From the heights of the Himalayas to the coasts of the South China Sea, the Mekong River is a pulsating lifeline winding its way through the lush lowlands of Cambodia and Vietnam. Between Saigon and Siem Reap, life revolves around the Mekong. It’s where local communities, ecosystems and agriculture thrive, it fascinates people and changes their lives. 

The best way to experience Mekong culture is along its waterways. Life has played out here for thousands of years so join us to discover an authentic slice of Vietnam and Cambodia and enjoy the region’s rich history and traditions.

Experience the unique city life of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh), Vietnams largest city.  The city pulsates with energy unlike any other city in Vietnam.  Skyscrapers tower above old French museums while swarms of motorbikes hum down the streets. The city’s buzzy rush is exciting and infectious. Then for a change of pace climb aboard a traditional rice barge as we meander along the Mekong River watching the hustle and bustle of daily life on the water and riverbanks.

Moving towards our next destination, fascinating Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.  Phnom Penh’s streets bustle with charm, plentiful history, architecture, food and culture, all wrapped up in the hectic, vibrant atmosphere you’d expect from a major Asian city. 

We will conclude our adventure in Siem Reap where we explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Angkor.. Explore Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world in the light of early dawn, gaze into the stone faces carved at Bayon temple and walk through the jungle-choked temples at Ta Prohm.

Join us for our adventure and create some amazing memories with our Heart of the Mekong Tour.

TWIN SHARE - $ 2,900 AUD*

SINGLE ROOM - $ 3,600 AUD*

*Tour Price is land price only and does not include return airfares

This tour has an initial $500AUD deposit with the remainder to be paid 75 days prior to departure (1st November 2022). All payments made by Credit Card will incur a small processing fee.

Balance of monies can be made direct to the following bank account:

Name: Soul Sanctuary Retreats

BSB: 082-445

Account Number: 249497104

* Up until 75 days before the start of the tour a $500 non-refundable deposit will be retained.  

* For between 75 days and 45 days before the start of the tour, 50% of the final payment (including the non refundable deposit) will be forfeited.  

* For less than 45 days or for no shows the entire amount will be forfeited as we would have already had to pay for accommodation, transport and activities, and this money will not be returned to us.  

* Once the tour has commenced no monies will be returned to you.  

* Travel Insurance is compulsory. Guests must ensure that have appropriate Travel Insurance policies in place prior to departure. 

* You are responsible for checking all testing and proof of vaccination requirements for the airlines or vessel operator/s you travel with and all countries you travel to and transit through.  For more information refer to Smart Traveller website 

* This Tour requires a moderate level of fitness - there is walking, steep stairs, uneven roads and getting on & off boats.

* Sites are large and sometimes hot, you may need to walk several kilometres around a single site.  

Arrival 

Arrival is the 15th January 2023 to  Tan Son Nhat International Airport  Saigon. The Hotel is approximately 45 mins from Airport.

At the time of writing this there were a few airlines flying direct from Sydney to Ho Chi Min City/Saigon. 

Accommodation on Arrival : Edenstar Saigon Hotel

Address: 38 Bui Thi Xuan, Ben Thanh ward, Distric 1

Please note, there is no reason to arrive early for this trip as there are no planned activities on the first day. It has been included just for you to arrive and settle in.

Departure

Departure is from Siem Reap International airport.The airport is 30 mins from the hotel. Siem Reap International airport is small and easy to navigate

At the time of writing this there are currently no direct flights from Siem Reap to Australia. The return flight will require a stop in either Singapore/Kuala Lumpur, Saigon or Bangkok.

We welcome you at the airport and our driver will transfer you to our hotel.

I will meet you at the hotel to welcome you and help you check-in.

Today is a free day for you to settle in and either relax around the roof top pool or explore the streets around our hotel. 

Overnight in Saigon-Meals N/A

Accommodation: Edenstar Saigon Hotel

Address: 38 Bui Thi Xuan, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1

Please note - There is no need to arrive before the 15 January as there are no planned activities.

Today we depart our hotel for a full day city tour in Saigon.

First stop is the Reunification Palace. A unique construction designed for the President of the South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. When entering, visitors can not only admire the architecture but the manicured trees & gardens .

We stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post, both beautiful photo opportunities and to learn about how they came to be built in the city.

In the afternoon we will visit China Town and Binh Tay Markets- one of the biggest markets in Saigon. 

A visit to the 18th century Ba Thien Hau Chinese Temple, Hiding in the back streets this temple provides calmness and peace. 

Feel free to make a small donation, light a huge incense coil and watch the fragrant scent float upwards.

Dinner Location TBA

Overnight in Edenstar Saigon 

7am-730am Pickup at Hotel and transfer to Can Tho district. (*join in transfer)

1130am Boarding of Cruise vessel and check-in

12pm Panorama cruise and lunch on board approximately 1pm

4pm Guided Land excursion- walk in orchards and small local villages

530pm Return to boat for drinks and enjoy the sunset on top deck

7pm Dinner on board boat

Accommodation: Mekong Eyes Cruise 

7am Morning cruise and morning tea break served on board.

8am Checkout of cabin, excursion on rowing sampan to explore small canals, enjoy Don ca tai tu (Folk Music) and visit home-made handicrafts in villages on Ton Phong islet.

10am Bicycle ride on back roads or walk in a small village along the Mekong canals

11am Drive to Chau Doc ( shuttle bus service)

1230pm Lunch in Long Xuyen City

5pm Arrival in Chau Doc -Check in Hotel

Evening at free disposal

Night in hotel

Dinner Location TBA

Accommodation- Victoria Hotel Chau Doc

1 Le Loi Street, Chau Doc City

An Giang Province, Vietnam

7am - Departure on speedboat to Phnom Penh (snacks inc)

1pm-Arrival at Sisowath Quay International Port, Phnom Penh (arrival time may vary due to current immigration formalities)

Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia- The City retains its traditional Khmer and colonial styles with French villas & large tree lined streets.

