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Majestic Mekong Itinerary
Day 1 - UK - Siem Reap (Cambodia)
Fly from London Heathrow or Manchester to Siem Reap.
Day 2 - Siem Reap
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, the Shinta Mani or similar, for a three-night stay. This evening meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Day 3 - Siem Reap
Visit Angkor Thom, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire then see the magnificent Ta Prohm temple, overgrown by jungle trees. Watch the Phare Cambodian Circus, founded to teach disadvantaged young people performing arts. There is the chance to enjoy a Vespa tour of Siem Reap (extra cost). (B,L)
Day 4 - Siem Reap
Visit the famous Angkor Wat early this morning for amazing sunrise views over the temples before returning to the hotel to spend the rest of the day at leisure. This evening there is a gala dinner and a dance performance. For an extra cost you can visit Banteay Srei, Tonle Sap or an Artisans d'Angkor workshop, or join a Culinary Cambodia tour. (B,D)
Day 5 - Siem Reap - Prek'Kdam
Transfer from your hotel to embark your ship Emerald Harmony and set sail towards Kampong Tralach. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Kampong Tralach - Phnom Penh
Take an ox cart ride to the Oudong Temples at Wat Kampong Tralach to see the burial sites of Khmer kings and receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the temple's monks. There is the option to tour a silk farm in Koh Okhna Tei (extra cost). (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Phnom Penh
Visit the Killing Fields and Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, a sombre reminder of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge regime, then explore the magnificent Royal Palace. This evening there is a tuk-tuk ride through Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Phnom Penh - Hong Ngu (Vietnam)
This afternoon visit Long Khanh Island, known for its scarf weaving, grapefruit gardens and Hoa Hao Buddhist pagoda. EmeraldPLUS: Visit to family-owned Lanh My A silk producing factory and a Lion Dance Performance on board. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Hong Ngu – An Long – My An Hung
Relax on board this morning, or join the optional tour of the Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to My An Hung village. Wander through coconut farms, meet the locals and learn about life in the village.(B,L,D)
Day 10 - Sa Dec - My Tho
Sail to Sa Dec to see the Chinese Congregational house in Kien An Cung, explore the home of Mr Huynh Thuy Le, the inspiration for Marguerite Duras' novel, L'Amant, and stroll through the local market. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - My Tho - Ho Chi Minh City
Sit back, relax and take in a full day of sailing the magnificent Mekong River. Watch as life on the Mekong awakens for another day as the ship departs early this morning to begin crossing the Cho Gao canal before meeting the Mekong Delta, known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the ever changing vista’s from the pool, enjoy a treatment in the Wellness Area (additional expense), read a book or converse with new friends as you cruise past mangroves, narrow canals, floating markets, fish farms and pass by busy barges and local fishing boats alike. Tonight, dock in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City with views of the city lights. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Ho Chi Minh City
Disembark Emerald Harmony in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to the hotel for a 2-night stay. Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide. Hear how the residents constructed an intricate, underground network of tunnels during the French and American Wars. Hear incredible tales about the unusual foods the residents ate to survive and much more. Once above ground, see other ingenious items used by the residents to defend themselves such as bamboo traps and camouflaged pits. Upon your return in Ho Chi Minh City, your afternoon today is free at leisure to relax. Included is a two-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City. There is an optional Evening Saigon Street Food Tour (extra expense). PLEASE NOTE: On departures up to May 2020, Day 12 is spent on a guided tour of the city, and Day 13 visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels. (B,L)
Day 13 - Ho Chi Minh City
You will have a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, starting with a visit to the city’s most iconic building: Reunification Hall. Formerly called the Presidential Palace, images of the building were seen around the world on 30 April 1975 when tanks stormed the gates as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese. Then, stroll through the Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, City Hall, the old Saigon Post Office, listen to the stories about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era continues to influence aspects of modern Vietnamese culture. (B,D)
Day 14 - Ho Chi Minh City - UK
Head to the airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)
Day 15 - UK
Arrive back in the UK.
For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary. Reverse itinerary varies slightly.