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Riches of the Mekong

Discover the iconic sights of Vietnam and Cambodia on this luxury river cruise holiday, with a 7-night Mekong cruise and hotel stays in Siem Reap, gateway to UNESCO-listed Angkor Wat, and lively Ho Chi Minh City.

Fly Cruise
13 nights from £2629pp

River Cruise Holiday
Angkor Wat
Stilt houses, Siem Reap
Tonle Sap Lake
Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh
Sa Dec market
Ho Chi Minh City

Call us now on 01756 706500 to secure your cabin!

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This fantastic Mekong holiday begins with a three-night hotel stay in Siem Reap, gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Angkor Archaelogical Park. Admire the impressive Bayon Temple, renowned for its stone faces, and the iconic Angkor Wat.

Board your luxurious ship moored at Kampong Cham, gateway to the Twin Mountains known as Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei. Enjoy a walking tour of Angkor Ban with its traditional wooden houses, before heading to Oknhatey Village which is renowned for its silk weaving. Receive a special Buddhist blessing at a monastery in historic Oudong, enjoy an oxcart ride from Kampong Tralach through rice paddies, and see the iconic sights of Phnom Penh, Cambodia's fascinating capital, from the magnificent Royal Palace to the spectacular Silver Pagoda.

Explore picturesque Tan Chau, a town barely touched by tourism, visit Mr Huynh Thuy Le's house in Sa Dec, and discover Cai Be's beautiful floating market, before arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon for a 2-night post-cruise hotel stay. See the key sights including Notre Dame Cathedral and Ben Thanh Market, and enjoy a visit to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels.

F435 Operated by AmaWaterways

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Riches of The Mekong Itinerary

Day 1 - UK to Siem Reap (Cambodia)

Fly from London Siem Reap, Cambodia, the gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of the Khmer empire. Transfer to your hotel for a 3-night Stay.

Day 2 - Siem Reap

Begin your morning exploration of the Angkor temple complex at Angkor Thom, meaning “the great city." This is home to Bayon Temple, best known for its gigantic smiling stone faces, as well as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. You’ll then visit nearby Ta Prohm, known as the “Kingdom of Trees,” for the way in which the temple stones have become intertwined with thick forest vegetation over the centuries. Afternoon excursions take you to the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei, meaning “Citadel of Women,” as it has been said that the carving is too fine to have been done by the hand of man. Cap this memorable day off with a special “Apsara Dance Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers. (B,D)

Day 3 - Siem Reap

Discover the heart and soul of Cambodia and the most iconic of all Angkorian Temples, Angkor Wat. This is one of the largest religious monuments ever constructed and a true masterpiece of Khmer architecture built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century to honor the Hindu god, Vishnu. (B,D)

Day 4 - Siem Reap - Kampong Cham

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. (L,D)

Day 5 - Angkor Ban - Oknhatey

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. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Oudong - Kampong Tralach - Phnom Penh

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. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Phnom Penh

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. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Phnom Penh - Tan Chau (Vietnam)

Spend the day cruising the Mekong River as your ship crosses the border into Vietnam. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Tan Chau - Sa Dec

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. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Sa Dec - Xeo Quyt - Cai Be

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. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - My Tho - Ho Chi Minh City

Disembark the AmaDara in My Tho Port and transfer to Ho Chi Minh City for a 2-night stay. Vietnam’s former capital of Indochina was once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” and today, it is an industrial, cultural and educational hub. Explore such famous landmarks as the former Presidential Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum before visiting the Ben Thanh Market—one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City. (B,L)

Day 12 - Ho Chi Minh city

Visit Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam War. Spend your afternoon at leisure exploring more of Ho Chi Minh City (B)

Day 13 - Ho Chi Minh city to UK

Bid farewell to Ho Chi Minh City and prepare for your homeward flight. (B)

Day 14 - UK

Arrive back in the UK

For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary. Reverse itinerary is 1 day shorter with 2-night stay in Siem Reap.

Charms of the Mekong Itinerary

Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred to by locals as Saigon, is Vietnam’s former capital. Once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” it is now an industrial, cultural and educational hub. to know Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred to by locals as Saigon. It is Vietnam’s former capital. Once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” it is now an industrial, cultural and educational hub.

