7 nights from My Tho - Kampong Cham
- Itinerary: Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap
- Ship: Mekong Navigator
- Duration: 7 nights
Day 1MY THO / EMBARKATION
(13:30) In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho port, South Vietnam. From there, you will begin your journey aboard the luxurious Mekong Navigator cruise ship. After settling into your well-appointed suite/cabin, that evening, following a welcome reception, safety briefing, and introduction to key members of our crew, a delicious Vietnamese ‘Mekong Delta’ Welcome Dinner is served in Le Marche Dining Room.
Mekong Navigator departs My Tho after all guests are onboard about 16:30
Overnight mid-river in Cai Be area
Day 2CAI BE - SA DEC
(08:30) In Cai Be, board the rowing boat with rower in conical hats for an enjoyable excursion along the lovely canals of the Mekong Delta with beautiful scenes. After finishing the rowing, the sampan will cruise on a tapestry of waterways bringing us to a cottage factory where industrious artisans produce rice paper, rice wine and popped rice. There’s a selection of postcards, souvenirs, and beautiful oil paintings on sale. On return to the ship, an elegant buffet lunch is served while sailing upstream through tranquil riverine scenery towards Sa Dec.
Mekong Navigator departs Cai Be area after all guests are back onboard about 10:30 and arrives in Sa Dec area about 13:30
(14:30) This afternoon, your sampans return for a leisurely, scenic navigation of the narrow canals of the Mekong, where you will observe daily routines of the villagers en route to the historic town of Sa Dec. In the town of Sa Dec you visit the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the inspiration of Marguerite Duras' novel, L'Amant (The Lover), as well as the Chinese Temple - Kien An Cung which was built in honor of the Huynh Thuy Le Family. From there, you will begin a walk through the town's market, where you experience the sights, sounds, smells and provides you wonderful photo opportunities of the colorful fresh produce, meat, live fish and seafood for sale.
Mekong Navigator departs Sa Dec area after all guests are back onboard about 16:30
Overnight mid-river My An Hung area
Day 3MY AN HUNG - LONG KHANH A ISLAND
(08:30) This morning, we make a short journey from ship to shore by traditional sampan, visiting a typical evergreen farming village on the Mekong Delta, the My An Hung village. We walk through the verdant village, interact with villagers, enjoy fresh coconut in the garden… A local family would invite us for some honey tea and fruit while we enjoy the “don ca tai tu” folk music, followed by an impressive VOVINAM Vietnam Martial Arts performed by the teenagers of the village.
Mekong Navigator departs My An Hung area after all guests are back onboard about 10:00 and arrives in Long Khanh A Island area about 15:30
(15:30) In the afternoon, your sampans will bring you to the local island village of Long Khanh A (Hong Ngu district), not far from the Vietnam - Cambodia border. Hong Ngu produces a large number of the traditional, Khmer scarves exported to Cambodia. Woven in many homes around the village, you will have the opportunity to see the weaving process at several homes. Some villagers are also embroidery artists, displaying their art in and around the homes. The inhabitants of this area had only encountered one western visitor prior to the arrival of the Mekong Navigator, and are especially friendly and welcoming. Before returning to the sampans, we will walk around this evergreen island and visit the home of a local War Veteran.
Mekong Navigator departs Long Khanh about 17:30
Overnight at the border area
Day 4DAY TO RELAX & ENJOY THE SHIP / BORDER CROSSING
Border formalities about 07:00
Mekong Navigator departs the border about 09:00
This morning we sail upstream to enjoy a leisurely cruise and taking in the sights along the Mekong River reaching Phnom Penh in late afternoon. Some cultural activities are planned on board (introduction of tropical fruitS and fruit tasting, demonstration of Vietnamese spring roll making, introduction of traditional Cambodian costumes).
In the evening, before dinner, there is a cocktail and sabering time hosted by our Captain.
It takes about 10 hours to go from the border to Phnom Penh, depending on the water situation
Overnight docking at Phnom Penh Port
Day 5PHNOM PENH
(08:30) In the morning, learn more about the darkest days of Cambodian history. After a scenic 45-minute drive from the ship, you arrive at the Choeung Ek killing fields, where you may walk through the fields, visit the small museum and Buddhist memorial stupa, and learn more about the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Before returning to the ship, there is a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21), the former school converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge.
After returning to the ship from the S-21, enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh - shopping, dining at one of the many wonderful restaurants, or exploring the city independently.
(There is a scheduled shuttle coach with your local guide provided from the Port to the Central Market for your shopping time).
Pre-dinner cultural entertainment is provided on the Sun Deck as guests enjoy a performance by local children of Apsara, the Khmer national dance and other traditional folk dances.
Overnight docking at Phnom Penh Port
Day 6PHNOM PENH
(08:30) After breakfast on board this morning, Tuk Tuk drivers meet you on the pier for an exciting morning tour of the best sites in Phnom Penh. You are gently transported along the riverfront to the Royal Palace complex which is the official residence of the King of Cambodia, where you enjoy a leisure walk through the grounds. After viewing the Throne Hall and Moonlight Pavilion, you visit the famous Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia's Emerald Buddha and the Maitreya Buddha, which is encrusted with more than 9,000 diamonds.
Your Tuk Tuk is waiting outside to take you on the short ride to the open-air National Museum, Cambodia’s largest museum of cultural history with one of the world’s largest collections of Khmer art and ceramics as well as Angkorian and pre-Angkorian artefacts, excavated at the Angkor Temple complex at Siem Reap, as well as other areas around Cambodia.
