Au Fil Du Mekong
- A Secret Retreats journey -
This journey has been personally designed by Samath (host with Heritage Adventures in Siem Reap) native Khmer and passionate to share his discoveries along the Mekong.
All our itineraries have generally been constructed on the basis of the rooms that have the most charm or best view, and not necessarily the first prices, nor the most expensive suites.
We can of course adjust according to your request.
Highlights of the Journey:
- A cruise and 3 unique Boutique hotels
- Angkor Archeological Site
- Lake Tonle Sap
- Phnom Penh
- Mekong Delta
- Saigon
The Mekong is one of the longest trans-boundary river in Southeast Asia, from the Tibetan Plateau to its delta in South Vietnam. It crosses Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The Mekong basin is one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world, only second to the Amazon: 20,000 plant species, 430 mammals, 1,200 birds, 800 reptiles and amphibians and an estimated 850 freshwater fish species. The river plays a vital role in supporting the livelihoods of local people, providing a productive environment for agriculture, aquaculture, capture fisheries it is also a scenic river for cruises, with villages, temples and forest all around. We offer you here to discover life along the Mighty Mekong, its people, their beliefs and traditions. This is a journey through the heart of Indochina.
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Your Journey Day by Day
15 Days / 14 Nights from 3,250 USD / person
(based on 2 person sharing the same room)
Day 1 : Siem Reap (-/-/-)
After welcoming you on arrival at Siem Reap.
Pick up at the airport upon arrival and check in at Heritage Suites for 3 nights.
For dinner, on your own, maybe at the hotel for the first night.
HOTEL: Heritage Suites (Colonial Suite)
Day 2 : Country side around Siem Reap (B/L/-)
After breakfast, departure at 08h30 from the lobby with your Vespa driver for a morning of excursion through the rural countryside by passing from a village to another. This is a trip to experience local lifestyle: taste sugar palm juice, observe blessing from the monks inside a pagoda and enjoy the beauty of the landscapes. You will visit the Occidental Mebon (during the dry season by vespa and during the rainy season by boat).
For lunch, we organize a picnic in a farm.
Then, we continue the ballad through villages and daily activities: Baskets weaving, work in the rice field, rice cooking inside a bamboo (dessert very appreciated by the Cambodian).
We shall drop you back at the hotel around 2pm, for you to rest by the pool or spa if you like.
No arrangements for dinner, we can help you to book a Secret Table.
HOTEL: Heritage Suites (Colonial Suite)
Day 3 : Koh Ker - Beng Mealea (B/L/-)
A bit of exploration today, with an early departure at 7.30am. Meet with your guide at the lobby, then drive through the beautiful landscapes of the countryside to the former capital of Koh Ker (The City of the Lingas). Located around 140km from Siem Reap, Koh Ker consists of 84 temples scattered throughout the forest and from the 10th century. You will finish the visit by the imposing pyramid where (for people who do not suffer from Vertigo and can climb to the top), you will have a wonderful view over the plain of Angkor.
Lunch picnic on the spot.
After lunch, departure to Beng Mealea temple still in the wild dating back to the 12th century.
We drive back to Siem Reap and should reach the hotel around 17:30 to rest.
For dinner, we can also help and propose some suggestions
HOTEL: Heritage Suites (Colonial Suite)
Day 4 : Start of the Cruise on The Jahan (B/L/D)
Drop of at the meeting point in Siem Reap (depending on the level of water, the time and the itinerary may change. In low water period, a drive is necessary to the barding point.
Morning at the welcome lounge, briefing about the cruise then transfer to The Jahan and check in your cabin.
Then lunch will be served on board. In the afternoon, kids from an educational program by an NGO for young Cambodian generation, will come on board to play some traditional music and art. July is the low water season, so during excursions around that part of the Tonle Sap, you have the chance to see a bamboo bridge which connects the mainland with an island. Visit of the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey (VII century). When returning to the ship, enjoy some private time until dinner is served in the dining hall. The lounge cinema features selected classic movies (every night).
Night: on board (your choice of cabin)
Day 5 : Kampong Cham - Oknha Tey - Kampong Chhnang (B/L/D)
The ship sails up towards the small Angkor Ban village on the Mekong River - famous for its unspoiled community and traditional houses. In the afternoon, during High Tea, the crew will show the variety of traditional Khmer fashion.
At the Island of Koh Oknha Tey, we propose you explore the island with its workshops of high quality silk products and learn how silk is processed from the silkworms to the final product. Later, after we reach the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Rivers, the boat anchors near Kampong Chhnang for the night
Night: on board
Day 6 : Kampong Chhnang - Kamp. Tralach - Phnom Penh (B/L/D)
Kampong Chhnang is Cambodia’s water world - everything is on stilts. We take a local boat to the shore and head to a rural village nearby for a walking tour. The village specialties are Khmer style pottery and the making of palm sugar.
After lunch, gliding through leafy swaths of the jungle-like landscape, we reach Kampong Tralach with new sceneries: livestock bathing in the river, kids at school, ox cart ride. Then we continue until we reach the pier in Phnom Penh. Feel free to explore the city at night after dinner.
