Cruise on an Exclusive Charter
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This journey into the heart of Southeast Asia centres around the mighty Mekong River which you explore from the comfort of a bijou boutique river cruiser gaining you access to the smaller, lesser visited sights along this extraordinary waterway. Discover serene Buddhist temples and ancient World Heritage listed sites, spirit houses and stupas and travel like the locals do by cyclo, sampan, tuk-tuk and trishaw. Hear from experts about the history, ancient and modern, which has shaped these friendly countries and meet the people who make them tick.
Highlights
- Cruise for seven nights on an exclusive charter of 24-guest ‘Mekong Princess,’ a luxurious, boutique river cruiser, accompanied throughout by an A&K Resident Tour Director
- Gain deeper insight into Southeast Asia’s varied, intertwined river cultures through interactions with local villagers, families in their homes and monks in ancient pagodas
- Explore magnificent Angkor Wat at sunset, with an expert guide at your side
- Uncover some of the more uncomfortable chapters of Cambodian history at the killing fields near Phnom Penh
- Visit colourful local markets and interact with friendly monks
- Access authentic, less-frequented locales ranging from little-known islands to a port nestled in the heart of vibrant Saigon thanks to the size of your boutique ship
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Bangkok, Thailand
Arrive in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and transfer to your luxurious hotel.
Accommodation: The Peninsula Bangkok
Day 2
Bangkok | Gliding on the Serene Chao Phraya River
Discover Wat Pho temple, with its massive reclining Buddha statue, and listen to the musical sound of coins dropping into brass offering bowls, following your welcome briefing. Then, travel by tuk-tuk to the sprawling Grand Palace. Explore the royal Siamese court, home to Thailand’s most important shrine, the green-jade Emerald Buddha. Next, gather for a light lunch aboard a traditional wooden rice barge. Cruise the Chao Phraya River in a relaxed atmosphere, taking in the wonderful views. Later, fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia, transfer to your Khmer-style boutique hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor
Day 3
Siem Reap, Cambodia | Sunset at Angkor Wat
Set off to explore the extraordinary temples of Angkor, a breathtaking city lost in the jungle and Cambodia’s most prized national treasure. Enter the monumental gates of Angkor Thom, and visit the Bayon Temple, with its 172 large-scale faces wearing enchanting smiles. Continue to Ta Prohm Temple, with its crumbling towers and massive tree roots. This afternoon, visit magnificent Angkor Wat, where you stay until sunset, marvelling as the diminishing, moody light washes over this unforgettable, faraway world.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor
Day 4
Cruising the Mekong | Board Your All-Suite Cruiser
Drive through the lush and scenic Cambodian countryside to Kampong Cham, where you board A&K’s private charter of all-suite ‘Mekong Princess,’ your boutique river cruiser for the next seven nights. Tonight, enjoy a Khmer-inspired dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: ‘Mekong Princess’
Day 5
Cruising the Mekong | Life in a Local Village
Explore the charming town of Angkor Ban, where you enjoy glimpses into the lives of local people, starting with a visit to a family home. Continue to the village school to observe the classroom experience. Stop briefly at the local monastery complex. Later, enjoy a professional exhibition of traditional folk dances aboard your ship.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: ‘Mekong Princess’
Day 6
Cruising the Mekong | Phnom Penh, Pearl of Asia
Ride Like a Local through Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s lush and alluring capital city, on an engaging cyclo tour. Discover the ornate Royal Palace and wander past huge stupas, spirit houses and potted flowers en route to the famous Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and the diamond-encrusted Maitreya Buddha. Visit the National Museum this afternoon. Later, learn about Cambodia’s darker days as you walk the notorious killing fields of Choeung Ek, one of history’s most infamous places.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: ‘Mekong Princess’
Day 7
Cruising the Mekong | Crossing into Vietnam
Cruise into Vietnam early this morning and continue downstream to little-known Hong Ngu, which nimble ‘Mekong Princess’ can enter with ease. In this place few Westerners have ever been, experience an especially friendly welcome, followed by a visit to a local family home, where you watch the weaving of kromas (traditional Khmer scarves). Later, explore a local temple dedicated to Hòa Hảo, a unique Vietnamese religion. In the afternoon, board a sampan (wooden boat) to Gieng Island, where hundreds of the vessels are built each day. Cruise a canal past orchards and rice fields. Continue to Cu Lao Gieng Church, built by the French in 1879.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: ‘Mekong Princess’
