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Departure date: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Day 1: Angkor Wat Temple (D)
Today we will Visit Prasat Kravan with its unique brick sculptures and Ta Prohm. One of the area's most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Visit as well Takeo, Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon. Dinner and overnight at Prince d’Angkor hotel.
Day 2: Angkor Wat Complex (B, L, D)
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, 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 - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Lunch at local restaurant.
In the aftenroon 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), until sunset. Dinner local restaurant and accommodation at hotel.
Tonight we will enjoy diner with traditional Khmer folk performance of Apsara. Overnight at Prince d’Angkor hotel in Siem Riep.
Day 3: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. We then visit Banteay Srei temple (10th c), regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art. · Continue to Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Lunch at hotel.
In the afternoon, transfer to airport for the flight to Phnom Penh. Arrival transfer to the hotel. At leisure to walk in the city and and explore the local market. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Phnom Penh - Chau Doc (B ,L ,D)
Breakfast at hotel followed by the city tour. A visit to Phnom Penh is a very interesting experience indeed. It is a city with an interesting pulse and it gives you a very true taste of Asia. We will visit the Wats Phnom, National museum, silver Pagoda and Royal Palace.
Afternoon we will take the boat to Chau Doc, the boat ride leaves at 13pm and arrives Chau Doc at 5pm. Diner and overnight on Le Cochinchine Boat.
Day 5: Chau Doc - Long Xuyen (B, L, D)
Enjoy the breakfast. We take the sampan through the floating fish-farm village producing tons and tons of fish beneath hundreds of floating houses, discover the ethnic Cham village with famous Mubarak Mosque and observe local women at their traditional weaving. Continue our way to Long Xuyen for the lovely sunset cruise. Promenade/Cycle along the preninsule of Ong Ho island, see daily life of the local people who live on both sides of the Mekong and small arroyos on the island. Ample opportunity to take in beautiful view of local life, housing, villages, garden, fish farm and hosting smile children. Enjoy foot massage and sipping cocktails over the sunset. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 6: Cai Be - My Thuan - Sa Dec (B, L, D)
Rising up early for another nice day we contemplate sunrise while having breakfast on board. Visit the Sa Dec local market, following the tracks of French novelist Marguerite Duras. Visit bricks and tiles kilns and the manufacture of earthenware pots on a bank of river Walks/Cycle amongst the ever blossoming Sa Dec flower village and local industries. Back to boat and enjoy welcome back drink while lunch is served. Mekong leisure cruise down to My Thuan and Cai Thia where we embark on lovely cycling along the island taking in beautiful view of scenery, local people, and get insight into local life. Back to our boat and enjoy welcome back drink. Rest on the deck enjoying the sunset on sundeck. Enjoy aperitif and traditional herbal foot massage. The crew serve dinner while the Mekong Melody is cruising. Le Cochinchine sets anchor in for the night. Overnight on boat in Cai Thia.
Day 7: Cai Thia - Cai Be - Departure (B)
Breakfast on the boat. We take a morning junk trip to Dong Hoa Hiep Island and go ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral and colourful port area, with its colonial buildings, delightful flower gardens and local coconut candy and rice paper manufacturers. We explore evergreen islands and visit the former Imperial residence the traditional House, where surviving members of the Kiet family will welcome us with tea, and we can wander in the fruit orchards around the house. Back to our boat and enjoy welcome back drink. Check out and disembark. Pick up and transfer to Saigon. The trip concludes. |
