Following the Mekong,  19 days

INC-T-12

Overnight in Saigon.

Sightseeing in Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown)

A vibrant metropolis, SAIGON teems with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you see the meeting of traditional and modern life. The emerging modern skyline stands cheek by jowl with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Outside on the streets, young professionals zip by on motorcyles, chatting on cellphones; inside the quiet temple courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense. Begin your tour of this exciting city with a tour of the historic center, strolling along DONG KHOI STREET, formerly known as the Rue Catinat, the main shopping thoroughfare and heart of old colonial Saigon. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate CITY HALL (HOTEL DE VILLE), the old OPERA HOUSE (both may only be viewed from the outside), and pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and the CENTRAL POST OFFICE.

Afterwards dive into modern history with a tour of the REUNIFICATION PALACE. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style uwas famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Continue to the harrowing WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM, which comprehensively documents the travails of the long Vietnam- American War. Inside are detailed photographic exhibitions; outside is a collection of tanks, planes and weapons. A powerful experience, this museum is guaranteed to provoke strong emotions. In the afternoon, head out to CHOLON (CHINATOWN), stopping to visit two of Saigon's most interesting pagodas, the JADE EMPEROR PAGODA and GIAC LAM PAGODA, the oldest in the city. The sprawling, densely packed Cholon retains a traditional Asian feeling, unlike the more modern Saigon city center. Explore the highlights of this fascinating area, beginning with a brief visit to BINH TAY MARKET, the vast wholesale market selling every kind of good from dried foods to T shirts to electronics. Continue to THIEN HAU PAGODA, build by the Cantonese congregation and dedicated to the heavenly goddess. End your tour at the central BEN THANH MARKET, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste

Overnight in Saigon.

By vehicle from Saigon to Can Tho, with a boat ride from Cai Be floating market to Vinh Long

From Saigon, transfer to Cai Be and tour the colorful floating market by boat, continuing through the bywaters and canals of the Mekong Delta to Vinh Long. On the way, stop at different Mekong river islands and visit local workshops producing puffed rice, coconut candy, and other local delicacies.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Excursion by boat to Cai Rang Floating Market

In the early morning, set out by boat to explore CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET, the biggest and most bustling of the Mekong Delta markets, which attracts fruit and vegetable vendors from all over the region. Buyers on smaller boats weave between the large barges selling wholesale produce. Each vendor advertises fresh samples of their wares on long poles that tower overhead above the colorful boats. Sail through the market, watching people haggle and trade, and possibly sample some of the fruit yourself. By 9 am, the activity has died down and it is time to return to the pier, after exploring some of the backwaters and canals.

Overnight in Can Tho.

By vehicle from Can Tho to Chau Doc

Sightseeing in Chau Doc with boat trip

Embark on a boat to explore the bustling river life around Chau Doc, visiting the FLOATING VILLAGES, whose inhabitants live and work all their lives on the river. Stop at one of the typical houses, and see how they raise fish in nets directly under the house itself. Continue to the distinctive CHAM VILLAGE, on the other side of the river, with its thriving Muslim community. After returning to the town, continue by vehicle to SAM MOUNTAIN, which rises sharply from the surrounding rice paddies. Considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Vietnam, the mountain is dotted with pagodes and temples, many of them inside caves. Visit LADY CHUA XU PAGODA at the base and continue up shallow stairways along the mountain, visiting other pagodes as you ascend. Visit SAM MOUNTAIN where there are dozens of pagodas and temples. The Chinese influence is obvious, and Sam Mountain is a favorite spot for ethnic-Chinese, both as pilgrims from Saigon and tourists from Taiwan. The views from the top of the mountain are spectacular and one can easily look out over Cambodia. At the mountain's peak, enjoy panoramic views over the surrounding countryside, stretching all the way to the Cambodian border.

Overnight in Chau Doc.

On board the Tu Trang Speedboat from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh.

