Tour Details

EXPLORE MEKONG RIVER

 

What's Included?

Accommodations:
• All-Suite Luxury Vessel
• 2 Grande Suites with Panoramic French Balcony and Wraparound Veranda (584 Square Feet/54 Square Meters)
• 2 Prestige Suites with Private Balcony (387 Square Feet/36 Square Meters)
• 16 Signature Suites with Private Balcony (291 Square Feet/27 Square Meters)
• 10 Vista Suites with French Balcony (276 Square Feet/26 Square Meters)
• 4 Superior Suites with Portholes (256 Square Feet/24 Square Meters)
• Grande & Prestige Suites Feature Fixed King Beds
• Superior, Vista & Signature Suites can be converted from two twin-size to one queen-size bed.
• Luxury Honeycomb Spa Robes with Slippers
• All-Natural Spa-Quality Bath Amenities
• Pillow Menu
• In-room Electronic Safe
• Individual Climate Control
• 500-Thread Count Linens with Duvet
• Premium Mattresses
• Bottled Water Replenished Daily
• Welcome Flower Arrangement & Fresh Fruit Upon Arrival
• Complimentary Wireless Internet in All Public Areas
• Make-up Mirror
• Multi-Configuration Plugs
• Generous Closet Space and Under-Bed Storage
• iPhone Docking Station with Alarm Clock
• Hair Dryer
• Flat Screen LCD Television with Movie System
• Mini Bar

Additional Amenities for Grande & Prestige Suite Guests:
• Butler Service to Include:
 Nightly Turndown Service
 Assistance with Pillow Menu Selection
 Presentation of Spa-Quality Bath Amenities
 Entertainment System Assistance
 Ensures Accommodations are Immaculate
 Polish and Condition Shoes Upon Request
 Refreshes Ice Bucket
 Prepare and Pack Luggage Upon Request
 Scented Bath on Request
• Complimentary One-Hour Spa Treatment Per Guest
• Complimentary Laundry Service
• Complimentary Evening Canapés

Complimentary Excursion Amenities:
• Shore Excursion Program Series Including All Admissions
• Shoe Cleaning After Excursion
• Welcome Drink and Cold Towel Service Following Excursions
• Individual VOX Listening Devices Throughout Cruise Shore Excursion Program
• Maximum 22 Guests Per Guide on All Excursions
• Full-Size Motor Coach on All Excursions (Where Applicable)
• Deluxe Sampans with Cold Towel Service, Fresh Fruit, and Tea/Coffee Service (Where applicable)

Dining & Entertainment:
• Expertly Trained Culinary Team Providing Buffet Breakfast, Buffet Lunch, and Seated Multiple Course Dinner
• Complimentary Coffee, Tea, Mineral Water, Soft Drinks, Local Beer, Local Spirits, and Free- Flow House Wine (House Wine with Dinner Only)
• Series of Cultural Performances, Educational Talks, Cooking Classes and Ship Tour.
• In-room Breakfast Available (Grande & Prestige Suites)
• Welcome Reception
• Farewell Reception
• Themed Dinners
• Spacious Air-Conditioned Lounge with Nightly Entertainment

Included Transportation:
• Transfers to/from Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap to Embarkation/Disembarkation Points
From Designated Rendezvous Locations.

Not Included:
• Air fare to/from Destination
• Transfers Outside Included Transportation as Provided by Lotus Cruises., Ltd.
• Premium Wines & Spirits
• Shipboard Gratuities
• All Incidentals
• Port Charges

Important Notes:
• Visas are required for Travel to/from Vietnam & Cambodia and are the responsibility of the guest to obtain.

Terms and Conditions FIT Guests
Reservations & Payments
To reserve your cruise, a 25% deposit of the total cruise fare is required at the time of booking. Full payment is due no later than 120 days prior to departure. Guests will not be permitted to change travel agents once final payment has been received by Lotus Cruises, Ltd. Final documentation will be issued after receipt of final payment and approximately 30 days prior to sailing. All reservations are subject to cancellation if payments are not received by the final payment due date, and are guaranteed only when paid in full 120 days prior to sailing.

