HIGH WATER CRUISE ITINERARY from August to November

Day 1: Embarkation - My Tho - Cai Be

Register between 11:00 to 12:00 at Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel. Transfer overland by motor coach to My Tho port for embarkation aboard the Indochina Sails’ ship for the journey from the Mekong Delta to Holy Angkor. Embark ship at 13:30. Welcome drinks served in Saigon Lounge. Short briefing is conducted before adjourning for lunch in Mekong restaurant. The cabins are ready for check-in after lunch. After port clearance formalities, captain raises the anchor and cruises towards Cai Be. Join the Cruise Director at Saigon Lounge for safety demonstration and briefing at 18:00, followed by Captain’s Cocktails. Enjoy the first gourmet dinner onboard with fellow travelers. The ship moors overnight midstream near Cai Be.

Day 2: Cai Be - Vinh Long

After breakfast take a morning junk trip around Cai Be. See floating market, go ashore to visit French Gothic Cathedral and colorful port area, filled with colonial buildings, delightful flower gardens and local rice paper manufacturers. Return to the boat at noon. Enjoy lunch while ship sails toward Vinh Long, Vietnam second biggest city by the Mekong river and visit the bustling afternoon market. Enjoy a visually stunning boat ride and walk through the local markets, where all manner of aquatic life were being sold, as well as everything else edible and exotically imaginable. Cocktails and briefing at 18:30. After dinner, enjoy folk performances of the Mekong Delta from 21:00 to 21:45 in Saigon Lounge.

Day 3: Sadec - Tan Chau

Depart Vinh Long early in the morning and cruise to Sadec. After the breakfast, follow guides to the hometown of Marguerite Duras’ lover, Sadec, a quaint little city. Visit the old house of Huynh Thuy Le, partake in the bantering of local markets along the paved river banks, pagoda and the Fujian Temple, build and donated to the city by the late Le family. Pass by the home of Marguerite Duras from across the riverbanks. Enjoy an afternoon cruise to Tan Chau. Join the lecture onboard on “Vietnam ~ The Past & Present”. Arrive in Tan Chau, the Vietnamese town near the Cambodia-Vietnam border on the Mekong River. The cruise ship moors safely at the riverbanks, take a shuttle boat ashore and have a pleasant walk through the peaceful town of Tan Chau. After dinner, join the Crew Show in Saigon Lounge.

Day 4: Tan Chau - Border Crossing

Today’s highlight is a visit of Tan Chau ~ a small town untouched by tourism. Morning excursion start with sightseeing by local boats, navigating narrow channels to visit an evergreen island. Chance to visit floating fish farm and travel along the tiny tributaries where slit houses are haphazardly leaning on each other. Afterwards, go ashore and tour the town on rickshaw (Xe Loi). Visit rattan mats and slippers making factories. Return to the ship and enjoy lunch while the ships departs for border. In the afternoon, enjoy Fruits Carving and Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls demonstration by Executive Chef at Saigon Lounge. Border formalities are carried out concurrently. Overnight cruising on the main Mekong channel, an international shipping route to Phnom Penh.

Day 5: Phnom Penh

A busy day with many interesting sightseeing and activities. In the morning, sight-see Phnom Penh by bus. Visit Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum where outstanding Khmer crafts are exhibited. Afternoon excursion facilitates understanding of a crucial part of the Cambodia’s history: the Khmer Rouge’s grim Toul Sleng (S21 detention center) and the Killing Fields. Cocktail hours from 18:30 to 19:30. Dinner is served from 19:30 to 21:00. After dinner, join the Khmer folk dances and songs at the Saigon Lounge.

Day 6: Chong Koh – Oudong – Kampong Tralach

Early in the morning the ship sails towards little known village Chong Koh. After breakfast, take leisurely morning stroll through Chong Koh silk weaving village. Return to the ship at 10:00. Join lecture onboard “Cambodia ~ The Past and Present” presented by the tour guide as the ship cruises toward the Prek K’dam where afternoon tour to Oudong commences. Between 1618 and 1866, Oudong was the capital of Cambodia, built on the top of Phnom Oudong. The hill is made up of a series of stupas and shrines in a variety of conditions. Follow tour guides and visit the Buddhist monastery at the foothill. After Oudong, take 45-minute bus ride to Kampong Tralach and visit Wat Kapong Tralach Pleu. Later, take a 20-minute ox-cart ride to the Tonle river traveling through countryside and a small village on a dusty road, passing rice fields and bemused locals. Return to the ship and cruise to Kampong Chhnang.

