Avalon Angkor Upstream River Cruise Trip from Saigon to Siem Reap

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

Day 1 – Avalon Angkor Upstream Mekong River Cruise Trip from Saigon to Siem Reap:  Ho Chi Minh City Embarkation.

Transfer to the port on the Saigon River and board Avalon Angkor to begin your cruise on the mighty Mekong River. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening.

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

Day 2 – Avalon Angkor Upstream Mekong River Cruise from Saigon to Siem Reap: Cai Be – Sa Dec

Cruise by sampan across Cai Be Harbors to tour An Kiet House and gardens, which feature several types of indigenous fruit. Visit a local establishment to see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candy are made before viewing the beautiful French Gothic Cathedral on the waterfront. After lunch on board Avalon Angkor, sail by sampan to the quaint riverfront town of Sa Dec, enjoying rural river scenes en route. Visit a Brick Factory and the adjacent Rice Factory for an insight into their production and the importance of the rice husk in fuelling the brick kilns. Later, explore the bustling waterfront market before visiting the delicately ornate House of Huynh Thuy Le.

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

Day 3 – Avalon Angkor Upstream Cruise Trip from Saigon to Siem Reap: Chau Doc, Vietnam – Cambodian Border Crossing.

Cruise the beautiful backwaters of the Mekong in a sampan, discovering traditional floating markets and raft-house villages en route to charming Chau Doc. Visit a local fish farm to learn more about the different species in the Mekong and take a stroll in the cheerful outdoor market before ending the morning with a visit to the pretty pagodas at the base of Sam Mountain. Return to the ship for lunch and set sail for the Cambodian border.

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

Day 4 – Avalon Angkor Upstream Cruise Trip from Saigon to Siem Reap: Phnom Penh

Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, is steeped in French colonial charm. This morning’s trip offers a sobering glimpse at the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime. Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and later, one of the Killing Fields, where over 200,000 people died under orders of the Khmer Rouge. After lunch on the ship, join a sightseeing tour by private cyclo to take in city highlights such as the Royal Palace with the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum.

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

Day 5 – Avalon Angkor Upstream Cruise Trip from Saigon to Siem Reap: Prek Bang Kong – Angkor Ban

Explore the village of Prek Bang Kong, where silk weaving is a well-preserved tradition, and see silk weaving in local houses and how the silk is produced. After lunch, a walking tour through the rural village of Angkor Ban takes in traditional Khmer Houses, a Local School, and a Buddhist Monastery, where you can meet the local monks.

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

Day 6 – Avalon Angkor Upstream Cruise Trip from Saigon to Siem Reap: Kampong Cham – Wat Hanchey

Travel by coach to the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey (man and woman hill), where you will see the beautiful stupa as well as two huge Buddha statues before visiting Nokorbachey, an Angkorian temple complex featuring several original statues of Buddha. After lunch, visit Wat Hanchey, an 8th century temple dating back to the Chenla Empire. Perched on a hilltop, the temple offers lovely views of the surrounding area. Visitors are welcome to partake in a Traditional Water Blessing given by local monks.

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

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.

Day 7 – Avalon Angkor Upstream Cruise Trip from Saigon to Siem Reap: Prek Dam – Udong – Kampong Tralach

Dock at Prek Dam and drive to the village of Udong, former capital of Cambodia, for a visit to a monastery and a lecture on Buddhism. Later, continue to Kampong Tralach for a traditional ox-cart ride alongside shimmering rice paddies and through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure to relax on board. (B,L,D)
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Avalon Angkor Cruise

Day 8 – Avalon Angkor Upstream Cruise Trip from Saigon to Siem Reap: Siem Reap (Disembarkation)

This morning, cruise across the lovely Tonle Sap (Great Lake). This massive body of water provides the perfect breeding ground for fish, which play a vital role in providing food for people living on the lake. Reaching Siem Reap, disembark and transfer to your hotel, the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa. This afternoon, visit the majestic Temples of Angkor. Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, the architectural grandeur of this Khmer temple complex is arguably unmatched among ancient ruins anywhere in the world. First, visit Angkor Thom to see the Bayon Temple, adorned with over 200 carved faces. Next, see the ‘symbol of Cambodia’ Angkor Wat and its five trademark towers. Here you will be joined by an archaeologist from the Apsara Authority for a special guided tour of the ruins. This evening is at leisure to explore charming Siem Reap—or stay to witness sunset at Angkor Wat.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/

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