Aqua Mekong River Cruise

Day 1 (Tuesday) Afternoon arrival at Phnom Penh Meeting Point

You will take a short ride by air-conditioned bus to the pier for embarking Aqua Mekong Cruise. Then, settling into your elegantly-appointed and river-facing suite as the ship starts the journey. You can go to the Observation Deck for sipping sundowners with 7-night guests starting from Phnom Penh. In the evening, why not attending in a performance by well-known Cambodia Apsara dancers. It promises to bring you a lot of fun.

Day 2 (Wednesday): Tonle Sap River/ Koh Chen/ Kampong Chhnang

In the morning, passengers will have an exciting excursion by skiff in Koh Chen, which is known as Chinese Island in Khmer. Residents in this riverside village are famous for making ornamental items made from precious metals. Besides, they are also good at engraving tropical fruits used in Buddhist ceremonies and marriage blessings. You can buy some eye-catching items before moving to pagodas. If monks are in residence, you will have opportunity to experience an authentic Buddhist blessing ceremony. Your journey will continue in floating village of Kampong Chhnang to discover Khmer riverside life. En route, you can enjoy the beauty of colorful shrines with gilded Buddha and simple houses on bamboo stilts.  

Day 3 (Thursday): Kampong Chnang/ Chnok Tru/ Tonle Sap Lake

In this day, you will have exciting experience to discover remote communities around Tonle Sap River, which is recognized as a Biosphere Reserve in 1997 by UNESCO. Starting your excursion by skiff to visit Chnok Tru, a remote and self-sufficient village, then you will visit an ice factory in the village. In the factory, workers are very hospitable and ready to explain for you how they make and use ice for fish preservation. English speaking guides are always ready to translate and get answers to your questions. Also in Chnok Tru village, tour guides will take you to explore daily life of locals by visiting floating schools, riverside churches and pagodas, karaoke bars, and police stations. You may be surprised by the fact that all activities in the village is transported by small boats.

After finishing an excursion in Chnok Tru village, Aqua Mekong River Cruise will sail to a remote fishing village of Moat Kla. Skiffs will also take an important role to bring you to the shore where tour guides are ready to translate your questions to locals about their lives. Let’s enjoy vibrant sceneries of floating convenience stores with fishing tackle, cooking utensils, rice, beer, candy, fruits, and vegetables and small merchants like egg vendors, women selling bamboo stalks, etc. Besides, you will take part in the blessing ceremony conducted at Moat Kla’s Buddhist temple, a home of only four monks.

Day 4 (Friday): Tonle Sap Lake/ Siem Reap/ Cambodia

After having breakfast, you will head off by skiff to 22,000-hectare Prek Toal Core Bird Reserve in Tonle Sap Lake. Tonle Sap Lake is one of the largest freshwater in Asia and the last refuge for large water birds such as black-headed ibis, spot-billed pelicans, milky stork, etc. On the way, as visiting floating houses and fish farms, you can broaden your knowledge about sustainable development initiatives Saray - a cooperative of women who weave water hyacinth into 100% organic mats and home accessories for some of Southeast Asia’s finest hotels. You may be invited by locals to test knotting skills. Later on, returning to Aqua Cruise, you will pack up and check out the vessel for road journey in Siem Reap.

Day 1 (Tuesday): Afternoon arrival at Phnom Penh meeting point

You will take a short ride by air-conditioned bus to the pier for embarking Aqua Mekong River Cruise. Then, settling into your elegantly-appointed and river-facing suite as the ship starts the journey. You can go to the Observation Deck for sipping sundowners with 7-night guests starting from Phnom Penh. In the evening, why not attending in a performance by well-known Cambodia Apsara dancers. It promises to bring you a lot of fun.

Day 2 (Wednesday): Mekong River/ Vinh Xuong Border Crossing/ Vietnam

The cruise will arrive in Vietnam territory as reaching Vinh Xuong border and onward to Chau Doc village. Enjoying a steamy Vietnamese noodle (Pho), later, passengers will visit 230-meter high Sam Mountain, which is known as the highest point in Mekong Delta and home of dozens pagodas dotted in the mountainside. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you will get a captivating view of surrounding countryside. In fact, we will not be alone here because there is a military outpost – a legacy of Khmer Rouge era.

