The Majestic Mekong with AmaWaterways
Photo: Mekong and Cambodia
Cruise the Mekong River along this fabled waterway through Vietnam and Cambodia, gliding past flourishing forests, lush green hills and colorful stilt houses. Our river cruise and land experiences also allow you to witness the majesty of breathtaking sites such as the Angkor Archaeological Complex, Ha Long Bay and even Bangkok’s Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Inclusions:
Spacious staterooms
- 7 nights luxury accommodation in a twin-balcony stateroom
- Flat-panel screen that features in-house movies
- Desk and sitting area
- Bottled water replenished daily
An array of amenities
- Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs
- Sun deck with pool
- Fitness room and three spas
- Saigon Lounge with panoramic views and bar
- Daily entertainment including cultural performances
Award-winning 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
A world of exploration
- Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways
- Immersive tours in every destination
- Knowledgeable guides
- Personal headset for easy exploration
- Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options
Photo: Map of the itinerary
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho
Transfer via motorcoach from Ho Chi Minh City to AmaDara at My Tho Port for your 7night river cruise and then meet fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be.
Day 2: Cai Be - Sa Dec
Take a local boat to Cai Be. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, or you may also choose to add an active walking tour to the historic Kiet House followed by a visit to candy and rice paper workshops. Later in the day, journey to Sa Dec, a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta, where French writer Marguerite Duras spent part of her youth. You will visit the colorful market, Cao Dai Temple, home to the unique religion of Caodaism in Southern Vietnam. It is a fusion of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Confucianism.
Day 3: Tan Chau - border cruising
Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. Be treated to an authentic experience on a traditional “xeloi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silkmaking and rattan mat workshops. You may also choose the trishaw ride with visits to craftsmen’s workshops, followed by an active walking tour to “Evergreen Island.” As a third alternative available on select sailings, transfer to breathtaking Tram Chim National Park, then travel by sampan alongside an intimate group, gliding through the Inland Waterways nestled inside this stunning biodiversity preserve. Spanning more than 850 hectares, the ecological oasis encompasses over 130 types of flora, a lush green forest, tranquil mangroves, and more than 100 avian species, including the elusive redheaded sarus crane. Later in the day, cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh.
Day 4: Phnom Penh
This morning, you will visit the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. Alternatively, you may wish to shop for unique treasures at the bustling, yellow colored Central Market after you visit to Royal Palace. After lunch on board, the excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge.
Day 5: Oudong - Kampongtralach - Phnom Penh
Visit 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. You may walk around Oudong’s monastery or take an active walking tour to see panoramic views of the Oudong plain. In Kampong Tralach, you will have a truly authentic excursion – an oxcart ride through a local village. Later in the day, experience Phnom Penh via a tuk ride and be enchanted by the city's French Colonial architecture and treelined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian.
Day 6: Oknhatey Village
In the morning, set sail for Oknhatey Village. Oknhatey is the “Silk Island,” located on the lush banks of the Mekong River and known for its rich tradition of silk weaving. While here, you will visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving, an art that has been preserved for centuries. Your cruise continues to sail to Angkor Ban.
Day 7: Ankgor Ban - Kampong Cham
Go on a walking tour of 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 ongoing of the local villagers. After visiting here, the ship sets sail for Kampong Cham, where you will go on an afternoon excursion to Wat Nokor, perhaps the most treasured monument within the ancient complex of Banteay Prey Nokor. Fusing the OldWorld with the “new,” this centuriesold temple now boasts a contemporary pagoda within its walls inside which you will delight in the colorful depictions of Buddha’s life. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board.
Day 8: Kampong Cham - Siem Reap
Your cruise concludes in Kampong Cham, where you disembark and motorcoach transfer to Siem Reap.
