Southeast Asia with Jeff Hutcheson on the Mekong River
November 10, 2017
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Treasures of the Mekong with Jeff Hutcheson
- 14 Day Cruise & Tour
- Hong Kong - Ho Chi Minh City
- November 10, 2017
- Roundtrip Economy airfare from select Canadian Gateways
- 1 Night in Hong Kong
- Starting from $7,950 per person twin share in a Category CA (Deluxe Suite)
Tour Information
- Roundtrip economy airfare from select Canadian gateways
- All transfers in destination
- A pre-night stay in Hong Kong
- Personal butler service for every guest
- Sumptuous International and regional Cuisine
- Complimentary beverages all day, everyday while onboard the Scenic Spirit
- Complimentary in-suite mini bar stocked with your preference
- All Suites feature seperate bedroom and living room
- Scenic's revolutionary Sun Loung balconies
- Pool deck with vitality swimming pool, bar and open air dining
- Fitness and wellness center, beauty salon and boutique
- Open air cinema
- Complimentary Wi-Fi internet
- Scenic Enrich - A Magical themed gala dinner, with Apsara dancers performing in front of candle-lit temple ruins
- Scenic FreeChoice - choose from a variety of wonderful shore excursions
- Scenic Sundowners cocktail reception in a majestic location†
- Expert local guides
- Small group sized shore excursions
- All tipping and gratuities
Itinerary
Day 1 - Hong Kong
Day 2 - Siem Reap
***Please Note: The Mekong Ricer and Tonle Sap Lake are subject to extreme variations in water levels throughout the year. Every effort is made to adhere to the brochured itinerary however changes including early disembarkation may be necessary due to river conditions, on advice of local authorities or for safety reasons.
Day 2 - Siem Reap
- Arrive in Siem Reap. You'll be greeted with a welcome drink upon arrival at your hotel, your stylish special stay for the next three nights. (Meals Included: Dinner)
- Spend the morning exploring Angkor Thom and the multi-faced Bayon Temple before driving past the Elephant Terrace viewing platform. Then before lunch explore and marvel at the size of Angkor Wat in detail.
- Later this afternoon, after the day's heat has passed, wander through the jungle covered and atmoshperic Ta Prohm Temple. This evening take your VIP seat and enjoy the thrilling performance of the children at the Cambodian Circus, Phare. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch)
- Marvel at sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Wat before enjoying breakfast in a peaceful location prepared by a local NGO bakery with a glass of champagne.
- Discover Banteay Srei temple and visit the Landmine Museum or explore Beng Mealea temple and the Artisans D'Angkor Handicraft Centre. Alternatively, cruise on Tonle Sap to view the floating villages. (Meals Included: Breakfast)
- Drive to Kampong Cham with stops at the ancient Khmer bridge at Kampong Kdei, Kompong Thom and a stone cutters village. Next stop is the luxurious Scenic Spirit. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Meet the young novice monk at Wat Hanchey, an ancient hilltop pagoda and monastery. Walk to the top and soak in some of the best elevated views of the cruise. Sail to Kampong Cham where you visit Phnom Pros (Man Hill), explore the ecotourism village of Cheung Kok and Wat Nokor, an 11th century temple that has a modern pagoda built within. (Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- After arriving at Prek K'dam, board your coach to the ancient capital of Oudong to visit the mountain stupas, pagoda and monastery.
- Receive a blessing in the pagoda from a monk and learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda before giving a donation of food, contributing to the daily meal of the resident nuns and monk.
- Drive to Wat Kampong Tralach to experience an ox cart ride through local villages before re-boarding Scenic Spirit. Later visit the silversmith village of Koh Chen. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Journey to the Killing Field and tour Tuol Sleng (S21), or take a guided tour of the local food market before joining a hands-on Khmer cooking demonstration. Or explore by Tuk Tuk Phnom Pehn's colonial buildings and shop in the Central Market before enjoying lunch at a local NGO restaurant.
- Arrive in style by Tuk Tuk and immerse yourself in the historically celebrated luxury of Raffles, Hotel Le Royal with an indulgent high tea. Enjoy and exclusive private shadow puppet show accompanied by a traditional Khmer orchestra. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- This morning, visit the National Museum and Royal Palace with its famous Silver Pagoda before beginning your journey down the Mekong river to the Cambodian and Vietnamese border.
- Relax during a full afternoon of cruising as you cross the border into Vietnam. Make use of the ship's luxury and take the time to enjoy a cocktail by the pool or appreciate some solitude on your own private balcony. Tonight enjoy your gala dinner. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Stay in Tan Chau and visit Evergreen Island and the local Cao Dai Temple with a ride in a cyclo. Aternatively choose from two options which cruise by speedboat to Chau Doc. Visit a family-operated fish farm before walking through a Cham village and taking a cyclo ride or alternatively visit Tra Su Bird Sanctuary and a local Khmer village. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Immerse yourself in the historic town of Sa Dec and explore the lively market, visit the home of Mr Huynh Thuy Le who inspired Marguerite Duras' novel L'Amant and visit the Fuijian Chinese temple. Continues sailing downstream to Cai Be. Board a sampan to visit area around Cai Be floating market before stopping at a local cottage industries and a French colonial house. Return to Scenic Spirit for tonight's Champagne farewell dinner. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Depart My Tho and drive to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival enjoy a leisurely walk around Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House and Central Post Office before relazing at your hotel for the next two nights.
- Enjoy a meal at Square One at the Park Hyatt, or dine in an old French colonial house. Alternatively, enjoy an internationl buffet at Restaurant Nineteen. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Travel by boat and coach to meet a Vietnam War Veteran at the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn about the underground labyrinth of war-time passageways.
- Undertake a tour of Saigon's art galleries, or discover the back streets of Chinatown on a vintage Vespa ride. Alternatively, visit the Reunification Palace and War Museum. (Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Depart with many cherished memories. (Meals Included: Breakfast)
***Please Note: The Mekong Ricer and Tonle Sap Lake are subject to extreme variations in water levels throughout the year. Every effort is made to adhere to the brochured itinerary however changes including early disembarkation may be necessary due to river conditions, on advice of local authorities or for safety reasons.
