Your journey begins with Vietnam's bustling capital, Hanoi, followed by an excursion to fabled Ha Long Bay. Said to be the lair of dragons, the Bay's limestone outcroppings provide a breathtaking setting for an overnight sojourn. The next day, a short flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, brings you to the gateway of the largest ancient city in the world. Explore Angkor Archeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site laden with magnificent temples that once heralded the grandeur of the Khmer empire. Nearby, Tonle Sap Lake provides the launching point for your graceful Mekong River adventure. Cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), with calls at Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Cham, Phnom Penh, Tan Chau, Sa Dec and Cai Be. Experience life on the river from small rural villages to booming capitals, visiting temples floating markets and much more along the way during your unforgettable Mekong River odyssey.
All Transfers with the Purchase of Cruise, Land & Air package Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1, ARRIVE IN HANOI, VIETNAM
Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam's vibrant capital city, known for its graceful colonial architecture, frenetic streets, verdant parks and ancient temples. After your airport greeting, transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the city on your own, or perhaps, visit the fabled Old Quarter.
DAY 2, HANOI
A morning sightseeing tour will take you to Hanoi's most famous historical and cultural sites: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, One-pillar Pagoda (Buddhist temple) and The Temple of Literature (Confucius temple). In the afternoon, experience an authentic rickshaw ride (known as "cyclo") in the Old Quarter, followed by a traditional water puppet show. (B)
DAY 3, HANOI - HA LONG BAY OVERNIGHT JUNK
After breakfast, depart Hanoi for a scenic motorcoach ride to one of Vietnam's most renowned locations: Ha Long Bay. Board a traditional wooden Junk that combines classic beauty with modern conveniences, plus luxurious overnight accommodations. Set sail to discover the Bay's magnificent scenery set amidst stunning limestone cliffs. That evening, you'll enjoy dinner onboard, and overnight on the Junk. (B,L,D)
DAY 4, HA LONG BAY - HANOI - SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA
This morning, your Ha Long Bay Junk continues its scenic cruising while a delightful breakfast is served in the dining lounge. Late morning, disembark for a motorcoach transfer to Hanoi Airport. After a short flight, arrive in Siem Reap, Cambodia, gateway to Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer empire and one of the most renowned archeological sites in all of South East Asia. (B,L,D)
DAY 5, SIEM REAP - ANGKOR
After breakfast, begin a guided sightseeing tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King, Bayon. This afternoon, visit the most iconic of all Angkorian temples - Angkor Wat. (B,D)
DAY 6, SIEM REAP -ANGKOR
This morning, travel through rural countryside to the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei. Then visit Ta Prohm, the temple famous for its intertwined trees (showcased in the film Tomb Raider). (B)
DAY 7, SIEM REAP - TONLE SAP LAKE/EMBARKATION - KAMPONG CHHNANG
Travel to Tonle Sap Lake to embark the luxurious MS La Marguerite. Enjoy your Welcome Dinner onboard as you cruise to Kampong Chhnang. The ship moors overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 8, KAMPONG CHHNANG - KAMPONG CHAM
After breakfast, enjoy a motor boat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the Tonle Sap River. Enjoy a stunning variety of birdlife, and observe numerous great fish traps, some over a half-mile long. Later, the ship enters the jungle as the river narrows. Temples abound along the riverbanks offer a unique opportunity to observe the rich tapestry of Cambodian rural life. Arrive in the capital city of Phnom Penh in the afternoon and enter the Upper Mekong bound for Kampong Cham. The ship makes an afternoon stop, in time for a walk through the quaint silk-weaving village of Chong Kho. Overnight, the ship moors mid-stream in Kampong Cham. (B,L,D)
DAY 9, KAMPONG CHAM- PHNOM PENH
This morning, journey upriver to the hilltop pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Over lunch, sail back downstream to explore the Kampong Cham area. Travel by motorcoach to the 12th-century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor, which has been "fused" with a modern Wat. Continue by motorcoach to the Eco-village of Cheung Kok. The ship departs late in the afternoon from Kampong Cham, arriving at Phnom Penh for an overnight mid-stream mooring. (B,L,D)
DAY 10, PHNOM PENH
Early morning, the ship cruises into spectacular Phnom Penh and docks at the passenger port terminal. A morning tour explores the highlights of Cambodia's capital city, famous for its French colonial architecture, busy cafes, vibrant nightlife and renovated river "corniche." Visit the Royal Palace and the spectacular Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. After lunch onboard, another excursion leads to the infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge's grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention center (Genocide Museum) situated in the suburbs of the city. An overnight on the waterfront provides an opportunity to dine in one of many nearby restaurants, and experience Phnom Penh's vibrant nightlife, should passengers so choose. (B,L,D)
DAY 11, PHNOM PENH - BORDER CROSSING - TAN CHAU, VIETNAM
Spend the day cruising the Mekong River, stopping at the jungle village of Preak Dach to visit fruit orchards before continuing to the Cambodian/Vietnamese border. The ship moors overnight mid-stream in Tan Chau, Vietnam. (B,L,D)
DAY 12, TAN CHAU - SA DEC
After breakfast, transfer via small boats to the pier, where a Trishaw awaits to transport you around Tan Chau. Visit a mat-making workshop and silk coloring workshop. Back at the pier, embark on a local boat for a channel cruise and visit to a fish farm before returning to the ship. Overnight mid-stream on the Mekong near Sa Dec. (B,L,D)
DAY 13, SA DEC - HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
After breakfast, board small local boats for the village of Sa Dec, where you will enjoy a morning stroll. Noteworthy as the town where the French writer (and our ship's namesake) Marguerite Duras spent some of her childhood, Sa Dec is a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta. Visit the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras' Chinese paramour, which is now a small museum. After lunch onboard, the ship continues cruising to Cai Be. A local Junk trip in the afternoon will take you to Cai Be's spectacular floating market; then go ashore to see the French Gothic Cathedral and visit delightful flower gardens, ancient Kiet House and local rice paper manufacturers. In the evening, cruise to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, while enjoying a gourmet Farewell Dinner onboard. (B,L,D)
DAY 14, HO CHI MINH CITY - DISEMBARK
In the early morning, the ship docks at the Saigon River Frontage. As the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina, Saigon was known as "Paris of the Orient." Today, Vietnam's largest city is an industrial, cultural and educational hub, but still retains vestiges of its colonial past. After breakfast, disembark for a city tour that explores famous landmarks, such as the former Presidential Palace, Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral; Cho Lon (China Town) and its famous Binh Tay market and Thien Hau pagoda. Overnight at a luxurious hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. (B,L)
DAY 15, DEPART HO CHI MINH CITY
Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight. (B)
PLEASE NOTE: U.S. Citizens require a visa for Vietnam and Cambodia; please consult with your Consulate for more information.
EMBARKATION DAY: During low water season, transfer to ship via motorcoach to Preak Kdam, a small village on the Tonle Sap River.
PHNOM PENH: No bare shoulders or shorts for ladies during the Royal Palace visit.
