The Mekong River. Cambodia and Vietnam aboard the brand-new Mekong Princess. October 18 31, 2015

Transcription

1 The Mekong River Cambodia and Vietnam aboard the brand-new Mekong Princess October 18 31, 2015

2 INDOCHINA. THE MEKONG RIVER. ANGKOR WAT. These names evoke appealing images of exotic cultures, magnificent Buddhist and Hindu temples, and lush tropical landscapes punctuated by a patchwork of rice paddies. We invite you to join us on a fascinating journey through Cambodia and Vietnam, including a 7-night Mekong River cruise aboard the new Mekong Princess, a ship that embodies the gracious heritage and beauty of Southeast Asia, combined with a romantic French colonial style and all the modern comforts. Her small size just 12 suites and ultra-shallow draft allow us to experience this mighty river from an intimate and authentic perspective, stepping into local homes to see how people live and work, and gliding through floating markets in the early-morning hours as they come to life. Our program begins with two full days to explore the remarkable Khmer temples and monuments of legendary Angkor, one of Asia s most exquisite archaeological gems. Henri Mouhot, the Frenchman who rediscovered it in 1860, deemed it grander than anything of Greece or Rome. We conclude our journey with a stay in Ho Chi Minh City. Still known by many as Saigon, it is a busy and dynamic city, exuding energy and abuzz with activity. In between, the Mekong River takes us into the fascinating world of one of Asia s great waterways. Siem Reap (Angkor) Phnom Penh Kampong Chhnang CAMBODIA Preak Kdame VIETNAM Long Xuyen Thot Not Hong Ngu Can Tho Tam Binh Ho Chi Minh City Ben Tre HIGHLIGHTS Spend seven nights aboard the elegant Mekong Princess Enjoy a performance of Apsara, a classical Khmer dance Take two full days to explore awe-inspiring Angkor Appreciate authentic glimpses of rural river village life Ride elephants, sampans, cyclos, and tuk tuks

3 DAILY ITINERARY SUNDAY MONDAY, OCTOBER Home > Siem Reap, Cambodia Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, transfer to the new Park Hyatt Hotel, centrally located with easy access to restaurants and shops. The evening of October 19 is at leisure. PARK HYATT SIEM REAP TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20 Angkor Siem Reap is the gateway to the magnificent complex at Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest religious monument in the world. Spend an entire morning exploring the grandest of the temples, fabled Angkor Wat, a miniature universe carved in stone. Its central tower represents mythical Mt. Meru, home of the gods, and intricate carvings of deities and demons, graceful apsaras (female spirits of the clouds and waters), and scenes of everyday life grace its corridors. Enjoy an afternoon of independent exploration or relaxation followed by a special welcome dinner and a performance of Khmer classical dance, commonly called Apsara Dance. PARK HYATT SIEM REAP (B,L,D) WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21 Angkor Early this morning visit Bakheng Temple, the perfect vantage point for a panoramic sunrise view over Angkor Wat and the surrounding plain. After a picnic breakfast, travel by elephant to Angkor Thom, once an enormous walled city, to investigate the temple at its heart, the Bayon. Its 55 large and small towers are topped by carved heads, each one wearing a mysterious Mona Lisa smile. In the late afternoon, when the light is best, visit Ta Prohm, a silent and mysterious ruin shrouded in jungle vegetation. PARK HYATT SIEM REAP (B,L) THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 Siem Reap > Preak Kdame (embark) Travel about Siem Reap by tuk tuk (auto rickshaws) on a morning art tour, visiting galleries and artisan workshops to gain an appreciation of the arts and crafts of the region. Transfer to Preak Kdame to embark the intimate and luxurious Mekong Princess, your home for the next seven days. Enjoy a khmer-style welcome dinner as you begin cruising along the Tonle Sap River, which converges with the Mekong River in Phnom Penh. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 Cruising > Kampong Chhnang Board an excursion boat for a cruise through the floating village of Kampong Chhnang, where life revolves around the river and villagers literally live, work, shop, and even attend church and school on the water. It s a rare, close-up view of rural life in a unique setting. Tonight dock in Phnom Penh and enjoy a private demonstration and performance by a local shadow puppet theater group. