Riches of the Mekong – Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive in Siem Reap for a 3 night hotel stay.

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 Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. You’ll 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 done by the hand of man. Afterwards you are in for a treat of a different kind with a visit to the English language school sponsored by AmaWaterways in the village of Ta Toum, cap this memorable day off with a special “Apsara Dance Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers.

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 honour the Hindu god, Vishnu.

Transfer via coach to the AmaDara in Kampong Cham for your seven-night cruise. Board a 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. Later, join fellow guests for an evening Welcome Dinner.

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 of handicrafts. Your cruise continues to sail to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.

This morning’s excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention centre (Genocide Museum). Alternatively, you may wish to shop for unique treasures at the bustling yellow-coloured 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.

You will have a choice of excursions this morning. Visit Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention centre (Genocide Museum) just outside the city. Or if you prefer to stay in Phnom Penh, you can visit the bustling yellow-coloured Central Market. After lunch on board, you’ll explore the highlights of the city, followed by 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.

Spend the day cruising the Mekong River as your ship crosses the border into Vietnam.

Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. You will have the opportunity to take 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, simply take the 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

Once ashore in Sa Dec, tour the town where French writer Marguerite Duras spent many years in her youth. Visit a colourful local market and the 19th-century house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour. Later, board a motor coach for Xeo Quyt, once used as a base during the French and U.S. wars 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. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board.

Your cruise comes to an end as the ship docks at My Tho Port. Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, 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 of Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer to your hotel – Sofitel Saigon Plaza (Or similar)

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

Bid farewell to Vietnam as you prepare to leave.