MEKONG CRUISE IN INDOCHINA

(16 Days 15 Nights)

This trip offers a delightful journey along the Mighty Mekong River through South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Nothing is as real and interesting as the typical daily lives and the tropical sounds and sights of the three countries that you can experience in this trip.

Code: ST – MK

Day 1: HCMC (D)

Arrival in HCMC, the biggest city in Vietnam, pick up, hotel check-in.

Afternoon city walk downtown to admire the sparkling charm of the busy city.

Day 2: HCMC – Ben Tre (B-L-D)

Transfer to Tien Giang, the upper branch of the Mekong River, visit Vinh Trang pagoda on route; enjoy boating, walking, and horse-cart riding in Ben Tre, a province famous for huge green palm plantations and fruit orchards.

Overnight at a lovely home stay

Day 3: Ben Tre – Can Tho (B-L-D)

Transfer to Cai Be, a bustling town on the Mekong River, enjoy another wonderful boat trip along canals, orchards, with visits to family factories on islands.

Afternoon drive from Vinh Long to Can Tho, the economic, cultural, educational center of the Mekong delta.

Day 4: Can Tho – Chau Doc (B-L-D)

Morning terrific boat trip to floating markets, fantastic tuk tuk ride along evergreen rice fields and fruit gardens.

Afternoon drive to Chau Doc, an interesting town at the border with Cambodia.

Day 5: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh by boat (B-L-D)

Morning enjoyable rowing boating along floating houses, floating market and a Cham village around Chau Doc. Then further transfer by boat to Neak Loung ferry boat in Cambodia, change for bus transfer to Phnom Penh.

Free afternoon to explore the city on your own.

Day 6: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B-L-D)

Transfer to Siem Reap by boat

Afternoon: Visit Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng

Dinner: Apsara show

Day 7: Siem Reap (B-L-D)

Full day visit Angkor temples: Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, Bangtey Srei, Eastern Mebon, Eastern Baray

Day 8: Siem Reap – Kongpong Cham (B-L-D)

Transfer to Kongpong Cham by bus

 Afternoon visit Wat Nokor, Koh Paen Island

Day 9: Kongpong Cham – Kratie (B-L-D)

Transfer to Kratie by bus, visit a rubber plantation on the way

Afternoon boat trip to see Irrawaddy dolphins

Day 10: Kratie – Stung Treng – the border with Laos (B-L-D)

Transfer from Kratie to Stung Treng and then to the border by boat.

Land and boat transfer to the wonderful laid-back Ban Khone Island in Si Phan Don (Laos).

Day 11: Ban Khone – Muang Khong (B-L-D)

Visit French railway, old bridge, Liphi waterfall, boat trip to Khone Papeng the biggest fall in South East Asia, then cruise upstream to Muang Khong.

Afternoon bicycle ride on the island. Overnight on Muang Khong.

Day 12: Khong Island – Champasak – Pakse (PKZ) (B-L-D)

Cruise on to Champasak, sightseeing with stops at interesting villages, visit Wat Phou, a pleasant Pre-Angkor temple, and then transfer by bus to PKZ.

Day 13: Pakse – Vientiane (B-L-D)

Morning flight to VTE

Afternoon city tour in VTE, start at That Luang, Patuxai, Ta Lat Sao market, and end at Wat Sisaket. From here, take a nice walk along interesting streets of Thanon Setthathirat, Thanon Fa Ngum, Thanon Pang khan etc. and back to the hotel on foot.

Dinner with music show

Day 14: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (LPQ) (B-L-D)

Morning Flight to LPQ

City tour on foot to visit Wat Xieng Thong, the National Museum, some free time, climb on Phou Si Hill for a beautiful sunset over the Mekong, walk to night market

Day 15: LPQ (B-L-D)

Morning boat trip to Pak Ou cave with stops at the rice wine village, Sa paper village

Afternoon tuk tuk ride to the black smith village and the countryside, then kayaking downstream back to LPQ.

Day 16: Departure (B)

Transfer to LPQ international airport for flights to Vientiane or Bangkok and then connecting flight to home.

End of service

Inclusions:

-         Hotel accommodation with breakfast (based on tween sharing)

-         All meals indicated in the program

-         All ground transport on tour with A/C vehicles, boats, tuk tuk, etc., 2 domestic flights in Laos.

-         All entrance fees

-         Local English speaking guides

-         Gifts and maps

Exclusions:

-         International flight tickets to HCMC and from Luang Prabang

-         All domestic and international flights tax: In Laos:210,000 VND/pax (international flight), 21,000 VND/pax (domestic flight).

-         Visa upon arrival for VN (840,000 VND/pax), Cambodia (525,000 VND/pax), Laos (735,000 VND/pax).

-         Domestic and International Insurance surcharge

-         Personal Insurance

-         Personal expenses such as drinks, camera fees

-         All other accounts not mentioned in the above inclusions.

Exchange Rate: 1 USD = 21,000 VND