TOUM TIOU: SAIGON to PHNOM PENH CRUISE
from $940
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6 days / 5 nights (also from Phnom Penh to Saigon [Ho Chi Minh City])
Ref: TTSP-6D |
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• Relaxing Cruising • Comfortable Cabins • Excellent on-board Dining • The Mekong Delta •
• Remote Rural Villages • Great Sunrises & Sunsets • Floating Markets • Local Life •
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Day 1 - Monday: Saigon ~ My Tho
- / - / D
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| You embark the Toum Tiou in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) mid afternoon and set sail by late afternoon. As you head into the Mekong Delta towards My Tho you will enjoy you first of many glorious sunsets.
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Day 2 - Tuesday: My Tho ~ Cai Be
B / L / D
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| An early rise to catch the sun rising over the still waters and then you set sail navigating the marvelous canals of Cho Gao. Before long My Tho comes into view and the Toum Tiou drops anchor close to Thoi Son Island. On the banks of a northern arm of the Mekong, My Tho translates as ‘fragrant herb’, and hear you can discover the beauty of the Mekong Delta. My Tho is a quiet, prosperous city of about 100,000 inhabitants, famous for its many fruit orchards, gardens and the huge rice fields that surround it. The surrounding countryside is home to some of the most luxuriant gardens in Vietnam, with their coconut palms, banana and mango trees. Local boats come alongside the Toum Tiou to transfer you to the mainland, where you will discover My Tho market. Mid morning the Toum Tiou departs and you cruise to Thoi Son Island where you will meet local people, experience their way of life, and enjoy the delicious seasonal fruits. You then cruise towards Cai Be and drop anchor for the night nearby. |
Day 3 - Wednesday: Cai Be ~ Vinh Long ~ Sa Dec
B / L / D
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| This morning local boats come alongside Toum Tiou and take you for a fun trip around Cai Be Floating Market, before continuing to Vinh Long, passing brick and pottery factories as well as witnessing local life which is organized around the water, houses on stilts, hawkers in boats, hundreds of small boats crisscrossing in all directions, and the many smiling Vietnamese faces. Vinh Long, which translates as ‘Majestic Dragon’, and is right in the middle of the delta, between two arms of the Mekong. In the mid-afternoon you arrive at Sa Dec, famous for its horticulture (it has many varieties of fabulously exotic flowers). Sa Dec was known as the ‘Garden of Cochin Chine’ during colonial times. You will have the opportunity to stroll around the Sa Dec market, situated on the banks of the Mekong, and visit Trung Vuong primary school and Kien An Cung pagoda. This interesting ‘city’ only has 30,000 inhabitants and is fascinating in its unspoiled authenticity and undisturbed by tourists. It provides a glimpse of the delta where a few French colonial houses still remain, including the ‘Chinaman's House’, from Duras' novel ‘The Lover’ (which was also made in to a movie). After re-embarking the Toum Tiou it drops anchor for the night a short distance from town.
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Day 4 - Thursday: Chau Doc
B / L / D
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| Shortly after breakfast you arrive at Chau Doc, which straddles both banks of the Mekong which from here fans out to form the famous Delta. Floating fish farms have sprung up everywhere around Chau Doc, bamboo fish drying racks are set up a meter above the water's surface. The bourgeoning downtown area features some charmingly rustic colonial buildings, squeezed in by the marketplace, the colorful, vibrant heart of the city. As always, these busy parts of town, despite their sometimes strong odors, offer wonderful photo opportunities... After lunch local boats will take you to visit fish farms as well as a local Cham minority village. If time allows you will also get to experience the sunset from the top of Sam Mountain where its famous Buddhist sanctuaries offer an unobstructed view over the mosaic of glistening rice paddies stretching off into the distant Cambodia. This evening you enjoy dinner at the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel as well as being able to use its swimming pool and bar. |
Day 5 - Friday: Chau Doc ~ Border Crossing ~ Koh Dek Chau
B / L / D
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| The Toum Tiou sets sail early this morning and heads to Vinh Xuong, the Vietnamese / Cambodian border. After completing the customs formalities the Toum Tiou heads into Cambodian waters and drops anchor at Koh Dek Chau island which allows a fascinating, close-up look at daily rural life in Cambodia. On the fringes of civilization, the 600 people who live on Kôh Dek Chau will receive your visit with some surprise and the excited children will escort you along your way. You will wander through the village that occupies the full length of the island, walking along a trail shaded by date palms. Late afternoon you return to the Toum Tiou where, as it is your last evening aboard the Toum Tiou, you will enjoy cocktails and the Captain’s farewell dinner. |
Day 6 - Saturday: Koh Dek Chau - Phnom Penh
B / L / -
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| This morning you cruise towards Phnom Penh enjoying the riverbank life of Cambodia. After lunch you will arrive in Phnom Penh having had a fascinating insight in to the lives of these to charming countries… |
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| For more information, departure dates, and availability please email us as we will be happy to discuss your individual requirements. |
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- All sightseeing tour services as detailed in the above itinerary
- English speaking local guide
- All accommodation on board Toum Tiou based on 2 sharing a room
- All entrance fees for attractions included in the above itinerary
- All local boat trips
- All meals as detailed in the above itinerary
(B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner)
- Services not detailed in the above itinerary
- Transfers at arrival / departure port
- International flights
- Vietnam or Cambodian Visa fees
- Any airport taxes
- Expenditure of a personal nature
- Travel insurance
- Any payment / money transfer charges
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