On this tour you have more time to discover the sights of the Mekong Delta and enjoy the life on the river. You visit the famous floating market of Cai Rang . On several land excursions you have the chance to experience local handicraft production, colorful brick kilns, opulent orchards and peaceful villages. Take an excursion with a small rowing Sampan or a short bike trip to explore the small side canals of the mighty Mekong river.
This Mekong Delta river cruise is available with the wooden cruise vessels Mekong Eyes (14 cabins).
Our 3-day tours leave from Can Tho to Cai Be and back (on odd dates, e. g. Sept 1, 3, 5, 7 etc.) or from Cai Be to Can Tho and back (on even dates, e. g. Sept. 2, 4, 6, 8 etc.). If you are staying in Saigon, we will pick you up at your hotel (district 1 and parts of district 3) and take you back there after the end of the Mekong Delta cruise tour. The drive to / from Cai Be takes about 2 hours, to / from Can Tho approx. 4 hours. Daily departures. There are no set departures for the Gecko Eyes.
The itinerary
Day 1: Panorama River Cruise.
In the morning we pick you up at your hotel in Saigon and take you to Can Tho or Cai Be. You board your wooden river cruise vessel around noon. After a refreshing welcome drink we show you our on-board facilities and your cosy cabin. As lunch is served, the boat starts cruising. Sit back and watch the fantastic scenery and the daily life of the Mekong people.
In the afternoon you can disembark for a guided leisurely stroll through a village and the surrounding fruit orchards or rice fields. Meet the friendly locals and taste the local produce and fruits.
Get back on board and enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on deck as the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape of the Mekong river. The cruise boat will anchor for the night. The day ends with a delicious on-board dinner. You stay overnight on board your floating hotel in the Mekong Delta.
Meals: L, D
Day 2: Life on the water and floating markets.
Wake up well rested to the sound of the river and get ready for another exciting day of sightseeing in the Mekong Delta. At 6.30h the cruise vessel sets off for a sunrise cruise. Watch the locals go about their daily work drying exotic fruits and building ships on the wooden yards while enjoying an early breakfast.
After breakfast, we will board a sampan boat to Cai Rang floating market, the region’s busiest and most lively market. Marvel at the sheer abundance of exotic fruits and vegetables. We will pull up to the boats for talking and bargaining with the merchants. We will also visit some of the local candy and cake making factories or boat through the green water landscape to see local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards.
Later in the morning your can boat through the green water landscape on a little rowing sampan to see local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards. Alternatively you can discover the nearby town by foot or explore the small side canals of the Mekong river on a bicycle.
The cruise boat then resumes its journey as lunch is served. In the afternoon there will be another side trip to one of the exotic villages along the way.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: An exotic world of its own
After breakfast and an early start through the glorious morning atmosphere on the Mekong river we will visit another floating market. Be sure not to miss the great photo opportunities for authentic snapshots of the Mekong people and their life.
Take another sampan side trip right into the lush rural landscape, the fertile fields, the exuberant green. Then it’s time to pack up and return to the pier from which we started.
The Mekong Delta cruise boat tour ends at around 11.00 — 11.30h on the pier. On even dates, you will have lunch at the Mekong Rest Stop. On odd dates, lunch is served in Vinh Long City.
Meals: B, L
Please note that the above programme is for tour starts on even dates; if your tour starts on an odd date the programmes of day 2 and day 3 are exchanged.
Our tours include
Road transfer from / to Saigon (private transfer with j)
Accommodation in cosy double or twin bedded cabins
7 savoury meals
Mineral water placed in your cabin
Side trips on sampans as mentioned in the itineraries.
Drinks are not included in the price (except the mineral water in your cabin and tea/coffee).
Route and excursions may be subjects to changes without prior notice.