Arrival in Phnom Penh
Transfer

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Sightseeing in Phnom Penh

Explore PHNOM PENH, a chaotic, energetic and always fascinating city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras; today they teem with life and activity, as motorcycles weave in and out of traffic, vendor hawk their wares, and pedestrians go about their business. Start your tour at WAT PHNOM, the birthplace of the capital; according to legend the city began here when a woman named Penh found four Buddha statues and built the temple to house them. Afterwards, see the splendor of Cambodia's royal heritage by visiting the ROYAL PALACE, still the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoi, the adjacent SILVER PAGODA, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha, and the elegant NATIONAL MUSEUM, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer art.
In the afternoon, learn about a chapter from Cambodia's more recent, tragic, past at the TUOL SLENG MUSEUM (Museum of Genocide). Formerly the Tuol Svay Prey High School, in 1975, this became the interrogation and torture facility for the Khmer Rouge regime - at that time known as Security Prison 21, or simply S-21. Kept largely unchanged, this prison now showcases photographs and exhibits about the thousands of victims that passed through these doors - only seven of whom came out alive.
Finally, explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh's two great markets, the CENTRAL MARKET, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building, and the sprawling RUSSIAN MARKET, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewelry and more.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

By vehicle from Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham

Sightseeing in Kampong Cham

Kampong Cham is a lively port on the banks of the Mekong River with some good examples of colonial-era architecture. After visting the LOCAL MARKET and exploring the town, travel in to the countryside to PHNOM PROS (Man Hill) and PHNOM SREI (Woman Hill). According to local tradition, two teams of men and women competed to build a stupa on the summit of each hill before dawn. After being tricked into thinking that daybreak had already come, the men lost the competition and, as a result, forever after had to be the ones to approach the women for their hands in marriage. Continue to WAT NOKOR BAYON, a thriving modern-day monstery founded on a 11th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine.

Overnight in Kampong Cham.

By vehicle from Kampong Cham to Kratie

Sightseeing in Kratie

The provincial capital of KRATIE is a pleasant, small riverside town on the banks of the Mekong River. Visit the DOLPHIN OBSERVATION PARK located just north of town and enjoy an hour-long boat trip past peaceful rural scenery as you watch out for a rare sighting of one of the 50 endangered Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins that inhabit this strech of the river. On the way back, stop at WAT PHNOM SAMBOK.

Overnight in Kratie.

By vehicle from Kratie to Dong Kralor (Lao/Cambodian border)

By vehicle and boat from Dong Kalaw (Lao/Cambodian border) to Don Khone with sightseeing at Khone Phapeng
The largest waterfall in South East Asia, KHONE PHAPHENG, is one of the most impressive sites in the area. Here, the entire Mekong with all its force cascades down curving stone outcroppings and tints the massive stones with rainbows.

Overnight in Don Khone.

Sightseeing in Don Khone

Explore DON DET ISLAND and DON KHON ISLAND. The islands are connected by a former railway bridge (the railway stopped operating 1945). The larger island Don Det is famous throughout Laos for the cultivation of coconut, bamboo and kapok. Visit BAN KHON VILLAGE, the main village on Don Khon Island with several old French villas. Continue to TAAT SOMPHAMIT (LI PHI FALLS), a raging set of rapids at the western end of Don Khon Island.

By boat from Don Khone to Don Khong.

Sightseeing on Don Khong

Explore DON KHONG, or Khong Island, a scenic island set in the middle of the Mekong River, with small villages and rice paddies. Visit the largest village, MUANG KHONG, and visit the local temples, WAT HUA KHONG PA YAI, WAT KANG KHONG and WAT PHOU KHAU KAEW.

Overnight in Don Khong.

By vehicle from Don Khong to Pakse with sightseeing at Wat Phou

From Don Khong, travel north along the east bank of the Mekong. Near Champasak city, cross by ferry and continue to WAT PHOU (meaning "Mountain Temple"), one of the best preserved examples of major Khmer architecture, some 200 years older than Angkor Wat itself. The core monument of this site consists of a main temple on the upper terrace, six shrines on the middle terrace, two palaces and Nandin Hall on the lower terrace. Surrounding the Wat Phou temple complex are the ruins of associated temple monuments, such as the HAW NANG STUPA, WAT HONG NANG SIDA and HAWNG THAAN TAO. Continue by vehicle north to Pakse.

