LEGEND OF MEKONG IN 10 DAYS

Day 1: Arrival Ho Chi Minh City

A driver will meet you on arrival at Tan San Nhat airport and transfer you to your hotel in district one. The rest of the day is free and you can relax or explore the area around your hotel.

Overnight in HCMC

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi tunnels (B/L)

0800h – You will be picked from your hotel and travel out of Ho Chi Minh city to visit the famous Vietcong tunnels at Cu Chi. This incredible system, covering nearly 250km, was shelter to over 16,000 communist guerillas during the American war. You will gain an insight into the tenacity of the soldiers and have the opportunity to go inside the tunnels.

Lunch will be in HCMC and once you finish lunch you visit the haunting but very interesting War Remnants  Museum and take a walking tour to Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post office, Opera house and downtown Saigon. The War Remnants Museum was originally opened in September 1975; it displays items from the American War. In the courtyard there are some larger exhibits including a F5A fighter and a UH1-Huey helicopter. The Reunification Palace, formerly known as the Presidential Palace was the sight of South Vietnam’s surrender in April 1975. Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office and the Opera House are beautiful examples of architecture from the French colonial period.

The trip is designed to give you an insight into the history, culture and the daily life activities of the locals in Ho Chi Minh City.

1630h – Arrive to HCMC.

Overnight in HCMC

Day 03: HCMC – Can Tho (B/L/D)

0730h – Check out and your guide will meet you at your hotel and together you will leave Ho Chi Minh city and start your scenic journey along the National Highway toward My Tho.

On arrival at My Tho, you will visit Vinh Trang Pagoda. Built in 1849, the Vinh Trang Pagoda is located in a large garden in My Tho City. The pagoda is a wonderful blend of Asian and European styles of architecture which together create the beautiful but simple features of the pagoda.

Next you will take a leisurely boat ride on the river and view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages situated on the river bank. Continue on to Tortoise islet where lunch will be served in an orchard garden.

After your delicious set menu lunch, you will take a boat ride to An Khanh and enjoy relaxing on a hand-rowed sampan on the shaded waters while you travel along the natural canals. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea while listening to “Southern Vietnamese folk music” performed by locals.

Visit a small family business and taste their delicious coconut candy which is a specialty of the region & observe the local life style as you roam through fruit plantations and the surrounding area.

Continue on to Can Tho and check into the hotel and enjoy some free time to visit the bustling Can Tho market.

Overnight in Can Tho

Day 04: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Chau Doc (B/L)

0530h-0600h – Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the wharf where you will board a motor boat for a leisurely trip through the tributaries of the lower Mekong to visit Cai Rang floating market.

Cai Rang is one of the 3 biggest floating markets in the delta region and you will see hundreds of boats packed with local mangoes, bananas, papaya and pineapple as well as many other items for sale.

Then take a ride in the motorboat along small leafy creeks to a village where you can walk around and meet with the friendly locals. For the brave visitors, you can learn how to cross a Monkey bridge which is built by using bamboo and ropes.

1200h – Visit an orchard garden where you will stop for lunch.

If time permitting on the way to Chau Doc, you may also visit Sam Mountain which is the highest mountain in the Mekong.

1730h – Overnight  in Chau Doc.

Day 05: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B)

Cambodia visa: 30 USD / person (to be obtained at the border)

0700h – Driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the wharf where you will board your air conditioned speedboat to Phnom Penh.

The boat will stop at the border for people to arrange visas before entering Cambodia.

1300h – Arrive Phnom Penh where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check in.

In the afternoon you can explore the area around your hotel or take a Tuk Tuk to the river area and visit the night markets.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 6: Killing Fields – Tuol Sleng Museum – Russian Markets (B/L)

0800h – Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you will drive approx 15 km south to the killing fields of Choeung Ek. In the short period between 1975 & 1978 approximately 17.000 men, women and children were detained and tortured at the notorious S-21 prison and transported to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek.

After lunch in a local restaurant, you will return to Phnom Penh and visit the Notorious Tuol Sleng Museum. In 1975, Tuol Svay Prey High School was taken over by Pol Pot’s security forces and became the infamous S-21 prison. S-21 became the largest detention centre and torture facility in the country where more than 17.000 people were held prior to being executed.

Next is a vist to the Russian Market which is one of the premier shopping destinations in the Cambodian capital. Known as Psar Tuol Tom Pong, it earned its nickname in the 1980s, when Russians were the only tourists in Cambodia. You will find a wide range of goods on sale and is a great place to shop for your souvenirs

170h – Return to your hotel.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 7: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B/L)

0900h – Your driver will meet you at the hotel and you will depart on your road journey to Siem Reap in a private air conditioned vehicle. (No guide today)

Along the way you will pass through many small villages and gain an insight into the daily lives of people in the rural areas.

Approximately 150Km south of Siem Reap, your driver will take you to visit the historical area of Sambor Prei Kuk. Although none are as spectacular as Angkor Wat, the area is home to approximately 100 temples with many of them being built in the 7^th century. Local guides are normally on hand for those who would like to know more about the history of the area.

Lunch will be provided in a clean local restaurant

1500h – Arrive Siem Reap and check in to your hotel where you will overnight.

Overnight in  Siem Reap .

Day 8: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat Temple (B/L)

0800h – After breakfast your English speaking guide will meet you at your hotel and you will leave to visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor, Angkor Wat.

The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians, to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks and the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world. The surrounding moat is to represent the ocean beyond.

Lunch at local restaurant and in the afternoon visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara).

Overnight in Siem Reap .

Day 09: Siem Reap – Tonle Sap Lake (B)

0830h – After meeting your guide at the hotel you will depart to visit the Khmer Village and enjoy the views of rice fields & palm trees while you take in the fresh air.

Next you will take a ride in a boat on Tonle Sap Lake, Known as the “Great Lake” of Cambodia and one of the largest in Asia. During the short cruise you be able to observe life on the water as you pass by floating villages complete with schools, restaurants, and hospitals.

1230h – Return to your hotel and enjoy some time relaxing or exploring in town.

Overnight in Siem Reap .

Day 10: Departure (B)

Time for some last minute shopping or simply relax until your driver arrives to transfer you to the airport for your departure.

End of Tour.