MEKONG RIVER CRUISE - Sunspot Tours
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YOUR TOUR DOSSIER
MEKONG RIVER CRUISE
TRIP OVERVIEW
Journey along one of the world’s greatest rivers, the mighty Mekong - discovering a land of forgotten temples, enigmatic cities and emerald
green landscapes. Cruising in comfort through Cambodia and Vietnam, our 14 day itinerary leads you on an unforgettable voyage from the
ancient beauty of Siem Reap and the legendary Angkor Wat, to the dynamic and vibrant city of Saigon.
ITINERARY & DETAILS
This document aims to give you all the information that you require for a smooth DAY 7: Mekong Cruise B/L/D
and comfortable trip to the Mekong. Please take the time to read this dossier After breakfast, transfer for a tour of the historical capital of Phnom Penh. Begin
to familiarise yourself with all the aspects of our tour. It includes important at the dazzling edifice of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda then enjoy a
information such as flight details, visa requirements and travel insurance. Your local lunch.
included meal guide:
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner DAY 8: Mekong Cruise B/L/D
Sail along the Mekong Channel into Vietnam. Arrive in the early afternoon to Chau
DAY 1: UK to Siem Reap Doc, a charming oldfashioned fishing and farming town situated in the heart of a
Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia, gigantic grid of rice fields where floating farms overspill into the waters.
via Singapore.
DAY 9: Mekong Cruise B/L/D
DAY 2: Siem Reap L/D This morning’s excursion is to the charming colonial town of Sa Dec for a guided
On arrival in Siem Reap, you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you sightseeing tour. Famous for its beautiful flower gardens, the small, sleepy town is
will have the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore the area. truly a hidden gem in the Mekong Delta. Passing authentic markets and examples
of colonial architecture you will return to your ship in time for lunch. After lunch,
DAY 3: Siem Reap B/L/D cruise toward Vinh Long where hundreds of boats criss-cross in all directions
A full day tour of the ancient ruins in the Angkor area starts at the South Gate between houses on stilts. This afternoon, the cruise will arrive in the atmospheric
of Angkor Thom, famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. town of Cai Be where you will start your tour at the busy, vivid, floating market
Explore the impressive Bayon temple with its countless sculptural decorations where around 500 boats filled with fruits and vegetables are brought by locals to
before continuing to the famous Angkor Wat. Constructed in the 12th century trade along the network of rivers.
and covering an area of around 210 hectares, this architectural masterpiece
contains pavilions, courtyards and large ponds reflecting the towering temple. DAY 10: Mekong Cruise B/L/D
The nearby jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight with Today you will transfer to a small boat and visit the near-by islands of My Tho.
enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers growing through the structure’s stone Visit a beekeeping farm and experience its honey tea and exotic fruits. After
foundations. Return to your hotel after dinner at a local restaurant. dinner, the evening is at leisure.
DAY 4: Siem Reap to Mekong Cruise B/L/D DAY 11: Mekong Cruise B/L/D
This morning you will transfer to Tonlé Sap, a designated UNESCO Biosphere. Enjoy a city tour of Ho Chi Minh, visit the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame
Containing more fish than any other lake in the world, it is also home to an cathedral and Central Post office. After lunch in the afternoon, visit the National
incredible variety of birds including many rare and endangered species of storks, History museum and explore Ben Thanh markets at leisure. Return to the ship for
ibises and cranes. Here you will board your cruise ship, which will be your home a farewell cocktail and gala dinner. After dinner, the evening is at leisure.
for the next seven nights. The French colonial style vessel oozes the elegance
of the Art Nouveau period in Paris and offers unrivalled comfort and luxury on DAY 12: Mekong Cruise to Saigon B/L/D
board. As the cruise begins, take the afternoon to relax as you meander through After breakfast, disembark to devote the morning to explore Cholon, Vietnams
the waters. The ship will moor overnight on the lake where you will experience the largest Chinatown. After lunch, use the afternoon to explore Cholon at leisure.
stillness of the surroundings, lit by the moon and the radiance of the stars. Later, bid farewell to the ship and transfer to your hotel in Saigon.
DAY 5: Mekong Cruise B/L/D DAY 13: Saigon B/L/D
After breakfast, spend the morning cruising towards Kampong Chhnang, one of This morning travel to the underground village of Cu Chi and discover the
the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap. Taste the region’s famed palm sugar incredible and complex underground network of tunnels, stretching for 200
before touring around the village on board small local boats. Later, return to the kilometres, where the Viet Cong lived and fought during the war. Enjoy the
ship to continue to Kampong Tralach. afternoon at leisure.
