Explore Cambodia and Vietnam on this 11-Day Mekong Delta River Cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh aboard the RV Indochine. Spanning over 2,700 miles, the Mekong River stretches from the towering Himalayas to the sun-kissed shores of the South China Sea. Its significance goes beyond being a mere source of irrigation for the Indochina region. Embark on an adventure along this expansive "water serpent," as it winds its way through landscapes, from the ancient Angkor ruins to the expansive Tonle Sap Lake, retracing the path once taken by Henri Mouhot. Traverse through destinations like Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City, which still bear the imprints of their French colonial history.
Highlights
Visit the Banteay Srei temple, the crown jewel of classic Khmer art
Explore the terrace of Elephants and the terrace of the Leper King
Discover Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap
Tour the National Museum, built in a traditional Khmer architectural style
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”. Have dinner in the city and spend the night at a four-star hotel for the four-anchors ship and at a five-star hotel for the five-anchors ship.
Day 2: Siem Reap | Angkor Temples
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 | Embark
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. The crew will welcome you and help you get comfortably settled into your cabins. Have dinner and formally meet the crew. The ship will remain anchored overnight.
Spend the morning crossing Tonle Sap Lake. Enjoy 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." Also, enjoy a tasting of regional products before returning on board and beginning to cruise to Kampong Tralach. The ship will remain anchored overnight.
Set out to visit the beautiful Vihara at the Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To access the pagoda, travelers 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 the 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. The ship will remain overnight in Phnom Penh.
Enjoy a tour of the fabulous Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, which is inlaid with more than 5,000 silver tiles. After, join a visit to the National Museum of Cambodia. Have lunch in the city. In the afternoon, you can pay a visit to the Tuol Svay Prey School, a former detention, torture, and execution center run by the Khmer Rouge during the civil war. Afterwards, enjoy some free time at the market. After the tour, return on board and begin to cruise to Vietnam. The ship will be anchored overnight.
Located on the border between Cambodia and Vietnam, the prosperous city of Chau Doc has developed around fish and fish farming. Pay a visit to the Ba Chua Xu Temple and the Tay An Pagoda. Lunch on board. Begin to cruise toward Sa Dec. Have dinner and spend the night on board.
Visit the former house of Huynh Thuy Le, the man who Marguerite Duras based her book The Lover on. After the excursion, enjoy some free time in Sa Dec. Have lunch on board and cruise to Vinh Long. Set out in smaller boats and travel through canals and orchards before arriving in Cai Be. Discover a brick and pottery factory as well as a traditional factory producing puffed riced, rice-paper wrappers used to make nems and rice alcohol*. Return on board the ship and begin to cruise. Have dinner and spend the night on board.
Visit a bee farm and enjoy some honey tea and exotic fruit. 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 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 the excursion, return to the ship. Tonight, have a farewell cocktail and dinner and spend the night at the port.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning. After you disembark from the ship, head to Cholon, the Chinese-influenced section of the city. Enjoy lunch and the crew will bid you farewell at approximately 2:00 p.m.
Please Note: Do not plan your flight before 5:00 pm.
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.
$3,7152-3 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
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
Very well ececuted. Hily recomended. Great experiance
Nancy Kaierle
2 days ago
Belize adventures
I've worked with Adventure Life before in planning trips and appreciate the quality of trips they put together. They use knowledgeable local guides, comfortable lodgings, and assist with transportation. I find trip planning stressful, so am happy to turn it over to them. They work within our parameters of time, budget, activity level, and types of activities to give us great experiences!
Kaesa Footracer
2 days ago
I was reading and it was a good story I need to recommend it
Delilah DeLee
4 days ago
We have been working with Adventure Life for 5 years now and it is very easy to plan out our trips. Our holidays include customization of activities and side trips along with the standard packages available on the Adventure Life website. Kevin, Jess, Mary Rose and their teams have many recommendations that have enhanced our travel.
Joe
1 week ago
We went to the Patagonia on the Chile side and Perito Moreno in El Calafate, Argentina. Eric of San Diego handled our trip with expertise. The preparation went smoothly, despite some changes on our part with scheduling conflicts. He offered great advice which made us feel at ease with all decisions on the trip. It was truly a great experience.