Cruise along the Mekong through Cambodia and Vietnam as you are transported back in time to another era, where the rhythms of the countryside move at a slower pace and allow for a fascinating glimpse into a traditional way of life. Visit rural villages, colorful markets and a monastery, where you will receive a special Buddhist blessing by monks. Delve into the peaks and valleys of Cambodia’s history in the Royal Palace and National Museums of its beautiful capital, Phnom Penh. Meet elementary students at a local school, witness skilled artisans who create exquisite handicrafts and delicacies, and be treated to authentic experiences, including rides via oxcart, tut tut and trishaw. On this transformative journey, the Mekong truly reveals a vibrant world along its shores.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Included
- 7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom – all staterooms have Twin Balconies
- Fine dining with all meals included during your cruise
- Multiple dining venues
- Unlimited wine with every lunch and dinner on board
- Complimentary house-brand spirits, beer and soft drinks during cruise
- Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
- Sun Deck swimming pool
- Choice of life enriching tours and excursions daily with personal headset included
- Welcome Dinner and Farewell Cocktail Party & Dinner
- Onboard special highlights including folklore dances and music performances, culture discussion forums, theme dinners and piano entertainment
- Non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
- All transfers with the purchase of cruise & air package
Not Included
- (i.e. airfare, land excursions, anything not noted as included, etc.)-International airfare
- – Gratuities
- -Port charges
- -Spa and Massage services
At AmaWaterways, we love what we do – providing our guests with the best travel experiences possible. In fact, “Ama” is derived from the Latin word for “love.” It is a concept that permeates every aspect of our river cruises, from the design of our ships to the development of our itineraries to the high levels of service we deliver to our guests. Experience more ways to discover, more ways to indulge and more onboard amenities. With an award-winning fleet in Europe, Vietnam, Cambodia and Africa, critically acclaimed dining and unique tour options, you will have the trip of a lifetime on our cruises.
DAY 1
Transfer via motorcoach 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. (L,D)
Note: All cruise only guests must meet at our designated hotel in Siem Reap on Embarkation day to join the transfer to the ship in Kampong Cham. We recommend that you fly into Siem Reap at least one day prior to embarkation; please inquire about important arrival arrangements prior to your cruise.
DAY 2
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. (B,L,D)
DAY 3
Your 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 4
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 5
Spend the day cruising the Mekong River as your ship crosses the border into Vietnam. (B,L,D)
DAY 6
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. (B,L,D)
DAY 7
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. Later, board a motor coach for Xeo Quyt, once used as a 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. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)
DAY 8
Your cruise comes to an end as the ship docks at My Tho Port, where you disembark and Motorcoach transfer to Sofitel Saigon Plaza (B)*We recommend that you schedule your onward flight to depart Ho Chi Minh after 2:30pm today to avoid potential missed connections.
Prices are per-person, U.S. dollars, based on double occupancy of a cabin, or standard hotel room, unless indicated otherwise. | Single rates are available for the cruise-only, at a supplement of plus-50% for standard rooms, plus-100% for other rooms, such as deluxe rooms and suites. | Single rates for land are available at a supplement. | Please see individual itineraries for amount of the supplement. | Pricing accuracy is assured only at time of printing. | If any of the cost factors increases, such as airfare, port or dock charges, fuel, insurance, taxes, surcharges or other, we reserve the right to increase cruise or cruise tour prices without notice.
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