Cast off on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure on the legendary voyage. The Mekong traces the authentic, profound, and mesmerizing history of Vietnam and Cambodia along its riverbanks. You’ll finish your extraordinary vacation in Indochina with a discovery of Hanoï, the Vietnamese capital, and on an unforgettable cruise on the legendary Halong Bay among the fantastically formed islands, crags, and cliffs.
Highlights
Discover 3 historical cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap
Cross through the splendid Cho Gao canal
Visit 4 major temples in Angkor
Meet the locals and learn about their daily lives in Koh Chen, My Tho...
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Your program will begin according to your time of arrival. If your flight arrives between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., your program will be: Lunch will be served at the hotel. The afternoon is free to do as you please. Then, visit the “Angkor Night Market”.
Day 2: Siem Reap - Angkor Temples
1 Breakfast
This morning, tour Ta Prohm and Angkor Thom. Stroll through the grounds of the former Royal Palace, and discover the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Have lunch in the city before visiting the Senteurs d'Angkor(closed on Sundays), a local business with a diverse collection of silk and carvings, as well as a superb range of traditional beauty products and spices, all made locally. End the day with Phare, the Cambodian circus, and spend the night at the hotel.
Day 3: Siem Reap - Angkor Temples - Tonle Sap Lake
Visit the Angkor Wat temple: the epitome of Khmer architectural art and the most famous and imposing of all the monuments in Angkor (visitors must cover their shoulders and wear long pants or a long skirt). Lunch will be served at the hotel. After, you’ll be transferred to your ship. Our crew will welcome you and help you get comfortably settled into your cabins. Have dinner and formally meet our crew. Our ship will remain anchored overnight.
Spend the morning crossing Tonle Sap Lake. Eenjoy lunch on board before visiting Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap. Fish farming is abundant here. The region is also known for its traditional pottery combining ancient knowledge with modern techniques—Chhnang itself means "pot." Enjoy a tasting of regional products before returning on board and beginning to cruise to Kampong Tralach. Our ship will remain anchored overnight.
Set out to visit the beautiful Vihara at the Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To access the pagoda, you need to cross the village of Kampong Tralach in ox carts or in"tuk-tuk", moving along a small road that runs perpendicular to the river in the middle of magnificent rice fields. Enjoy lunch on board before exploring the small village of Koh Chen, where craftspeople specialize in silver and copper work. After our tour, Return on board and begin to cruise to Phnom Penh. Once you arrive, enjoy a brief tour of the area by "tuk-tuk," the easiest way to get around the city. Return to the ship and enjoy a performance of classical Khmer dancing and music. Our ship will remain overnight in Phnom Penh.
Enjoy a tour of the fabulous Royal Palace, one of the most impressive examples of Cambodian architecture, and its Silver Pagoda. Onward to visit the National Museum. After lunch in town, you can pay a visit to the Tuol Svay Prey School, former detention, torture, and execution center run by the Khmer Rouge during the civil war. Afterward, enjoy some free time at the market. Return on board for dinner in the evening and start sailing towards Vietnam.
Chau Doc sits among a giant patchwork of rice fields along the Mekong River. Pay a visit to the Ba Chua Xu Temple and the Tay An Pagoda. Enjoy lunch on board and begin to cruise to Sa Dec. Our ship will remain anchored overnight.
Visit the former house of Huynh Thuy Le, the man on who Marguerite Duras based her book The Lover. After our excursion, enjoy some free time in Sa Dec. Return on board for lunch and cruise to Vinh Long. Set out in smaller boats and travel through canals and orchards. Discover a brick and pottery factory, a fruit-tree nursery, puffed rice, rice-paper wrappers, and rice alcohol.* Return on board our ship and begin to cruise. Our ship will remain anchored overnight.
Visit a bee farm and enjoy some honey tea and exotic fruit. You'll then take a ride in small sampans along the canal lined with mangrove palms and have a glimpse of villagers going about their daily lives. Enjoy lunch on board and then set out to cross the very narrow canal, heading for Ho Chi Minh City and spending the night on the ship, which will remain moored in central Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the most populous city in Vietnam. Enjoy a tour of the city to see the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Saigon Central Post Office. After, join us for a visit to the Museum of Vietnamese History. Lunch will be served on board. Leave by coach for the Cu Chi tunnels, an immense network of underground tunnels that were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War. After our excursion, Return to the ship. Tonight, have our farewell cocktail and dinner and spend the night at the port.
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning. After you disembark from the ship, head to Cholon, the Chinese-influenced section of the city. enjoy lunch in town, and you’ll be transferred to the airport and board a flight to Hanoi. Dinner in a restaurant. You’ll check into a 4-star hotel.
Spend the day on a guided tour of the capital, visiting the outside of the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh's humble stilt house behind the mausoleum, and the unique One Pillar Pagoda Buddhist temple. Visit the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. After lunch in town, take a pedi-cab ride. Tour the local "Embassy Row" with its French colonial-style architecture. This evening, watch a traditional water puppetry show and have dinner in the city before spending the night at the hotel.
Leave early in the morning for Halong Bay (approx. 3.5 hours travel time). You’ll be welcomed aboard, enjoy a cocktail, have lunch on board, and begin our cruise to discover the thousands of various limestone islands dotting the emerald-colored bay. Enjoy dinner on board this evening. Our ship will remain anchored overnight.
Day 14: Halong Bay | Hanoi
1 Breakfast
Rise early with us this morning and participate in a Tai Chi class on deck. Continue our cruise through the bay, discovering more of its extraordinary scenery and visiting one of the largest caves. Brunch will be served before you disembark at 11:00 a.m. and begin your trip back to Hanoi. Before arriving, stop off at the Dinh Bang communal hall. You’ll enjoy a light dinner, PHO soup tasting before being transferred to the airport. bid farewell at the airport at approximately 6:00 p.m. Please do not book your flight before 8:00 p.m.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$5,5202-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
Main Deck
14 outside-facing cabins on the main deck equipped with two low beds that can be moved together; large storage space under the box spring; private bathroom with sink, toilet and shower; air-conditioning; safe; hair dryer; and dresser.
Upper Deck
10 outside-facing cabins on the upper deck equipped with two low beds that can be moved together; large storage space under the box spring; private bathroom with sink, toilet and shower; air-conditioning; safe; hair dryer; and dresser.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Wonderful personal attention to detail and very helpful suggestions by experienced travel experts
John K
5 days ago
Franny has been such an amazing help with all my trip planning. This is our 3rd trip to plan with her and she is always so willing to assist and find the best deals for my family and friends.
Suzanne Turbyfill
1 week ago
Our advisor at Adventure Life, Mary Curry, was knowledgable and quick to respond with answers to any questions we had. She made our booking efficiently and set up a time for us to make a secure payment through her directly. We’ve used Adventure Life repeatedly and would definitely recommend it.
Sarika FREY
1 week ago
Very efficient and responsive.
Patricia
1 week ago
I selected Adventure Travel as I was not satisfied with the responsiveness of the agent for the cruise I was trying to book and it had good recommendations. So far, I am quite happy with my agent, Betty, very responsive and accommodating.