Cruise : From the Mekong Delta to Angkor temples

Transcription

1 Réf : 1H9_PP Cruise : From the Mekong Delta to Angkor temples HO CHI MINH CITY - MY THO - CAI BE - VINH LONG - SA DEC - CHAU DOC - PHNOM PENH - KOH CHEN - KAMPONG TRALACH - KAMPONG CHHNANG - TONLE SAP LAKE - SIEM REAP - ANGKOR Reasons to book with us In-depth visit of Vietnam - from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi INCLUDED Visits : Hue, Hoi An, My Son et Da Nang Cruise across Halong Bay on a junk, and discover its extraordinary scenery A 9-day / 8-night cruise on the Mekong Personalized service from a CroisiEurope tour leader throughout the cruise A 4 or 5-anchor ship with much comfort and charm All visits and excursions included Drinks on board the ship (1 soda or 1 beer or 1 mineral water and 1 coffee or tea) Tips of the crew during the cruise, guides and buses in Siem Reap Headsets are included for cruise excursions Wonderful navigation in Chao Gao Canal Discover Ho Chi Minh City and the sites at Angkor Performance of classical Khmer dancing insiem Reap the junk. DAY 1 : HANOI Participation in today s activities will depend on your arrival time in Hanoi. If you arrive between 6 :00 a.m. and 10 :00 a.m., your program will be : Arrival in Hanoi during the morning where your local guide will greet you at the airport and you ll be transferred to the city. Spend the day on a guided tour of the capital. We ll visit the outside of the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh s humble stilt house behind the mausoleum, and the unique One Pillar Pagoda Buddhist temple. Then we ll move on to the Temple of Literature, which was home to Vietnam s first national university. Enjoy lunch in town (beginning of the lunch between a.m. and p.m.). Afterwards, we ll discover the old quarter of the city by pedi-cab or electric mini-bus. Also known as the 36 Streets, the quarter reflects the different guilds concentrating their businesses along these streets. During our tour, we ll see many French colonial buildings and Hoan Kiem Lake. We ll finish up our day with a traditional water puppetry show and go to our 3*LS hotel for the dinner and the night. DAY 2 : HANOI - HALONG BAY Enjoy breakfast before leaving early in the morning for Halong Bay (approx. 3.5 hours travel time). We ll be welcomed aboard a 4*LS junk, enjoy a cocktail, and have lunch on board. We ll begin our cruise to discover the thousands of various limestone islands dotting the emerald-colored bay. We ll have dinner on board and spend the night on DAY 3 : HALONG BAY - HANOI - HUE Rise early with us this morning and participate in a Tai Chi class on deck. We ll continue our cruise through the bay, discovering more of its extraordinary scenery and visiting one of the largest caves. This morning, brunch will be served on board. You ll disembark at 11 :00 a.m. and begin the trip back to Hanoi. Before arriving, we ll stop off at the Dinh Bang communal hall, one of the largest and finest communal houses in Vietnam. You ll be transferred to the airport and board a flight to Hue. Once you arrive in Hue, you ll be transferred to a 4*LS hotel. You ll have dinner in town and spend the night at the hotel.

