DOWNSTREAM RV LA MARGUERITE CRUISE 8 DAYS
Itinerary
Departure Dates:
Departure Dates in 2010 | ||||||||||
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
31 | 14, 28 | 14, 28 | 11, 25 | 27 | 11, 25 | 8, 22 | 5, 19 | 3, 17, 31 | 14, 28 | 12, 26 |
Departure Dates in 2011 | ||||||||||
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
9, 23 | 6, 20 | 6, 20 | 3, 17 | 27 | 11, 25 | 8, 22 | 5, 19 | 3, 17, 31 | 14, 28 | 12, 26 |
DAY 1: Embarkation - Siem Reap - Kampong Chhnang (L, D)
Register cruise from 11:00 - 12:00 at Le Meridien Angkor. Transfer by coach to the jetty and take a 30-minute motorboat to Indochina Sails’ ship, passing floating fishing villages from Siem Reap through Tonle Sap Lake. Embark the ship 13:00. Welcome drink served in Saigon Lounge. Attend a short briefing followed by a lunch served in Mekong restaurant at 13:30. Captain raises the anchor and cruises towards Kampong Chhnang. The great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150 km in length. Along the way, enjoy a scenic view of the wild lives while passing through inspirational floating villages. Join the Cruise Manager at Saigon Lounge for safety demonstration and briefing at 18:00. Enjoy Captain’s Cocktails afterwards and adjourn to the first gourmet dinner onboard with fellow travelers. The boat moors overnight at the Mouth of the Lake.
DAY 2: Kampong Chhnang (B, L, D)
Kampong Chhnang is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Mooring mid-stream, take a truly wonderful motorboat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of birdlife may be seen, and of considerable interest are local life and floating village. Return to the boat and cast off towards Kampong Cham. Attend lecture on “Cambodia - The Past & Present” in Saigon Lounge in the afternoon as the ship sails to Kampong Cham. Cocktail hour starts from 18:00 to 19:00. Join Cruise Manager on daily briefing at 18:30. Enjoy your dinner at 19:00. After dinner, catch movie “The Killing Fields” in the Saigon Lounge.Ship sails to Kampong Cham overnight.
DAY 3: Wat Hanchey – Kampong Cham (B, L, D)
Breakfast serve from 7:00 to 9:00. At 8:30, follow guides and explore Wat Hanchey, a hilltop pagoda overlooking the Mekong. Dating back to the 8th century, these ancient brick structures characterize the architecture of the Chenla Empire, which predated the glories of Angkor. On top of the hill, you will enjoy the beautiful panoramic view over the Mekong River. Return to the boat at 10:30 and cast off for Kampong Cham around 11:00. Enjoy lunch from 12:30 to 14:00. At 12:30, arrive at Kampong Cham. Afternoon touring departs by bus at 14:30. The upland regions near Kampong Cham are rich in timbers, including Ceylon ironwood, rosewood, bean trees, teak, and rubber trees. Visit 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor and Eco village. Come back to the ship at 17:30. Ship sets sail to Phnom Penh afterward. Cocktail hour starts from 18:30 to 19:30 in the Saigon Lounge. Dinner at 19:30. After dinner, join Cruise Manager for a Nasty Quiz game in the Lounge.Ship .Arrives Phnom Penh around midnight and get alongside with the port.
DAY 4: Phnom Penh (B, L, D)
A busy day with many interesting sightseeing and activities.In the morning, sightsee Phnom Penh by bus. Visit Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum where outstanding Khmer crafts are exhibited. Afternoon excursion facilitates understanding of a crucial part of the Cambodia’s history: the Khmer Rouge’s grim Toul Sleng (S21 detention center) and the Killing Fields. (For a free and easy afternoon, please inform Ship Purser). Cocktail hours start from 18:30 to 19:30. Dinner is served from 19:30 to 21:00. After dinner, join the Khmer folk dances and songs at the Saigon Lounge. Before midnight, opt to chill in one the bars located across the road from the pier
DAY 5: Phnom Penh - Border Crossing - Tan Chau (B, L, D)
Enjoy a hearty breakfast as the ship departs for border. Cast off for a day cruising the main Mekong channel, an international shipping route. Join the towels folding demonstration from the Houskeeping Staff in the Saigon Lounge. In the afternoon Fruits carving and Vietnamese fresh spring rolls demonstration by our Executive Chef at Saigon Lounge, while the border formalities are carried out. Arrive in Tan Chau - the first Vietnamese town on the Mekong River. Enjoy folk performance of the Mekong Delta songs and music in Saigon Lounge. The boat moors safely at the riverbanks.