After lunch will we transfer in private van to our hotel to check in

Dinner Location TBA

Accommodation: Frangipani Royal Palace 

Address: 27, street, 178 Sangkat Cheychumneas, Khan Daun Phnom Penh Cambodia

Today you will visit the most two important sites in the History of the Khmer Rouge, The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng.

Tuol Sleng was a high school prior to 1975, an interrogation prison known as S-21 during the Khmer Rouge era and today

it as a genocide museum. It tells the sad story of the thousands of innocent Cambodian people who were tortured on its

grounds. Walking through the narrow corridors and former classrooms of the buildings will give you an eerie feeling of

being part of Cambodia‟s turbulent past. 

While this experience may be sad, it is recommended to visit in order to truly understand the cruel methods of control the Khmer Rouge

implemented over the country. 

Continue to visit the Cheung Ek Killing Field, the peaceful stretch of green fields, Situated 17km from Phnom Penh town, Cheung Ek was

made famous by the movie “The Killing Fields”. Nowadays, a large memorial has been built to commemorate the 17,000

victims who died here under the reign of Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot. The remnants inside the memorial and the mass graves that dot the area remind you of the suffering of the victims. This journey into Cambodia's past will provide you with

a background on the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime. It will also give you an appreciation of the struggle that Cambodian people have faced and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation.

Lunch at Khmer Surin

We Visit Wat Phnom, set on top of a 27m-high tree-covered knoll, Wat Phnom is on the only "hill" in town. According to legend, the first pagoda on this site was erected in 1372 to house four statues of Buddha deposited here by the waters of the

Mekong River and discovered by Lady Penh. Hence the city was named Phnom Penh or "hill of Penh‟. 

After a peaceful walk around and inside the temple we will then move on and spend time looking through the bustling markets , Souvenir, clothing, homewares. 

A great location to practice your haggling ;)

If time permits- We will be Dropping  by  Connecting Hands/Daughters of Cambodia for coffee/stop. Here is the place where they provide vocational training and education to vulnerable Cambodian woman and children. 

Overnight at Frangipani Royal Palace Hotel

Dinner Location TBA

*** I understand that the morning History lesson may not suit everyone,  so the opportunity is there to sleep in, get a massage (self-pay) near our hotel and I will organise for you to meet us for lunch. 

After Breakfast at hotel, start leaving Phnom Penh the capital city to Siem Reap Province by road approximately 5-6 hours. Along the road, you can visit local houses, local peoples way of life, seasonal fresh fruit, foods and local handmade products. You may even see a basket or 3 of varying spiders, crickets and other creepy crawlies..... YES to eat.  BUT photos will do me ;) 

Lunch- Self pay at Restaurant (no spiders) 

Pickup Angkor Wat tickets- This is much easier to do at this time of day instead of 4am before our sunrise tour following day.

Arrive Siem Reap, Check in Hotel and refresh with a swim, a cocktail or little snooze  after a long drive.

Dinner location TBA

Accommodation: Treeline Urban Resort

Achasva St Wat Bo Village, Sala Kamroek Commune

Siem Reap Cambodia

Wake before sunrise this morning (430am) and make the 15-minute journey with your guide to Angkor Wat, a legendary UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Said by some to symbolize the soul of the Khmer people, the magnificent temple was built during the reign of King Suryavaman II in the early 12th century. Historians believe that many of the fascinating beliefs and stone carvings immortalize many of the mighty king‟s wars.

Images of Apsara dancers decorate the five famous towers which

replicate the universe according to Hindu mythology.

Your guide will take you to a serene viewpoint where you can experience the dramatic sunrise as the first rays of the day kiss the magnificent temple good morning. 

It is certainly one of the most unique places in the world for sunrise .

A breakfast box will be provided at the site.

After breakfast visit Angkor Wat Temple, one of the modern wonders of the world. 

Be amazed by the sheer size of the temple and learn how the Khmer Empire prospered between the 9th and 13th centuries, around the time when Angkor Wat was built.

Stroll through the intricately carved hallways that show hundreds of fine carvings and discover small shrines still in use today by the local people.

Then, visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort

of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. Top off the day with a visit to the Ancient Royal City's centrepiece; the Bayon temple.

* A water blessing by Buddhist monk can be performed, a donation of $10 USD.

 I had the chance recently and it was very special. You will definitely need a change of clothes as he leaves not one dot of dry skin or fabric spare in the blessing ;)

*Lunch will be self-pay at The Haven, 

The Haven is a training restaurant that creates new life prospects for under privileged young adults, teaching them quality work skills and valuable lessons

Afternoon free

Dinner location TBA

Overnight Treeline Urban Resort

7am,-  Today you will start with a short drive to Kampong Phluck, located a short drive away. Kampong Phluck is a permanent settlement on the Tonle Sap Lake with a small land based village attached to it.

Its remarkable mangrove forests is unique in the Siem Reap area. You will board a local boat and cruise the waterways observing the authentic and diverse

lifestyle of the local floating community.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Evening – Phare, Cambodia Circus (NO animals) – Dinner (self-pay) at night stalls Phare, Cambodia Circus . Circus starts at 7pm 

Dinner location TBA

Accommodation- Treeline Urban Resort

Free time until your transfer to airport for your departure flight.

Hotel Checkout is 12pm