. This evening, enjoy a traditional Apsara performance.

Day 9 – Upper Mekong/Angkor Ban
Cruise into the heart of Cambodia and arrive to Angkor Ban. See traditional houses and witness a slice of Cambodian rural life.

Day 10 – Wat Hanchey & Kampong Cham
This morning, stop at Wat Hanchey and after breakfast, enjoy a visit to the pre-Angkorian temple overlooking the river. Back on board, sail on to Kampong Cham. Travel by bus to the unique temple of Wat Nokor.

Day 11 – Kampong Cham & Siem Reap
Early this morning, disembark the cruise ship and transfer to Siem Reap. Check in the hotel and enjoy breakfast, with the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 12 – Angkor Wat
Visit the 13^th century city of Angkor Thom, which contains the astonishing temple of Bayon. Late in the afternoon, see the immense temple of Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious structures in the world.

Day 13 – Free day
The last full day in Cambodia is at leisure for you to enjoy the facilities in the hotel, or explore the sights, markets and restaurants of Siem Reap.

Day 14 – Return flight
Take a late afternoon transfer to your flight to Ho Chi Minh City where you’ll get your connecting flight to the UK.

Day 15 – Arrive
Arrive back in the UK

RV La Marguerite

Fact File

• Currencies: Dong, Reil (US Dollars widely accepted in Cambodia)
• Flight time: Approx. 11 hrs 30 mins to 12 hrs 10 mins
• Languages: Vietnamese, Khmer
• Time zone: GMT+7
• Countries: Vietnam, Cambodia

Visa Information

Along with a valid passport, UK citizens must have a visa in order to travel to Cambodia.  Full details of how and when to apply will be sent with your booking confirmation.

UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter Vietnam.

Itinerary
The itinerary, timings and the places visited en-route may vary depending on whether you travel upstream or downstream and on the water levels in the upper reaches of the Mekong.

* All transfer times listed here are approximate