Riches of the Mekong
8 Day River Cruise
Cruise along the Mekong through Cambodia and Vietnam as you are transported back in time to another era, where the rhythms of the countryside move at a slower pace and allow for a fascinating glimpse into a traditional way of life. Visit rural villages, colorful markets and a monastery, where you will receive a special Buddhist blessing by monks. Delve into the peaks and valleys of Cambodia’s history in the Royal Palace and National Museums of its beautiful capital, Phnom Penh. Witness skilled artisans who create exquisite handicrafts and delicacies, and be treated to authentic experiences, including rides via oxcart, tut tut and trishaw. On this transformative journey, the Mekong truly reveals a vibrant world along its shores.
Countries: Cambodia, Vietnam
River(s): Mekong
Pricing
River cruise starting at $3,442* CAD per person, based on double occupancy
8 Days – Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
Your stateroom includes
- 7 nights luxury accommodation in a twin-balcony stateroom
- Flat-panel screen that features in-house movies
- Mini-fridge, desk and sitting area
- Bottled water replenished daily
Onboard amenities
- Sun deck with pool
- Fitness room and three spas
- Saigon Lounge with panoramic views and bar
- Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
- Daily entertainment including cultural performances
Dining
- All onboard dining in a variety of venues
- Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients
- The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant
- Welcome Cocktail and Dinner
- Unlimited wine with lunch and dinner
- Complimentary local beer, house-brand spirits and soft drinks during cruise
- Snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
Excursions
- Immersive tours in every destination
- Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options
- Knowledgeable guides
- Personal headset for easy exploration
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
Siem Reap – Kampong Cham, Cambodia
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
Description
Excursion: Phnom Pros & Phnom Srei “Twin Mountain” visit
Transfer via motorcoach from Siem Reap to the AmaDara in Kampong Cham for your seven-night cruise. Your afternoon excursion takes you to the Twin Mountains, known as Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (male and female mountains). In the annals of Khmer legend, the twin mountains were formed as the result of a competition between the men and women of an ancient Cambodian kingdom to resolve which gender would be responsible for wedding proposals. As the story goes, the women lit a fire at night, which made the men believe the sun was rising. As a result, the men stopped working and the women won the competition. Thus, men still need to ask the women’s parents for permission and Phnom Srei is higher than Phnom Pros. Later, join fellow guests for an evening Welcome Dinner.
Accommodation: 7 nights aboard the AmaDara
AmaDara features spacious staterooms and suites all of which have private twin balconies. Public areas include two stylish restaurants, an inviting lounge, a fitness room, hair salon, three spas and a refreshing Sun Deck swimming pool.
Day 2
Angkor Ban – Oknhatey
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Excursions
Ankgor Ban: Walking tour
Oknhatey Village: Visit Silk Village and local school
During the morning, go on a walking tour to Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Here people still live in their traditional wooden abodes and keep their old cultural traditions alive. Hundreds of wooden houses stand intact on stilts, shaded with banana trees, among the hustle and bustle of the daily agricultural on-going of the local villagers.
After visiting here, the ship sails to Oknhatey or “Silk Island,” located on the lush banks of the Mekong River. This island is known for its rich tradition of silk weaving. While here, you’ll visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving that have been preserved for centuries. Your ship moors in Oknhatey village.
Day 3
Oudong – Kampong Tralach – Phnom Penh
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Excursions
Oudong: Buddhist Blessing Ceremony
Kampong-Tralach: Oxcart ride
Phnom Penh: Tuk tuk orientation tour
Your cruise continues to sail to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The morning excursion takes you to Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital from the early 17th century until 1866. Today, Oudong is a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. While here, be treated to a memorable Buddhist Blessing Ceremony at a monastery.
After visiting Oudong, be treated to a truly authentic excursion, an oxcart ride through a local village Kampong Tralach. Later in the day, experience Phnom Penh via a tuk tuk ride and be enchanted by the city’s French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture.
After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge.
Day 4
Phnom Penh
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Excursions
Phnom Penh: Killing Fields and Genocide Museum OR Central Market
Phnom Penh: Royal Palace and National Museum
This morning’s excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). Alternatively, you may wish to shop for unique treasures at the bustling yellow-colored Central Market.
After lunch on board, you’ll explore the highlights of the city, followed by a visit to the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts.
Day 5
Phnom Penh – Tan Chau, Vietnam
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the day cruising the Mekong River as your ship crosses the border into Vietnam.
Day 6
Tan Chau – Sa Dec
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Excursions: Trishaw ride to craftsmen’s workshops Or Local village
Visit Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. You will have the opportunity to enjoy an authentic experience via a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops, followed by a boat ride through the narrow channels of the Mekong River to “Evergreen Island.”
Alternatively, take a boat ride to Evergreen Island and return to Tan Chau, where you will visit a rattan mat workshop. Later in the day, cruise to Sa Dec.
Day 7
Sa Dec – Xeo Quyt – Cai Be
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Excursions
Sa Dec: Local boat ride to Sa Dec & Visit local market
Xeo Quyt: Xeo Quyt excursion and ecological site
Cai Be: Visit local workshops and historic Kiet Old House
Once ashore in Sa Dec, tour the town where French writer Marguerite Duras spent many years in her youth. Visit a colorful local market and the 19th-century house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour, on whom her prize-winning novel “The Lover” is said to be based.
Later, board a motorcoach for Xeo Quyt, once used as a military base during the French war and now an important ecological site. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, and the historic Kiet Old House.
In Cai Be, cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board.
Day 8
My Tho – Ho Chi Minh City
Breakfast
Your cruise concludes in My Tho Port, where you’ll disembark and transfer via motorcoach from My Tho Port to Ho Chi Minh city.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “Riches of the Mekong” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
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*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.