Mekong Discovery
8 Days
Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City
River Cruise
Countries
Cambodia
Vietnam
Overview
On this unique and inspiring Southeast Asia river cruise through Cambodia and Vietnam, you’ll be immersed in the cultures and ancient traditions as you sightsee and spend time with locals in interesting places along the mighty Mekong River. In the enchanting Cambodian countryside, go on an ox-cart ride amongst rice paddy fields and witness the daily lives of farmers. In a Silversmith Village, see craftsmen making silver artwork using ancient techniques. French influences are still apparent in the lovely capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. Here you’ll tour the National Museum and Royal Palace with its striking Silver Pagoda and enjoy a song and dance performance by children at a local orphanage. On a hilltop at the site of the 8th-century temple of Wat Hanchey, take in the stunning views before walking through the rural village of Angkor Ban to visit with welcoming schoolchildren. Continue your river cruise into Vietnam, where you’ll walk through a vibrant market as the locals are busy with their daily routine of buying and selling produce. See firsthand how handcrafted sampans are built at the home of a family in Cu Lao Gieng. Via sampan, cruise into Vinh Long and experience Vietnamese culture with a visit to a workshop to learn how rice wine and traditional candies are made. This once-in-a-lifetime Southeast Asia river cruise vacation is sure to create lasting memories!
Itinerary
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Welcome to Cambodia. Your intimate Suite Ship® Awaits! Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening.
Wat Hanchey - Angkor Ban
Water Blessings and Back-to-School Adventures.
Discovery Excursion: Visit Wat Hanchey, a hilltop temple dating back to the 8th century. Climb or be driven to the top, where you will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a traditional water blessing given by local monks.
Discovery Excursion: After lunch, enjoy a Walking Tour through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here, you will visit a traditional Khmer house and interact with children at a local school.
Cambodian Countryside
Kampong Tralach - Konpong Louang - Phnom Penh
Discovery Excursion: Your Guided Sightseeing starts in Kampong Tralach with an Ox-Cart Ride through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Along the way, stop to meet a local farmer and learn about his daily life. At the silversmith village in Konpong Louang, see talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn pure silver into works of art.
Sail to the capital city of Phnom Penh this afternoon.
Classic Excursion: After lunch, a Visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields provides a glimpse into the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime.
OR:
Discovery Excursion: Visit the lively Central Market with its unique Art Deco design by tuk-tuk. This evening, spend some free time exploring the city on your own. Perhaps follow the riverfront promenade to the historic Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC).
Phnom Penh
The Royal Treatment
Classic Excursion: Join a Guided Tour of the city by private cyclo with visits to the Royal Palace with the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts.
The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Just before dinner, children from a local orphanage will perform a show, featuring local songs and dance.
Border Crossing - Chau Doc, Vietnam
Good Morning, Vietnam!
Discovery Excursion: Take a Village Walk through the Chau Doc market and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. After lunch, embark on a Guided Excursion down the backwaters of the Mekong. Along the way, see traditional floating homes, speedboat merchants, religious sites, a market selling dried goods, and more.
Long Kahnh A - Cu Lao Gieng
Cotton Weaving, Conical Hats, and Handcrafted Sampans
Discovery Excursion: This morning, a sampan brings you to the village of Long Khanh A for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration of this well-preserved tradition.
Discovery Excursion: This afternoon, enjoy scenes of daily life on Cu Lao Gieng Island via sampan and local motor cart. Your Guided Excursion starts with a stop at one of Vietnam’s oldest Catholic churches. Then, visit the home of a local family that makes Vietnamese conical hats, or “Non la,” from materials available to them, such as palm leaves and bamboo. These iconic hats are primarily used as protection from the sun and rain, but you may also see them used as a basket to carry home goods from the market. Lastly, visit a local workshop where a skilled family hand-crafts sampan boats.
Vinh Long
Sweets and Rice Treats
Discovery Excursion: Board a sampan this morning to visit a Local Workshop in Vinh Long, where you will see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies are made.
This afternoon, enjoy time on board the ship as we sail to exciting Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Avalon Saigon
18
Staterooms
0
Suites
24
Crew
195ft
Length
The Avalon Saigon is designed to venture easily into areas where other cruise ships cannot, while measuring as wide and long as ships carrying twice the number of our just 36 guests. Cruising uninterrupted from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh (or vice versa), the Saigon eliminates hours of motorcoach travel time associated with other river cruise ship itineraries. The Avalon Saigon Suite Ship incorporates the classic colonial charm befitting the Vietnam and Cambodia experience with the modern features you expect from Avalon. Each Panorama Suite features 245 square feet of living space with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows to create river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony. With luxurious beds that face the window, you'll never miss a fascinating view on the Mekong. You'll also find ample room to roam on board, while never feeling crowded. From the air-conditioned Panorama Lounge to the open-air observation lounge, you'll find plenty of seating and inviting spots to relax. With lounges located at the front of the ship, you'll always have a great forward-focused view no matter where you sit. Our crew embodies Avalon's "you first" spirit from start to finish. From the reception staff and bartender to wait staff and room attendant, you'll experience exquisite service with a relaxed luxury that's come to encompass the Avalon difference.
Ship Amenities
- Air-conditioned Panorama Lounge
- Free Wi-Fi when available
- Open-air observation lounge with shade system & premium lounge chairs
- Bar serving premium spirits, wine & complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, and local beer/spirits throughout the day
- Sightseeing with Expert Local Guides
- Spa treatment room
- Fitness Room
- Library and games
- Onboard lectures, activities & entertainment
- Non-smoking staterooms & ship interior
- English-speaking friendly crew, staff & professional Cruise Director
- Choice of Classic, Active or Discovery excursions so that you can experience your cruise your way
- Behind-the-scenes galley tour
- Complimentary specialty coffees including espresso and cappuccino available throughout the day
- Onboard assistance is available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
- Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 50 free movie options
- Headsets for all guided shore excursions
- Daily cocktail hour with cocktail of the day
- Complimentary water stations
- Air-conditioned Panorama Lounge
Dining
- Daily a la carte lunch including regional specialties, healthy Avalon Fresh options and classic dishes
- Seasonal recipes featuring the freshest local ingredients
- Vegetarian options available with all meals
- Complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, local beer/spirits with all onboard meals
- Daily early-riser coffee & tea
- Daily a la carte breakfast
- Complimentary juices with breakfast
- Four-course à la carte dinners with choice of salads, soups, entrées, dessert or cheese
- Complimentary wine with all onboard lunches & dinners
- Chef-prepared onboard meals with regional cuisine and familiar favorites
- Daily a la carte lunch including regional specialties, healthy Avalon Fresh options and classic dishes
Pre & Post Cruise Extensions
"Cruising Elevated"
"Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration. Avalon puts you in the captain's seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruise down the world's most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and you'll see how the tides they are a-changin'."
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