VPT

THE LOST CIVILIZATION

Saigon – Siem Reap ( 8 Days – 7 Nights)

The mighty Mekong – a mysterious body of water. Flowing through six countries in Asia. Giving love and life to millions. Received its fame by the legendary God King of ancient Cambodia, King Jayavarman VII, who linked hands with the waters of the Mekong to build the magnificent Angkor civilization.

The classic Mekong River cruise, the Lost Civilisation combines places rarely visited with historical world heritage sites. Destinations include the market towns of Cai Be and My Tho as well as Kampong Cham and Kampong Tralach before docking in Siem Reap.

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: HO CHI MINH - MY THO - CAI BE

Bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon as we travel 70 kilometers south by land to My Tho to embark your boutique Ship. We will be served refreshing drinks and light lunch as the Ship steadily glides along the Mekong. We will bathe in the fading sunset on the balcony followed by a briefing at the lounge. Later, a welcome dinner awaits us.
When approaching Cai Be, the Ship drops anchor midstream. Light lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are included. Overnight in Cai Be.

DAY 2: CAI BE – SA DEC – TAN CHAU

Tai Chi lesson on the Sundeck.
Visit Cai Be’s boisterous and colorful floating market on a traditional sampan (a flat bottomed traditional Vietnamese wooden boat).
The cruise will halt intermittently to allow us to observe how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies, rice pop, rice wine and coconut candies are made, enjoy local life along the canals on the way back to the Ship for lunch.
In the afternoon, we cruise to Sa Dec. Upon arrival, we embark a traditional sampan to tour Binh Thanh Island to visit an untouchable village.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. The Ship will moor midstream overnight near Tan Chau.

DAY 3: TAN CHAU – BORDER CROSSING – PHNOM PENH

Brace yourself for a short excursion in Tan Chau, a pleasant town near the Cambodian border with sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community.
Firstly, the journey takes you to the “evergreen” islands where you will be thrilled to learn the life of the locals.
We stop to visit a fish farm located in the Tan Chau canal.
You continue by boat to Tan Chau pier, disembark here and stroll around this colorful local market with lots of regional products.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight we anchor midstream near Phnom Penh.

DAY 4: PHNOM PENH

Sightseeing in the morning will include the Killing Field outside town.
Visit the Genocide Museum, see the dazzling white and gold edifice of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, and witness exceptionally beautiful Khmer craft at the National Museum. We go back to the Ship by “cyclo” – traditional vehicle after our museum visit.
The evening starts with a comprehensive lecture on Cambodia’s modern history.
BBQ dinner is served right after the lecture.
Apsara dance performance.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 5: PHNOM PENH – ANGKOR BAN – KAMPONG CHAM

We will depart before the break of dawn from Phnom Penh with a stop at the little known Silk island community. We will then return to the Ship and pass by the Mekong’s tranquil villages, exhilarating river life and sun-hardened fishermen on their shift boats.
We will tour the rural Angkor Ban village where time stand still. We are transported back a hundred years into an era unaffected by modernity. The houses here are truly rustic, made by hand and without any concrete. But most of all, we feel overwhelmed by the unbridled warmth of the villagers.
Travelers can take part in the daily activities of the villagers to experience village life first hand. Then, we are back to the Ship to cruise towards Kampong Cham.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Kampong Cham.

DAY 6: KAMPONG CHAM – WAT HANCHEY

We will wake up in the early morning, truly energized to embark on a land journey to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Travelers either take a motor-taxi or climb 303 steps to the top.
We even get to engage in light banter with some of the monks in the area. We will return to the Ship to witness a blessing ceremony performed by orange-clad local monks. Lunch on board.
We will then cruise towards Kampong Cham to visit Wat Nokor, a Wat built within the ruins of an ancient temple which holds a timeless story. Visit OBT project of Heritage Line and organization for Basic Training.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Kampong Cham.

DAY 7: KAMPONG CHAM – KAMPONG CHHNANG

We approach Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “Water World” where everything is on stilts balanced on water rich soil– it’s an awesome sight whilst practicing Tai Chi on the deck.
Here we take a minivan to see the Khmer-styled pottery at the Aundaung Russey village. Then, it is back to the river for an adventurous motorboat excursion to the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region. The village has no electricity and has around 600 inhabitants.
We then return to the Ship for lunch while cruising the narrow and meandering Tonle Sap River.
In the evening, a sumptuous spread will be served. And for the big entertainment - bring along your dance shoes and learn to jiggle the Cambodian way with our staff doubling up as dance instructors

DAY 8: TONLE SAP – SIEM REAP

The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambodia, giving love and life to this nation.
Enjoy the stillness of the water and the quiet tranquility on the way to Siem Reap. The water level varies a great deal according to the time of the year and the amount of rainfall recorded. Thus, minor changes to the itinerary may occur during different seasons.
Our Heritage Line cruise liner comes to an end as we reach this city of the fabled Angkor temple complex. We bid farewell to the cruise as our journey comes to an end. But the memories and the friendships made on board linger on for a lot longer.
We will cross the Tonle Lake at dawn and at 09:00am, we will disembark at the Siem Reap Port for onward coach transfer to the drop off point in town.

  Please click here to view more boat pictures and Mekong delta River

General Inclusions of cruise packages
Accommodation, daily (group) shore-excursions as mentioned in the program, all entrance fees, transportation as mentioned in the program, transfers to/from the meeting point/ship, tour guide services (English speaking), taxes, fuel, river pilots, local anchorage fees, daily Tai Chi classes and onboard entertainment, sauna or steam bath (The Jahan only), welcome drink, breakfast – lunch - dinner (on full sailing days or as indicated in program), free flow of beverages - mineral water, soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee - at all times, free flow of local beer and house wine by glass during lunch and dinner, drinking water in cabin and during excursions, insurance (passenger liability),internet throughout the boat (subject to cellular network signal).

Special (cabin type) inclusions
Please review detailed inclusions per cabin and refer to our detailed cruise program(s) (both documentsare regularly updated in the download section on our website).

Exclusions
Port tax, crew and guide gratuities, any visa fees, private transfers and any other transfer not statedin the program, personal expenses and purchases, all further beverages, premium spirits and other services not mentioned under General Inclusions of cruise packages or in the program, fuel surcharges if any, medical services, spa treatments (please see special cabin inclusions), telephone.
Rate condition  Rates are per person based on double occupancy
Rates are subject to terms of the contractual agreement
Peak season surcharge: 120 USD per person per cruise for cruises including Christmas Evening (24. December) or New Year’s Evening (31. December)

Note:

High Season:  January – March & October – December
Low Season  June– September
Rate for :  Twin share Cabin