£3299pp—Mekong cruise w/flts, stays & tours

Immerse yourself in the authentic culture and flavours of Southeast Asia. Superb guides and experiences ashore will leave you with a great appreciation of a lesser-explored but fascinating region. What's more, this 12-night itinerary from Tripse saves you up to £1495 on prices we've seen elsewhere. 

What’s included

• Outbound flights to Siem Reap and back from Ho Chi Minh City, with up to 23kg checked baggage
• All transfers in destinations
• Three nights at the 5-star Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort (or similar) in Siem Reap, with daily breakfast
• Guided tour of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, and a traditional Khmer dance and music show with dinner in Siem Reap
• A 7-night Mekong river cruise, aboard 5-star AmaDara, in a Stateroom (Category C) with French and Outside Balcony
• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner; snacks at the Main Lounge; unlimited wine with lunch and dinner; bottled water replenished daily in your stateroom; plus a Welcome Cocktail and Dinner
• Shore excursions in each destination led by expert guides, and use of personal headsets
• Two nights at the 5-star Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel (or similar) in Ho Chi Minh City, with daily breakfast

When
Fly from London or Manchester on 28 August (Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City); or 5 September, 2025 (reverse itinerary, from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap). Alternative dates and UK departures are available for a supplement—enquire on reservation.

For more information, see our partner's website.

Itinerary
Your adventure will start with three 5-star nights in Siem Reap, Cambodia. You'll set off early in the morning to see the walled city of Angkor Thom. Then, spend another day touring Angkor Wat with an experienced guide. A Khmer cultural evening with music, dance, and dinner is also covered.

Next, you'll set sail from Kampong Cham. The highlights of your week-long cruise include:

• Angkor Ban or Wat Hanchey, and Oknhatey… take a walking tour through Angkor Ban, a traditional village not destroyed by the Khmer Rouge regime. Admire hundreds of wooden houses on stilts among banana fields. If this port is inaccessible due to weather conditions, you'll visit a hilltop pagoda at Wat Hanchey instead. It has some of the best views over the meandering river. Oknhatey island is known for its silk-weaving traditions. You will also visit a local elementary school.
• Phnom Penh and Oudong… visit the Royal Palace, the National Museum, and the Silver Pagoda on a guided tour in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. Journey from here to Oudong, the former royal seat. See a Buddhist blessing ceremony at a monastery.
• Tan Chau and Sa Dec… cross the border to Vietnam, and take a ride through Tan Chau with a traditional xe-loi (trishaw), before a walking tour to silk-making and rattan workshops. You could choose to go on an excursion with a sampan boat through the lush ecosystem of the Tra Su Forest in the Mekong Delta. Sa Dec is a town criss-crossed with canals, orchards, and floating flower markets. See the Huynh Thuy Le Old House, a riverfront mansion preserved since 1895.
• Cai Be… browse stalls at a local market,  and see the Cao Dai Temple. It is home to a unique religion that is a fusion of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Confuciansim. You could also visit rice paper and coconut candy manufacturers to learn how these Vietnamese staples are made.

You'll disembark at My Tho, and get transferred to Ho Chi Minh City. With two 5-star nights in town, you will have ample to time to explore Vietnam's largest city. It is home to some of the country's best museums and has a heavy influence from the French, from the architecture to its coffee culture. We recommend trying Ca Phe Trung, a strong shot of coffee whipped with egg yolks and condensed milk.

Ship details
AmaDara is a 5-star ship built specifically for the Mekong River. It sails with only 124 guests at maximum capacity, so there is an intimate feel onboard.

Cruise Critic says the vessel is "exquisite", with "exceptional" crew, and "the food sincerely shines". French colonial décor, dark-stained wood and Southeast Asian art in public spaces enhance the elegant ambience.

The landscaped top deck is one of the highlights. It's home to the pool, two bars, and lounge seating. Other facilities include a fitness area, and a gift shop. Meals are served at the main restaurant. Once per cruise, you can dine at The Chef's Table speciality restaurant for no extra charge (reservation required).

Transfers & baggage
All transfers in destinations, and checked baggage for your flights are included.