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 Phnom Penh Cyclo drivers will meet us for a tour of Phnom Penh. This capital city retains vestiges of its French charm, including a riverfront corniche and some examples of French Colonial architecture. Ride along the riverfront to the Silver Pagoda, home to an emerald Buddha made of Baccarat crystal and a life-size maitreya Buddha encrusted with diamonds. Stop by the National Museum for a comprehensive look at its spectacular collection of artifacts, excavated in Angkor and brought here for safekeeping. Examine the darker days of Cambodian history at the infamous Choeung Ek killing fields and Tuol Sleng, a Khmer Rouge prison. Back on board, enjoy a dance performance by children from a local orphanage. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 Hong Ngu, Vietnam Cross the border into Vietnam and continue downstream. At several family homes in Hong Ngu, a small island hamlet, observe residents weaving and embroidering traditional Khmer scarves. Visit a temple dedicated to a unique form of Buddhism called Hòa Hâo, which focuses on aiding the poor. MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 Long Xuyen > Thot Not Board sampans for a visit to the bustling Long Xuyen market. Investigate the colorful Cao Dai temple, dedicated to a unique Vietnamese religion that incorporates aspects of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Catholicism. Stop at a crocodile farm, where efforts are made to preserve a once common but now dwindling Mekong species. in Thot Not ride a xe loi (motorized trishaw) to a bird sanctuary, where a special platform offers incredible views over the treetops and down on the nesting area of protected egrets. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 Can Tho > Tam Binh Dock in Can Tho and cruise by sampan through the fascinating Cai Rang market, a feast for the senses and a boon for photographers. Weave in and out among floating water craft loaded with produce and everything else the residents of the Mekong Delta need in their daily lives. Stop at a home factory to learn how instant noodles are made, and tour a family-owned orchard to see and savor exotic asian fruits. This afternoon enter an area of the Mekong Delta barely touched by tourism to visit Ky Son, an ancient Khmer pagoda in Tam Binh, and interact with monks who fled to Vietnam during the Cambodian civil war. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 Ben Tre Today, our sampans wend through a channel lined with mangroves, our destination a coconut candy maker. After walking through a familyowned orchard, travel aboard horse-drawn carts to a local pier and board small boats to explore narrow creeks lined with Nipah palms. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) > (Disembark) Disembark in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam s most economically dynamic city. Here the streets are abuzz with activity, nowhere more so than the Ben Thanh Market, where anything and everything is for sale. Learn about Vietnamese ingredients and cuisine during a cooking class, and relish the results. Then take an orientation drive through Chinatown and past the city s best-known monuments Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall, the Old Saigon Post Office, and the Presidential Palace. The evening is at leisure for independent exploration, with the city s vibrant nightlife easily accessible nearby. PARK HYATT SAIGON (B,L) FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 Ho Chi Minh City Take an excursion accompanied by a local expert to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network that hid thousands of Viet Cong guerrillas and Vietnamese villagers during the Vietnam War. The afternoon is at leisure before a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant, with live musical entertainment. PARK HYATT SAIGON (B,L,D) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31 Ho Chi Minh City > Home This morning transfer to the airport for return flights home, crossing the International Date Line and arriving the same day. (B) OPTIONAL EXTENSION SATURDAY WEDNESDAY, OCT 31 NOV 4 Hanoi and Ha Long Bay Extend your Southeast Asian experience with three nights in Hanoi, Vietnam s leafy green, lake-studded capital, and an overnight cruise on breathtaking Ha Long Bay. Enjoy an introduction to some of Hanoi s best-known sights, including the Temple of Literature, the Hanoi Hilton, the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, and the modest House on Stilts in which this key figure in Vietnam s independence movement lived for many years. Take a cyclo tour through the alleyways of the city s charming historic quarter, with its jumble of shops and cafes, and attend a delightful performance by traditional water puppets. Travel to the coast for an overnight cruise on a handcrafted traditional junk on Ha Long Bay, a mystical seascape of limestone islets, where you ll explore caves with fantastic stalactite and stalagmite formations. Extension rates: $2,495 per person, double occupancy $3,570 per person, single occupancy