Still standing in the top of Sam Mountain, you will have a unique privilege to sit with venerable Mahayana Buddhist monks at Long Son Tu Temple. On the way back down at the foot of Sam Mountain, you will take a short stop to visit Temple of Lady Xu, one of major religious sites of Mekong Delta. Lady Xu has an important meaning in Vietnamese religion. People worship Lady Xu with the hope that she will protect the country and bring people better crops and better life.

If you prefer, let’s go with Aqua’ chefs for discovering an authentic Vietnamese we market, its copious baskets of day’s catch from river, luscious tropical fruits, and fresh vegetables.

Day 3 (Thursday): Bassac River/ Chau Doc – Sa Dec/ Mekong River/ Cai Be/ Vietnam

 Whilst making an excursion by skiff along Tien River to a 40-square-kilometer riverine island named Gieng Islet, you can enjoy surrounding French colonial architecture. Then, why not walking or cycling around this peaceful religious land, it may be peaceful moments in your trip.

Later on, you will have chances to explore Cu Lao Gieng Church, which was constructed in 1875 from French materials. At the Convent of the Providence Order and Catholic Church, you can talk with Sisters or Fathers to know more about influences of religion on local communities. Afterwards, you also have a visit to indigenous pagodas and wooden houses built in 20th century and shaded by bonsai trees with traditional Vietnam design.

In the afternoon, let’s continue your journey with a tour on foot around town of Sa Dec. Visiting local market and colonial house once occupied by French writer Marguerite Duras, you can admire the harmony of Western and traditional Vietnamese architectural styles. Anyone who is a fan of a well-known writing called The Lover, the most famous work of Marguerite Duras, will have opportunity to visit the house of his lover and listen an emotional story of them.

Day 4: Mekong River/ Cai Be/ My Tho/ Vietnam

In the last day of your itinerary, you will explore Cai be floating market by sampan, a flat-bottom wooden boat. It is a great chance to admire early morning market of locals with about 400 sampans gathering. Each sampan has one bamboo stick on the front to display vendor’s product such as Vietnamese fish sauce, rice paper, candy, confectionery which make the market become colorful. Continue your journey, you will explore the life of Mekong River residents on foot or by bicycle. You also can take up the invitation of local friends to dine in their home.

Back to Aqua Mekong River Cruise, you will be taken to My Tho. Later on, you will pack up and say goodbye to crew and staffs onboard. The van will bring you o Saigon. On the way, the van will stop at Don Tam crocodile and snake farm, which is situated 9 km from the west of My Tho and known as the Medicinal Plants Cultivation and Research Centre of Military Zone 9. Established in 1979, now this 12 hectare farm has been used for making scientific research relating to rearing and conserving precious species of snakes, medical plants and animals, and providing treatment for those who are bitten by poisonous snakes. After observing the production of cobra venom for medical purposes, you will be continuously transferred to Saigon. Trip ends.

PRICE:

Note:

- All rates are per person double occupancy; single supplement +25% regular rates.
- Departure in 2014 and 2015:

Day 1 (Friday): Saigon/ My Tho/ Mekong River/ Vietnam

You will take a short ride by air-conditioned bus to the pier for embarking Aqua Mekong River Cruise. Then, settling into your elegantly-appointed and river-facing suite as the ship starts the journey. You can go to the Observation Deck for taking a view of bustling waterways of My Tho.

Day 2 (Saturday): Mekong River/ Sa Dec/ Gieng Islet

When making a tour on foot around Sa Dec, you can admire French colonial architecture. Taking a stroll around local market, later, you will make your way to colonial house, which is occupied by French writer, Marguerite Duras.  Anyone who read a famous writing named “The Lover” will know about this well-known writer. In the house, you can enjoy the harmonious combination of Western and Vietnamese architecture styles and also listen to an emotional story of beautiful love between Marguerite Duras and Huynh Thuy Le, a rich Sa Dec merchant. This love affairs is an inspiration for the story The Lover.

In the afternoon, your journey will continue on skiff to 40-square-kilometer Riverine Island called Gieng Islet and Cu Lao Gieng Church. Afterwards, at the Convent of the Providence Order and Catholic Church, you can make a conversation with Father or Sisters to understand more about the religious influence on local communities. Visiting the indigenous pagodas and wooden houses built in the early 20th century in traditional Vietnamese design, then, you will return to Aqua Mekong River Cruise.

