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Cruising the Mekong: Siam, Saigon & Angkor Wat 2023

12
 days from $
7995
 per person
Operated by: 
Abercrombie & Kent
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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.

A&K Advantages

  • Cruise for seven nights on an exclusive charter of 24-guest ‘Mekong Princess,’ a luxurious, all-suite boutique riverboat able to access lesser-known ports, ushering you into the midst of authentic rural cultures
  • Explore magnificent Angkor Wat at sunset with an expert guide, capping a full day among timeless ruins that include Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm Temple
  • Gain deeper insight into Southeast Asia’s varied, intertwined river cultures through interactions with local villagers, families in their homes and monks in pagodas
  • Cruise straight into the heart of old Saigon and select from an array of active, cultural and culinary options that reveal the diverse appeal of today’s Ho Chi Minh City

Itinerary at a Glance

DAY 1

ARRIVE BANGKOK, THAILAND

DAY 2

BANGKOK | GLIDING ON THE SERENE CHAO PHRAYA RIVER

DAY 3

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA | SUNSET AT ANGKOR WAT

DAY 4

CRUISING THE MEKONG | BOARD YOUR ALL-SUITE CRUISER

DAY 5

CRUISING THE MEKONG | LIFE IN A LOCAL VILLAGE

DAY 6

CRUISING THE MEKONG | PHNOM PENH

DAY 7

CRUISING THE MEKONG | CROSSING INTO VIETNAM

DAY 8

CRUISING THE MEKONG | MEET A LOCAL FAMILY

DAY 9

CRUISING THE MEKONG | FLOATING MARKET VISIT

DAY 10

CRUISING THE MEKONG | LIFE AMONG THE MANGROVES

DAY 11

HO CHI MINH CITY | DESIGN YOUR DAY

DAY 12

DEPART HO CHI MINH CITY

DAY 1

ARRIVE BANGKOK, THAILAND

Arrive in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and transfer to your luxurious hotel.

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. 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

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 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

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.

'Mekong Princess'

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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. 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

CRUISING THE MEKONG | PHNOM PENH

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

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 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

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. 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

DEPART HO CHI MINH CITY

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to depart.

Meals: Breakfast

Luang Prabang Pre-Tour Extension

Explore the Royal Palace, enjoy a baci ceremony, make offerings to monks, visit a farm and take a sunset cruise.

Pre-Tour Extension: Luang Prabang

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

Explore Dubai: Stopover Package

Middle-East-UAE-Dubai-Skyline-2020

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)

Explore Hong Kong: Stopover Package

Asia-China-Hong-Kong-Skyline-Boat-2020

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

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