4 MEKONG PRINCESS Newly-launched in 2015, the Mekong Princess offers 12 luxurious suites combining the elegance of French Colonial style with the peacefulness and comfort of a Southeast Asian spa. All suites have sliding glass doors that open to a French balcony (railing) for enjoyment of fresh air and views; Angkor Suites additionally feature a full private veranda with seating area. Saigon and Apsara Suites have two twin beds that can be converted into a queen bed, while Tonle and Angkor Suites have a king-sized bed. modern conveniences and amenities rival those at the finest hotels, including a spacious seating area, en suite facilities with shower (plus separate soaking tub in the Tonle and Angkor Suites), hair dryer, and spa robes and slippers; individual climate control, daily butler service, and housekeeping with nightly turndown; premium mattress, duvet, bed linens, and your choice of pillows; iphone docking station and in-room electronic safe; and flat-screen televisions with ondemand system offering popular, classic, and destination-related movies. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while a single-seating dinner offers sumptuous French indochine and gourmet Spa Cuisine featuring locally sourced fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Public spaces include openair lounges with comfortable chaises, spa with menu of treatments, small fitness center, and library with internet access (subject to availability). The small size and ultra-shallow draft of this elegant riverboat allow for visits to villages and tributaries not accessible to larger vessels, and the one-toone guest-to-staff ratio ensures an unparalleled river cruise experience. SIDE ELEVATION MAIN DECK UPPER DECK RATES (per person) Saigon Suite (235 sq. ft., French balcony) Apsara Suite (235 sq. ft., French balcony) Tonle Suite (305 sq. ft., French balcony) Angkor Suite (495 sq. ft., French balcony and private veranda) Double $7,995 $8,595 $9,395 $9,995 Single $13,595 $14,615 U.S. domestic and international airfare is not included in the program cost. Round-trip economyclass airfare to Siem Reap, Cambodia, with return from Saigon, Vietnam, is approximately $934 per person from LAX, $1,134 per person from NYC as of April 2015 and is subject to change without notice. In order to give you as much flexibility as possible with the variety of air travel options available, you are free to make your own air arrangements for this program.

5 GENERAL INFORMATION Program Rates Include All accommodations, meals, and excursions as specified in the itinerary Comprehensive program of briefings, lectures, and presentations Transfers for all participants on group arrival and departure days Baggage handling Gratuities to porters, wait staff, guides, drivers, and shipboard personnel Port charges Entrance fees Welcome and farewell receptions Wine, beer, and soft drinks with welcome and farewell dinners and with dinners on board Mekong Princess Coffee, tea, and soft drinks on board Mekong Princess One complimentary spa treatment per person during the cruise Bottled water on motor coaches, at hotels, and on board ship Professional tour manager throughout Program Rates Do Not Include U.S. domestic and international airfare Passport/visa expenses Medical expenses and immunizations Airport transfers for those not arriving or departing on designated dates Travel insurance Optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour Excess baggage charges Meals not specified in the itinerary; dishes and beverages not part of the included meals; liquor or soft drinks except as noted Laundry or dry cleaning Telephone, fax, internet, and charges Room service Other items of a personal nature What to Expect This is a moderately active program. Participants should be able to walk unassisted for extended periods (typically three hours) over uneven surfaces, and up and down narrow stairs. The best time of year to visit Cambodia starts at the end of October, which is the beginning of the dry season. Daytime temperatures are generally in the high 70s to low 80s F, rain is intermittent, and the average humidity is 80 percent. In Vietnam, October is the end of the rainy season. Temperatures are in the 80s F, humidity