2 DAY 4 : HUE Enjoy breakfast before a visit to the Tombs of Khai Dinh and Tu Duc, and the Tu Hieu Pagoda. We ll have lunch in town. Afterwards, we ll visit the Imperial City. This citadel was built between 1805 and 1832 and is an outstanding example of an eastern feudal capital. We ll also visit the Dong Ba Market, have dinner in the city, and return to the hotel. DAY 5 : HUE - DA NANG - HOI AN Enjoy breakfast before taking a boat along the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest religious building in Vietnam. We ll then visit Kim Long Village and have lunch in town. Afterwards, we ll leave for Da Nang, where we ll visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which houses the largest collection of these unique works. On our way back, we ll stop off at Vietnam s most picturesque beach, China Beach, named by American troops who visited during the Vietnam War for a little RR. Once we arrive in Hoi An, we ll have dinner in the city, and spend the night at a 4*LS hotel. DAY 6 : HOI AN - MY SON - HOI AN Enjoy breakfast before leaving for a tour of My Son, a cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Hindu temples constructed between the 4th and 14th century AD. Afterwards, we ll return to Hoi An and have lunch in town. This afternoon will be spent visiting Hoi An. The Ancient Town is exceptionally well-preserved and its buildings and street plan reflect the influences that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. Don t miss the Tan Ky House, constructed almost two centuries ago by a Vietnamese merchant. We ll tour the Fujian Assembly Hall, the Chuc Thanh pagoda, and the Japanese Covered Bridge on foot. We ll then have dinner in a local town and spend the night at the hotel. DAY 7 : HOI AN - DA NANG - HO-CHI-MINH CITY Enjoy breakfast before leaving for the airport in Da Nang and flying to Ho Chi Minh City. Once you arrive, you ll join the group arriving from Paris. Built by the French in 1850, at the beginning of the colonial era, Hô Chi Minh City has retained some of its French atmosphere which characterizes it. City Tour of the city : Reunification palace, Notre Dame cathedral and Central Post office. Lunch in town. We devote our afternoon to visiting Cholon, the major centre of Chinese trade in the capital city. We visit the Ben thanh markets and the Thien Hâu Pagoda dedicated to the goddess of the sea. We board our ship and then have a welcome cocktail and dinner. Overnight on board in Hô Chi Minh City. DAY 8 : HO CHI MINH CITY After breakfast, departure by coach for the Cu Chi tunnels. A former hiding spot for Viet Cong soldiers, it serves today as a reminder of everyday life during the Vietnam War for both soldiers and civilians. You ll learn all about their clever survival techniques. We have lunch on board before our afternoon visit of the National History museum then a visit to a lacquer-ware factory. We return on board and set sail for the navigation channel of Chao Gao. Dinner and overnight on board at anchor. DAY 9 : MY THO - VINH LONG - CAI BE - SA DEC Very early this morning, we continue our cruise to My Tho along the magnificent Chao Gao Canal, which passes from the Saigon River to the Mekong Delta. The Delta is made up of four main arms and thousands of canals, both large and small. We have breakfast as we arrive in My Tho. Known for its many vegetable gardens, and its fruit orchards, the climate here is hot and pleasant all year long. The surrounding countryside includes one of the most luxuriant gardens in Vietnam with coconut, banana mango and longan trees. We visit the near islands of My Tho. On the largest of the islands, Thoi Son, we will visit a beekeeping farm where we will taste honey tea and exotic fruits. We return on board for lunch and continue our cruise to Vinh Long, and Caï

