3-day Mekong Delta River Tour
On this tour you have more time to discover the sights of the Mekong Delta and enjoy the river life. You can visit the famous floating markets of Cai Rang. On several land excursions you have the chance to see 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 exclusive Dragon Eyes (2 cabins) and the private house boat Gecko Eyes. Daily departures possible.
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.
If you book this tour on our Gecko Eyes house boat, you will visit the forest of Xeo Quyt on the first day. During the Vietnam war this jungle was the headquarters of the local partisans. During rainy season when the water levels are high enough you can explore the labyrinth by rowing sampan. In the afternoon you will visit the small and charming town of Sa Dec.
Meals: L, D
Day 2: Life on the water or 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.
Dragon Eyes boat on odd days: After breakfast, we will board a sampan boat to Cai Rang floating market, the region’s busiest and most lively markets. On even dates, you will explore the small channels of the mekong delta around Cai Be with a small sampan or by foot. 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.
Gecko Eyes: visit of the morning market in Sa Dec. If you like you can go shopping with the chef and take part in a cooking lesson on board. Once the boat resumes its journey, you travel through small channels towards Can Tho (or Cai Be). In the afternoon there is the option of a land excursion either by bicycle or on foot and visit of a small village, a stroll through orchards, or a cooking class.
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. In Can Tho we will visit the floating market of Cai Rang. In Cai Be will will explore the delta by foot or with a small sampan. 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 your transfer back to Saigon we stop at a restaurant in Vinh Long.
Meals: B, L
Price per person in a double or twin cabin:
| Boat | Tour Code | Low season (April — September) |
Peak season (October — March) |
|
| Dragon Eyes | SGN-3-DE | US$ 501 | US$ 654 |
Enquiry |
| Gecko Eyes | SGN-3-GE | US$ 784 |
US$ 939 | Enquiry |
Our tours include
- Road transfer from / to Saigon (private transfer with Gecko Eyes)
- Accommodation in cosy double or twin bedded cabins
- 7 savoury meals
- Mineral water placed in your cabin
- Free flow of coffee and tea
- Side trips on sampans as mentioned in the itineraries.
Exclusions
- Drinks (except for breakfast and the mineral water in your cabin and tea/coffee)
- Tips
- Private transfers are included for Gecko Eyes passengers; for passengers on Dragon Eyes private transfers are available for US$ 45 per person
Route and excursions may be subjects to changes without prior notice.
Details of the routes and tour activities are for reference only. Final confirmation will be sent upon booking. If you book through an agent, please contact your agent for the final confirmation of tour routes and activities.