Day 3 (Sunday): Bassac River/ Gieng Islet/ Chau Doc

Getting off Aqua Mekong, you will travel by sampan into Tra Su Cajuput Forest and experience the feeling of floating deep into the acacia flooded forest under dense tree canopy. The forest has plentiful flora and fauna. In details, there are 70 bird species as well as bats, snakes and endangered turtles. Besides, vegetation is also very plentiful with over 140 specified floral varieties. Coming back to the vessel, you will be taken to Chau Doc village. Getting on skiffs, you will visit Sam Mountain, which is considered as the highest point of Mekong Delta and home of pagodas dotted in mountainside.

Climbing to the top of the mountain, you will get a captivating view of surrounding countryside. In fact, we will not be alone here because there is a military outpost – a legacy of Khmer Rouge era.

Still standing in the top of Sam Mountain, you will have a unique privilege to sit with venerable Mahayana Buddhist monks at Long Son Tu Temple. On the way back down at the foot of Sam Mountain, you will take a short stop to visit Temple of Lady Xu, one of major religious sites of Mekong Delta. Lady Xu has an important meaning in Vietnamese religion. People worship Lady Xu with the hope that she will protect the country and bring people better crops and better life.

If you prefer, let’s go with Aqua’ chefs for discovering an authentic Vietnamese we market, its copious baskets of day’s catch from river, luscious tropical fruits, and fresh vegetables.

Day 4 (Monday): Bassac River/ Chau Doc/ Vinh Xuong Border/ Vietnam

In the cooler morning time, Aqua Mekong will move towards Phnom Penh. Then, being transferred to skiffs, you will visit Prek Bongkong Pagoda which is intricately carved. This area is also famous for a series of “silk islands” along the river. Strolling around the village, you can wander among looms, observe local’s skills at this knotty art form and witness the entire process. Back to the vessel, let’s ready to continue to Vinh Xuong – Kaam Sammor border into Cambodia.

Day 5 (Tuesday): Tonle Sap River/ Phnom Penh/ Cambodia

Aqua Mekong Cruise will set sail into Phnom Penh, where Art Deco buildings still remain. The capital of Cambodia is famous for its Buddhist pagodas, French colonial villas, and Royal Palace. After embarking the cruise, you will experience urban excursions by two wheel motorized tuk-tuk to visit Phnom Penh’s most important sites such as Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, etc.

Day 1 (Friday): Siem Reap/ Cambodia

You will take a short ride by air-conditioned bus to the pier for embarking Aqua Mekong River Cruise. Then, settling into your elegantly-appointed and river-facing suite as the ship starts the journey. You can go to the Observation Deck for taking a view of Tonle Sap Lake, one of the most fascinating eco-systems on earth.

The cruise will start with a journey along Tonel Sap Lake, which is known as the largest freshwater lake in the Southeast Asian. You can broaden the knowledge about this lake by listening to expert guides, who will explain to you the unique hydrological phenomenon of Tonle Sap. The Lake has high biodiversity with plentiful flora and fauna. As sailing towards Kampong Khleang, you can enjoy landscapes dotted with kapok trees, sugar palms and bamboo along the riverbanks.

Moving to skiffs for your first excursion to explore Kampong Khleang, a village built on wooden stilts, which is a home of rice farmers and fishermen. 

Day 2 (Saturday): Tonle Sap Lake/ Kampong Khleang/ Moat Kla

After served passengers a sumptuous breakfast with Vietnamese coffee, fresh fruits, eggs, sweet bananas, Aqua Mekong will cruise from Kampong Khleang to remote fishing village of Moat Kla. You will be transferred to the skiffs and head to shore where tour guides will translate your questions to Moat Kla residents. Let’s enjoy vibrant sceneries of floating convenience stores with fishing tackle, cooking utensils, rice, beer, candy, fruits, and vegetables and small merchants like egg vendors, women selling bamboo stalks, etc. Besides, you will take part in the blessing ceremony conducted at Moat Kla’s Buddhist temple, a home of only four monks.

