Overland from Saigon to Phnom Penh, 4 days

INC-T-14

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.

By vehicle from Can Tho to Chau Doc

Overnight in 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.

By vehicle from Chau Doc to Phnom Den (Vietnamese/Cambodian border)

By vehicle from Phnom Den (Cambodian/Vietnamese border) to Phnom Penh with sightseeing in Takeo

TONLE BATI: a lake south of Phnom Penh, with a beach and the impressive laterite temple of Ta Prohm.

TA PROHM: a temple built by King Jayavarman VII (who ruled from 1181 to 1201) on the site of a 6th century Khmer shrine. A stele found here dates from 1574 and inside the north gate is a statue of the Hindu god Preah Noreay.

PHNOM CHISOR: the main temple on this hill is constructed of laterite and brick with carved lintels of sandstone. The inscriptions found here date back to the 11th century and the wooden doors to the sanctuary are decorated with interesting carvings.

ANGKOR BOREI: a 6th century monument built in laterite by King Rudravarman of Funan. His patron deity was Vishnu and many Hindu statues survive from this site. It is one of the few remaining sites with traces of the Kingdom of Funan (a kingdom influenced by India and thought to have spread as far as southern Burma and Indonesia).

PHNOM DA: a hill south of Angkor Borei with four artificial caves, built as shrines. On top of the hill is a square laterite tower.

USD per pax