Overnight in Pakse.

The capital city of Laos, Vientiane still feels like a sleepy city with relaxed charm, tree-lined boulevards, interesting wats and colorful markets. Tour the different highlights of the city, including PHA THAT LUANG, a gleaming golden stupa which is perhaps most important national monument in Laos; HO PHA KEO, the formal royal temple, now a museum with beautiful examples of Buddhist sculpture; WAT SI SAKET; and PATUXAI, a monumental arch inspired by the Arc de Triomphe, but executed with Lao motifs.

Overnight in Vientiane.

By vehicle from Vientiane to Vang Vieng

Travel from Viengtiane to Vang Vieng, stop for a visit to Vang Xang, 11th century Buddhist archaeological site where primitive Buddha images are carved on the cliff. Continue to visit Fish Market in Huay Mor.

Visit Vang Xang

VANG XANG: 11th century Buddhist archaeological site, where primitive Buddha images are carved on the cliff.

Visit fish market in Huay Mor
Visit Chang Cave

CHANG CAVE: used as a bunker against marauding Chinese in the early 19th century. Tham means cave and Chang is steadfast.
Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Visit Pha Thao Cave

PHA THAO CAVE: Enjoy a short trek through rice paddies with a stop at a Hmong village in Ban Pha Thao and continue to visit the cave of Tham Pha Thao.
Visit Xang Cave
XANG CAVE: also called Elephant Cave, it contains a few Buddha images and a Buddha footprint plus the elephant shaped stalactites which give the cave its name.

By vehicle from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang

Journey north passing through Ban Phatang and Muang Kasi. Enjoy visiting local villages on the way.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Sightseeing in Luang Prabang

Set between the Nam Khan and Nam Ou rivers, Luang Prabang is an enchanting town filled with historic temples and colonial style buildings. The entire town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Start the day at WAT VISOUN (Wat Wisunalat). The oldest living temple in Luang Prabang, Wat Visoun dates back to 1513 and contains a collection of antique wooden Buddhas. Visit the nearby WAT AHAM before continuing to WAT XIENG THONG, the crowning jewel of all the monasteries and temples in the city. Its many ornate buildings feature exquisite mosaic and gold-stenciled murals. From there, stroll down the main street of Luang Prabang, stopping at some of the many temples that line its sides, including WAT SIBOUNHEUANG, WAT SI MOUNGKHOUN, WAT SOP and WAT SENE. Continue to the NATIONAL MUSEUM (ROYAL PALACE), a modest but graceful building which combines traditional Lao and French beaux-arts motifs. This turn-of-the century royal residence has been preserved as it was when the royal family last lived here and provides unique insights into the history of Laos. (Closed on Tuesdays). Afterwards, visit WAT MAI.

Visit Mount Phousi for sunset

Climb the hillside stairs to the small temples atop PHOU SI, the 100m high hill which sits in the middle of the town, offering beautiful views over the temples and river.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

On board the Luangsay Cruise from Luang Prabang to Pakbeng (Upstream), day 1 of 2
Embark on the Luangsay boat, a traditional style wooden boat with open decks and beautiful views. Cruise upstream towards Pakbeng stopping at BAN BAW to observe the making of traditional Lao rice wine and whisky. Continue to the famous PAK OU caves, natural shrines which have been filled over the centuries with hundreds of Buddha images in every style and material. Lunch is served on board, followed by a visit to a fishing village before arriving in Pakbeng in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Pakbeng.

On board the Luangsay Cruise from Pakbeng to Huay Xai (Upstream), day 2 of 2
First thing in the morning the Pak Ou boat leaves the pier for a leisurely cruise up the Mekong towards Huay Xai (Lao-Thai border). Several stops along the way offer the opportunity to sample rural life first-hand and marvel at just how little has changed over the centuries. Arrival in Huay Xai is in the late afternoon.
Transfer

Overnight in Huay Xai.

Transfer