Day 3 (Sunday): Tonle Sap Lake/ Moat Kla/ Chnok Tru/ Tonle Sap River/ Koh Chen/ Phnom Penh

In this day, you will have exciting experience to discover remote communities around Tonle Sap River, which is recognized as a Biosphere Reserve in 1997 by UNESCO. Starting your excursion by skiff to visit Chnok Tru, a remote and self-sufficient village, then you will visit an ice factory in the village. In the factory, workers are very hospitable and ready to explain for you how they make and use ice for fish preservation. English speaking guides are always ready to translate and get answers to your questions. Also in Chnok Tru village, tour guides will take you to explore daily life of locals by visiting floating schools, riverside churches and pagodas, karaoke bars, and police stations. You may be surprised by the fact that all activities in the village is transported by small boats.

Afterwards, you will return to the ship for sailing to Koh Chen. En route, you can admire Kampong Tralach, the site of Lovek and the old capital of Cambodia. Then, passengers will have an exciting excursion by skiff in Koh Chen, which is known as Chinese Island in Khmer. Residents in this riverside village are famous for making ornamental items made from precious metals. Besides, they are also good at engraving tropical fruits used in Buddhist ceremonies and marriage blessings. You can buy some eye-catching items before moving to pagodas. If monks are in residence, you will have opportunity to experience an authentic Buddhist blessing ceremony.

Day 4 (Monday): Tonle Sap – Phnom Penh

In the cooler morning time, Aqua Mekong will move towards Phnom Penh. Then, being transferred to skiffs, you will visit Prek Bongkong Pagoda which is intricately carved. This area is also famous for a series of “silk islands” along the river. Strolling around the village, you can wander among looms, observe local’s skills at this knotty art form and witness the entire process of making silk.

Day 5 (Tuesday): Mekong River/ Phnom Penh/ Kaam Samnor/ Cambodia

Aqua Mekong Cruise will set sail into Phnom Penh, where Art Deco buildings still remain. The capital of Cambodia is famous for its Buddhist pagodas, French colonial villas, and Royal Palace. After embarking the cruise, you will experience urban excursions by two wheel motorized tuk-tuk to visit Phnom Penh’s most important sites such as Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, etc. In addition, for those take interest about Cambodia history, Aqua Mekong offer you an optional excursions to the The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide, where contains photographic evidence of  atrocities of Khmer Rouge era.

PRICE:

Note:

- All rates are per person double occupancy; single supplement +25% regular rates.
- Departure in 2014 and 2015:

Day 1 (Friday): Saigon/ My Tho/ Mekong River/ Vietnam

You will take a short ride by air-conditioned bus to the pier for embarking Aqua Mekong River Cruise. Then, settling into your elegantly-appointed and river-facing suite as the ship starts the journey. You can go to the Observation Deck for taking a view of bustling waterways of My Tho.

You will explore Cai be floating market by sampan, a flat-bottom wooden boat. It is a great chance to admire early morning market of locals with about 400 sampans gathering. Each sampan has one bamboo stick on the front to display vendor’s product such as Vietnamese fish sauce, rice paper, candy, confectionery which make the market become colorful. Continue your journey, you will explore the life of Mekong River residents on foot or by bicycle.

Day 2 (Saturday): Mekong River/ Sa Dec/ Gieng Islet

When making a tour on foot around Sa Dec, you can admire French colonial architecture. Taking a stroll around local market, later, you will make your way to colonial house, which is occupied by French writer, Marguerite Duras.  Anyone who read a famous writing named “The Lover” will know about this well-known writer. In the house, you can enjoy the harmonious combination of Western and Vietnamese architecture styles and also listen to an emotional story of beautiful love between Marguerite Duras and Huynh Thuy Le, a rich Sa Dec merchant. This love affairs is an inspiration for the story The Lover.

In the afternoon, your journey will continue on skiff to 40-square-kilometer Riverine Island called Gieng Islet and Cu Lao Gieng Church. Afterwards, at the Convent of the Providence Order and Catholic Church, you can make a conversation with Father or Sisters to understand more about the religious influence on local communities. Visiting the indigenous pagodas and wooden houses built in the early 20th century in traditional Vietnamese design, then, you will return to Aqua Mekong River Cruise.