3 Be. The town is located in the middle of the delta region, between two arms of the Mekong. We set off in small boats through the arroyos and gardens which lead to Caï Be here discover the bricks, pottery and chinaware, we see the fruit trees nursery on the island of Binh Hoa Phuoc and also the local traditional craft of rice popcorn, rise wafers for the production of spring rolls and rice alcohol. Vinh Long, a land made rich by alluvium, is the country of mandarins and oranges. We set sail for Sa Dec. Diner and overnight stop at our mooring point. DAY 10 : SA DEC - CHAU DOC After breakfast, we visit Sa Dec, famous for its horticulture and known as the Garden of the Cochin Chine in colonial times. We have a tour of the small town where a few colonial mansions are still in existence. Discover the local market and visit the former dwelling place of Huynh Thuy Le, former lover of the French novelist Marguerite Duras who spent part of her childhood in Sa Dec. We continue our cruise to Chau Doc, a town at the border between Cambodia and Vietnam which became part of Vietnamese territory some 300 years ago. We have lunch on board and arrive in Chau Doc in the early afternoon. Situated in the heart of a gigantic grid of rice fields, the city of Chau Doc embraces both banks of the Mekong and the floating farms overspill into the waters. Chau Doc is a very prosperous town which developed around fishing and farming. Inside the town, a few colonial buildings with their old fashioned charm still remain. The market which surrounds them is the vibrant heart of the city. We set off by minibus and visit the top of the Sam hill, where we can admire the Phat Thay Tay pagoda and the Ba Chua Xu temple, an important place of pilgrimage for the Vietnamese where it overlooks the vastness of the Delta and its rice fields. By local boat, navigation through the floating-village. Diner and overnight stop in Chau Doc. DAY 11 : CHAU DOC - PHNOM PENH We spend the day afloat today, first heading for the Cambodian border, where we complete customs during the morning and continue our journey. Lunch and dinner are taken on board as we arrive towards the end of the day in Phnom Penh. Before dinner we have a tuk tuk trip, a motorised tricycle which is the traditional mode of transport in Phnom Penh. During this trip we can discover the more emblematic monuments of the city as the Royal Palace. We moor for the night in the port of Phnom Penh. DAY 12 : PHNOM PENH Founded in 1434, the capital of Cambodia retains much of its colonial charm, thanks to the rehabilitation of part of its architectural heritage. Visit the Royal palace, symbolic heart of the nation and one of the finest examples of Cambodian architecture in classical Khmer style and the Silver Pagoda paved over 5000 silver tiles which it owes its name. Constructed in wood in 1892 then rebuilt in Then we visit the National museum housing the Fine Arts museum, built in 1917 by the French in traditional Khmer architectural style. Beautiful lapidary museum, which the sublime statue of Javayarman VII sits with the head slightly tilted in a meditative posture. We have lunch in a local restaurant and this afternoon visit of the Tuol Svay Prey S21 School, former centre of detention, torture and execution used by the Khmer Rouge during the civil war. There is free time in the local market - crammed full with all types of businesses. This evening we have a Apsara dance show by student dancers and musicians. Dinner and overnight on board, in the port of Phnom Penh. DAY 13 : KOH CHEN - KAMPONG TRALACH - KAMPONG CHHNANG We set sail early morning, have breakfast on board before we visit Koh Chen, a small village where the inhabitants are experts in silverwork and copper work. Here are made the ornaments and decorations used during traditional ceremonies in the pagoda or for weddings. Visit the school of the village. We have lunch on board and arrive in Kampong Tralach to visit the beautiful Vihara of the Wat Kampong Tarlach Leu Pagoda. We cross through the village of Kampong Tralach by ox-cow to reach the pagoda on a small path running perpendicular to the river amidst a magnificent landscape of rice fields. The Vihara dates back to the beginning of last century and has many magnificent wall paintings which are starting to suffer from the effects of time. Completely isolated in the middle of the rice fields, the pagoda is quite unassuming and does not receive many visitors, so its isolation makes it a truly magnificent spot. We return on board and continue our cruise to Kampong Chhnang. Dinner and overnight stop.

4 DAY 14 : KAMPONG CHHNANG - TONLE SAP We have breakfast on board and then visit Kampong Chhnang. Located some 90km from Phnom Penh, the town of Kampong Chhnang is one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap. Here they also have many fish farms. The region is best known for its fine traditional pottery which is a major source of revenue for the entire country, and the region s very name Kampong Chhnang means the port of the pottery in Khmer. Taste some local products before going around the floating village on small local boats. Cocktail and gala dinner tonight. Overnight stop. DAY 15 : SIEM REAP - ANGKOR Breakfast on board and spend the morning cruising to take advantage of the lake crossing. We arrive in the port of Siem Reap and are welcomed by our local guide. We transfer to our hotel and check-in before taking lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the famous temple of Angkor Wat, masterpiece of Khmer architecture. This is the most famous and most imposing of all the monuments in Angkor and its five towers have become the emblem on the national flag of Cambodia. We return to Siem Reap. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in the hotel 4*LS (for RV Indochine) and hotel 5* LS (for RV Indochine II). DAY 16 : SIEM REAP After breakfast we set off very early to visit the jewel in the crown of classic Khmer art - the temple at Banteay Srei. The site was cleared from creepers and the forest in 1924 by H. Parmentier. Banteay Srei, which means the citadel of women or citadel of beauty, is known for the intricacy of its fine carvings, and the detail of the sculptures on every corner of this small temple built in pink sandstone and laterite is a joy to behold. Then we visit the temple at Ta Prohm. Today nature has taken over the site and the result is stunning : trees spring out from the temple buildings and thick roots now cover the temple. We return to our hotel for a quick lunch. This afternoon we explore Angkor Thom, a huge architectural masterpiece accessible through five monumental gates with the mountain temple of Bayon at its centre. Bayon temple is famous for its towers with 172 faces of Buddha. We have a wander in the heart of the ancient Royal palace where the sanctuary of Phimeanakas is located, then we visit the terrace of the Elephants and the terrace of the Leper King. In the evening, you attend the magnificent spectacle of Cirque PHARE and dinner in a restaurant in downtown Siem Reap. After dinner, there is free time to stroll through the Angkor Night Market and perhaps do some shopping. It s a very pleasant place for a wander in the cool night-time temperatures (open from 4pm until midnight), with over a hundred shops and stalls selling souvenirs, handicrafts, clothes, books etc. Overnight in the hotel. DAY 17 : SIEM REAP After breakfast at the hotel this morning, we leave very early to visit the Senteurs d Angkor (or perfume workshop), where they make candles, soaps and prepare spices. Afterwards, we visit the workshops of the Artisans d Angkor, where young Cambodians are trained in the art of traditional wood carving and stonework based on long-standing Khmer craftwork traditions. Lunch in the hotel. End of our services around 2.00 p.m. Please do not book any flights before 5 :00 p.m.

