Pick you up at hotel in Saigon. Upon embarkation, clients are welcomed with fresh rolled cotton towels. The program will start with the visit of Cai Be colorful floating market cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. Further, a visit will be done at an ancient Mandarin house dating from the 19th century where you will be greeted by the family. We will proceed to Phu An, an untouched remote area reflecting some of the best sights the Mekong Delta can offer. On the way, an optional stop can be made at local home factories where you can see how rice paste and rice popcorn are made. A delicious lunch will be served at Le Longanier, a superb Indochinese villa located in a lush tropical plantation, by the river. (*) Set menu lunch: Vegetable Soup, Le Longanier Fried Spring rolls, Fried Mekong Elephant Ear Fish, Fried Mixed Vegetables with Pork, Caramelized Pork in Clay Pot, Seasonal Fresh Fruits. (For other menus, please contact us. After lunch, your sampan will cruise deeper into the country side on smaller canals and arroyos passing under several small traditional bridges made by wood and bamboos. Stops can be made during the cruise to visit some fruit markets and plantations on the banks (bananas, water melon, and longans), an opportunity to make contacts with local inhabitants. Along the river, local houses are still traditionally made of wood and palm tree leaves. On the river banks, you will observe some very large rice fields while cruising between numerous suspended fishing nets, an ancestral way of fishing in the Mekong Delta. The cruise will end at around 3pm at Phu Nhuan Bridge near Cai Lay. (*) An optional bicycle tour can be arranged on the banks, through the country side.Transfer back to Saigon City. End of service. During the cruise, fresh cotton towels, hot green tea, mineral water and exotic seasonal fruits will be served on board free of charge.
The "Cai Be Princess" are exclusive river Junks operating in the Mekong Delta. It is a good choice for whom more focus in ultimate privacy and still enjoy the traditional design style whilst the other cruising options fill up.
Let’s join us for boating down the Mekong River to explore lively floating markets with an abundance of colorful fresh fruits and vegetables.
Also take a glimpse into the agricultural, rural life of people at the delta region, visiting local home workshops that produce various products from rice and coconut. Cai Be Princess is a great way to glimpse the Delta scenery and life -in style and comfort.
Descriptions
Sampans "Cai Be Princess" (I, II, III, IV, V):
Capacity 30 pax / Dimensions: 13m long x 2.8m wide / ideal for small groups or individual travellers - Daily Private chartered cruises (no join-in) from 1 up to 3 days (with overnight at local houses).
Sampans "Mekong Princess" (I & II)
Capacity 45 pax / Dimensions: 15m long x 3m wide / ideal for groups, equipped with toilets on board - Daily Private chartered Cruises (special itineraries possible on request).
Cruise Features:
In this respect, Mekong Horizon has developped a range of products, activities and projects that:
- Minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts.
- Generates economic benefits for local people, enhances the community and improves working conditions. Involves local people in the decision-making process.
- Contributes to the conservation of the environment and cultural heritage.
- Provides an enjoyable tourism experience and opportunity for tourists to meet locals.
- Provides tourists with a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues. Provides access for physically challenged tourists.
- Promotes respect between tourists and hosts, while building locals’ confidence.
Today, the company operates an own-built flottila of 11 boats with designs and styles reflecting true authentic ancient "sampans", using materials such as rattan, bamboo and exotic wood.