DAY 6: Tan Chau - Sadec (B, L, D)
Today’s highlight is a visit of Tan Chau - a small town untouched by tourism. In the morning, excursion starts with sightseeing by local boats, navigating narrow channels to visit an evergreen island. Chance to visit floating fish farm and travels along the tiny tributaries where slit houses are haphazardly leaning on each other. Afterwards, go ashore and tour the town on rickshaw (Xe Loi). Visit rattan mats and slippers making factories. In the afternoon, cruise downstream to Sa Dec. Join the lecture on-board theme “Vietnam - The Past & Present”. The ship arrives in Sadec during dinner time and moors midstream overnight. Cocktails and briefing at Saigon Lounge at 18:30. After dinner, watch in-house movie “The Lover” in the cabin or join the crew show at the lounge.
DAY 7: Sadec - Cai Be (B, L, D)
After the breakfast follow guides to the hometown of Marguerite Duras’ lover, Sadec, a quaint little city. Visit the old house of Huynh Thuy Le’s, partake in the bantering of local markets along the paved river banks, pagoda and the Fujian Temple, build and donated to the city by Le’s family. Pass by the homes of Marguerite Duras from across the riverbanks. In the afternoon, take a local boat for the afternoon excursion to Cai Be. Go ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral and colorful port area, with its colonial buildings, delightful flower gardens. Explore the island, visit Mr. Kiet’s house and aquaint with the life in the Mekong delta. Return to the boat for preparation for farewell cocktails cocktail at 19:00 and the Farewell Dinner at 19:30.
DAY 8: Disembarkation - My Tho - Saigon (B)
After breakfast, bid farewell to crew and disembark at My Tho Port at 08:30. Take 2 hours bus drive to Saigon. Arrive at Sofitel Plaza Saigon around 10:30.
* Note: From approximately December to May, water level in Tonle Sap Lake is shallow restricting the boat’s access through Kampong Chhnang, the only waterway to the Tonle Sap Lake. Hence, alternative route from Prek K’dam to Siem Reap is arranged. The program changes for DAY 1: Embarkation - Siem Reap - Prek K’dam
Embark the ship at Prek Kdam. Register cruise from 7:30 -8:15 at Le Meridien Angkor. At 8:30, transfer by coach to Prek K’dam with a stop at Kampong Thom. The coach rides take approximately about 5 and a half hour. Scheduled time of embarkation is 13:30. Short briefing and welcome drink served in Saigon Lounge before lunch in Mekong restaurant. Cabins are ready for check-in after lunch. Captain raises the anchor and cruises towards Kampong Tralach. Join the Cruise Director at Saigon Lounge for safety demonstration and briefing at 18:00, followed by Captain’s Cocktail. Welcome Dinner at 19:00. Enjoy the first gourmet dinner onboard with fellow travelers. Pianist entertains from 21:00 to 23:00 in Saigon Lounge. Moor midstream overnight. From late of March toward May, the water level is more shallow restrict the boat reach to Kampong Cham. Hence, the alternative in
itinerary with the ports of call Oudong, Kampong Tralach in Cambodia, and Vinh long, Xeo quyt in Vietnam sides is arranged.
Inclusions of the trip
- Entrance fees
- Transportation and English-speaking tour guides’ services
- Taxes, fuel, pilot, port dues, passenger levies, full board during the itinerary
- Welcome and Farewell Dinners, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner including local beers, local brand spirits and local wines served during meals; coffee, selection of teas, selection of herbal infusions, local mineral water, local canned soft drinks served free through the day.
- Transfers between the ship and the to meeting points at the start and end of the voyage
Exclusions of the trip
- International flights
- All visa costs
- Imported beverages such as wines, premium beer, premium spirits and liqueurs, imported mineral waters, espressos and cappuccinos at bar
- Gratuities, laundry, shop purchases and other personal expenses