Spirit of the Mekong

Discover the Spirit of the Mekong, exploring the delta's unique floating villages and experiencing the vibrancy of Vietnam's cities whilst also observing the tranquillity of Cambodia’s rural life. Travel through Cambodia's emerald green rice paddies, board the Toum Tiou for a two night cruise, taste sugar palm and admire the splendour of Siem Reap's breathtaking temples at Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat. In Vietnam discover the fusion of traditional and modern cultures and dizzying pace of Ho Chi Minh City and visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels.

Guide

Spirit of the Mekong is escorted by an English speaking guide from Day 2 to Day 11.

MEAL PLAN
• Prices include breakfast Day 3–10, lunch Day 3–10 and dinner Day 3 and Day 6 and 7.

ACCOMMODATION
• Accommodation is in three and four star hotels and on board the R/V Toum Tiou.
GROUP SIZE
• Maximum 14 passengers
MINIMUM NUMBERS
• This tour is subject to minimum numbers, please call for further details. 

GRATUITIES
• Tipping is at your discretion but is recommended for guides and a tip of $5 a day for the ship crew.
TRAVEL TIPS
• Bring comfortable footwear and light, durable clothing. During the visit to the Royal Palace and Angkor Wat shoulders and legs must be covered. Long sleeve shirts and tousers/skirts are required. Asian Trails will assist guests who are wearing clothing that does not conform to the dress code.
• Visitors must also observe the rules for photography and filming , as well as rules of conduct in the temples.
NB
• The itinerary on this tour is subject to change with short notice dependent on local road and weather conditions. Cambodia is not as developed as other Far East destinations, therefore roads can sometimes be bumpy and transport may change or be subject to delays.

DAY 1 LONDON to HO CHI MINH
• Depart the UK for overnight flight from Heathrow arriving the following day in Ho Chi Minh City staying at the Duxton hotel in a Deluxe room for one night. Enjoy a half day city tour that includes Notre Dame Cathedral.

DAY 3 HO CHI MINH to CAN THO
• Drive to My Tho (two hours) located at the bank of the north most branch of the Mekong and ideal for catching glimpses of authentic rural Mekong life. Visit the tranquil Vinh Trang Pagoda, take a sampan on the Mekong River and visit one of the town's famous orchard gardens, with lunch enroute at a local restaurant. Drive to Can Tho (ten minutes). Stay at the Victoria Hotel in a Superior room for one night.

DAY 4 CAN THO to HO CHI MINH
• By sampan, visit Cai Rang's floating market before driving back to Ho Chi Minh City visiting the charming colonial town of Sa Dec along the way. Spend one night in the Duxton in a superior room.

DAY 5 HO CHI MINH to PHNOM PENH
• After breakfast drive to Phnom Penh (seven hours) stopping enroute to visit the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels, an intricate underground maze where thousands hid during the Vietnam War. You will also visit the Tay Ninh Church, the centre of the Cao-Daism religion - a combination of Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Confucianism. Early evening arrive in Phnom Penh and transfer to the Sunway Hotel in a Deluxe room for one night.

DAY 6 PHNOM PENH to KAMPONG TRALECH
• This morning visit the distinctive Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda with its various shrines, stupas and monuments and also see the National Museum. You will then transfer to the pier and board the R/V Toum Teav and cruise towards Koh Chen (Chinese Island). Lunch will be served on board before arriving on this small island. The villagers here specialise in silver and copper smithing and make ornamental trinkets including delicately engraved tropical fruits that are used in ceremonies on the island. After returning to the boat, continue your cruise towards Kampong Tralach, anchoring for the night just a few miles from the village. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner.

DAY 7 KAMPONG TRALECH to TONLE SAP
• After breakfast disembark for a trip to Kampong Tralach. Pass emerald green rice paddies to visit the Vihara at Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda, a modest and isolated temple home to some beautiful murals. Return to the boat for lunch and sail onwards to Kampong Chhnang, the fertile-heart of Cambodia and one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap. The area is famous for its pottery and you can also try treats made from the country's sugar palm tree, a national symbol. Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 8 TONLE SAP to SIEM REAP
• After an early breakfast on board, go by speedboat to either Chnok Tru (in high water) or a local floating village (in low water). Chnok Tru is often overlooked by tourists due to the difficulty in getting there, however it is well worth the visit. Marvel at the self sufficiency of the village - everything is on water - from its floating school, factories, television repair shops, police station and even floating karaoke bar. Return to the boat for lunch and sail onwards to Siem Reap where you will disembark and transfer to the Tara Angkor Hotel, staying in a Superior room for three nights.

DAY 9 SIEM REAP
• Today discover the South Gate Angkor Thom, seeing the Bayon, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. After lunch visit the renowned Angkor Wat with its stunning complex of Khmer temples. Stay to watch a mesmerising sunset.

DAY 10 SIEM REAP
• Today visit more temples including the elaborate Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. After lunch at a local restaurant is a visit to Theam's House. TheamL. is an artist and designer whose mission is to reignite Cambodia's arts and crafts sector. He is director of Artisans d'Angkor, which you will also be able to visit. Here you will learn about the traditional techniques used for wood sculpting and stone carving amongst others. At the end of the day is a chance for some souvenir shopping.

DAY 11 SIEM REAP to LONDON
• Enjoy a leisurely breakfast until transferring to the airport for departure to Heathrow on Vietnam Airlines, arriving the following day.