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Mekong River Encompassed

10 Days Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
Mekong River Encompassed
Mekong River Encompassed
Mekong River Encompassed

Overview

G Adventures
Trip Operated By:
 (143) Reviews Total No. of Trips 967
Experience Cambodia and Vietnam from a truly different perspective — the waters of the mighty Mekong River. Sail for eight days aboard a classic riverboat from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City. Discover Phnom Penh, roam the famous floating markets, and explore the stilt village of Chnok Tru. Incredible views of Southeast Asia await you here.
Sold Out
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either the season has ended and new dates will be released soon, or the itinerary has been updated and isn’t operating this season.
Trip Length
Trip Length

10 Days

Trip Starts
Trip Starts

Siem Reap

Trip Ends
Trip Ends

Ho Chi Minh City

Countries Visited
Countries Visited:
Trip Reviews
1 Trip Review
Avg. Rating: 5/5
Trip Style
Trip Style

Sailing & Cruises

Budget
Budget

Affordable

Age Range
Age Range

6-99 Years

Pace
Pace

Leisurely

Tour Code
Tour Code

AOLZSE

Itinerary

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.

Included Experiences
  • Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Explore Experiences
Siem Reap
Siem Reap

Visit Angkor Wat at sunrise and continue exploring with a local guide. Enjoy lunch at the G Adventures-supported New Hope project. This afternoon, transfer to Koh Chen, then settle in as the crew set sail. Start early today with a 4:30am departure for Angkor Wat to watch the sunrise. Return to the hotel for breakfast before exploring more of the temples. Enjoy lunch at New Hope, a G Adventures-supported project. After lunch, transfer to Koh Chen in a private vehicle. Board the riverboat by early evening, then enjoy a welcome beverage and get to know the crew during an informational meeting before dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Experiences
  • Angkor Wat Guided Tour: Enjoy a tour of the impressive ancient ruins with a local guide. Explore magnificent Angkor Wat temple--Visit the enigmatic faces of Bayon within the walled city of Angkor Thom, and tour Ta Prohm (aka the "Tomb Raider" temple), which is slowly being swallowed by the jungle.
  • New Hope Vocational Training Restaurant: Enjoy a traditional meal of Khmer food at the New Hope Vocational Training Restaurant, an initiative kickstarted by G Adventures. Providing skill-building opportunities to marginalized community members, the project also funds the adjacent free community school and health centre. Visit the restaurant run by locals and see how the New Hope project has supported positive change in the community.
  • Riverboat Welcome Meeting: Welcome aboard! It's time to meet the crew and get some information about the cruise.
Explore Experiences
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat
Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple

Enjoy the morning in Koh Chen, an island in the river. Visit silver and copper workshops and meet a Khmer Rouge survivor eager to tell his story. Then, continue on to one of the biggest villages on the Tonle Sap River, Kampong Chhnang. Learn more about fish farming, pottery, and sugar palm production in the area. Wander through the local market then opt to cycle to visit the local industries. After the day's excursions, enjoy dinner on board and relax as the riverboat drops anchor for the night.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Experiences
  • Koh Chen Visit: Visit the small town of Koh Chen. Wander through the streets and visit family run silver and copper workshops. Watch the craftsmen and learn about the process. If possible, meet a Khmer Rouge survivor eager to share his story.
  • Toum Tiou II Riverboat: Hop aboard and float on to the next stop.
  • Kampong Chhnang Visit: Located around 56 miles from Phnom Penh, the town of Kampong Chhnang is a very large fishing port on the Tonlé Sap. A lot of locals make a living from fish farming, a popular occupation in this area. Kampong Chhnang is also famous for its pottery ware, the style of which has not changed much for centuries and is distributed to the rest of the country. Wander through the local market, and head out to explore a family run brick factory to watch the process. Continue to visit the locals and observe the process of hand making pottery. Before heading back to the riverboat, explore a sugar palm farm where the Thnot tree (sugar palm) that abounds in the area is used to create a mellow tasting, caramel coloured sugar sold in large cakes and palm wine.

