15 days -March 19-April 2, 2009
$2995 ppdo Includes Air!
The intimate Indochine carries only 48 participants, and the air-conditioned ship features staterooms of Burmese teakwood, each facing outward. All cabins, with private facilities, are a spacious 160 sq. ft. in size and are spread over two decks. French-influenced cuisine, prepared by a European chef, is served at one sitting. Call A.C.T. for more details about this fine vessel!
Day 1: Your exciting journey begins today as you board your flight at LAX to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
Day 2: HO CHI MINH ( Saigon). Welcome to Vietnam! On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your deluxe hotel. EQUATORIAL HOTEL
Street Fish Market
Day 3: HO CHI MINH/EMBARK. Today we introduce you to this vibrant city. Sights include the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Presidential Palace. Lunch is at a local restaurant before embarking on the RV Indochine. The afternoon is free to settle in or to explore the riverside promenade. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and information meeting, followed by dinner on board. (B,L,D)
Day 4: HO CHI MINH CITY. This morning tour the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels. Extending underground for over 100 miles, they were built during the Vietnam War to protect from bombing raids. Later, a rickshaw ride will take you to the main Chinese Market for some free time before returning to the boat. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. (B,L,D)
Day 5: CRUISING/MY THO/CAI BE FLOATING MARKET/VINH LONG. Cross the splendid canal of Cho Gao enroute to My Tho, where a visit by bus to the Vinh Trang Pagoda will be followed by a panoramic tour of the city with a stop at a local Snake Farm. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail on to Cai Be. Here you will tour the floating market in local boats. Then continue to Vinh Long for a tour before sailing to Sa Dec. Dinner is on board. (B,L,D)
Day 6: CRUISING/SA DEC/CHAU DOC. This morning take a panoramic tour that includes a visit to a Bonsai seedbed. Lunch is on board as you sail to Chau Doc, where will visit a local minority Cham community by local boats. Depart by bus to Nui Sam Hill which offers splendid vistas. Also, stop by the Chua Xu Temple and the Tahy An Pagoda. (B,L,D)
Day 7: CRUISING/KOH DEK CHAU. Cross the border into Cambodia on your way to the island of Koh Dek Chau. After lunch on board visit this tiny island to meet and mingle with the locals. Enjoy the magnificent views as you continue sailing until nightfall. (B,L,D)
Day 8: CRUISING/KAMPONG CHAM/PREK TA KUNG/PHNOM PENH. Tour Kampong Cham, famous for its many Wats (temples) dating back to the Chenla Empire. Then sail on to Prek Ta Kung, renowned for its traditional craftsmen. Dinner is on board as you sail to Cambodia ’s capital, Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)
Cambodian Royal Palace
Day 9: CRUISING/PHNOM PENH. Your morning sightseeing of this French influenced colonial city includes the Royal Palace, the National Museum, and Wat Phnom. After lunch continue on to the infamous “Killing Fields,” the former detention, torture and execution center during the Cambodian civil war. Dinner is onboard with a special performance of local folklore and Cambodia’s traditional dances. (B,L,D)
Day 10: CRUISING/PHNOM PENH/KAMPONG TRALACH. The morning is free to enjoy the city, explore the nearby Russian market or the riverside promenade. Lunch on board while sailing to Kampong Tralach. On arrival, visit the Apagoda Wat Kampong. Continue sailing the Tonle River to Kampong Chhnang for the night. (B,L,D)
Day 11: CRUISING/KAMPONG CHHNANG / KAMPONG LUONG. Walk around Kampong Chhnang, where the river narrows and one can view the rich tapestry of rural life. After lunch, visit the village of Kampong Luong by local boats. This evening is reserved for your Captain’s Farewell Dinner. (B)
Day 12: DISEMBARK/SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA. Enjoy unspoiled views as you cross the humongous Tonle Sap Lake. On arrival in Siem Reap, a light lunch will be followed by a motorcoach tour of the town. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner and traditional “Apsara” show. PRINCE D’ANGKOR HOTEL (B,L,D)
ANGKOR TEMPLES
Day 13: SIEM REAP/ANGKOR TEMPLES Once the capital of the ancient Khmer empire, the city and its fascinating temples were slowly covered by jungle until lost to civilization. Rediscovered at the end of the 19 th century, the jungle was cleared over the next 70 years to reveal the “8 th Wonder of the World”—the ancient Temples of Angkor Wat —today a UNESCO Heritage Site. Return to your hotel after sunset. Dinner is at the Red Piano Restaurant, a favorite of Angelina Jolie during her filming of the Tomb Raider movies. The evening is free to explore the lively downtown. (B,L,D)
Day 14: SIEM REAP— A full free day to do as you please. Shop local markets, return to Angkor Wat, etc. (B)
Day 15: SIEM REAP/LAX. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to L.A., arriving the same day. (B)