is around 90 percent, and rain is more frequent, with short-lived downpours. Although our riverboat, hotels, and motor coaches are air-conditioned, temples and traditional conveyances such as cyclos and sampans are not, nor are some restaurants and museums. Travelers should be able, with assistance, to climb in and out of small boats and other local vehicles such as bicycle-driven and motorized rickshaws. Group Size This program is limited to 22 participants, including travelers from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Smithsonian. Insurance Travel insurance for trip cancellation and interruption, medical problems, baggage loss and delay, etc., is highly recommended, and we hope that you will obtain it for this expedition. Trip cancellation policies that apply to this expedition are included in this brochure. Please be sure to carry the details of your travel insurance coverage with you on the program. Travelers are free to purchase the travel insurance of their choice. It is recommended that travelers clearly understand the difference between primary and secondary travel insurance. Reservations and Deposits To reserve space, please complete the reservation form and mail it with your check or credit card information to the address at the top of the form. You may also fax the form to (650) and your reservation will be held for five working days pending receipt of your check or credit card information. If you have questions, please call (888) or res@criteriontravel.com. Final payment deadline is June 19, 2015, 120 days prior to departure. Cancellations and Refunds Upon payment of a $1,000 deposit per person, all reservations are subject to the cancellation provisions set forth below and by which the passenger agrees to be bound. Cancellations shall not be effective until they are received in writing and confirmed by the Criterion Travel. Deposits are refundable (less a $250 per person administration fee) if written notice of cancellation is received within 30 days of reservation; after that, deposits are 100% nonrefundable. Final payment is due June 19, 2015 (120 days prior to departure). Cancellations within 120 days of departure are 100% nonrefundable. For this reason we strongly urge participants to purchase trip cancellation insurance. If the program is cancelled by Criterion Travel, you will receive a full refund, without further obligation on our part. No refunds will be made for any part of this program on which you choose not to participate. Note: Criterion Travel does not accept liability for any airline cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket in conjunction with this tour. Itinerary Changes The itinerary presented for this tour is subject to modification and change by Criterion Travel. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned; however, should unforeseen world events and conditions require the itinerary to be altered, Criterion Travel reserves the right to do so for the safety and best interest of the group. Any extra expenses incurred in this situation are the responsibility of the participant. Reservation Contact (888) or res@criteriontravel.com California Seller of Travel Program CST # PHOTO CREDITS: (From Dreamstime.com): Angkor Wat Juliengrondin; Ta Prohm Temple Dmitry Rukhlenko; Monkey Dirk Ott; Buddhist Monk Rene Drouyer; Ha Long Bay Sergeychernov; Produce Boat Ahmad Faizal Yahya. RESERVATION FORM To reserve a place on The Mekong River please complete and return this form with your deposit of $1,000 per person, payable to Criterion Travel. Mail to: 145 Forest Ave. Palo Alto, CA For more information or to reserve by phone, please call (888) or (650) , or res@criteriontravel.com NAME #1 (as on passport) NAME #2 (as on passport) STREET ADDRESS CITY / STATE / ZIP / POSTAL CODE BIRTH BIRTH HOME PHONE WORK PHONE FAX (s) PAYMENT O Enclosed is my check for $ ($1,000 per person), to reserve place(s) on The Mekong River OR O Charge the deposit to my credit card (circle one): VISA MC AMEX Diners Club Discover NAME ON CREDIT CARD CARD # EXP. SECURITY CODE SIGNATURE AS IT APPEARS ON CREDIT CARD CATEGORY PREFERENCE 1st Choice 2nd Choice Bed Preference (not guaranteed): O One bed O Two beds SINGLE TRAVELERS O I prefer to have single accommodations. OR O I plan to share accommodations with: OR O I d like to know about roommates. I am a O Non-smoker O Smoker. I understand that if a roommate cannot be found by the final payment deadline of June 19, 2015, I will pay the single rate. O I/We have read the Terms & Conditions section of this brochure and understand and agree with them as stated herein. SIGNATURE SIGNATURE