13 Day Discover the Mekong River Cruise (Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City) - Includes Return Flights

Day 1 - Arrival Siem Reap

Sous Sdei and Welcome to Cambodia. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Siem Reap. In the evening, meet your Tour Director to learn more about the days ahead.

Day 2 - Siem Reap (B, L)

Today, start with a visit to the Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire. It was a fortified city, home to priests, officials of the palace and military, as well as buildings for administering the kingdom. The city was established in the late twelfth century by King Jayavarman VII and covers an area of 9 square kilometres. After the tour, visit the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm, overgrown by jungle trees. This evening, witness the incredible Phare Cambodian Circus, a spectacle of acrobatics, theatre and music. Phare is an NGO founded by Cambodian refugees to assist disadvantaged young people by teaching them performing arts. Included is a three-night stay in Siem Reap.

You’re Invited: Phare Cambodian Circus performance

Discover More: Vespa tour of Siem Reap (extra expense)

Day 3 - Siem Reap (B, D)

Rise early and embark on a fascinating journey to Angkor Wat. This UNESCO World-Heritage Site is known for its elaborate decorations and intricate carvings throughout. Enjoy a sun rise views and take the opportunity to capture quintessential pictures of Angkor Wat. Return to the hotel and enjoy the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy a gala evening dinner together with a performance.

Discover More: Visit to Banteay Srei or Artisans d’Angkor workshop or Visit to Tonle Sap or Culinary Cambodia tour (all extra expense)

Day 4 - Siem Reap - Prek’kdam Embarkation (B, L, D)

Today, leave Siem Reap and venture to the town of Prek’kdam to embark on your Emerald Waterways award-winning river cruise Star-Ship. On route to the ship, stop in Kampong Kdei and see the impressive Angkor Bridge, continue and have lunch on a local restaurant. Arrive in Prek’kdam and be welcomed by your Captain and crew.Later, set sail to Kampong Tralach and enjoy your first dinner on-board with your fellow travellers.

Day 5 - Kampong Tralach - Phnom Penh (B, L, D)

Start your day with an ox cart ride before visiting the Wat Kampong Tralach and the Oudong Temples. Located North of Phnom Penh, Oudong is the former royal capital of Cambodia up until it moved to Phnom Penh in the 1800s. Important remnants on the temple sight include the burial sites of Khmer kings as well as religious artefacts dating back more than a hundred years. In one of the Oudong Temple there was a known large Buddha statue which was damaged during skirmishes with the Khmer Rouge which had the hill as one of their last strongholds. Receive a traditional Buddhist Blessing from the temple resident monks as part of You’re Invited. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring or simply relax on board of your Star-Ship.

You’re Invited: ox cart ride & traditional Buddhist Monk blessing

Discover More: Silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense) OR Visit to Koh Chen Silversmith village (extra expense)

Day 6 - Phnom Penh (B, L, D)

Wake up in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. The city was once known as the “Pearl of Asia”, but it was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. This morning, we learn more about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of Cambodian history. A short drive will take you to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek. Where you will have the opportunity to walk through the fields and learn about this sad chapter in history. Then, you will visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21). This is a former school that was converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit the majestic Royal Palace with its gardens and central market located in the heart of the city. In the evening, you will have a chance to experience an evening tuk-tuk ride through Phnom Penh ending on a rooftop terrace, where you will enjoy a beverage and take in the great views of the city as part of You’re Invited.

You’re Invited: Phnom Penh tuk-tuk drive by Night

Discover More: Champey Academy of Arts Visit (extra expense)

Day 7 - Phnom Penh - Cambodia / Vietnam Border Crossing - Hong Ngu (B, L, D)

As part of your You’re Invited, visit a unique family-owned Lanh My A silk producing factory. The silk product is created with dyes made from the mac nua fruit, a kind of wood tree, which originally came from Tan Chau silk village about 100 years ago. Here, you will learn more about the long-complicated silk making process and have a chance to touch the real Lanh My A silk. Continue the visit, take one of our sampans to Evergreen island for a walk through a local village to get a glimpse into the lives of the local farming community. Re-board your luxury star-ship and cruise to the border between Cambodia and Vietnam.

