Avalon Angkor Downstream Mekong Cruise Holiday from Siemreap to Saigon

Day 1 –  Siem Reap Embarkation
Day 2 – Kampong Tralach–Udong–Prek Dam
Day 3 – Wat Hanchey – Kampong Cham
Day 4 – Angkor Ban–Prek Bang Kong
Day 5 – Phnom Penh Capital
Day 6 – Cambodia–Vietnam Border Crossing, Chau Doc, Vietnam
Day 7 – Sa Dec–Cai Be
Day 8 – Ho Chi Minh City (Disembarkation)

Day 1 – Avalon Angkor Downstream Mekong Cruise Holiday from Siemreap to Saigon: Siem Reap Embarkation

This morning, transfer from the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa to your river cruise vessel for your CRUISE down the Mekong through Cambodia and Vietnam. Enjoy time on board the ship as you cruise through Tonle Sap (Great Lake). After the rainy season, this massive body of water can cover around 10,000 square miles and is the perfect breeding ground for fish, which play a vital role in providing food for people living on the lake. This evening, enjoy a welcome reception.

Meals: Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Avalon Angkor Cruise.

NOTE:
During low water conditions we will not be able to cruise on Tonle Sap. In these cases, we will transfer by motor coach from Siem Reap to Prek Dam for embarkation. Low water conditions vary from year to year, depending on rainfall but are generally from mid-January/early February through June. Due to these yearly variations, our ability to cruise on Tonle Sap will be evaluated on a cruise-by-cruise basis.

Day 2 – Avalon Angkor Downstream Mekong Cruise Tours from Siemreap to Saigon: Kampong Tralach–Udong–Prek Dam

Today, visit Kampong Tralach for an OX CART RIDE past rice paddy fields and the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Continue on to Udong, former capital of Cambodia. Upon arrival, visit a MONASTERY for an in-depth LECTURE ON BUDDHISM. Then, transfer by coach to Prek Dam, where you will join the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure to relax on board. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Avalon Angkor Cruise

Day 3 – Avalon Angkor Downstream Mekong River Cruise Holiday from Siemreap to Saigon: Wat Hanchey-Kampong Cham

This morning, visit WAT HANCHEY, a temple dating back to the 8th century and the Chenla Empire. Located on a hilltop, enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a TRADITIONAL WATER BLESSING given by local monks. After lunch, travel by motor coach to see the twin holy mountains of PHNOM PROS and PHNOM SREY (man and woman hill), where you will see the beautiful stupor as well as two huge Buddha statues, both measuring over 30 feet long or tall. You will also stop NOKORBACHEY, an Angkorian temple complex featuring several original statues of Buddha.

NOTE:
The climb to Wat Hanchey features a steep incline. If you feel you are unable to make the climb you will be driven to the top by car.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Avalon Angkor Cruise

Day 4 – Avalon Angkor Downstream Mekong River Cruise Holiday from Siemreap to Saigon: Angkor Ban–Prek Bang Kong

Today, start with a WALKING TOUR through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here you will visit TRADITIONAL KHMER HOUSES, a LOCAL SCHOOL, and a BUDDHIST MONASTERY, where you will meet with the local monks. After lunch, enjoy a visit to the village of PREK BANG KONG, where silk weaving is a well-preserved tradition. Spend time exploring the many houses in the village to see the weaving and to learn more about the how silk is produced.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Avalon Angkor Cruise

Day 5 – Avalon Angkor Downstream Cruise Holiday from Siemreap to Saigon: Phnom Penh Capital

The capital city of Phnom Penh retains its French charm to this day. Sightseeing this morning provides a glimpse of the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime. Visit the TUOL SLENG GENOCIDE MUSEUM, a former high school that housed over 17,000 prisoners. Of this number, it is believed that less than 15 survived the torture and avoided being sent to the Killing Fields.

