DECEMBER TRIP 3

December 2-December 17: Mekong River Expedition

16 days - 15 nights Pakse (Laos) - 4000 Islands - Preah Rumkel Commune - Flooded Forests - Stung Treng - SeSan and Sekong Rivers - Dolphins Trail - Koh Roughiv Island - 100 Pillar Wat - Kratie - Koh Trong Island - Silk Islands - Phnom Penh - Chau Doc (Vietnam) - Delta - Can Tho - Saigon (HCMC)

Highlights: Mekong Wetlands, Mekong Dolphins, Waterfalls, Remote River Islands

Activities: Kayaking, Cycling, Hiking

Price: Please Ask

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Pakse, Laos. Transfer to 4000 Islands.

Day 2 Free day at 4000 Islands.

Day 3 Travel the impassable section of the Mekong to the Don Khone Falls, then by boat to Preah Rumkel Commune in Cambodia.

Day 4 Hike up a mountain overlooking the vast Mekong at the point where it stretches out across numerous channels and cascading falls. Combine a boat trip and hiking to reach a scenic swimming area with clear water.

Day 5 Travel by boat to the village of O Sway at the northern most end of the Mekong wetlands. From there, begin a full-day kayaking trip down river through the Mekong's unique flooded forests. Many varieties of birds live in these forests. Picnic lunch en route provided. Arrive at a nature lodge overlooking the river in the late afternoon/evening.

Day 6 Begin cycling in the morning on a side trip exploring the Sekong and Se San Rivers. Enjoy a picnic lunch on a scenic island, explore the rivers by boat and return by car in the afternoon. Free time to explore Stung Treng town before returning to the nature lodge.

Day 7 Leave Stung Treng by bicycle along a scenic river route, passing through villages and having opportunities to visit a temple, a school and scenic river views, then begin kayaking down the Mekong, stopping en route at sandy river islands and viewing rare freshwater Mekong River Dolphins before enjoying a riverside picnic lunch. After lunch, continue by boat through a remote section of the river to Cambodia's largest island in the Mekong, where we will set up camp.

Day 8 Cycle the length of the island along tough tracks and enjoy the remote scenic beauty of being in the center of the Mekong. Pass through forests and farms before arriving at a village near the south end of the island. Homestay at the village.

Day 9 Travel by boat to the ancient riverside archeological site of Sambor, then begin cycling along the river route, stopping to visit the 100 Pillars Pagoda and Sambok mountain as well as a boat trip through the dolphin pools before arriving in Kratie, a French colonial town, just in time for sunset over the river. Overnight at a comfortable riverside hotel.

Day 10 Sleep in late. In the afternoon, cross by ferry to scenic Koh Trong Island and explore the are by bicycle. Day 11 Transfer by car to south of Kompong Cham and board a ferry boat to cross to the Silk Islands. Enjoy a picnic and swim at a sandy beach on the tip of the northern-most island, then begin cycling across the island, stopping along the way to visit an island pagoda and local silk weaving communities before crossing to the smaller silk island and then again by ferry to the quiet east bank of the Mekong. Cycle through farms and villages, stopping along the way to explore before arriving at a floating fishing village, where we will board a ferry and cross through the Four Rivers to Phnom Penh. Riverside hotel.

Day 12 Free day in Phnom Penh. Choice to tour the sights, including the Killing Fields Memorial, etc.

Day 13 Depart by passenger boat to Chau Doc. Overnight at a riverside hotel.

Day 14 Travel by comfortable passenger cruise boat through the delta, connecting to the delta town of Can Tho. Overnight at a riverside hotel.

Day 15 Transfer to Saigon. Free afternoon to explore the city.

Day 16 Transfer to Airport or onward destination.

Price:

Price Includes: -Comfortable hotel with A/C, Cable TV and additional amenities. -Entrance tickets to all sites visited. -All transportation, transfers and private guides. -All equipment. -Some meals.

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