Embark on an early morning cruise to Kampong Tralach and visit the local vihara (Buddhist monastery) and Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. Opt to cycle, or ride in a tuk tuk or buffalo cart, through the village and past rice paddies to reach the monastery. This afternoon, continue to the capital city of Phnom Penh. Take a cyclo tour past sights like Wat Phnom and the Grand Palace. Opt to finish up at the FCC for a happy hour cocktail overlooking the river or for dinner in town.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences
  • Toum Tiou II Riverboat: Hop aboard and float on to the next stop.
  • Kampong Tralach Visit: Arrive at Kampong Tralach and visit its wonderful Vihara (Buddhist Monastery) and Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. Travel through Kampong Tralach Krom village along a small road perpendicular to the river, crossing beautiful stretches of emerald rice paddies. The Vihara dates back to early last century and is home to some outstanding mural paintings. Standing isolated in the middle of the rice fields, it is a modest pagoda that receives very few international visitors, enjoy this truly unique experience.
  • Phnom Penh Cyclo Tour: Settle in a traditional cyclo and depart from Wat Phnom. Tour busy streets to soak up the real vibe of the city. Pass the post office and Van's restaurant, both stunning colonial buildings, and make your way to the Royal Palace and National Museum. Go along the riverside road and take in the atmospheric cafes that line the street.
  • Free Time: Explore Cambodia's charming capital city.
Explore Experiences
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh

Spend the day exploring all this city has to offer. Start with guided visits to the S21 Museum and the Killing Fields. Enjoy free time to explore the National Museum, Grand Palace or Russian Market. In the evening, return to the boat for an Apsara show before departure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences
  • Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison) Guided Tour: Learn about the dark history and devastation that occurred at Security Prison 21 (S-21); the prison, used by the Khmer Rouge regime, is now Tuol Sleng Museum. Take a guided tour to hear the stories behind the sombre photos lining the museum walls.
  • Choeung Ek (Killing Fields) Guided Tour: Learn more about the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge visiting the killing fields of Choeung Ek; the grounds now stand as a powerful memorial filled with victims’ skulls and mass graves. Tour this sombre, yet serene, site with a guide.
  • Free Time: Discover more of this dynamic city.
  • Apsara Show: Sit back and enjoy a performance of traditional Khmer dance.
Optional Experiences
  • Silver Pagoda Visit: Tour the Royal Palace complex to see the neighboring Silver Pagoda (aka the Temple of the Emerald Buddha). See the many magnificent treasures inside this beautiful vihara (Buddhist monastery), including its floor lined with more 5,000 tiles of silver.
  • Russian Market: Visit the Russian Market for a selection of souvenir stalls along with jewellers and fabric sellers.
  • National Museum Visit: Wander the galleries of the National Museum to see amazing works of art from Cambodia's "golden age" of Angkor. Visit the museum’s lovely courtyard before you leave.
  • Wat Phnom Visit: Visit Wat Phnom (Hill Temple) in late afternoon, a historic monument with lots of green space. Keep an eye on your food and belongings; cheeky monkeys like to get a hold of anything they can.
  • Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda Visit: Visit the Royal Palace, a complex of buildings where the kings of Cambodia have resided since the 1860s (except for during the reign of the Khmer Rouge). Be sure to tour the Silver Pagoda compound (aka the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and the central compound. See the many magnificent treasures inside this beautiful vihara (Buddhist monastery), including its floor lined with more 5,000 tiles of silver.
Explore Experiences
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
Killing Fields of Choeung Ek

Cross the border into Vietnam and cruise to Chau Doc. Visit the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary and soak in the view from the top of Sam Mountain.

During border crossing all passengers must stay on board as formalities are done on the riverboat. The boat will usually stay at the border for 2-3 hrs whilst all formalities are completed. Depending on time spent at the border, the itinerary for the afternoon may vary. Although this process is usually quite simple, delays can occur. Please note for visa purposes that the official name of the border in Vietnam is Son Tien border and in Cambodia it is Kaam Samnar border.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences
  • Toum Tiou II Riverboat: Hop aboard and float on to the next stop.
  • Border Crossing (Cambodia - Vietnam): Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
  • Tra Su Bird Sanctuary Visit: Visit the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary and explore first by power boat, followed by small local rowing boats. Take in the serene scenery and spot a wide array of birds.
  • Sam Mountain Visit: Travel to Sam Mountain by private vehicle and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape from the summit.

Visit the Kien An Cung Pagoda in Sa Dec and take the time to stroll through the market along the river. View the old colonial houses by the delta. Continue on to Vinh Long. Learn about rice popping and opt to wander small paths through the communities here. Continue to Cai Be by local boats and meet up with the vessel. Drop anchor tonight near Thoi Son Island.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Experiences
  • Sa Dec Visit: Stroll around the Sa Dec river bank and through the Sa Dec market. This small city of 30,000 inhabitants is fascinating due to its unspoiled authenticity and the fact it remains relatively undisturbed by tourists. It provides a glimpse of traditional life on the Mekong, complete with tree lined streets and fading colonial villas.
  • Toum Tiou II Riverboat: Hop aboard and float on to the next stop.
  • Vinh Long Visit: Board local boats and explore Vinh Long. Learn about rice popping and opt to meander small paths through the communities here. Continue on to Cai Be by local boat and rejoin the riverboat.

Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda in the morning, catching a glimpse of My Tho town on the way. Cruise to Thoi Son Island by local boats for some local industry visits. Enjoy learning more about coconut product manufacturing and honey farming, with samples of honey and local fruit. Meet traditional musicians here. Opt for a local lunch on the island. Enjoy a farewell cocktail on board before the Captain's dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences
  • Vĩnh Trang Pagoda Visit: Explore the buddhist temple of Vĩnh Tràng. Known for its enormous buddha statues and peaceful surroundings. The monks here maintain an an ornate, gilded wood sanctuary, and tend to the impressive gardens.
  • Coconut Manufacturing Visit: Take local boats to Thoi Son Island to see a coconut product manufacturer, taste some local fruit and honey and meet traditional musicians.

Continue the final leg of the journey to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive around 11am and disembark. Later, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences
  • Toum Tiou II Riverboat: Hop aboard and float on to the next stop.
  • Cu Chi Tunnels Guided Tour: Take a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex network of tunnels that the Viet Cong lived in to protect themselves from opposing forces during the Vietnam War. Try crawling through some of the tunnels (if you’re not claustrophobic). These tunnels stored ammunition, had underground hospitals, and served as a hidden base for attacking allied forces.
Explore Experiences
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
Cu Chi Tunnels
Cu Chi Tunnels

Depart at any time.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Trip Inclusions

  • Explore Angkor Wat and the Cu Chi Tunnels.
  • Visit ancient temples and small villages.
  • Enjoy the atmosphere of a floating market.
  • Learn about life along this famous river.

  • Your G for Good Moment: New Hope Vocational Training Restaurant, Siem Reap
  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Arrival transfer
  • 7 nts aboard the Toum Tiou II Riverboat
  • Sunrise tour of Angkor Wat
  • Kampong Chhnang visit
  • Vihara and pagoda visit (Kampong Tralach)
  • Koh Chen island visit including cottage industries
  • Cyclo tour (Phnom Penh)
  • Choeung Ek (Killing Fields) guided tour
  • Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison) guided tour
  • Apsara show
  • Tra Su Bird Sanctuary visit
  • Sam Mountain sunset visit
  • Kien An Cung Pagoda visit (Sa Dec)
  • Vinh Long excursion
  • Vinh Trang Pagoda visit
  • Thoi Son Island cottage industries tour
  • Options to cycle to excursions along the way
  • Farewell cocktail and Captain's dinner
  • Cu Chi Tunnels guided visit
  • All transport to/from included activities and between destinations
  • Toum Tiou II Riverboat, private vehicles, cyclo, walking
  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides

  • Aboard The Toum Tiou II Riverboat (7 Nights), Hotels (2 Nights)
  • Cabins on board the Toum Tiou II all have exterior view windows and private bathrooms.
  • 125 ft. (38m) Riverboat. Built: 2008 Flag: Cambodian Draft: 1.8m Engine power: 450 HP Speed: 11 Knots Capacity: 28 Passengers Cabins: 14 - 6 upper, 8 main Boat Layout: Large screen television in lounge showing movies nightly. Library with classic literature, Wifi in public areas, outdoor dining and lounge areas with comfortable seating.

  • 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.

Operator

G Adventures
G Adventures came from a desire to deliver authentic and responsible small group travel adventures that were equally life-changing for travellers and the communities they visit. And we’re been doing just that for almost 30 years. Our award-winning trips span seven continents and over 100 countries, giving you meaningful more experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, as well as offering you the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own.

On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.

Trip Reviews (1)

G Adventures Reviews
Reviews 1 Review
Average Rating 5 out of 5
5 Star
100%
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Nice small group cruise 1 , QLD, Australia, Jan 2020
This cruise is really well organised and goes where a lot of the bigger cruise boats do not go. G Adventures supports small local operators for their day trips and this was evident in a number of places as other tourists were not to be seen e.g. brick making, mule ride, hand made pottery, lunch at training restaurant, etc. Tour Leader (or Chief Experience read more Officer, CEO, as they are officially called) was very helpful and efficient especially when I had an unexpected trip to hospital. The cabins are a reasonable size for a small boat and there is a great sun deck upstairs which could be used anytime. Staff were helpful and most spoke enough English to be understood. Food was simple, varied and plentiful. Dinner was 4 course and special diets catered for, breakfast was a hot and cold buffet with your choice of cooked eggs, so plenty of options. Omelettes were best I’ve had. Would certainly travel with them again.
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Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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