Day 2 - Ho Chi Minh City

Always bustling, Ho Chi Minh City is a city of contrasts blending old and new, and east and west. In the morning, explore some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the former Presidential Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum. In the afternoon, visit Chu Chi, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam War. (B,L)

Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh City

In the morning, visit Ben Thanh Market—one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer via motorcoach from Ho Chi Minh City to AmaDara at My Tho Port for your river cruise and meet your fellow travellers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Sa Dec - Cai Be

Take a local boat to Cai Be. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, as well as the historic Kiet Old House. 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 colourful market, Cao Dai Temple and the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour, which her prize-winning novel, “The Lover,” is said to be based on. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Oudong - Kampong-Tralach - 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 tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Phnom Penh

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 will 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. After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Oudong - Kampong-Tralach - 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 tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - 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. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - 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 on-going of the local villagers. After visiting here, the ship sets sail for Kampong Cham, where you will go on an afternoon excursion via motorcoach 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. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Kampong Cham - Siem Reap

Disembark in Kampong Cham and transfer by motorcoach to Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of the Khmer empire. You’ll visit nearby Ta Prohm, known as the “Kingdom of the Trees,” for the way in which the temple stones have become intertwined with thick forest vegetation. (B,D)

Day 11 - Siem Reap

Begin your morning exploration of the temple complex at Angkor Wat, the most iconic of all Angkorian temples, built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century to honor the Hindu god, Vishnu. An afternoon excursion takes you to see the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei, which means “Citadel of Women,” as it has been said that the carving is too fine to have been done by the hand of man. During the evening, be treated to a special “Apsara Dancing Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers. (B,D)

Day 12 - Siem Reap

After breakfast, you will have a guided sightseeing tour of Angkor Thom meaning “the great city” and the last capital of the Khmer Empire. This is home to Bayon Temple, best known for its gigantic smiling stone faces, as well as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Later in the day, bid farewell to Siem Reap as you prepare for your return flight home. (B)

Charms of the Mekong is the reverse itinerary for Riches of the Mekong however it is one day shorter with 2 nights in Siem Reap rather than 3. *We recommend that you schedule your onward flight to depart Siem Reap after 3:00pm today to avoid potential missed connections if you wish to join sightseeing tour to visit Angkor Thom in the morning.

Price Includes

  • 7-night cruise in an outside stateroom on AmaDara
  • 3-night pre-cruise hotel stay in Siem Reap
  • 2-night post-cruise hotel stay in Ho Chi Minh City
  • Complimentary local beer, house-brand spirits and soft drinks on board
  • Unlimited wine with lunch and dinner on board
  • Guided shore excursions
  • Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
  • Welcome Dinner and Farewell Cocktail Party and Dinner

Price Does Not Include

  • Travel Insurance
  • Visas - required for Vietnam and Cambodia
  • Return flights from the UK - we can arrange these for you
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2023 Departures £ price per person based on 2 people sharing

  • December
    • Dec 9th - Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap - Sailing on: AmaDara From: £4866
      Cat C Twin Balcony Cat B Twin Balcony Cat A Twin Balcony Suite Twin Balcony Luxury Suite Twin Balcony
      £4866 £5404 £5634 £6019 £7096
    • Dec 15th - Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City - Sailing on: AmaDara From: £6393
      Cat C Twin Balcony Cat B Twin Balcony Cat A Twin Balcony Suite Twin Balcony Luxury Suite Twin Balcony
      Blue Water Price fromfrom: £6393 Blue Water Price fromfrom: £6931 Blue Water Price fromfrom: £7161 Blue Water Price fromfrom: £7546 Blue Water Price fromfrom: £8623
    • Dec 23rd - Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap - Sailing on: AmaDara From: £6316
      Cat C Twin Balcony Cat B Twin Balcony Cat A Twin Balcony Suite Twin Balcony Luxury Suite Twin Balcony
      £6316 £6854 £7084 £8469 £8546

Price Information

  • Please note prices are updated regularly from a third party price feed and may fluctuate from those shown. Please contact us for latest prices
  • Prices shown usually include all available discounts
Map for Riches of the Mekong