FIT Cancellation Policy
Should you find it necessary to cancel your reservation or any component thereof, you or your travel professional are required to contact Lotus Cruises .,Ltd. directly by telephone as well as submit your cancellation in writing.
If your cancellation request is received more than 120 days prior to your initial sailing date, a $500 non-refundable administrative fee will be charged per person. This administrative fee may not be converted to a future cruise credit.
Cruise cancellation requests received within 120 days of the initial sailing date will be subject to the following charges, regardless of suite resale:
120 – 91 days prior to the initial sailing date: 50% of the total cruise fare per person
90 – 0 days prior to the initial sailing date or non-appearance at the time of sailing: 100% of the total cruise fare per person.

Operational Terms and Conditions
Terms and Conditions apply to all vessels under Lotus Cruises., Ltd operation unless otherwise noted. Any and all information contained herein is in effect at the time of printing and is subject to change at any time.
Information contained in this brochure does not form part of any offer or contract. The transportation of guests and baggage on Lotus Cruises., Ltd vessels is provided solely by Lotus Cruises., Ltd and is governed by the terms and conditions printed on the Passage Contract. The Passage Contract will be included with your travel documents and contains complete and important information regarding cancellations, itineraries, Lotus Cruises., Ltd’s liability, health and immigration requirements, and other relevant terms and conditions. The terms and conditions of the Passage Contract will apply to persons who have booked a cruise regardless of whether or not they have embarked the vessel. Please read your Passage Contract carefully. To the extent that any of the information in the brochure conflicts with the terms of the Passage Contract, the terms and conditions contained in the Passage Contract shall override all other terms.
Itinerary arrival and departure times are always subject to change without notice. Lotus Cruises., Ltd. reserves the right to cancel, alter, advance, postpone or substitute any scheduled sailing or itinerary, substitute another vessel for the scheduled ship, or substitute or cancel scheduled ports of call, which, in its sole judgment and discretion, is justified for any reason, and to do so without liability for any loss whatsoever to guests as a result of said change(s). Additionally, Lotus Cruises .,Ltd. reserves the right to cancel reservations and bookings in the event of a full-ship charter, whether or not a deposit or full payment has been received, and in such event, Lotus Cruises .,Ltd’s only liability will be to refund to the guest the amount it has received.
Lotus Cruises., Ltd makes arrangements for transportation, other than cruise passage, only as a booking agent. Lotus Cruises., Ltd’ s responsibility does not extend beyond the vessel. In arranging for the transportation of guests to and from the ship, Lotus Cruises., Ltd does so with independent contractors. Lotus Cruises., Ltd is not responsible for incidents such as airline cancellations, re-routings or any disruption of scheduled services or accommodation, or lost luggage.
All schedules, fares, and terms and conditions listed in this brochure are effective as of May 2013 and supersede any schedules, prices, and terms and conditions previously published.
All fares indicated in this brochure including land and hotel, are capacity controlled, subject to change at any time without notice and do not guarantee availability. All are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice.
Travel documents will not be dispatched until full and final payment and passenger Contact Information has been received by Lotus Cruises., Ltd and cleared. For purposes of this Agreement, Contact Information shall mean a passenger’s full name, passport number, address, telephone number (land and mobile), electronic mail address and emergency contact information and any other information as requested by Lotus Cruises .,Ltd. Lotus Cruises .,Ltd must be able to reach each passenger’s emergency contact at any time of day. Lotus Cruises .,Ltd must, therefore, be provided with all information to allow Lotus Cruises .,Ltd to do so (such information should include the name, address, electronic mail address (if available) and phone number (including a cell phone number if available) of a parent, guardian, spouse, domestic partner, or other person to contact in the event of an emergency. No passenger will be allowed to embark Lotus Cruises., Ltd vessel unless Lotus Cruises ., Ltd has received all information.

CRUISE TARIFF
Cruise fares cover certain shipboard services including: suite accommodations, shore excursions, onboard meals and entertainment, complimentary beverages aboard ship (including select Free-flow house wines for dinner, and locally produced spirits, soda, water, coffee and tea throughout the cruise)
All fares are quoted in US dollars, are per guest and based on double occupancy. Not included in your cruise tariff are: airfare, hotel accommodations, optional shore excursions, meals ashore, imported mineral waters and sodas, fuel surcharges, laundry (except Grande & Prestige Suites), purchases from the ship boutique or any item or service of a personal nature such as medical care, massages, spa treatments, Champagne, premium wine and spirit selections.

TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS
Travel agents are considered to be the agent of Passenger and not of Carrier. Carrier is not liable for any representation, act or omission of Passenger’s travel agent. Passenger’s cruise fare is not considered paid until Carrier receives full payment, and the amount thereof is subject to change at any time prior to Carrier’s receipt of payment. Passenger shall at all times remain liable to Carrier for the price of passage. Carrier reserves the right to refuse embarkation if all charges and surcharges have not been paid in advance of departure.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
All guests are required to report in writing to Lotus Cruises., Ltd at the time their reservation is made:
1. Any physical or mental condition that may require medical or professional treatment or attention during the voyage
2. Any condition that may render the guest unfit for travel, or that may require special care or assistance
3. Any condition that may pose a risk or danger to the guest or anyone else onboard the ship
4. Any condition that may require oxygen for medical reasons
5. Any intention or need to use a wheelchair cart, other mobility device
By booking passage and by boarding the ship, the guest represents and warrants that he/she is physically and otherwise fit to travel, and that the guest will comply at all times with applicable rules and regulations of the ship and orders and instructions of the ship’s officers.
Lotus Cruises, Ltd reserves the right without liability to require a guest to disembark and/or to refuse to board and transport a guest who, in the judgment of Lotus Cruises., Ltd or the ship’s Captain, is unfit to travel or may require care beyond that which Lotus Cruises .,Ltd is reasonably able to provide
Lotus Cruises strongly recommends that guests are able to navigate the stairs on-board without assistance. Should guests require assistance, they must travel with someone who is able to assist them both ashore and onboard. Lotus Cruises., Ltd is unable to offer special assistance. Please note that wheel-on and/or wheel-off access is not available at ports-of-call.

BAGGAGE
You may bring aboard the ship a reasonable amount of clothing and personal effects without charge. Baggage for Lotus Cruises., Ltd guests or guests on our land extension programs must be handled in accordance with regulations of our ground operators. Baggage exceeding these limitations is subject to the charges as set forth by the individual operators. Airlines are strict with baggage limitations. Guests are encouraged to contact individual airlines for weight limitations.
All baggage must be securely packed, and properly and clearly labeled. Liquid, fragile, perishable and other articles not suitably packed are transported at your own risk. Lotus Cruises .,Ltd is not responsible for loss or damage to baggage or any other personal item during air travel or land extension programs.
Baggage and personal belongings will be taken off the ship upon guest disembarkation. Under no circumstances will baggage be stored onboard without the owner of such baggage being on the vessel. Lotus Cruises., Ltd is not responsible for baggage stored in shore side facilities.
Under no circumstances may dangerous items (including but not limited to: explosives, firearms, combustible or illegal substances) be taken aboard the ship. We recommend that you hand-carry travel documents (passport, visa, cruise tickets), medications and valuables. These items are the full responsibility of the guest at all times. Lotus Cruises shall not be responsible for the loss of, or damage to, such personal items.

LOST PROPERTY
Lotus Cruises., Ltd is not responsible for property lost or left onboard and may levy a charge for the return of personal items subsequently found.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
All travel documents (air and cruise tickets, passport and medical insurance information) are the guest’s responsibility. It is also the guest’s responsibility to obtain any necessary visas and public health documents for all applicable ports and to comply with all customs requirements. Without the required documents, a guest may be denied boarding and accommodation by Lotus Cruises .,Ltd. or the guest may be disembarked during the voyage and Lotus Cruises will not make a refund or be otherwise liable to any guest for such denial of boarding or disembarkation.
In the event that Lotus Cruises .,Ltd as a courtesy, provides information or advice as to necessary travel documents, visas and medical inoculations, guests are still obligated to verify such information with the appropriate government authorities and Lotus Cruises .,Ltd. does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of such information.
Vietnam & Cambodia requires passports to be valid six months beyond intended stay. Please check with the appropriate consulate for specific requirements. Security measures imposed by governments may change from time to time and each guest will be required to comply with them. As a courtesy, we will endeavor to provide each guest with notice of measures that may affect them, but complying with any such requirements is the sole responsibility of each guest. Please consult your travel professional for advice on such requirements to avoid loss of boarding
privileges.