Day 3 (Sunday): Bassac River/ Gieng Islet/ Chau Doc

Getting off Aqua Mekong, you will travel by sampan into Tra Su Cajuput Forest and experience the feeling of floating deep into the acacia flooded forest under dense tree canopy. The forest has plentiful flora and fauna. In details, there are 70 bird species as well as bats, snakes and endangered turtles. Besides, vegetation is also very plentiful with over 140 specified floral varieties. Coming back to the vessel, you will be taken to Chau Doc village. Getting on skiffs, you will visit Sam Mountain, which is considered as the highest point of Mekong Delta and home of pagodas dotted in mountainside.

Climbing to the top of the mountain, you will get a captivating view of surrounding countryside. In fact, we will not be alone here because there is a military outpost – a legacy of Khmer Rouge era.

Still standing in the top of Sam Mountain, you will have a unique privilege to sit with venerable Mahayana Buddhist monks at Long Son Tu Temple. On the way back down at the foot of Sam Mountain, you will take a short stop to visit Temple of Lady Xu, one of major religious sites of Mekong Delta. Lady Xu has an important meaning in Vietnamese religion. People worship Lady Xu with the hope that she will protect the country and bring people better crops and better life.

If you prefer, let’s go with Aqua’ chefs for discovering an authentic Vietnamese we market, its copious baskets of day’s catch from river, luscious tropical fruits, and fresh vegetables.

Day 4 (Monday): Bassac River/ Chau Doc/ Vinh Xuong Border/ Vietnam

In the cooler morning time, Aqua Mekong will move towards Phnom Penh. Then, being transferred to skiffs, you will visit Prek Bongkong Pagoda which is intricately carved. This area is also famous for a series of “silk islands” along the river. Strolling around the village, you can wander among looms, observe local’s skills at this knotty art form and witness the entire process. Back to the vessel, let’s ready to continue to Vinh Xuong – Kaam Sammor border into Cambodia.

Day 5 (Tuesday): Tonle Sap River/ Phnom Penh/ Cambodia

Aqua Mekong Cruise will set sail into Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia where Art Deco buildings still remain among many ever-rising skyscarapers. The capital of Cambodia is famous for its Buddhist pagodas, French colonial villas, and Royal Palace.  You will take a two-wheel motorized tuk-tuk to visit famous sites of Phnom Penh such as Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, etc. As returning, you can sip sundowners on Observation Deck with 3-night guests. In the evening, why not dancing with renowned Cambodian Aspara dancers for a thrilling night onboard.

Day 6 (Wednesday): Tonle Sap River/ Koh Chen/ Kampong Chnang

In the morning, passengers will have an exciting excursion by skiff in Koh Chen, which is known as Chinese Island in Khmer. Residents in this riverside village are famous for making ornamental items made from precious metals. Besides, they are also good at engraving tropical fruits used in Buddhist ceremonies and marriage blessings. You can buy some eye-catching items before moving to pagodas. If monks are in residence, you will have opportunity to experience an authentic Buddhist blessing ceremony.

Day 7 (Thursday): Kampong Chnang/ Chnok Tru/ Tonle Sap Lake

In this day, you will have exciting experience to discover remote communities around Tonle Sap River, which is recognized as a Biosphere Reserve in 1997 by UNESCO. Starting your excursion by skiff to visit Chnok Tru, a remote and self-sufficient village, then you will visit an ice factory in the village. In the factory, workers are very hospitable and ready to explain for you how they make and use ice for fish preservation. English speaking guides are always ready to translate and get answers to your questions. Also in Chnok Tru village, tour guides will take you to explore daily life of locals by visiting floating schools, riverside churches and pagodas, karaoke bars, and police stations. You may be surprised by the fact that all activities in the village is transported by small boats.

After finishing an excursion in Chnok Tru village, Aqua Mekong River Cruise will sail to a remote fishing village of Moat Kla. Skiffs will also take an important role to bring you to the shore where tour guides are ready to translate your questions to locals about their lives. Let’s enjoy vibrant sceneries of floating convenience stores with fishing tackle, cooking utensils, rice, beer, candy, fruits, and vegetables and small merchants like egg vendors, women selling bamboo stalks, etc. Besides, you will take part in the blessing ceremony conducted at Moat Kla’s Buddhist temple, a home of only four monks.

