Indochina Delights & Majestic Mekong

Description

Venture deep into the heart of Indochina, traversing the Southeast Asian peninsula through the vastly contrasting landscapes and fascinating heritage of three magnificent countries – vivacious Vietnam, enchanting Laos and captivating Cambodia.

Gain an authentic glimpse into local life along the Mekong River with a river cruise. Undoubtedly one of the more relaxing ways to travel, river cruising allows you to see more at a comfortable pace. Unpack once and wake each day to a new place and step ashore to explore Vietnam & Cambodia.

From Buddhist blessings in Oudong, to silk-weaving centre in Tan Chau, floating villages and local markets, experience an authentic Vietnam and Cambodia along the Mekong River.

Your Fly, Tour & Cruise Package Includes:

• 14 night Indochina Delights guided tour with Wendy Wu, Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap
• Includes 41 meals, 4-star accommodation, Halong Bay cruise, domestic transportation plus more
• 3 nights 4-star accommodation in Siem Reap with breakfast & a welcome drink
• 7 night Majestic Mekong cruise onboard RV Apsara, Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
• Includes 21 meals, select wine & local beer with lunch & dinner, expert English-speaking local guide plus more
• Select private transfers

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 08 March – 01 April 2025

Solo traveller pricing available, speak with your travel consultant about options!

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Saigon

Fly to Saigon. On arrival you will be met by your expert tour guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 2: Discover Saigon

Sightseeing today includes a visit to the Central Post Office, Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Later, visit the Cholon and the Thien Hau Pagoda.

Day 3: Mekong Delta

Journey to Ben Tre to take a cruise on the Mekong. This area is called the ‘Rice Basket of Vietnam’, the rich and fertile lands producing a plethora of rice, coconuts, vegetables and tropical fruits. Paddle through the maze of palm-lined canals and get a glimpse of daily life on the Mekong Delta.

Day 4: Cu Chi Tunnels

Explore the amazing network of Cu Chi Tunnels, where you’ll see the legendary maze of tunnels used by the Viet Cong to infiltrate South Vietnam during the war. Later, fly to Danang and transfer to the UNESCO-listed city of Hoi An.

Day 5: Hoi An Walking Tour

Take a morning walking tour of charming Hoi An, a wonderfully laidback, graceful and wilfully traditional town. Visit one of the oldest homes, still occupied by descendants of merchants that built it over 200 years ago. Also, visit the elaborate Japanese Bridge, Hoi An Market and a local Chinese Temple with a stop en route to visit Reaching Out, a social enterprise craft workshop, and watch the artisans at work. The afternoon is at leisure to relax at the beach or in a riverside café.

Day 6: Tra Que Village

Drive out into the countryside to Tra Que, a small farming community where you can enjoy the lush green countryside and stroll through the gardens to see the farmers at work. Later, take a flight to Hanoi, a charming and richly historic city of lakes, parks and shaded boulevards and Vietnam’s capital. In the evening, watch a performance of the famous water puppets.

Days 7-8: Halong Bay Cruise

Spend the day aboard your comfortable cruise ship sailing amongst the spectacular seascapes, fringed by jagged karst formations jutting from emerald waters. Halong Bay, with its 1,600 islands and islets, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is a vision of awe-inspiring beauty. Enjoy fresh meals on board and spend the night anchored on the tranquil waters. Return to Hanoi the next day. This evening, attend The Quintessence of Tonkin show, a spectacular open-air performance celebrating the rich history of northern Vietnam.

Day 9: Fly To Luang Prabang

Spend the morning exploring Hanoi’s Ho Chi Minh complex, the Temple of Literature and Ngoc Son Temple – you’ll also take a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter and enjoy a flavourful Vietnamese coffee at a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. Fly to the enchanting city of Luang Prabang.

Day 10: Takbat Alms Giving Ceremony

Luang Prabang is the quintessential image of Laos – a place of vivid colours, an extremely rich heritage and enduring French legacy. Today, rise early to watch a Takbat alms giving ceremony. Ascend Phousi Hill for city vistas, visit Wat Xieng Thong, then cruise along the Mekong River to see the Pak Ou Caves. Return to Luang Prabang and visit Thin Hong and Ban Xang Khong Village en route.

Day 11: Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls

Visit the National Museum before continuing to the cascading turquoise waters of the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Return to Luang Prabang via Ock Pop Tok Weaving Centre. This evening witness a traditional Baci Ceremony.

Day 12: Fly To Siem Reap

Fly to Siem Reap and visit Artisan D'Angkor, an organisation working to revive traditional Khmer arts and crafts.

