Description
Sail into serenity with our unbeatable Mekong River cruise deal!
Pricing based on departure date: 20 August, 2024
Other dates:
Febryry to March 2025
Your ship: RV Apsara
River Cruising | Vietnam & Cambodia
Joined the fleet in 2023, glide along the Mekong River on the RV Apsara, you will discover the alluring destinations of Vietnam and Cambodia in premium comfort.
Trip Inclusions
- Seven-night Mekong River cruise aboard the RV Apsara, featuring all suites with twin balconies
- Services of a Travelmarvel Tour Leader and expert English-speaking local guides
- 21 meals - 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners, plus select international wine and local beer included with lunch and dinner on board your Mekong River cruise
- Explore the agricultural Koh Pen Island by tuk tuk
- Receive a traditional Buddhist blessing by monks in Oudong
Itinerary Map
Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Oudong, Vietnam Border Crossing, Tan Chau, Cai Be, My Tho, Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Embark Ship, Angkor Ban
Hop on a tuk tuk and explore the agricultural island of Koh Pen. Travel along the shaded lanes and past wooden stilted houses, tucked amongst palm and sandalwood trees.
Journey to Kampong Cham following ship registration, to join your Mekong River cruise. Step aboard and familiarise yourself with your suite before sitting down to lunch as you cruise towards Angkor Ban. Spend your afternoon enjoying an Insider Experience and then return to a Welcome Dinner on board tonight.
DAY 2
Angkor Ban, Oknha Tey, Phnom Penh
Start your day with a tour of Angkor Ban by foot. Nicknamed the 'Lucky Village', Angkor Ban is one of the few rural villages in Cambodia that escaped destruction from the Khmer Rouge regime. Stroll through town and see wooden houses, some over a century old.
Return to your ship and continue sailing along the lush banks of the Mekong River to Oknha Tey (Oknha Tei), or Silk Island. Disembark and discover the town well known locally for its delicate silk weaving.
DAY 3
Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Chen, Phnom Penh
Visit a Buddhist monastery in Oudong where you will partake in a blessing by the monks.
Begin your morning with an excursion by road to Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital. Indulge in your memorable Insider Experience. En route back to Phnom Penh take a leisurely walk to explore the village of Koh Chen. Stop to visit the open-air copperware workshops and watch the skill of the artisans.
Return to the ship and enjoy a free afternoon in fascinating Phnom Penh or enhance your time by choosing one of Travelmarvel’s select experiences.
DAY 4
Phnom Penh
Today learn of the atrocities inflicted upon Cambodians during Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Explore the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields, where you'll find the Memorial Stupa, a glass monument erected in memory of the thousands of Cambodians who lost their lives. After lunch on board, visit the spectacular Royal Palace, delighting in its dazzling white and gold architecture. Then head to the glorious Silver Pagoda, set on the southern side of the palace complex.
The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. You may wish to head to the local markets for souvenirs or perhaps to taste the local delicacy of fried tarantula. Alternatively, relax on board and enjoy the facilities and service.
DAY 5
Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Chen, Phnom Penh
INSIDER EXPERIENCE - Visit a monastery in Oudong where you will partake in a Buddhist blessing offered by the monks.
Travel by coach to Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia, for your memorable Insider Experience. Afterwards, you will visit Koh Chen and explore the open-air copperware workshops. Return to the ship and enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh, or perhaps enhance your time by choosing one of Travelmarvel's select experiences.
DAY 6
Tan Chau, Sa Dec
Transfer to a small boat and travel along the Mekong’s tiny tributaries, observing the stilt house villages. Go ashore for a tour of Tan Chau by rickshaw and weave through rambling laneways and small shops. Known as one of the largest silk-weaving centres of Vietnam, visit stop to see the fascinating local artisan workshops to learn more about the history of the craft. Later, step back in time during a visit to Vinh Hoa, also known as Evergreen Island. Take the opportunity to see traditional Vietnamese farming, then head back to the ship and continue cruising towards Sa Dec.
Later, step back in time during a visit to Vinh Hoa, also known as Evergreen Island. Take the opportunity to see traditional Vietnamese farming, then head back to the ship and continue cruising towards Sa Dec.
DAY 7
Sa Dec, Cai Be, My Tho
Take a boat to the charming colonial town of Sa Dec and pass floating fish farms along the way before exploring the colourful market on foot. Continue to the former home of Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired the French writer Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant (The Lover). Return to the ship and sit down to a delicious lunch while you cruise towards Cai Be.
Later a local boat takes you to the town of Cai Be. Go ashore to see the local cathedral and a rice paper and coconut candy manufacturer. Tonight, enjoy your special Farewell Dinner on board as you cruise towards your final stop My Tho.
DAY 8
My Tho, Disembark Ship, Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Disembark at My Tho Port today and travel by coach to Ho Chi Minh City. In due time, transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward flight.
