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Charms of the Mekong
Exclusive Silver Travel Advisor Offer: Vietnam & Cambodia River Cruise
In partnership with AmaWaterways, we invite you to discover Vietnam and Cambodia on the the Charms of the Mekong river cruise, with an exclusive low price available only to Silver Travel Advisor customers. This 13-day itinerary includes two nights in Ho Chi Minh City, a seven-night cruise onboard AmaDara exploring the mighty Mekong, and a two night stay post-cruise in Siem Reap. Throughout the trip, you’ll be immersed into local culture and heritage with visits to rural villages, historic pagodas and colourful markets. Experience all this and more on this life enriching cruise along the Mekong.
Read on for all the details, and if you have any questions our Silver Travel Advisors are on hand to provide more information: call 0800 412 5678.
Itinerary
Day 1
Friday 24 November 2023
Depart the UK
Depart London Heathrow or London Gatwick bound for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Regional departures are available on request.
Day 2
Saturday 25 November 2023
Ho Chi Minh City
On arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in. 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.
Day 3
Sunday 26 November 2023
Ho Chi Minh City
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.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 4
Monday 27 November 2023
Ho Chi Minh City | My Tho Embarkation
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.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5
Tuesday 28 November 2023
Cai Be | Sa Dec
Take a local boat to Cai Be where you’ll 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 and visit the colourful market, Cao Dai Temple and the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour, which her prizewinning novel The Lover is said to be based on.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6
Wednesday 29 November 2023
Tan Chau Border Crossing
Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. Be treated to an authentic experience on a traditional “xeloi” (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”. Later in the day, cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7
Thursday 30 November 2023
Phnom Penh
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). 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.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8
Friday 1 December 2023
Oudong | Kampong Tralach | Phnom Penh
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. Later in the day, experience Phnom Penh via a tuk ride and be enchanted by the city’s French Colonial architecture and treelined boulevards.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9
Saturday 2 December 2023
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.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10
Monday 3 December 2023
Angkor 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. Hundreds of wooden houses stand intact on stilts, shaded with banana trees, among the hustle and bustle of the daily agricultural ongoing 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). Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11
Tuesday 4 December 2023
Kampong Cham | Siem Reap Disembarkation
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.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 12
Wednesday 5 December 2023
Siem Reap
Begin your morning exploration of the temple complex at Angkor Wat, the most iconic of all Angkorian temples. An afternoon excursion takes you to see the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei, which means “Citadel of Women”. During the evening, be treated to a special “Apsara Dancing Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 13
Thursday 6 December 2023
Siem Reap | Return to the UK
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.
Meals: Breakfast
Get to know… AmaDara
The 124-passenger AmaDara features luxury suites, suites and spacious outside staterooms, all of which have private Twin Balconies (French Balcony plus a full size step-out balcony). The ship’s elegant public areas include two stylish restaurants serving delicious cuisine; an inviting lounge; a fitness room; hair salon; spa, and a refreshing Sun Deck swimming pool.
- Air-conditioning in most areas
- Convenient interior access to all facilities and decks
- Complimentary unlimited wine with every lunch and dinner
- Complimentary house spirits, local beer, soft drinks and bottled water available all day
- Superb Western-style cuisine as well as regionally inspired dishes
- Professional staff and friendly, personalized service
Your tour includes:
- International flights and transfers
- Two nights in Ho Chi Minh City, 7-night cruise onboard AmaDara, and two nights in Siem Reap
- Meals as stated. While onboard AmaDara enjoy award-winning dining and unlimited wine with lunch and dinner, plus complimentary local beer, house-brand spirits and soft drinks during cruise
- Immersive tours in every destination with knowledgeable guides
- Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs
Exclusive low prices only available to
Silver Travel Advisor customers
Stateroom
Single occupancy from £5,019pp
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All outside staterooms with Twin Balconies
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Sitting area perfect for admiring scenic river views
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Individually controlled air-conditioning
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Writing desk, bathrobes and slippers, mini bar, safe, TV and telephone for onboard communication
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251 sq ft
Suite
Single occupancy from £5,940pp
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As Stateroom plus:
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Suites feature a comfortable sitting area plus a bathroom with both a shower and separate tub
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366 sq ft
Luxury Suite
Single occupancy from £9,865pp
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As Suite plus:
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Luxurious Suites feature a larger sitting area with full-size sofa, spacious bathroom with both shower and separate tub and an extra spacious private balcony
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502 sq ft
Prices are ‘from’ per person. Valid for departure date specified only. Subject to change and availability. Terms and conditions apply.
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