Mekong Insight with Classic Oriental Tours

3rd August, 2002: Get an insight into the Mekong with Classic Oriental Tours. Over the past 16 years, Classic Oriental Tours has built an enviable reputation as a premium Asian tour operator offering the largest and most comprehensive range of tours for travellers seeking scenic, cultural and historical delights in exotic locations.

Classic Oriental Tour�s Mekong Insight tour covers the following itinerary:

Day one Day one starts with a three hour drive to Cai Be with a stop en-route at a Bonsai Garden for a tea break. In Cai Be you�ll board a motorised boat to visit the popcorn cake, rice paper making family, before visiting the floating markets of Cai Be.

Next you�ll continue by boat towards Vinh Long province to see the diverse fish traps and learn a kind of lazy fishing. After cruising along the small shady canals we step ashore and watch a music show of the Mekong culture.

After that, we�ll take a walk for about half an hour to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the country side. Next stop is a longan garden to take a rest on a hammock by the river. After our rest, we�ll board the boat and head towards the brick and pottery factories. We�ll return to our car at about 4pm and drive to Can Tho.

Upon arrival in Can Tho, we�ll take a 20 minute orientation drive through the city. Then transfer to the hotel, Victoria Can Tho, which is set in magnificent gardens situated on the banks of the Hua River. You�ll also be able to enjoy dinner at the Nam Bo restaurant.

Day two Board the Vo Lai boat for a two hour cruise to visit the two big floating markets in Cai Rang and Phong Dien with a stop at a noodle making factory, you will also visit a rice husking mill.

Next, we�ll drive to Soc Trang to visit the Khmer Temple and the Khmer Museum, the Bat and Clay pagoda. After that we�ll continue to the famous stork sanctuary in Thot Not-Bang Lang, a unique and protected area in the Mekong River. Continue to Long Zuyen for a short city tour. Then we�ll drive to Chau Doc for the night where you�ll stay at Victoria Chau Doc, which is situated right on the banks of the Bassac River.

Day three In the morning we�ll do a city tour of Chau Doc including the historical Tuc Dup Hill. Tuc Dup is a highly demanding rock climb but really worth contemplating. Your walk up the hill will lead you to the headquarter cave, the lady cave, the meeting room etc., which were used as hideouts for the leaders of Mekong provinces and guerrillas. Outside the caves is a fantastic view of the green rice fields of the local Khmer Vietnamese people.

Next we�ll drive to Sam Mountain to visit famous Cavern Pagoda, perching in the middle of the mountain with an unforgettable view of imposing mountain ranges and the Cambodian border. The rest of day is free to spend as you wish, you may choose to view the sunset from the summit of Sam Mountain. We�ll have dinner at the hotel, Victoria Chau Doc.

Day four We�ll start the day with a morning cruise from Con Thien ferry quay to visit the floating fish farms, floating village and a visit to the Cham community who make a living mostly by making hand-woven sarongs and turbans. Next we�ll proceed to a mosque where the Cham children learn Arabic inside the grounds of a Cham Pagoda. Finally we�ll drive to Saigon to the airport to depart.

The tour includes accommodation as specified, two dinners, transfers as per itinerary, all sightseeing with English speaking guides.

Classic Oriental�s flexible approach to travel has made it a favourite among a variety of travellers by presenting clients with a broad selection of touring options ranging from backpacker style journeys through to luxury holidays.

Classic Oriental Tours website address is www.classicoriental.com.au or please freecall 1300 302 118 for more information.

ENDS For more information: Rachel White Group Communications Manager The Travel Corporation Phone 02 9028 5035 Email: rachel.white@travelcorporation.com.au