Day 8
Cruising the Mekong | Meet a Local Family
Disembark at the village of Hoa An, well known for its floral and craft industries. See how locals grow and use flowers and meet a family in their home. Then, visit the Hoa An kindergarten, supported by A&K Philanthropy, and watch as students make local conical hats. Later, re-board the ship and cruise downstream toward Can Tho.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: ‘Mekong Princess’
Day 9
Cruising the Mekong | Floating Market Visit
Rise early for a sampan cruise through a fascinating floating market near Can Tho, weaving between boats that sell goods and produce. Fresh coconut water, the Vietnamese “anti-aging drink,” refreshes you before a stop at a local factory to see the making of instant noodles. Back on board ‘Mekong Princess,’ sail deeper into regions of the Mekong Delta rarely touched by travellers to see the fourth-century Phuoc Hau Pagoda, where you interact with local monks to learn about their daily life and practices.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: ‘Mekong Princess’
Day 10
Cruising the Mekong | Life Among the Mangroves
Today, board a sampan to wend your way through a channel lined with mangroves, whose tangled roots provide a sheltered habitat for the smallest denizens of the river’s ecosystem. Pause to see an artisan produce coconut candy, a favourite local snack. Next, board an intimate, two-seater boat for a cruise through lush, narrow creeks lined with nipa palms, a native species and the only one of its kind adapted to the mangrove habitat.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: ‘Mekong Princess’
Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City | Design Your Day
Unlike other river ships that are forced to dock outside of Saigon, ‘Mekong Princess’ takes you right into the heart of this lively, evocative metropolis, now known as Ho Chi Minh City. Disembark your river cruiser to enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.
Visit the War Remnants Museum to view photographs from Bunyo Ishikawa, a Vietnam War photojournalist.
Sample Local Specialties, experiencing the culinary treasures to be found on a Saigon street-food tour.
Visit Nguyen Hue Street & Ben Thanh Market to discover the latest in trendy shops and explore local market life.
Tonight, gather for a special farewell dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: The Reverie Saigon
Day 12
Depart Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, begin a Cu Chi and Hanoi post-tour extension or transfer to the airport to depart.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey Details
- This journey contains some active elements.
- Minimum age is 10 years.
- First group event: welcome briefing at 9:00 a.m. on Day 2.
- Last group event: farewell dinner at 7:30 p.m. on Day 11.
- Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.
Departures & Rates
*Pricing is per person, twin share based in a Mekong Princess: Saigon Suite. Additional cabins are available and include the Apsara Suite, Tonle Suite and Angkor Suite. Please speak to one of our Travel Specialists for up to date rates in each cabin class.
Ask one of our Travel Specialists about Packaging Flights with your Tour and Save
Single Supplement rates are available on request.
*Rates are subject to availability and seasonality and may change without notice. Rates are based on two adults sharing. For solo travellers or single person occupancy rates or further information on terms and conditions, please contact our Travel Specialists at time of booking.
Accommodation
Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor, Siem Reap
An intimate Belmond hotel on the banks of Siem Reap’s tree-lined river, La Résidence d’Angkor is built in natural woods in traditional Khmer style. Located close by Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered one of the man-made wonders of the world, it is ideally placed to explore this breathtaking complex of temples.
All the 55 spacious, tranquil rooms and suites are exquisitely decorated using traditional hardwoods and bamboo – silk scatter cushions and floor-to-ceiling windows create a light and airy ambience. All rooms have a large free-form bath with plenty of space for relaxing after long days of exploring the ancient sites.
The Peninsula Bangkok
Commanding stunning views of the Chao Phraya River, The Peninsula Bangkok combines traditional Thai service with Peninsula perfection to create a legend of stylish hospitality. Every opulently-appointed room enjoys panoramic views and access to a beautiful, three-tiered swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and restaurants famed for their award-winning cuisine.
After a morning exploring the hustle and bustle of vibrant Bangkok, head for the tranquility of The Peninsula Spa. Settle into the peaceful surroundings of a colonial house and enjoy a half-day treatment journey that will leave you refreshed and relaxed. Then dine under balmy skies and twinkling city lights at the wonderful River Café & Terrace.