You’re Invited: Visit to family-owned Lanh My A silk producing factory

Day 8 - Long Khanh – An Long – Hong Ngu (B, L, D)

This morning, embark on a visit to the Long Khanh Island. There, you will visit a local family and learn about scarf weaving. Then, visit the Hoa Hao Buddhist pagoda and a grapefruit garden. The afternoon is at leisure for you to relax onboard the ship or if you prefer, to take part on the DiscoverMORE - optional tour (at additional expense) of the Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. Return to the star-ship and this evening be delighted by a lion dance performance on-board.

You’re Invited: Lion Dance Performance on board

Discover More: Visit to Ramsar Bird Sanctuary (extra expense)

Day 9 - My An Hung - Sa Dec – My Tho (B, L, D)

Start your day with a visit to My An Hung village. As part of You’re Invited, a visit this lovely and unspoiled place will surely mesmerize you. Return to the ship and Sail to Sa Dec, and in the afternoon visit the Chinese congregational house in Kien An Cung. Afterwards, visit the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel, L’Amant, and take a walk through the central market in town.

You’re Invited: Visit to My An Hung village

Day 10 - My Tho – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D)

This morning you will be taken to the village of Ðat Dua, where you will watch a coconut candy and other fruits workshop. Then, visit the Tan Long Pagoda. Return to the star-ship and sail to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 11 - Ho Chi Minh City Disembarkation – City Stay (B, L)

Bid farewell to your luxury Star-Ship in the morning and transfer to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. You will have a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, starting with a visit to the city’s most iconic building: Reunification Hall. Formerly called the Presidential Palace, images of the building were seen around the world on 30 April 1975 when tanks stormed the gates as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese. Then, stroll through the Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, City Hall, the old Saigon Post Office, listen to the stories about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era continues to influence aspects of modern Vietnamese culture. Included is a two-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

You’re Invited: Evening Saigon Street Food Tour (extra expense)

Day 12 - Ho Chi Minh City (B, D)

Drive away from Ho Chi Minh City, watching the city skyline fade into the distance as the road winds through rice paddies, villages and other scenes typical to southern Vietnam. Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide. Hear how the residents constructed an intricate, underground network of tunnels during the French and American Wars. Hear incredible tales about the unusual foods the residents ate to survive and much more.Once above ground, see other ingenious items used by the residents to defend themselves such as bamboo traps and camouflaged pits. Upon your return in Ho Chi Minh City, your afternoon today is free at leisure to relax.

Day 13 - Ho Chi Minh City Farewell (B)

Today transfer from your hotel to the airport to catch your onward or homebound flight.

Please note prices are subject to availability at time of booking and may change without notice.

Please note following prices include the Exclusive Travel at 60 booking discount and Early Payment discount when you pay in full 12 Months in advance.

TWIN SHARE based on 28 April & 12 May 2021 departure in a Emerald Stateroom (Cat. D):

• Was from $5195 pp - NOW FROM $4545 pp Twin share

Alternative departures dates available from July 2020 through to May 2021!

Solo Traveller prices available on request. Freecall our local travel team on 1300 414 198 to book your cruise.

Boasting just 42 Staterooms and Suites, Emerald Harmony offers four Emerald Staterooms, 32 Emerald Balcony Suites, four Grand Balcony Suites and two Owner’s Suites, each with a wrap-around terrace featuring a hot tub.

Emerald Stateroom:

Providing excellent value for money, they are bigger than the average standard staterooms. Enjoy your time on-board in your home-away-from-home, with everything you could possibly need. Emerald Staterooms have porthole river views perfect for seeing the picturesque landscape pass by. 256ft² (23.8m²)

Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite:

A private balcony with a drop-down window is perfect for enjoying the ever-changing views. Reaching 273ft² (25.4m²), relax and unwind in your opulent en-suite bathroom, complete with toiletries, and sleep soundly in your queen-size or twin-style bed.

Grand Balcony Suite:

Beautifully appointed with a private balcony, these luxurious suites reach 398ft² (37m²) and host a separate bedroom and lounge. Guests staying in these suites can enjoy the opulent surrounds of the en-suite bathroom, as well as breakfast, canapés and after-dinner treats.

Owner's One Bedroom Suite:

At 452ft² (42m²), this truly spectacular suite boasts a separate bedroom and lounge area, a luxurious en-suite bathroom and a queen-size or twin-style bed plus enjoy a private terrace, with an additional space of 323ft2 (30m2) complete with a Jacuzzi. Not forgetting, you’ll be invited to dine at the Captain’s Table.

IMPORTANT NOTES - Please note there is no elevator onboard the Emerald Harmony