zVietnam, Cambodia + Mekong River Cruise

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital city, known for its graceful colonial architecture, frenetic streets, verdant parks and ancient temples. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the balance of your day at leisure.

A morning sightseeing tour will take you to Hanoi’s most famous historical and cultural sites: the impressive Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, One-pillar Pagoda and The Temple of Literature, founded in 1070. In the afternoon, explore the evocative Old Quarter on our delightful cyclo excursion (a Vietnamese rickshaw) and then thrill to a traditional water puppet show. Meals B

After breakfast, depart Hanoi for a scenic motorcoach ride to one of Vietnam’s most renowned locations: Ha Long Bay. Board a traditional wooden Junk that combines classic beauty with modern conveniences and luxurious overnight accommodations. Set sail and voyage deep into this magnificent landscape, filled with thousands of limestone islands, forested peaks, hidden coves and emerald green waters that stretch forth as far as you can see. This evening, you’ll enjoy dinner on board, and overnight on the Junk. Meals B,L,D

Awake to the mesmerizing seascapes of Ha Long Bay! Enjoy breakfast in the dining room and a relaxing morning of scenic cruising. Later this morning, disembark your traditional Junk and travel by motorcoach to Hanoi Airport. A short flight brings you to Siem Reap, Cambodia - gateway to Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer empire and one of the most renowned archeological sites in all of South East Asia. Meals B,L,D

Set out with your knowledgeable and engaging guide this morning to explore the amazing jungle ruins of Angkor! The day’s highlights will include magnificent Angkor Thom, the newly restored Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants and Bayon Temple. This afternoon, travel through the rural countryside to visit the pink sandstone Temple of Banteay Srei, known as the Shrine of the Women. Afterwards we’ll have a rewarding and inspiring visit to the English-language school sponsored by AMAWATERWAYS in the village of Ta Toum. Meals B,D

After breakfast, your guide will be waiting to take you to the most iconic of all Angkorian temples – spectacular Angkor Wat. Built in the early 12th century by the Khmer King Suryavarman II and dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, it’s the largest temple complex in the world. Today you will also visit Ta Prohm, a 12th-century temple enveloped by enormous roots and branches deep in the jungle. You may recognize this extraordinary site from the film Tomb Raider! Meals B

Welcome aboard your luxurious vessel, moored at Tonle Sap Lake. This vast lake dominates Cambodia and is known for its profuse bird life and tranquil fishing villages. Meet your fellow travelers at this evening’s elegant Welcome Dinner as you cruise to Kampong Chhnang, where the ship will be moored for the night. Meals B,L,D

After breakfast, a motor boat excursion takes you into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the Tonle Sap river. Enjoy a stunning variety of birdlife and see numerous great fish traps, some over a half-mile long. After your excursion, return to your vessel and cast off towards Kampong Tralach. An afternoon tour includes an oxcart ride from the river bank through the countryside to the beautiful Wat Kapong Tralach Pleu. Tour its pagodas and then board a motorcoach to Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia. Visit the Buddhist monastery here before returning to ship. Your cruise continues towards the village of Chong Koh. Meals B,L,D

This morning, visit the Chong Koh silk weaving village for a leisurely walk. Your vessel then departs for Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. An afternoon walking tour provides an orientation to this spectacular city. Return to the vessel for dinner, followed by a special Khmer folk performance onboard. The vessel moors overnight in Phnom Penh. Meals B,L,D

A morning tour explores the highlights of Cambodia’s capital city, famous for its French colonial architecture, busy cafes, vibrant nightlife and renovated river “corniche.” Visit the Royal Palace and the spectacular Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. After lunch onboard, another excursion leads to the infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention centre (Genocide Museum) situated in the suburbs of the city. An overnight on the waterfront provides an opportunity to dine on your own in one of many nearby restaurants and to experience Phnom Penh’s vibrant nightlife, should you so choose. Meals B,L,D

Spend a leisurely and unforgettable day cruising the Mekong River and crossing the border into Vietnam. As the day unfolds, you’ll be mesmerized by the lush scenery and timeless vistas of everyday life along this vital, life-giving river. Your vessel moors overnight at the small town of Tan Chau in Vietnam. Meals B,L,D

After breakfast, transfer to small boats, which will navigate through narrow channels to visit an evergreen island. You will also visit a catfish farm and a rattan mat and slipper-making workshop . Back ashore, a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) awaits to transport you around Tan Chau. In the afternoon, your vessel cruises downstream to Sa Dec, where it will moor overnight. Meals B,L,D

In the morning, board a local boat for Sa Dec passing floating markets as your boat maneuvers through the river’s channels. Once ashore, you will tour Sa Dec, noteworthy as the town where the French writer Marguerite Dumas spent many years in her youth. Visit a local market, Fujian Temple and the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Dura’s Chinese paramour, which is now a small museum. Afterwards board a motorcoach for the 1-hour ride to Xeo Quyt, used as a base during the French and U.S. wars and now an important ecological site, with its jungle overgrowth. After lunch on board, a local boat will take you to Cai Be’s spectacular floating market; then you will go ashore to see candy and rice paper workshops. This full, enriching and satisfying day ends on a high note as you return to ship with time to refresh before this evening’s gourmet Farewell Dinner onboard. Meals B,L,D

Your cruise comes to an end this morning as our ship docks in the port of My Tho. You’ll be transferred to Ho Chi Minh City, once fondly known as the “Paris of the Orient.” Today, Saigon is Vietnam’s largest city - an industrial, cultural and educational hub - but it still retains vestiges of its Colonial splendor. Upon arriving in the city, your sightseeing tour showcases famous landmarks such as the former Presidential Palace, the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. In bustling Cho Lon (China Town), you’ll also see the famous Binh Tay market and Thien Hau pagoda. Overnight at a luxurious hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Meals B,L

Today is free to explore Ho Chi Minh City on your own, perhaps venturing to nearby shops and markets for mementos of your Southeast Asian odyssey. Meals B

Your journey comes to a close this morning after breakfast. Meals B

Siem Reap Embarkation Day: During low-water season, guests will transfer from Siem Reap via motor coach to Preak Kdam. Your luxury ship will be docked here in this small village on the Tonle River.