5 TRANSPORTATION Port-to-port cruise, no transfers included. FORMULA This offer includes : Cruise : the cruise in the category of cabin chosen at booking stage - accommodation in a 1st class hotel in Siem Reap (based on two people sharing) - all meals throughout the tour - visits and excursions as listed in the itinerary - English-speaking national Vietnamese and Cambodian guides - our CroisiEurope Cruise Director throughout the cruise - drinks during all meals (1 soda or 1 beer or 1 water and coffee and tea per person and per meal) - tea, coffee, water unlimited during the cruise - emergency and repatriation insurance - tips (for the crew during the cruise, guide and drivers in Siem Reap). Extended stay : 2 domestic flights - full board - the visits and excursions mentioned in the program - the services of local guides - accommodation in a double room at mentioned hotel or similar - drinks at every meal (1 soda or 1 beer or 1 mineral water and 1 coffee or 1 tea per person per meal) - a cruise aboard a junk, 24 hours, non privatized in Halong Bay - insurance assistance / repatriation This offer does not include : Cruise : international flights - transfers - airport taxes - cancellation and baggage insurance - visas - tips for guides and drivers of buses, boats during the 9 days onboard. Extended stay : tips for guides and drivers (about $35 per passenger) - cancellation/luggage Insurance - airport taxes for domestic flights. PRACTICAL INFORMATION WEATHER : The dry season is from December to April, but the air remains very hot and humid (temperatures between 77 and 95 F). During the rainy season, from May to November, there can be violent, but brief, rainstorms at the end of the afternoon. CURRENCY : Only US dollars are accepted on board. You can also register a credit/debit card when boarding and have your expenses deducted from the card at the end of the cruise. You can pay with US dollars or by using your Visa or MasterCard. EXCHANGE RATE : For the current exchange rates for the Vietnamese Dong and the Cambodian Riel, please consult websites such as or It is recommended to have some US dollars in cash with you during your trip. MEALS : All meals are provided on this tour. Fresh products such as fish, fruits and vegetables, are prepared on board. Buffet service for breakfast and lunch. Dinners are served at your table. Asian and Western cuisine. TIME DIFFERENCE : You can consult to see the time difference between your home and your destination. FORMALITIES Depending on nationality. Each nationality is requested to consult their embassy or consulate.

6 These cruises and tours are not recommended for persons with reduced mobility. Crossing the Tonle Sap Lake : when water levels are high, from August to the end of December, the RV Indochine crosses the lake. When water levels are low, from January to April, we cross the lake by air-conditioned coach to join the RV Indochine at Koh Chen (approximately 5 hours). The low water level can happen at any time of the year. The periods are given for information purposes only and depend of the rain quantity. The riverbanks throughout this trip can be steep and slippery according to the level of water. If needed, the route, stops or visits may be changed by the owner and/or our on-site representatives. The captain is the only person authorized to change the route of the ship for safety and/or navigational reasons. No mandatory vaccinations. However, it is advisable to be up to date with all vaccinations (tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria and typhoid fever). Your doctor will prescribe an antimalarial drug if necessary. For the Halong Bay cruise, the itinerary and visits are defined by the captain each day and are based on tide and weather conditions. The cruise on Halong Bay can be cancelled in the event of bad conditions. The junk on the Halong Bay is not under the private ownership of CroisiEurope. Domestic and regional flights : Bangkok Airways (PG) between Bangkok and Siem Reap. Vietnam Airlines (VN) for domestic flights within Vietnam.