Day 7: Kampong Chhnang - Tonle Lake

Kampong Chhnang is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Mooring mid-stream, take a truly wonderful motorboat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of birdlife may be seen, and of considerable interest are local life and floating village. Return to the boat and cast off towards Tonle Lake. The great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150 km in length. Here bird life is profuse, and from the middle of the lake one cannot even see the shores. There is a great stillness and tranquility as the boat sails past floating fishing villages. Enjoy the great afternoon views to the boat cruise over the lake. Time for packing and prepare for Farewell Cocktail this evening. The ship moors overnight near Siem Reap.

Day 8: Disembarkation - Tonle Lake - Siem Reap

Enjoy breakfast onboard. Bid farewell to the crew and guides. Disembark around 9:00 and take motorized boats to local jetty approximately 5 to 6 km away from the middle of the lake. Transfer by motor coach to Le Meridien Angkor Hotel. Arrive at hotel at 11:00.

LOW WATER CRUISE ITINERARY in December, January, February and June

From approximately December to June, water level in Tonle Sap Lake is shallow restricting the boat’s access through Kampong Chhnang, the only waterway to the Tonle Sap Lake. Hence, alternative route from Prek K’dam to Siem Reap is arranged. The program changes for DAY 8 only. DAY 1 to DAY 7 remains unchanged.

Day 7: Kampong Chhnang - Prek K’dam

Kampong Chhnang is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Mooring mid-stream, take a truly wonderful motorboat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of birdlife may be seen, and of considerable interest are local life and floating village. Return to the boat and cast off towards Prek K’dam. Enjoy the great afternoon views as the boat cruises towards Prek K’dam. Time for packing and prepare for Farewell Cocktail this evening. The ship moors overnight near Prek K’dam.

Day 8: Disembarkation - Prek K’dam - Siem Reap

Disembark the ship at Prek Kdam. Breakfast is served from 6:00 – 7:00 in the Mekong Restaurant. After breakfast bid farewell to crew and disembark at Prek K’dam at 07:30. Take 4 ½ hours bus drive to Siem Reap with a stopover in Kampong Thom. Arrive around 12:00 at Le Meridien Angkor Hotel.

LOW WATER CRUISE ITINERARY from December to May

In March and April, due to extreme high heat index and extremely shallow water levels in Cambodia, visits to Kampong Chhnang is replaced by a visit to historic site of Xeo Quyt, a Viet Cong stronghold during Vietnam War. The changes means increasing one day in Vietnam and corresponding reduces the cruise program in Cambodia by one day.

Day 1: Embarkation - My Tho - Cai Be

Register between 11:00 to 12:00 at Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel. Transfer overland by motor coach to My Tho port for embarkation aboard the Indochina Sails’ ship for the journey from the Mekong Delta to Holy Angkor. Embark ship at 13:30. Welcome drinks served in Saigon Lounge. Short briefing is conducted before adjourning for lunch in Mekong restaurant. The cabins are ready for check-in after lunch. After port clearance formalities, captain raises the anchor and cruises towards Cai Be. Join the Cruise Director at Saigon Lounge for safety demonstration and briefing at 18:00, followed by Captain’s Cocktails. Enjoy the first gourmet dinner onboard with fellow travelers. The ship moors overnight midstream near Cai Be.

Day 2: Cai Be - Vinh Long

After breakfast take a morning junk trip around Cai Be. See floating market, go ashore to visit French Gothic Cathedral and colorful port area, filled with colonial buildings, delightful flower gardens and local rice paper manufacturers. Return to the boat at noon. Enjoy lunch while ship sails toward Vinh Long, Vietnam second biggest city by the Mekong river and visit the bustling afternoon market. Enjoy a visually stunning boat ride and walk through the local markets, where all manner of aquatic life were being sold, as well as everything else edible and exotically imaginable. Cocktails and briefing at 18:30. After dinner, enjoy folk performances of the Mekong Delta from 21:00 to 21:45 in Saigon Lounge. The ship moors midstream of the Mekong River.

