Discover astonishing Angkor Wat and cruise for seven nights on an exclusive charter along the Mekong River to experience its varied cultures in rural settings not easily reached by land, on a journey that includes vibrant Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon.
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
DAY 8
DAY 9
DAY 10
DAY 11
DAY 12
DAY 1
Arrive in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and transfer to your luxurious hotel.
The Peninsula Bangkok
DAY 2
Discover Wat Pho temple, with its massive Reclining Buddha statue, and listen to the musical sound of coins dropping into brass offering bowls. Then, travel by tuk-tuk to the sprawling Grand Palace to view 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 sights along the waterfront, including glittering Wat Arun. Later, fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia, where you transfer to your Khmer-style hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner.
La Résidence d’Angkor, A Belmond Hotel, Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
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 to see crumbling towers embraced by massive tree roots. This afternoon, visit magnificent Angkor Wat, where you stay until sunset, marveling as the diminishing, moody light washes over this unforgettable, faraway world.
La Résidence d’Angkor, A Belmond Hotel, Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4
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.
'Mekong Princess'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
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. Stroll through a small market frequented by locals and stop briefly at a monastery complex. Then, board ‘Mekong Princess’ and cruise to Phnom Penh, where you Ride Like a Local through Cambodia’s lush and alluring capital city on an engaging cyclo tour. Discover the ornate Royal Palace, and wander past huge stupas (Buddhist monuments) and spirit houses en route to the Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and the diamond-encrusted Maitreya Buddha. Visit the National Museum before returning to the ship to enjoy a professional exhibition of traditional folk dances.
'Mekong Princess'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
This morning, learn about Cambodia’s darker days as you visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and then walk the notorious killing fields of Choeung Ek, one of history’s most infamous places. Your afternoon is free for you to relax on your own.
'Mekong Princess'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
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 where 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 Hoa Hao, 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 a historic Christian monastery built by the French in 1879.
'Mekong Princess'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
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. Later, reboard the ship and cruise downstream toward Can Tho, where you disembark to visit Zihuang Pagoda. Back on board, relax on a Scenic Sundowner this evening, observing local life at the close of day along the delta.
'Mekong Princess'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
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 traditional noodles. Back on board ‘Mekong Princess,’ cruise deeper into parts 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.
'Mekong Princess'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10
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 favorite 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. Participate in a Chef ’s Table cooking demo this afternoon, led by your onboard chef.
'Mekong Princess'
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11
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 by Bunyo Ishikawa, a Vietnam War photojournalist, and then explore Reunification Palace.
Sample Local Specialties, experiencing the culinary treasures to be found on a Saigon street-food tour.
Cycle the Countryside, exploring the nearby Thanh Da Peninsula.
Tonight, gather for a special farewell dinner.
The Reverie Saigon
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to depart.
Meals: Breakfast
Explore the Royal Palace, enjoy a baci ceremony, make offerings to monks, visit a farm and take a sunset cruise.
4 days from $1,995 per person
Single Supplement from $795 per person
Internal air from $1,050
Bangkok/Luang Prabang/Bangkok
Available to add to select departure dates.
DAY 1
Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand.
Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
DAY 2
Fly to Luang Prabang, Laos. Tour the Royal Palace, Wat Visoun, and the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center. Enjoy a village baci ceremony this evening, followed by dinner.
La Résidence Phou Vao, A Belmond Hotel, Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3
Join locals making food offerings to local monks, visit a farm and Ock Pop Tok weaving center. After an afternoon at leisure, embark on a sunset cruise on the Mekong River.
La Résidence Phou Vao, A Belmond Hotel, Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4
See the monasteries of Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Khili, Wat Sop and Wat Sene. Later, fly to Bangkok.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
3 days from $2,295 per person
Single Supplement from $1,595 per person
Take advantage of an incredible opportunity to spend two nights in Dubai before or after your journey.
Accommodations:
Taj Dubai from $2,295 | Single Supplement from $1,595
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai from $3,195 | Single Supplement from $2,495
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach from $3,295 | Single Supplement from $2,695
International air not included.
3 DAYS
Fly to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and check in to your luxury hotel. Discover the best of this dazzling city, viewing its remarkable architecture; visiting the Spice Market and the colorful shops at Deira Gold Souk; and ascending the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. On the last day, continue on to your journey or board your flight home.
Taj Dubai
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Day 2); Breakfast (Day 3)
3 days from $2,495 per person
Single Supplement from $1,395 per person
Take advantage of an incredible opportunity to spend two nights in Hong Kong before or after your journey.
International air not included.
3 DAYS
Experience Hong Kong Island by land, air and sea, beginning with a look at the city’s bustling market culture with stops at the Sheung Wan dried food and herbal market, street-side antique shops, and an open-air curio market. Ride the Peak Tram funicular up to Victoria Peak for a stunning view of Victoria Harbour, and finish with a traditional sampan (wooden boat) ride through the local floating villages.
The Peninsula Hong Kong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Day 2); Breakfast (Day 3)
The Peninsula Bangkok
La Résidence d’Angkor, A Belmond Hotel, Siem Reap
Mekong Princess
The Reverie Saigon