DAY 6: Mekong Cruise B/L/D DAY 14: Saigon to the UK or Extension B
Start today by enjoying a short ox-cart ride to reach a beautiful pagoda amidst Today is left to explore at leisure before transferring to the airport for your flight
magnificent landscapes of rice fields. In the afternoon, embark on a trip to the back to the UK, via Singapore or continue on to your Singapore extension.
little-known copper making village of Koh Chen where residents have been
perfecting a craft handed down over generations. In the evening, enjoy a
traditional dance show and dinner on board.
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MEKONG RIVER CRUISE TOUR DOSSIER
ACCOMMODATION DETAILS & MAP
• Siem Reap
<
Mekong Cruise Information 2 1 Number of nights
The ship used for the Mekong Cruise is the RV Indochine (operated by
1 Tonlé Sap
<
Croisieurope), which is of a 4★ standard. Made entirely of exotic wood
panelling in a colonial style, the Indochine Ship combines charm and comfort.
All cabins have an en suite bathroom, air-conditioning, hairdryer, bathrobes,
towels, sandals and a safety deposit box. There are 3 decks on the ship: a Cambodia
Main Deck, Upper Deck and Sun Deck. Drinks included whilst on board are Asia
local beer and soft drinks, house branded spirits, bottled water and tea and
coffee. Other spirits, liquors, wines and coffees are available at a supplement.
Kampong 1
Hotel information
Tralach • Koh Chen
2 Phnom Penh
Siem Reap (2 nights): 4★ Tara Angkor Vietnam
Address: Charles De Gaulle, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Contact number: 00855 63 966 661 Cu Chi•
Saigon
Coach 4
Saigon (2 nights): 4★ Golden Central Hotel
•
Address: 140 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Saigon
Boat 1 Cai Be
Contact number: 0084 838 270 666 Sa Dec• 1 My
Tho
Accommodation Meals
All accommodation is 4★ and features an en suite bathroom, air-conditioning/ Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning.
heating, TV and coffee making facilities. Sunspot Tours has visited and inspected Lunch and dinner where stated will be taken in local Vietnamese restaurants.
all of the hotels to ensure that they meet the high standards of service which we During your cruise breakfast, lunch and dinner will be taken in the restaurant on
require for our clients. If the hotels detailed are not available, alternatives will be board the ship and complimentary local spirits, beer and soft drinks are
used of a similar standard. also included (Not included on the land portion).
Please note: the hotels listed are provided for guidance only and final
confirmation of your accommodation will be sent in a document, along
with your final flight information, approximately 10 days before you travel.
ON YOUR ARRIVAL
On your arrival in Siem Reap you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Lac Viet Travel, holding a sign displaying: “Sunspot Tours”.
The Sunspot Tours/Lac Viet Travel representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your guide will be able to answer any queries. However, if you need to contact
your agent during your land stay the details are:
Lac Viet Travel (LV) Head Office, Hanoi Please find below the emergency contact details for Croisieurope, should you
Floor 18, VTC Online Building, need assistance during your cruise
No 18, Tam Trinh Str, Hai Ba Trung District, • E-Mail: indochine@croisieurope.com
Hanoi, Vietnam • Cambodian number: 00855 98 67 73 87
Telephone: 0084 439 413 748 • Vietnamese number: 0084 916 58 59 61
Emergency contact information
Please find below the emergency contact details for LV Travel: Please find below the emergency contact details while in Siem Reap
Contact Telephone number Mona Neto: 00855 77 391 182
Ms Anna Hanh 0084 983 096 032 Cambodia: 0085 51 722 2696
Mr Lee 0084 989 200 116
Office 0084 243 941 3750
WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR TOUR
Visas your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote
Until 30th June 2021, a visa is not required for stays up to 15 days. From the 1st July ‘WK830’ for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of
2021 and for stays longer than 15 days, a visa is required for entry into Vietnam. your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as
You can apply for an e-visa online at https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. soon as possible. Sunspot Tours will not be liable for any costs incurred by you
The cost of the visa is approximately USD$25 and will take roughly 3 working days. due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
Alternatively, we work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to
arrange your visa for you on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and Health and Vaccinations
quote “Sunspot Tours”. The cost of the visa is £105. The visas take around 10 It is your responsibility to check any health & vaccination requirements applicable
working days to issue and are only valid for 3 months from the date of entry. We to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this.