Day 8 (Friday): Tonle Sap Lake/ Siem Reap/ Cambodia

After having breakfast, you will head off by skiff to 22,000-hectare Prek Toal Core Bird Reserve in Tonle Sap Lake. Tonle Sap Lake is one of the largest freshwater in Asia and the last refuge for large water birds such as black-headed ibis, spot-billed pelicans, milky stork, etc. On the way, as visiting floating houses and fish farms, you can broaden your knowledge about sustainable development initiatives Saray - a cooperative of women who weave water hyacinth into 100% organic mats and home accessories for some of Southeast Asia’s finest hotels. You may be invited by locals to test knotting skills. Later on, returning to Aqua Cruise, you will pack up and check out the vessel for road journey in Siem Reap.

Day 1 (Friday): Siem Reap/ Cambodia

You will take a short ride by air-conditioned bus to the pier for embarking Aqua Mekong River Cruise. Then, settling into your elegantly-appointed and river-facing suite as the ship starts the journey. You can go to the Observation Deck for taking a view of Tonle Sap Lake, one of the most fascinating eco-systems on earth.

The cruise will start with a journey along Tonel Sap Lake, which is known as the largest freshwater lake in the Southeast Asian. You can broaden the knowledge about this lake by listening to expert guides, who will explain to you the unique hydrological phenomenon of Tonle Sap. The Lake has high biodiversity with plentiful flora and fauna. As sailing towards Kampong Khleang, you can enjoy landscapes dotted with kapok trees, sugar palms and bamboo along the riverbanks.

Moving to skiffs for your first excursion to explore Kampong Khleang, a village built on wooden stilts, which is a home of rice farmers and fishermen. 

Day 2 (Saturday): Tonle Sap Lake/ Kampong Khleang/ Moat Kla

After served passengers a sumptuous breakfast with Vietnamese coffee, fresh fruits, eggs, sweet bananas, Aqua Mekong will cruise from Kampong Khleang to remote fishing village of Moat Kla. You will be transferred to the skiffs and head to shore where tour guides will translate your questions to Moat Kla residents. Let’s enjoy vibrant sceneries of floating convenience stores with fishing tackle, cooking utensils, rice, beer, candy, fruits, and vegetables and small merchants like egg vendors, women selling bamboo stalks, etc. Besides, you will take part in the blessing ceremony conducted at Moat Kla’s Buddhist temple, a home of only four monks.

Day 3 (Sunday): Tonle Sap Lake/ Moat Kla/ Chnok Tru/ Tonle Sap River/ Koh Chen/ Phnom Penh

In this day, you will have exciting experience to discover remote communities around Tonle Sap River, which is recognized as a Biosphere Reserve in 1997 by UNESCO. Starting your excursion by skiff to visit Chnok Tru, a remote and self-sufficient village, then you will visit an ice factory in the village. In the factory, workers are very hospitable and ready to explain for you how they make and use ice for fish preservation. English speaking guides are always ready to translate and get answers to your questions. Also in Chnok Tru village, tour guides will take you to explore daily life of locals by visiting floating schools, riverside churches and pagodas, karaoke bars, and police stations. You may be surprised by the fact that all activities in the village is transported by small boats.

Afterwards, you will return to the ship for sailing to Koh Chen. En route, you can admire Kampong Tralach, the site of Lovek and the old capital of Cambodia. Then, passengers will have an exciting excursion by skiff in Koh Chen, which is known as Chinese Island in Khmer. Residents in this riverside village are famous for making ornamental items made from precious metals. Besides, they are also good at engraving tropical fruits used in Buddhist ceremonies and marriage blessings. You can buy some eye-catching items before moving to pagodas. If monks are in residence, you will have opportunity to experience an authentic Buddhist blessing ceremony.

Day 4 (Monday): Tonle Sap – Phnom Penh

In the cooler morning time, Aqua Mekong will move towards Phnom Penh. Then, being transferred to skiffs, you will visit Prek Bongkong Pagoda which is intricately carved. This area is also famous for a series of “silk islands” along the river. Strolling around the village, you can wander among looms, observe local’s skills at this knotty art form and witness the entire process of making silk.