TAXES, GOVERNMENT FEES/QUASIGOVERNMENT FEES AND FUEL SUPPLEMENTS
Lotus Cruises .,Ltd reserves the right to pass through to its guests (including fully paid and deposited guests) any taxes and government fees/quasi-government fees that relate specifically to a guest’s itinerary. “Taxes and Government fees/quasi-government fees” include any and all fees, charges, surcharges, tolls and taxes imposed by governmental or quasi-governmental authorities including, but not limited to: customs fees, per person berth taxes or fees, embarkation and/or disembarkation fees at ports, airline transportation fees, dockage fees, and wharfage fees.
Lotus Cruises., Ltd. reserves the right to charge a per person fuel supplement in the event that the price increases up to and including the day of embarkation. Lotus Cruises .,Ltd may collect any taxes, government fees/ quasigovernment fees and fuel supplement (the “Surcharges”) at the time of booking, prior to sailing or on board the vessel, even if the cruise fare has been paid in full. Surcharges will be invoiced accordingly.
All fares, and itineraries are subject to change without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Lotus Cruises., Ltd reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions.
This brochure may contain inadvertent technical or factual inaccuracies and typographical errors. Lotus Cruises .,Ltd reserves the right to correct errors and omissions at any time without prior notice, and to cancel any offered product, service, amenity, etc. in the event of any error or omission in the description, including pricing and availability.

 

UPSTREAM ITINERARY 


Our 7-night itinerary along the legendary Mekong River, as listed below, starts with a land transfer between Ho Chi Minh City and My Tho, Vietnam sailing upstream to Kampong Cham, Cambodia, and ending with a land transfer into Ho Chi Minh City. The itinerary also operates in the reverse direction, and may be extended with our land extensions in Bangkok, Thailand, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and/or Ha Noi and Hal Long Bay, Vietnam.

 
DAY 1: MY THO / EMBARKATION (WR / WD)
This afternoon guests will enjoy a scenic drive from Ho Chi Minh City to the port of My Tho, where your upstream journey begins aboard the luxurious Mekong Navigator. Following a welcome reception, safety briefing, and introduction to key members of our crew, a delicious Vietnamese Welcome Dinner is served in Le Marche Dining Room.
Lecture during the transfer: Biological Treasure Trove—the Mekong Delta

DAY 2: CAI BE / SA DEC (B / L / D)
Following breakfast traditional sampans sail past the city’s beautiful French gothic cathedral before touring the historic Ba Kiet House and its beautiful surrounding gardens. Your sampans then travel to a traditional rice factory where workers produce rice paper, rice wine, popped rice, and many varieties of traditional candies; then return to the ship for a sumptuous lunch and a scenic cruise upstream to Sa Dec.
Lecture: Vietnam—from Dynastic Rule to Capitalist Economy
Upon arrival to Sa Dec, 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. A stop at a local brick factory reveals the process of brick making by local men and women utilizing clay from the Mekong River. In the town of Sa Dec you visit the home of Mr. Hyun Thuy Le, the inspiration of Marguerite Duras’ novel, L’Amant (The Lover), and walk through the town’s market, experiencing the sights, sounds, smells, and wonderful photo opportunities found in the colorful fresh produce, meat, and live fish and seafood for sale.

DAY 3: TAN CHAU / BORDER CROSSING (B / L / D)
Experience vastly different ways of life along the Mekong Delta today when sampans sail to a temple of the Cao Dai religion, one of the unique amalgam religions founded in Vietnam in an effort to stop the fighting between various faiths. Enjoy a 15-minute ride on a xe loi (local Vietnamese tuk-tuk), to a family-owned mat weaving workshop, before returning to the sampans to visit a floating fish farm and to walk through a local village on Evergreen Island.
After returning to the Mekong Navigator and sailing to the Vietnam-Cambodia border, you will spend a few hours processing through immigration before continuing upstream to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

DAY 4: PHNOM PENH / OVERNIGHT (B / L / CP / D)
After breakfast on board this morning, cyclo drivers meet you on the pier for an exciting morning tour of Phnom Penh. You are gently transported along the riverfront to the Royal Palace complex, where you enjoy a leisurely walk through the grounds. After viewing 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 cyclo is waiting outside to take you on the short ride to the open-air National Museum, housing the largest collection of Angkorian and pre-Angkorian artifacts 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—shopping, dining at one of the many wonderful restaurants, or exploring the city independently. An Independent Pursuit to be a Bear Keeper for a Day at the Sun Bear Sanctuary outside Phnom Penh is offered this afternoon.
Before dinner, local children entertain guests on our Sun Deck with a cultural performance including Apsara, Cambodia’s national dance, as well as traditional folk dances.