You will also visit one of the KILLING FIELDS, where over 200,000 people were killed by the Khmer Rouge. After lunch on the ship, enjoy a sightseeing tour by private cyclo, with visits to the ROYAL PALACE with the spectacular SILVER PAGODA and the NATIONAL MUSEUM, featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Avalon Angkor Cruise

Day 6 – Avalon Angkor Downstream Cruise Holiday from Siemreap to Saigon: Cambodia–Vietnam Border Crossing, Chau Doc, Vietnam

Enjoy the morning at leisure as you cross the border into Vietnam. After lunch on the ship, cruise down the backwaters of the Mekong to Chau Doc. Along the way you will see traditional Vietnamese floating markets and villages. Upon arrival, learn about some of the different species of fish living in the Mekong at a LOCAL FISH FARM. Then, enjoy a WALKING TOUR of the bustling outdoor market. Last stop is at the religious sites at the base of SAM MOUNTAIN.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Avalon Angkor Cruise

Day 7 – Avalon Angkor Downstream Cruise Holiday from Siemreap to Saigon: Sa Dec–Cai Be

This morning, board a sampan and enjoy scenes of daily life along the river en route to Sa Dec. Stop at a BRICK FACTORY to see workers forming the clay bricks that fill the local landscape. Also stop at the adjacent RICE FACTORY for insight into the various types of rice produced in the region and to learn about the importance of the rice husk in fueling the brick kilns.

Next, ride through the LOCAL MARKET and absorb the atmosphere, as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. Your final stop today is the ancient HOUSE OF MR. HYUNH THUY LE, the “lover” of Marguerite Duras, famous French novelist, and inspiration for the film L’Amant (The Lover), directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. Return to the ship for lunch.

This afternoon, board a sampan for a scenic cruise though Cai Be Harbor, passing the city’s beautiful French Gothic cathedral. Once on land, tour AN KIET HOUSE and its surrounding gardens, which feature several types of fruit indigenous to the area? Next, stop at a local establishment to see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candy are made. Visit the beautiful CATHEDRAL on the waterfront before returning to the ship.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Avalon Angkor Cruise

Day 8 – Avalon Angkor Downstream Cruise Holiday from Siemreap to Saigon: Ho Chi Minh City (Disembarkation)

“Good morning Saigon”

Our cruise on the magnificent cruiser ends as the ship winds its way to My Tho, approximately 70km south of Saigon on the upper Mekong River in Vietnam. We bid farewell to the cruise as our journey ends. Nevertheless, the memories – and the friendships made on board – linger on for a lot longer.

We disembark at around 8:30 am and we join the transfer to madding crowd of Saigon. Drop off will be at the meeting point in Saigon. We will continue to tailor made your extension tour to Cu Chi Tunnels, Phu Quoc Island, Nha Trang and Hoi an…

Meals: Breakfast/

NOTE:
Although it is our intention to operate the itinerary as detailed proposal, we will do our utmost to stick to the set itinerary, however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. It may be necessary to make some changes because of climatic conditions, alterations to cruise schedules or other operational factors.

End of services!

Include :

• Entrance fees
• Transportation
• Tour guide services (English speaking)
• Taxes, fuel, pilots, port dues
• All meals on boat – full board welcome and farewell diner, mineral water, coffee and tea during breakfast
• Transfers in Saigon and Siem Reap from/to the meeting point to/from embarkation/disembarkation point or vice verse.

Exclude :

• Phnom Penh port taxes per passenger of US$ 65 levied by the Cambodian Port authority.
• Gratuities (US$ 5.00 passenger/day are recommended)
• Visa (cost for Cambodia visa is US$30.00 and fuel surcharges if any (see terms and conditions).
• Peak season surcharge: + US$ 150 for the New Years Eve cruise and Christmas cruise per person (24 Dec, 31 Dec)
• Extra bed supplement, 70% off on regular cruise price (price per cabin). Extra beds are available in deluxe rooms only