Day 5 (Tuesday): Mekong River/ Phnom Penh/ Kaam Samnor/ Cambodia

Aqua Mekong Cruise will set sail into Phnom Penh, where Art Deco buildings still remain. The capital of Cambodia is famous for its Buddhist pagodas, French colonial villas, and Royal Palace. After embarking the cruise, you will experience urban excursions by two wheel motorized tuk-tuk to visit Phnom Penh’s most important sites such as Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, etc. In addition, for those take interest about Cambodia history, Aqua Mekong offer you an optional excursions to the The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide, where contains photographic evidence of  atrocities of Khmer Rouge era.

Day 6 (Wednesday): Mekong River/ Vinh Xuong Border Crossing/ Vietnam

The cruise will arrive in Vietnam territory as reaching Vinh Xuong border and onward to Chau Doc village. Enjoying a steamy Vietnamese noodle (Pho), later, passengers will visit 230-meter high Sam Mountain, which is known as the highest point in Mekong Delta and home of dozens pagodas dotted in the mountainside. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you will get a captivating view of surrounding countryside. In fact, we will not be alone here because there is a military outpost – a legacy of Khmer Rouge era.

Still standing in the top of Sam Mountain, you will have a unique privilege to sit with venerable Mahayana Buddhist monks at Long Son Tu Temple. On the way back down at the foot of Sam Mountain, you will take a short stop to visit Temple of Lady Xu, one of major religious sites of Mekong Delta. Lady Xu has an important meaning in Vietnamese religion. People worship Lady Xu with the hope that she will protect the country and bring people better crops and better life.

If you prefer, let’s go with Aqua’ chefs for discovering an authentic Vietnamese we market, its copious baskets of day’s catch from river, luscious tropical fruits, and fresh vegetables.

Day 7 (Thursday): Bassac River/ Chau Doc – Sa Dec/ Mekong River/ Cai Be/ Vietnam

 Whilst making an excursion by skiff along Tien River to a 40-square-kilometer riverine island named Gieng Islet, you can enjoy surrounding French colonial architecture. Then, why not walking or cycling around this peaceful religious land, it may be peaceful moments in your trip.

Later on, you will have chances to explore Cu Lao Gieng Church, which was constructed in 1875 from French materials. At the Convent of the Providence Order and Catholic Church, you can talk with Sisters or Fathers to know more about influences of religion on local communities. Afterwards, you also have a visit to indigenous pagodas and wooden houses built in 20th century and shaded by bonsai trees with traditional Vietnam design.

In the afternoon, let’s continue your journey with a tour on foot around town of Sa Dec. Visiting local market and colonial house once occupied by French writer Marguerite Duras, you can admire the harmony of Western and traditional Vietnamese architectural styles. Anyone who is a fan of a well-known writing called The Lover, the most famous work of Marguerite Duras, will have opportunity to visit the house of his lover and listen an emotional story of them.

Day 8: Mekong River/ Cai Be/ My Tho/ Vietnam

In the last day of your itinerary, you will explore Cai be floating market by sampan, a flat-bottom wooden boat. It is a great chance to admire early morning market of locals with about 400 sampans gathering. Each sampan has one bamboo stick on the front to display vendor’s product such as Vietnamese fish sauce, rice paper, candy, confectionery which make the market become colorful. Continue your journey, you will explore the life of Mekong River residents on foot or by bicycle. You also can take up the invitation of local friends to dine in their home.

Back to Aqua Mekong River Cruise, you will be taken to My Tho. Later on, you will pack up and say goodbye to crew and staffs onboard. The van will bring you o Saigon. On the way, the van will stop at Don Tam crocodile and snake farm, which is situated 9 km from the west of My Tho and known as the Medicinal Plants Cultivation and Research Centre of Military Zone 9. Established in 1979, now this 12 hectare farm has been used for making scientific research relating to rearing and conserving precious species of snakes, medical plants and animals, and providing treatment for those who are bitten by poisonous snakes. After observing the production of cobra venom for medical purposes, you will be continuously transferred to Saigon. Trip ends.

PRICE:

Note:

- All rates are per person double occupancy; single supplement +25% regular rates.
- Departure in 2014 and 2015:

Please be noted inclusions and exclusions in price: