Mekong cruise Saigon - Phnompenh 5 days 4nights

Boat description:

Le Cochinchine is a modern and tastefully designed in traditional style. It measures around 30 meters long from bow to stern and has two 420 HP engines, one in back up, making Le Cochinchine a very powerful and safe river vessel.

Le Cochinchine offers an elegant, relaxing and fulfilling ways to explore endless water way of Mekong River  with pleasant encounter with local people. With Le Cochinchine, you will have ample opportunity to see Vietnam in its authenticity and sample local culture and food, in a one unpacking, unforgettable vacation where  your "floating hotel" get you insight into Mekong Delta and quaint villages.

Aboard Le Cochinchine you will enjoy the continuous and ever-changing scenery as you encounter a lively world of legendary  waterways and picturesque landscapes, floating markets, lush bonsais garden, rice fields,  villages, pagodas and temples and fruit-filled orchards, and boat laden bazaar.

Cabin
Each cabin has its own air-conditioning unit, which can be adjusted for your comfort. We recommend you do not over-cool your cabin as the sudden change from the outside temperature to a chilled cabin can bring on colds, respiratory illnesses and even stomach upsets. When you go out, we recommend you turn the setting to 'Lo Cool', set at about 4, and then when you return you can readjust the temperature to your preference without having to wait for cool air. At night you may prefer to use the fan only, and have the windows open. Insect netting covers the windows to enable you to do this. Please do not leave your air-conditioner on with the window open - this results in energy loss (the equivalent of switching on the heating and opening the windows in a cold country!)

Dining
Meals on board  Le Cochinchine meals are taken at one sitting. It is not necessary to sit at the same table each time and we have tables for individuals, couples right up to larger groups. We offer a mixture of local cuisine with richly flavor and taste  and there are always vegetarian dishes offered. Passengers requiring special diets, such as vegetarian, low salt & low cholesterol meals, may make their requests to the chef when onboard. The chef will try to honor all requests. Exotic fruit, fresh organic vegetables, locally caught fish and prawns are the preference of most of our passengers.

The bar
The cruise bar is always open, it offers while selection of drinks including
famous wine French, Australian, Italian wine.

Kid Room
This play rooms will keep your baby busy with different games as chess, playing card, darts, dominos, toys, and reading, painting books.

Sun Desk
The sun deck is located on the top of our boat, It is spacious for your relaxation and suntans. For your enjoyment, there are plenty of deck chairs.

Optional activities
 Bicycles on board
 Row boat on board
 Sight-seeing excursions

Bicycles
Bicycles are carried onboard. Crew will be happy to help you with bike adjustments and getting it on and off the barge. Please remember to use caution when riding along towpaths or into villages. A decision to engage in cycling during the cruise constitute the travellers assumption of all risks associated and an agreement not to make a claim against the barge owners for any personal injury, death or property damage that arises out of such activity.

Kayaking
Exploring the Mekong Delta with kayak along the small canal and arrayos.

Cruise Manager
An experienced, English/ French -speaking Passenger Service Manager accompanies every departure. They are there to ensure your comfort, answer questions and make your vacation the most memorable trip ever.

ITINERARY IN DETAILS

Day 1: Saigon – Caibe – Tra on (L, D)
• 8:00 pick up at your hotel in Saigon, transfer to Can tho
• 11:00-11:30 boarding LE COCHINCHINE boat. Enjoy welcome drink.
• LeCochinchine continues sets sails to Caithia while lunch is served on boat.
• Embark on a lovely cycling excursion on the bank of the peninsula browsing several verdant villages. Visit of the gardens and orchards, local houses and ample opportunity meet with people and get insight into Delta life .  Visit Caodai temple on the way to Mythuan.
• Continue our cruise toward Sadec, a nice and quiet  town overlooking Mekong river.
• Visit the lively Sadec food market and primary school headed by Magueritte Duras.
Walks along the village path and get yourself acquaintance with rural activities as farmers farm their fields: rice fields, and vegetable farms, fish farms.
• Back to our boat for a cruise down stream. Relax on boat while sipping an aperitif .
• Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 2: Caithia – Vinh long – Traon (B, L, D)
• Breakfast on board on the Mekong.
• Visit Binh Hoa Phuoc island and go for walk  walk through the islets, sampling native fruits viewing local handicraft production and meet the local people.
• Transfer to a local boat for an extensive visit of Cai Be: the floating market, the mazes of waterway, local pop-rice and sweets production.
• Visit of old houses, delightful flower gardens and local coconut candy and rice paper manufacturers.
• LeCochinchine continues its cruise to Cochien. Lunch served on board
• Embark on a pleasant walk on the footpaths of the countryside to discover tropical fruit orchards and the local people's activities. Visit a cottage industry, a local farm  and sample seasonal fruits.
• Boarding back, complimentary drink as a welcome back on board. Open bar and rest on the deck enjoying the sunset. The crew will serve dinner while the Le Cochinchine is cruising Mang Thit river.
• Dinner and night on board.

Day 3: Tra on – Can Tho – Chau doc (B)
• Breakfast on board
• The morning bobbling commotion of Mekong river life comes to life for another lovely day our boat set sails to Cantho through tributary and canals. 
• Transfer to Cairang: one of the most bustling floating markets in Mekong. We go for a walk along the canals and the palm-shaded creek to see local houses and green orchards, ship building yards, rural and water activities in full swing.
• Boarding back at noon, with a welcome-back drink.
• 11 h00 Disembark in Cantho. We now travel by land to Chau Doc.
• On arrival at Chau Doc, visit the Sam mountain to enjoy the a breath-taking view and enjoy the sunset on the top of Sam Mountain. Over night at hotel in Chau Doc.

Day 4: Chau doc – Phnompenh by speed boat (B, L, D)
• This morning we will have a boat ride from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh departing around 7:30.
• The boat takes us  along the Mekong River. It continues on to the Vietnamese (Vinh Xuong) - Cambodian (Kaom Samnar) border and then to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. The journey takes approximately 4,5 hours.
• Arrival Phompenh, you are picked up and transferred to hotel in  Phnompenh, the capital of Kingdom of Cambodia, check in, relax.
• This afternoon we visit Phnompenh, 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. Overnight at Phnom Penh  hotel****  in Phnom Penh.

Day 5: Phnom Penh departure (B)
• Today you are free until transfer to transfer to airport for your departure flight. End of tour.

Thank you for travelling with Asia View Travel.

Cost in USD per person based on twin sharing :

Accommodation Options

Tour includes:
• Tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
• All accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• Private English speaking guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary at local restaurant with local foods (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Boat cruise as stated
• Entrance fees and permits for all sights visited
• Speed boat ticket Chau doc - Phnompenh
• Mineral Water and towel
• Government taxes & Service charges

Tour excludes:
• International flights to and from Vietnam.
• Vietnam visa arrangement (upon request visa on arrival at 15 USD, not including stamping fee at 25 USD)
• Cambodia Visa (available at the border at 20 USD/visa)
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• All other services which are not mentioned above
• Personal travel insurance (Compulsory).
• Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills.
• Tips and gratuities