DAY 5: PHNOM PENH (B / L / D)
This 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 Memorial Stupa, and learn more about the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Before returning to the ship, tour Tuol Sleng (also known as S-21), the former school converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge.
Enjoy another afternoon in Phnom Penh on your own or learning to make traditional Khmer dishes through our Independent Pursuit at the La Table Khmer Cooking School before departing Phnom Penh to start our sail up the Tonle Sap River.

DAY 6: TONLE SAP RIVER CRUISE / KAMPONG CHHNANG (B / L / D)
The ship sails a full day on the narrow, winding Tonle Sap River, which offers a rare glimpse of rural river life in Cambodia. Upon reaching the floating village of Kampong Chhnang you board a private excursion boat for a scenic cruise, where you observe the locals living, working, and even shopping on the river. Enjoy a beautiful sunset while sailing back to the Mekong, watching local children on the riverbanks bidding us farewell as we continue our journey.
Lecture today: The Origins of Buddhism, its Teachings, and its Cultural Influence
Please note during certain high and low water conditions, government authorities will not allow us to sail to Kampong Chhnang. During these departures, a visit to the silk weaving village of Preak Bang Kong will be substituted. Preak Bang Kong is a traditional village, famous for their woven silk products. Your walking tour will include a visit to a local home “farm,” where the worms are raised, the silk is handspun and dyed, and women weave the silk thread into fabrics on traditional looms. The homes selected are an excellent place for a little shopping.

DAY 7: WAT HANCHEY / KAMPONG CHAM (B / L / FR / FD)
This morning, the children of a local school welcome you to the local village. The school, which serves eight surrounding districts, is the only secondary school in the area, and is supported by the local communities. Following your tour of the school and an interesting Q&A opportunity with the principal, you walk up the hill to the local monastery of Wat Hanchey and receive a traditional Buddhist Water Blessing from the resident monks. After enjoying a walk around the monastery and the amazing views of the Mekong River valley, you descend 303 steps and return to the ship.
Lecture today: from Powerful Khmer Empire, through Genocide, to the Rebuilding of a Nation
Following lunch, motor coaches drive you through the city of Kampong Cham to the hills of Phnom Pros (man hill) and Phnom Srei (woman hill), where you visit the incredible Stupa, the 10-meter long reclining Buddha, and the 13-meter tall preaching Buddha. Today’s final visit is to the 12th century, Angkorian-period complex of Wat Nokor Bachey, which features several original, stone Buddha statues. You gather in Le Salon Lounge this evening for a Farewell Reception with the entire crew, before enjoying a Cambodian Farewell Dinner in Le March Dining Room.

DAY 8: KAMPONG CHAM / SIEM REAP / DISEMBARKATION (B)
Following breakfast this morning you begin your journey from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap, Cambodia, home of the archeological wonders of Angkor Wat.
Lecture during transfer: Cambodia’s Golden Age

 

♣♣♣


DOWNSTREAM ITINERARY 


Our 7-night itinerary along the legendary Mekong River, as listed below, starts with a land transfer between Siem Reap and Kampong Cham, Cambodia, sailing downstream to My Tho, Vietnam, and ending with a land transfer into Ho Chi Minh City. The itinerary also operates in the reverse direction, and may be extended with our land extensions in Bangkok, Thailand, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and/or Ha Noi and Hal Long Bay, Vietnam.

 
DAY 1: SIEM REAP / KAMPONG CHAM / EMBARKATION (WR / WD)
Your midday transfer from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham, Cambodia, ends at the Mekong Navigator. Following a welcome reception, safety briefing, and introduction to key members of our crew, a delicious Cambodian Welcome Dinner is served in Le Marche Dining Room.
Lecture during the transfer: The Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers and the Biosphere of the Tonle Sap Lake

DAY 2: WAT HANCHEY / KAMPONG CHAM (B / L / D)
This morning, the children of a local school welcome you to the local village. The school, which serves eight surrounding districts, is the only secondary school in the area, and is supported by the local communities. Following your tour of the school and an interesting Q&A opportunity with the principal, you walk up the hill to the local monastery of Wat Hanchey and receive a traditional Buddhist Water Blessing from the resident monks. After enjoying a walk around the monastery and the amazing views of the Mekong River valley, you descend 303 steps and return to the ship.
Lecture today: The Origins of Buddhism, its Teachings, and its Cultural Influence
Following lunch, motor coaches drive you through the city of Kampong Cham to the hills of Phnom Pros (man hill) and Phnom Srei (woman hill), where you visit the incredible Stupa, the 10-meter long reclining Buddha, and the 13-meter tall preaching Buddha. Today’s final visit is to the 12th century, Angkorian-period complex of Wat Nokor Bachey, which features several original, stone Buddha statues. Upon return to the ship, we begin our sail down the Mekong to the Tonle Sap River

