Mekong River Encompassed – Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap

Day 1

Ho Chi Minh City

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you will transfer to your hotel for a welcome meeting in the evening.

Overnight: Continental Saigon Hotel

Day 2

Ho Chi Minh City

Today will be spent exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels on a guided tour, discovering the network of tunnels that the Viet Cong lived in to protect themselves from opposing forces during the Vietnam War. Crawling through the tunnels, you’ll find where the Viet Cong built their underground hospitals and stored ammunition.

Then at approximately 3.30pm, you will boat the Toum Tiou II Riverboat to begin your eight-day cruise. This is your chance to meet the crew and find out more about your upcoming adventure.

Overnight: Toum Tiou II Riverboat

Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 3

My Tho/Sadek

A visit to the Vinh Trang Pagoda is your first port of call today, exploring My Tho town along the way. You’ll then hop on a local boat and sail to Thoi Son Island, where you’ll discover a coconut product manufacturer, taste local fruit and money, and meet musicians.

Next up is Cai Be, where you’ll visit the vibrant floating market. There’s a fantastic optional excursion to cycle through local communities on the island and visit a rice popping cottage industry.

You’ll then arrive to Vinh Long via a local boat to board the Toum Tiou Riverboat again.

Overnight: Toum Tiou II Riverboat

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 4

Xa Vinh Xuong

Start your day with a stroll around the Sa Dec river bank, wandering through one of the lovely riverside markets and visiting the Kien An Cung Pagoda. This small city is a wonderful place to explore, offering an authentic insight into life on the Mekong.

You’ll then tuck into breakfast and lunch on board the riverboat as you sail along the Mekong, stopping at Chau Doc to watch a beautiful sunset at Sam Mountain.

Overnight: Toum Tiou II Riverboat

Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 5

Phnom Penh

Today you will cross the border into Cambodia, sailing along to Phnom Penh. Once there, you’ll hop onto a cyclo for a tour around the city, soaking up the lively vibe whilst travelling through bustling streets and past impressive colonial buildings. In the evening, you have the option of visiting the Foreign Correspondents Club for Happy Hour and a gorgeous view of the river.

Crossing the border can cause delays, so the afternoon itinerary may vary.

Overnight: Toum Tiou II Riverboat

Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 6

Phnom Penh

Day six will be spent visiting the S21 Museum and the Killing Fields with a local guide. Though sombre, this is an insightful look into Cambodia’s darker history. Your guided tour through both of these sites will delve you into the devastation caused by the Khmer Rouge regime.

Afterwards, you’ll have some free time to explore the city. We’d recommend seeing the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, or the Russian Market.

Overnight: Toum Tiou II Riverboat

Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 7

Kampong Tralach

Today the riverboat will take you to a small island on the river, where you can wander through the town of Koh Chen and see the family run silver and copper workshops. If possible, you’ll also have the opportunity to meet a Khmer Rouge survivor eager to share his story.

You’ll then continue on to Kampong Tralach, to see the local Buddhist Monastery and marvel at the Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. We’d recommend cycling or riding a tuk tuk through the village in order to get to the monastery.

Overnight: Toum Tiou II Riverboat

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 8

Chnok Tru

On day eight, you will sail to Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap River. This area is known for its fish farming and pottery ware, which you’ll learn more about as you wander through the local market. You’ll also explore a sugar palm farm where the Thnot tree is used to create a mellow tasting, caramel coloured sugar sold in large cakes and palm wine.

On route to Chnok Tru, you’ll enjoy lunch on the riverboat, before transferring to a local boat to visit one of the biggest floating villages on the river. Once back on board the Toum Tiou II Riverboat, you’ll enjoy a delicious evening cocktail before tucking into the Captain’s farewell dinner.

Overnight: Toum Tiou II Riverboat

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 9

Siem Reap

In the morning, you’ll leisurely cross the Tonle Sap Lake before arriving at the pier near Siem Reap and saying goodbye to your boat. Today will be spent at the G Adventures-supported New Hope Vocational Training Restaurant. Serving up a sumptuous menu of Khmer cuisine, this restaurant provides skill-building opportunities for marginalised community members, and also funds the free community school and health centre. The restaurant is run by locals, so tuck in to your delicious dishes and learn more about the positive change this New Hope project has created.

Overnight: Royal Angkor Resort

Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 10

Siem Reap

Wake early to catch the sunrise at the Angkor Wat temple complex, and then explore the ruins with a local guide for a couple of hours before heading back to the hotel for breakfast and check-out. Afterwards, you’ll wander back to the complex for more exploring.  

At midday, you will return to your hotel, and this is where your tour ends. All onward travel must be booked after 3pm.

Breakfast included.

What’s Included

• Arrival transfer
• Seven nights aboard the Toum Tiou II Riverboat
• Two nights of accommodation
• All transport to/from destinations and included excursions
• Excursions: Cu Chi Tunnels visit, Vinh Trang Pagoda, Thoi Son Island cottage industries tour, Kien An Cung Pagoda, Sam Mountain sunset visit, cyclo tour in Phnom Penh, Choeung Ek (Killing Fields) guided tour, Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison) guided tour, Koh Chen island, Vihara and pagoda visit in Kampong Tralach, Kampong Chhang visit, Chnok Tru floating village, farewell cocktails and Captain’s dinner, New Hope visit with lunch, sunrise tour of Angkor Wat
• Option to cycle to excursions along the way
• 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners

What’s Not Included

• Optional excursions: cycle through Cai Be, Foreign Correspondents Club for Happy Hour, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, or the Russian Market in Phnom Penh, cycling or riding a tuk tuk through Kampong Tralach.