Day 3: Xeo Quyt – Sadec

The highlight of today’s excursions is Xeo Quyt - a Vietnamese historic relic zone. Take an one-hour air-conditioned motor coach to reach Xeo Quyt. This was formerly a base during the anti-French and US resistance wars. The 20ha cajuput forest of present-day Xeo Quyt has been reclaimed and become an attractive historical and ecological tourist site in the southern delta. Return to the ship by 12:00, enjoy lunch while the ship cruises to Sadec. Join the lecture “Vietnam - The Past and Present” presented by the tour guide at Saigon Lounge. Cocktails and briefing at Saigon Lounge. After dinner, watch in-house movie “The Lover” in the cabin or enjoy piano play at the lounge.

Day 4: Sadec – Tan Chau

After breakfast, follow guides to the hometown of Marguerite Duras’ lover, Sadec, a quaint little city. Visit the old house of Huynh Thuy Le’s, partake in the bantering of local markets along the paved riverbanks, pagoda and the Fujian Temple, build and donated to the city by Le’s family. Pass by the homes of Marguerite Duras from across the riverbanks. Cruise to Tan Chau. Join the lecture onboard on “Vietnam - The Past & Present”. Arrive in Tan Chau - the Vietnamese town on near the border with Cambodia on the Mekong River. The ship moors safely at the riverbanks. Take a shuttle boat ashore and enjoy a pleasant walk in peaceful town Tan Chau. After dinner, join the Crew Shows in Saigon Lounge.

Day 5: Tan Chau – Border Crossing

Today’s highlight is a visit of Tan Chau ~ a small town untouched by tourism. Morning excursion start with sightseeing by local boats, navigating narrow channels to visit an evergreen island. Chance to visit floating fish farm and travel along the tiny tributaries where slit houses are haphazardly leaning on each other. Afterwards, go ashore and tour the town on rickshaw (Xe Loi). Visit rattan mats and slippers making factories. Return to the ship and enjoy lunch while the ships departs for border. In the afternoon, enjoy Fruits Carving and Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls demonstration by Executive Chef at Saigon Lounge. Border formalities are carried out concurrently. Overnight cruising on the main Mekong channel, an international shipping route to Phnom Penh.

Day 6: Phnom Penh

A busy day with many interesting sightseeing and activities. In the morning, sightsee Phnom Penh by bus. Visit Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum where outstanding Khmer crafts are exhibited. Afternoon excursion facilitates understanding a crucial part of the Cambodia’s history: the Khmer Rouge’s grim Toul Sleng (S21 detention center) and the Killing Fields. Cocktail hours from 18:30 to 19:30. Dinner is served from 19:30 to 21:00. After dinner, join the Khmer folk dances and songs at the Saigon Lounge. Before midnight, opt to chill in one the bars located across the road from the pier.

Day 7: Chong Koh - Oudong - Kampong Tralach

Early in the morning the ship sails towards little known village Chong Koh. After breakfast, take leisurely morning stroll through Chong Koh silk weaving village. Return to the ship at 10:00. Join lecture onboard “Cambodia - The Past and Present” presented by the tour guide as the ship cruises toward the Prek K’dam where afternoon tour to Oudong commences. Between 1618 and 1866, Oudong was the capital of Cambodia, built on the top of Phnom Oudong. The hill is made up of a series of stupas and shrines in a variety of conditions. Follow tour guides and visit the Buddhist monastery at the foothill. After Oudong, take 45-minute bus ride to Kampong Tralach and visit Wat Kapong Tralach Pleu. Later, take a 20-minute ox-cart ride to the Tonle river traveling through countryside and a small village on a dusty road, passing rice fields and bemused locals. Return to the ship and cruise to Kampong Chhnang.

Day 8: Disembarkation - Prek K’dam - Siem Reap

Disembark the ship at Prek Kdam. Breakfast is served from 6:00 – 7:00 in the Mekong Restaurant. After breakfast, bid farewell to crew and disembark at Prek K’dam at 07:30. Take 5 and half hours bus drive to Siem Reap with a stop over in Kampong Thom. Arrive around 13:30 at Le Meridien Angkor Hotel.
 
From late of March toward May, the water level is more shallow restrict the boat reach to Kampong Cham. Hence, the alternative initinerary with the ports of call Vinh long, Xeo quyt in Vietnam and Oudong, Kampong Tralach in Cambodia is arranged.
 

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 Cruise Schedule from Jun 2012 to May 2013

 Cruise Day-By-Day Schedule 2011