Day 13: Explore Angkor Wat

The Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses over a thousand temples, all the remains of different capitals of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Enter the walled city of Angkor Thom and head to its heart to see the enigmatic Bayon, followed by the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm, an atmospheric temple left in the grips of the jungle. This afternoon is dedicated to the magnificence of Angkor Wat and intricate beauty of Banteay Srei temple. Take a leisurely boat ride on the moat of Angkor Thom and view hidden elements of the ancient Khmer water systems.

Day 14: Tonle Sap Lake

High Water Season (Aug to Feb) Visit Beng Mealea, a mysterious temple overrun by the jungle. Enjoy a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, visiting the floating village of Kampong Khleang and observing the way of life of these lake communities. This evening sit down to dinner and an Apsara dance show. Low Water Season (Mar to Jul) Head to Beng Mealea to explore this mysterious temple overrun by the jungle and the floating village of Chong Kneas. This evening sit down to dinner and an Apsara dance show.

Days 15-16: Siem Reap

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast.

Cruise Itinerary:

DAY 1: Arrive Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Embark Ship, Angkor Ban

Journey to Kampong Cham following ship registration, to join your Mekong River cruise. Step aboard and familiarise yourself with your suite before sitting down to lunch as you cruise towards Angkor Ban. Spend your afternoon enjoying an Insider Experience and then return to a Welcome Dinner on board tonight.

DAY 2: Angkor Ban, Oknha Tey, Phnom Penh

Start your day with a tour of Angkor Ban by foot. Nicknamed the 'Lucky Village', Angkor Ban is one of the few rural villages in Cambodia that escaped destruction from the Khmer Rouge regime. Stroll through town and see wooden houses, some over a century old.

Return to your ship and continue sailing along the lush banks of the Mekong River to Oknha Tey (Oknha Tei), or Silk Island. Disembark and discover the town well known locally for its delicate silk weaving.

DAY 3: Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Chen, Phnom Penh

Begin your morning with an excursion by road to Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital. Indulge in your memorable Insider Experience. En route back to Phnom Penh take a leisurely walk to explore the village of Koh Chen. Stop to visit the open-air copperware workshops and watch the skill of the artisans.

Return to the ship and enjoy a free afternoon in fascinating Phnom Penh or enhance your time by choosing one of Travelmarvel’s select experiences.

DAY 4: Phnom Penh

Begin today with a sobering excursion to the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Learn about Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime as well as the resilience of the Cambodian people. Spend a moment to pay your respects at the Memorial Stupa, a monument erected in memory of the thousands of people who lost their lives.

After lunch, visit the Royal Palace and delight in its Khmer architecture. Head inside the magnificent Silver Pagoda - named for its floors, which are designed with 5000 silver tiles. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. You may wish to head to the Russian Market for souvenirs, the Central Market where you can try the local delicacy of fried tarantula, or simply stay on board and enjoy the facilities and service.

DAY 5: Phnom Penh, Vietnam Border Crossing, Tan Chau

Relax on board as your ship cruises to the Vietnamese border. While border formalities are carried out enjoy the onboard presentations and demonstrations. Later, arrive in Tan Chau. Cross into Vietnam and cruise onto the riverside town of Tan Chau.

DAY 6: Tan Chau, Sa Dec

Transfer to a small boat and travel along the Mekong’s tiny tributaries, observing the stilt house villages. Go ashore for a tour of Tan Chau by rickshaw and weave through rambling laneways and small shops. Known as one of the largest silk-weaving centres of Vietnam, visit stop to see the fascinating local artisan workshops to learn more about the history of the craft. Later, step back in time during a visit to Vinh Hoa, also known as Evergreen Island. Take the opportunity to see traditional Vietnamese farming, then head back to the ship and continue cruising towards Sa Dec.

Later, step back in time during a visit to Vinh Hoa, also known as Evergreen Island. Take the opportunity to see traditional Vietnamese farming, then head back to the ship and continue cruising towards Sa Dec.

DAY 7: Sa Dec, Cai Be, My Tho

Take a boat to the charming colonial town of Sa Dec and pass floating fish farms along the way before exploring the colourful market on foot. Continue to the former home of Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired the French writer Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant (The Lover). Return to the ship and sit down to a delicious lunch while you cruise towards Cai Be.

Later a local boat takes you to the town of Cai Be. Go ashore to see the local cathedral and a rice paper and coconut candy manufacturer. Tonight, enjoy your special Farewell Dinner on board as you cruise towards your final stop My Tho.

DAY 8: My Tho, Disembark Ship, Depart Ho Chi Minh City

Disembark at My Tho Port today and travel by coach to Ho Chi Minh City. In due time, transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight.

Terms & Conditions

Prices listed are per person in INR, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown on the lowest category available at the time.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 26-09-2024 and can be withdrawn without notice.   Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated.  Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included.  Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.