DAY 3: TONLE SAP RIVER CRUISE / KAMPONG CHHNANG (B / L / D)
The ship sails a full day on the narrow, winding Tonle Sap River, which offers a rare glimpse of rural river life in Cambodia. Upon reaching the floating village of Kampong Chhnang you board a private excursion boat for a scenic cruise, where you observe the locals living, working, and even shopping on the river. Enjoy a beautiful sunset while sailing back to the Mekong, watching local children on the riverbanks bidding us farewell as we continue our journey.
Lecture today: from Powerful Khmer Empire, through Genocide, to the Rebuilding of a Nation
Please note during certain high and low water conditions, government authorities will not allow us to sail to Kampong Chhnang. During these departures, a visit to the silk weaving village of Preak Bang Kong will be substituted. Preak Bang Kong is a traditional village, famous for their woven silk products. Your walking tour will include a visit to a local home “farm,” where the worms are raised, the silk is handspun and dyed, and women weave the silk thread into fabrics on traditional looms. The homes selected are an excellent place for a little shopping.

DAY 4: PHNOM PENH / OVERNIGHT (B / L / CP / D)
After breakfast on board this morning, cyclo drivers meet you on the pier for an exciting morning tour of Phnom Penh. You are gently transported along the riverfront to the Royal Palace complex, where you enjoy a leisurely walk through the grounds. After viewing 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 cyclo is waiting outside to take you on the short ride to the open-air National Museum, housing the largest collection of Angkorian and pre-Angkorian artifacts 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—shopping, dining at one of the many wonderful restaurants, or exploring the city independently. An Independent Pursuit to be a Bear Keeper for a Day at the Sun Bear Sanctuary outside Phnom Penh is offered this afternoon.
Before dinner, local children entertain guests on our Sun Deck with a cultural performance including Apsara, Cambodia’s national dance, as well as traditional folk dances.

DAY 5: PHNOM PENH (B / L / D)
This 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 Memorial Stupa, and learn more about the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Before returning to the ship, tour Tuol Sleng (also known as S-21), the former school converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge.
Enjoy another afternoon in Phnom Penh on your own or learning to make traditional Khmer dishes through our Independent Pursuit at the La Table Khmer Cooking School before departing Phnom Penh to sail downstream to the Cambodia-Vietnam border.

DAY 6: BORDER CROSSING / TAN CHAU (B / L / D)
This morning you will spend a few hours processing through immigration before continuing downstream to Tan Chau, Vietnam. Experience vastly different ways of life along the Mekong Delta today when sampans sail to a temple of the Cao Dai religion, one of the unique amalgam religions founded in Vietnam in an effort to stop the fighting between various faiths. Enjoy a 15-minute ride on a xe loi (local Vietnamese tuk-tuk), to a family-owned mat weaving workshop, before returning to the sampans to visit a floating fish farm and to walk through a local village on Evergreen Island.

DAY 7: SA DEC / CAI BE (B / L / D)
Upon arrival to Sa Dec, 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. A stop at a local brick factory reveals the process of brick making by local men and women utilizing clay from the Mekong River. 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), and walk through the town’s market, experiencing the sights, sounds, smells, and wonderful photo opportunities found in the colorful fresh produce, meat, and live fish and seafood for sale.
Lecture today: Vietnam—from Dynastic Rule to Capitalist Economy
Following lunch on board, traditional sampans sail past the city’s beautiful French gothic cathedral before touring the historic An Kiet House and its beautiful surrounding gardens. Your sampans then travel to a traditional rice factory where workers produce rice paper, rice wine, popped rice, and many varieties of traditional candies; then return to the ship for a sumptuous lunch and a scenic cruise upstream to Sa Dec.

DAY 8: MY THO / DISEMBARKATION (B)
Following breakfast you say goodbye to the crew as you disembark the vessel and transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Lecture during the transfer: Ho Chi Minh City—from Khmer Seaport to Booming Metropolis.

 

Mekong Navigator Cruise

 

Deckplan of Mekong Navigator

Mekong Navigator Routine

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