SOUTH VIETNAM WITH MEKONG CRUISE & CAMBODIA IN 10 DAYS

Day 1: Arrival Ho Chi Minh – Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Driver will welcome you on arrival at HCMC ‘s Tan Son Nhat International airport and transfer you to your hotel in the exciting district 1 area of HCMC.

Overnight in HCMC.

Day 2: Cu Chi Day Tour – Ho Chi Minh City Tour – Overnight in Ho Chi Minh (B/L)

0800h – After breakfast your English guide will meet you at the hotel and drive with you to Cu Chi, you will explore the Cu Chi Tunnels which is an incredible underground network of tunnels approximately 200 km in length. The tunnels were constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence and contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war.

Return to your hotel to your hotel

After lunch your guide will arrive at your hotel and you will begin your tour of Ho Chi Minh City visiting the attractions in District 1 such as:

The Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office and the War Remnant Museum before continuing to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where everything and anything is for sale .

Stay overnight at the hotel in HCMC.

Day 3 : HCMC Cruise – Cai Be – Vinh Long – Tra On (B/L/D)

0800h: In the morning your guide will pick you up at your hotel and you will travel by road to Can Tho or Cai Be.

1200h: You will board your wooden river cruise vessel and after a refreshing welcome drink you will be shown the on-board facilities and taken to your cabin.

You will get under way as lunch is being served and you can sit back and watch the fantastic scenery and the daily life of the Mekong people.

In the afternoon you will stop for a guided walk through a village and the surrounding fruit orchards or rice fields. You will also have the opportunity to meet some of the locals and sample some of the local produce and fresh fruit.

Back on board and enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on deck as the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape of the Mekong River.

The day ends with a delicious on-board dinner. You stay overnight on board .

Day 4:  Cruise – Tra On – Cai Rang – Can Tho – Chau Doc (B/L)

Wake up well rested to the sound of the Mekong river and get ready for another exciting day of sightseeing in the Mekong Delta

0630h: You will set off for a sunrise cruise. While enjoying an early breakfast you can watch the locals go about their daily work doing everything from drying exotic fruits to building wooden ships in yards on the banks of the river.

After breakfast, you will transfer to a smaller sampan boat and visit Cai Be or Cai Rang floating markets which are the region’s busiest and most lively markets. Marvel at the sheer abundance of exotic fruits, vegetables and skillfully handcrafted regional products.

You will have the opportunity to talk and bargaining with the merchants. Next is a visit to some of the local candy and cake making factories & cruise through the green water landscape to see local houses and fruit orchards.

1130h: Lunch will be in a local restaurant and afterwards you can sit back in the shuttle bus and watch the water landscape from a land perspective until you reach Chau Doc where you will overnight in your hotel.

17.00h- Arrival to Chau Doc and overnight in Chau Doc.

Day 5: Chau Doc – Cross the Border  by Speed boat – Phnom Penh – Overnight in Phom Penh (B)

0700h: A driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you to the pier where you will board a speed boat for an exciting ride to Phnom Penh.

1400h: Arrive Phnom Penh and transfer to your hotel and over night in Phomphenh

Relax day in Phnom Penh

Day 6: Phnom Penh Day Tour – Overnight in Phom Penh (B/L)

0900h: Your guide will meet you and together you will travel 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.

After some time at the markets to browse or buy, you will travel to the impressive Central Market which is one of the city landmarks. Originally completed by the French in 1937, the striking structure is known as Psar Thmei in Khmer or New Market. The huge dome is wonderfully ventilated and a testament to the design. The market is loaded with anything and everything available in Cambodia but buy with caution, as the market has a reputation for overcharging or ‘shaving your head’ as Cambodians like to call it.

Overnight in your hotel.

Day 7: Phnom Penh –Flight to  Siem Reap – Overnight in Siem Reap  (B)

Your tour guide and the driver will pick you up from the hotel drive to Seamreap or Fly

Overnight in Siem Rep.

Day 8:Siem Reap – Angkor Thom – Angkor Wat – Tonle Sap – Overnight in Siem Reap (B/L)

0530h – In the morning you will start your tour with a visit to the ancient capital of Angkor Wat’s

Next you will visit 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). ( The hotel will pack the breakfast for you take away )

After will visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor, Angkor Wat.

Next is a visit to the Bakheng Temple which was built in the 9^th century .

Then we will taket you 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.

Back to the hotel and Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 9:Natural waterfall + Remote Temple & Hero Rats –  Overnight in Siem Reap (B/L)

*In the morning: Leaving from the hotel at 8:00 am, then traveling through beautiful countryside to visit Banteay Srei which is fantastic with excellent carvings in pink and yellow sandstone, continue to Kulen Mountain which is the most sacred place for Cambodian as well as the most important place for visitors. You can enjoy a combination of natural beauty and Cambodia culture in relaxing atmosphere. It is the place where in the year 802 Jayavarman II was crowned as Devaraja (God King) and announced the independence from Java. Cambodia as we know it today was born. What we can see at the mountain are the most beautiful waterfall in Cambodia, thousand of Shiva Linga carvings along the riverbed, Preah Ang Thom ( Giant reclining Buddha statue), and footprint of Buddha. Then we are taking a break for lunch at local restaurant.

*In the Afternoon: After lunch, we continue to visit Landmine Museum, Palm Sugar Village. Next, continue to discover tithe APOPO center. Visitor Center and experience the realities of humanitarian demining and how we train rats to save lives. You will learn about landmines, how we clear them, and see a live demo of the HeroRATs. Learn about how Cambodia became one of the most mine-affected countries in the world.

End of the day. You will be dropped back at your hotel in Siemreap .

Day 10: Departure (B)

Your time is free until for your driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport .

Tour The End.