therefore recommend that you apply for your visa 8 weeks before travel, however Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You
please be aware that your passport will be required for the application so make should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time
sure that you will not need it during this time. You can also visit the Embassy of before your departure. Sources of information include; www.travelhealthpro.org.uk,
Vietnam in London: 12-14 Victoria Road, London, W8 5RD. This visa information www.fco.gov.uk, www.hpa. org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
is a guide line only and is subject to change; up-to-date information regarding the
process and fees will be advised at the time of calling the Travel Visa Company. If Physical Accessibility
you have booked the Temples of Cambodia extension following your tour, you will This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal
need to purchase a visa for Cambodia costing USD $30 on arrival at the airport in mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some
Siem Reap. Please note that you will be required to bring a passport photo with climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not
you as well as USD $30 cash in order to apply for your visa on arrival in Cambodia. suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
Insurance Group Size
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum
insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you will be 45. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your
must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to
insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate
undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a
have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
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MEKONG RIVER CRUISE TOUR DOSSIER
Tour Guides dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases,
This is a fully escorted tour with a dedicated tour director throughout as well as such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately
local guides ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge throughout. £300-£400 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour.
Tipping Credit card information
It is customary to tip your guide and driver; please allow approximately £2-£4 As normal practice you will be asked for your credit card details on check-in at
(US $3-6) per person per day for the guide and £3.50 (US $5) per person per the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have
day for the driver. a credit card you may be asked for a cash deposit. American Express, Diners
Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels.
Currency Exchange
The currency in Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel (KHM). We recommend that Itinerary Changes
you take some US Dollars (USD) with you and exchange this currency whilst you Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however order
are travelling. The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong, known as VND. of events & sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational
You can exchange your currency in Vietnam, however US Dollars are widely purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to
accepted in Vietnam should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only.
Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed
Personal Expenses of them. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any lunches and driving times.
WHAT TO PACK
• Sunscreen and hat in summer • An electric plug converter - the electricity in Vietnam/Cambodia is 220-240 V.
• Comfortable walking shoes You will need a 2 round pin plug or 2 flat pin plug adapter
• Camera and charger • Personal first aid kit containing travel pills, rehydration powder, plasters,
• Loo paper for public WCs stomach settlers, antiseptic creams, aspirin etc
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Your flight is to Siem Reap and returning from Saigon with Singapore Airlines (SQ) via Singapore, departing from London Heathrow Terminal 2.
IMPORTANT: Final flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you
approximately 10 days before departure.
Baggage Allowance Airport Extras
Baggage allowance (per person): Each passenger is entitled to 30kg of hold If you wish to arrange airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates,
luggage. Hand luggage: One piece not exceeding 7Kg and with maximum total we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras
dimensions not exceeding 115 cm (56 cm x 36cm x 23 cm). Should you wish to - Tel. 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313.
take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Weather can vary quite considerably throughout the year, so please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.
Average temperature: Siem Reap Average temperature: Saigon
Average temperature: Oudong Average temperature: Tan Chau
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YOUR TOUR DOSSIER
SINGAPORE CITY STAY
If you have not yet booked this fabulous extension, there is still time to do so, please contact your local agent
TRIP OVERVIEW
Explore this lush, vibrant and modern city with 4 nights in one of our centrally located hotels. With a fascinating mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian
and Western cultures, Singapore offers something for everyone. Experience mouth-watering food at one of the local hawker centres or splash
out at one of many stylish shops and treat yourself to a Singapore Sling at the famous Raffles Hotel. However, Singapore is not all about
shopping and eating. Minutes away from the centre you can find outdoor activities, a contemporary art scene as well as sparkling
reservoirs and green forests - the ‘Lion City’ will not disappoint.
ITINERARY & DETAILS
This document aims to give you all the information which you will require Visas
during your Singapore extension. All UK passport holders do not require a visa for a stay of less than 1 month, if
they have a passport valid for at least 6 months upon entry, a confirmed onward
Hotel return ticket and sufficient funds for their stay in Singapore.
Your stay in Singapore will take place at the 4★ York Hotel on Bed & Breakfast.
Conveniently located next to the main shopping and entertainment belt of Tour Guides
Orchard Road. This property benefits from large superior and deluxe rooms Your stay in Singapore is not escorted by a tour guide. However, all internal
that offer ultimate comfort and relaxation. transfers are included.
Hotel information: 21 Mt Elizabeth, Singapore 228516.
Telephone: 0065 6737 0511 Currency Exchange
The currency in Singapore is the Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Personal Expenses
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any meals not Please note
included, drinks and personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry and snacks. This extension takes place after your main tour.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Weather can vary quite considerably throughout the year, so please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below.
4★ York Hotel
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Please note: Final hotel and flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure.
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