After returning to the ship, enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh.
Optional afternoon excursion tour to visit one of the local silk weaving villages:
The journey transfers by Remork from Mekong Navigator to across the friendship Cambodian-Japanese bridge then take local ferry to reach the Koh Oknha Tei which is known as Silk Island, a small beautiful island on the Mekong River. The island has houses of silk weaving and well-known traditional weaving village of the country with high-class silk products. The island is home of idyllic rural scenery of the river, rustic paths, still houses, the lush gardens and trees and peaceful atmosphere of the countryside. You will have a chance to witness the entire process of making traditional textiles from the beginning to end of the silk workshop.
Mekong Navigator departs Phnom Penh about 17:00
Overnight mid river at Wat Roka Kaong
Day 7WAT ROKA KAONG - OPOPEL VILLAGE - KAMPONG CHAM
(09:00) This morning we will visit Wat Roka Kaong. Based on archaeologists’ statements this Temple complex was built in 1840. Some parts of the building were made by wood and have been renovated 1998. An emerald statue was found during the renovation believed to be over 180 years old and given this Wat its second name Wat KeoMoni Chort (Emerald). In front of the two Golden Buddhist Columns (53meter tall), where two temples, the north temple called Preah Keo Preah Kor and the south temple called BakSei Chamkrong. Unfortunately, Baksei Chamkrong temple was destroyed by a landslide in 2020. Enjoy wandering around this temple complex and then proceed to the Main Pagoda.
Upon entering the beautiful and colourful Main Pagoda, we receive a traditional water blessing from the local monks.
The Mekong Navigator cruise departs Wat Roka Kaong after all guests on board about 10:30 and arrives Opopel Village about 12:00
(15:00) This afternoon we have a visit to the rural and charming village of Opopel, with its stilted houses and grazing Brahim cows seeking the shade of banana trees. You feel a sense of timelessness here, witnessing the rhythm of rural life. A visit is made to the home of a local family who discusses their lifestyle, then onto the local school to join children in their classroom giving you a glimpse a typical Cambodian school day. A leisurely stroll through the village offers an opportunity to take photos of this place that time has forgotten. On your way back we make a brief stop at the local monastery.
Mekong Navigator departs Opopel after all guests are onboard about 17:00
In the evening, you gather in the Sun Deck in front of the Le Salon Lounge for a Farewell Reception with the entire crew, before enjoying a Cambodian Farewell Dinner in Le Marche Dining Room.
Mekong Navigator arrives Kampong Cham port about 21:30
Overnight docking at Kampong Cham
Day 8KAMPONG CHAM / DISEMBARKATION - SIEM REAP
Following breakfast, you say goodbye to the crew as you disembark the cruise and transfer from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap, Cambodia, with a lunch stop, arriving in Siem Reap in the afternoon.
Coaches depart Kampong Cham to Siem Reap about 08:30
- 7 nights onboard the luxurious Mekong Navigator
- Full board including themed dinners, welcome and farewell reception
- Complimentary house wine for lunch and dinner.
- Complimentary local coffee and fine tea selection, soft-drinks, local beer and local spirits
- Complimentary water bottle for excursions
- Complimentary wifi in-room and public areas
- Lotus Cruises exclusive’s series of cultural performances, educational talks, food demonstration classes
- English speaking crew and English expert local guides
- All entrance fees, transportation as mentioned in the shore excursion program
- Deluxe Sampans with cold towel service, fresh fruit and tea/coffee service (where applicable)
- Individual VOX listening devices throughout cruise shore excursion program
- Shoe cleaning after excursion
- Welcome drink and cold towel service following excursions
- Transfers from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham and from My Tho to Ho Chi Minh City (coach transfer) or vice versa
- Gratuities $85 per passenger for crew onboard
- Port charge $75 per passenger
- Tip $25 per passenger for guides, drivers, sampan operators
- Visa. For Upstream cruises only: Cambodia E-Visa will not be accepted at river check point, we recommend to make visa on arrival when you are on the cruise with us, visa cost $45/person
- Airfare to/from destination
- Premium wine and spirits
- Transfer outside included transportation as provided in the shore excursion program
- Spa treatments, on-board laundry and gift shop items
payment policy
1. Booking is made more than 60 days prior to departure date
| Payment (amount of total booking value) | Payment due date(s) |
|---|---|
| 30% | Deposit upon confirmation |
| 70% | 60 days prior to cruise date |
2. Booking is made less than 60 days prior to departure date
| Payment (amount of total booking value) | Payment due date(s) |
|---|---|
| 30% | Deposit upon confirmation |
| 70% | Within 5 days |
A booking is automatically released if payments are not received on due date(s).
CANCELLATION
Cancellations or booking amendments must be informed in writing. E-mail cancellation or booking amendments are only effective once re-confirmed by Lotus Cruises. We strongly recommend to advice passenger to purchase travel insurances to cover cancellation cost if any. Party B does not cover any costs related to passengers’ travelling risk.
| Cancellation prior to cruise date | Cancellation charge (of total booking value) |
|---|---|
| More than 180 days prior | Administration fee 100 USD/pax |
| Between 180-61 days | 20 % |
| Between 60-31 days | 50% |
| 30 days to cruise date or no show | 100% |