La Marguerite

The Riches of the Mekong 8 Day Cruise (Departing from Siem Reap)

La Marguerite is a luxury 92 passenger river vessel. The contemporary interiors incorporate colonial French details and ornaments, local artifacts and Mekong-style furniture to replicate a true colonial river cruiser. When you are not taking advantage of the plentiful amenities such as the library, gym and spa, you can take in the passing scenery as La Marguerite navigates the Mekong Delta between Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Info

Embark

A transfer from Siem Reap to the ship is included and you will embark the ship in Siem Reap.**During low water season, transfer from Siem Reap to the ship is via motor coach to Preak Kdam, a small village on the Tonle River. Please note that the transfer from Siem Reap departs early and we recommend that all passengers book a night's accommodation in Siem Reap before the cruise.

Day 1: Tonle Sap Lake

Board the luxurious La Marguerite, at Tonle Sap Lake. There will be time to settle in to your cabin before a welcome dinner on board while the ship cruises to Kampong Chhnang to moor overnight.

Day 2: Kampong Chhnang – Kampong Cham

Take a motor boat excursion after breakfast to the lakeside wetlands nearby. Here you’ll be able to observe a tremendous variety of birds, as well as seeing the numerous fish traps in place, some over half a mile long. Afterwards, journey down the river to Kampong Tralach. In the afternoon enjoy an oxcart ride from the river bank through the countryside to the beautiful Wat Kapong Tralach Pleu. Tour the pagodas, and then board a motor coach to Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia, where you will tour the Buddhist monastery. Dinner on board as the ship cruises to the village of Chong Koh.

Day 3: Chong Koh - Phnom Penh

After breakfast you will visit the Chong Koh silk weaving village for a leisurely walk. Your vessel then departs for Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Join an afternoon walking tour of this spectacular city. Return to the vessel for dinner, followed by a special Khmer folk performance on board. The vessel moors overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 4: Phnom Penh

After breakfast the ship docks at the passenger port terminal of Phnom Penh. Enjoy a morning tour highlighting the best of Cambodia’s capital. French colonial architecture, wonderful cafes, energetic nightlife, and the renovated river “corniche” give Phnom Penh an incredible atmosphere. You will also see the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. You will also visit the National Museum and its exhibits of Khmer crafts. After lunch, you will join another excursion to the notorious Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s Tuol Sleng Genocide museum. The ship moors overnight, giving you the chance to explore the nearby restaurants and check out Phnom Penh’s nightlife at after sunset.

Day 5: Phnom Penh – Border Crossing – Tan Chau, Vietnam

Spend the day cruising the Mekong River, crossing the border into Vietnam. Your vessel moors at the small town of Tan Chau, Vietnam.

Day 6: Tan Chau – Sa Dec

Wake up in Tan Chau, a small village on the Mekong River. After your breakfast, you will transfer onto small boats which will navigate through narrow channels to visit an evergreen island. You will also visit a catfish farm and a rattan mat and slipper-making workshop . Back ashore, a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) awaits to transport you around Tan Chau. In the afternoon, your vessel cruises downstream to Sa Dec, where it will moor overnight.

Day 7: Sa Dec – My Tho

After breakfast, board a local boat for Sa Dec, passing floating markets as the boat maneuvers through the river’s channels. 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 on the ship, a local boat will take you to Cai Be to look around a colourful floating market. You will then go ashore to see the local candy and rice paper manufacturers. This evening enjoy a wonderful gourmet Farewell Dinner as the ship sails towards My Tho.

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City

After a final breakfast on board the ship, it is time to disembark in My Tho and take the transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Disembark

Disembark the ship at My Tho port and transfer to Saigon.

Includes

7 Nights' accommodation on board La Marguerite
Transfer from a hotel in central Siem Reap to the ship and from My Tho port to a hotel in central Saigon
Sightseeing program as outlined in the itinerary
Full board meal basis during your cruise including wine, beer and soft drinks with every dinner on board the ship
Bottled water is provided in your cabin and replenished daily
Welcome Dinner and Farewell Cocktail Party and Dinner