Night: on board
Day 7 : Phnom Penh (B/L/D)
Phnom Penh was once called Paris of the East. After breakfast we start a full sight- seeing tour right with a visit of the Killing Fields, outside of the city and the centrally located prison “S21”. This is in remembrance of the tragedy led by the Khmer Rouge. Lunch at a fine restaurant in town. In afternoon: the golden edifice of the Royal Palace and its Silver Pagoda, the Khmer crafts at the National Museum, a “cyclo” ride back to the ship. After a rest, a barbecue dinner on the sun deck will be offered, accompanied with an Apsara dance performance.
Night: on board
Day 8 : Phnom Penh - Border Crossing - Tan Chau (B/L/D)
After breakfast, the lounge is set up for a lecture about Cambodian modern history, held by a professor of the Royal University of Phnom Penh.
The whole afternoon is at your own arrangements.
A culinary class is offered in the afternoon.
We reach the border and finally arrive in Vietnam, then moor near the city of Tan Chau with views on the riverbanks.
Night: on board
Day 9 : Tan Chau - My An Hung - Sa Dec (B/L/D)
The Delta is the fish sanctuary of Vietnam.
We propose a tour on “xelois” to explore Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced town near the Cambodian border with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community (a “xeloi” is a local vehicle which is still used as a taxi in this region): workshops, houses, local market, temples. We board local boats and cruise along floating houses to reach a floating fish farm.
After lunch, as the ship continues to My An Hung, an expert guide offers a presentation on the “Life on the Mekong Delta”. At My An Hung Village, village we meet local families and visit their vegetable garden, their house for a Vietnamese tea tasting and some local fruits - juicy, fresh, and right from the tree. The ship moors mid-river near Sa Dec.
Night: on board
Day 10 : Binh Thanh Island - Cai Be - My Tho (B/L/D)
In the morning we arrive at the island of Binh Thanh. We embark on a local boat and head towards Binh Thanh Island - one of the largest islands in the vast stream of the Mekong. By wandering through the village you get a deep understanding of the native life, and can follow process of their traditional mat making.
In the early afternoon we reach Cai Be, a charming town famous for its Catholic French church and the floating market (even if it is getting smaller every year).
On-shore we visit a workshop for rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies and rice wine. Cai Be region is also famous for the production of coconut candies. As the sun sets, the crew invites you to a farewell dance and music before dinner, then the ships moors at My Tho.
Night: on board
Day 11 : My Tho - The Unicorn Island (B/-/-)
After the last breakfast on board, check out and disembarkation (8.30am) at My Tho Pier. A driver will wait for you to drive you to The Island Lodge, your next stop for 2 days.
You will check in a River View Room, facing the Mekong and the pool.
For dinner, try the menu at Le Comptoir de Marthe et Edouard (not included)
HOTEL: The Island Lodge (River View Room)
Day 12 : The Unicorn Island (B/-/-)
After breakfast, go for a discover of the Island, along the " Fish Farm road”, a 3h30mn trip combining a boat and a bicycle trip of 13km, the best way to explore this island in the heart of the Mekong Delta.
The rest of the day is for your to relax: pool, spa...
HOTEL: The Island Lodge (River View Room)
Day 13 : The Unicorn Island – Saigon (B/-/-)
When ready for check out a driver will drop you in Saigon Thao Dien district (2hrs drive), at Villa Song, facing the Saigon River.
No arrangement during the 2 days, but we recommend to try the Hue House or Secret Garden Restaurant in Saigon one evening. The hotel proposes shuttle boat from their pier to the city center.
HOTEL: Villa Song (Sanctuary Room)
Day 14 : Saigon (B/-/-)
Free day for you to explore Ho Chi Min City.
HOTEL: Villa Song (Sanctuary Room)
Day 15 : Saigon - Airport (B/-/-)
After breakfast and depending on your flight time, a driver will drop you at the airport.
Your Accommodation on this Asia Travel Itinerary
Au Fil Du Mekong
15 Days / 14 Nights
from 3,250 USD / person
(based on 2 person sharing the same room)
The total price includes:
Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis in the hotels and cruise detailed in the itinerary.
All meals (lunch and dinner) when mentioned in the program.
All transportation by Air Conditioned car for transfers and excursions
Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the program
Local English-speaking guide (other languages possible when required) for all tours mentioned in the program.
The total price does not include:
VISA - A valid visa for Cambodia and Vietnam are required. Visas are issued on arrival for certain countries in Cambodia, a few countries are exempted of Visa for Vietnam. Please enquire and apply with the Cambodian and Vietnamese Embassy in your country of residence well in advance or your travel dates (Please make sure your passport is valid for 6 months beyond your departure date).
Other meals that are not included in the program.
Drinks, personal expenses, tips and gratuities.
Options and other activities not included in the program.
This Secret Journey was designed in cooperation with Samath and Heritage Lines.
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