Cruising the Mekong: Siam, Saigon & Angkor Wat - A Luxury Small Group Journey (2023)

Arrive in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and transfer to your luxurious hotel.

The Peninsula Bangkok

Discover Wat Pho temple, with its massive Reclining Buddha statue, and listen to the musical sound of coins dropping into brass offering bowls. Then, travel by tuk-tuk to the sprawling Grand Palace to view the royal Siamese court, home to Thailand’s most important shrine, the green-jade Emerald Buddha. Next, gather for a light lunch aboard a traditional wooden rice barge. Cruise the Chao Phraya River in a relaxed atmosphere, taking in sights along the waterfront, including glittering Wat Arun. Later, fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia, where you transfer to your hotel.

Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor | Meals: BLD

Set off to explore the extraordinary temples of Angkor, a breathtaking city lost in the jungle and Cambodia’s most prized national treasure. Enter the monumental gates of Angkor Thom and visit the Bayon Temple, with its 172 large-scale faces wearing enchanting smiles. Continue to Ta Prohm Temple to see crumbling towers embraced by massive tree roots. This afternoon, visit magnificent Angkor Wat, where you stay until sunset, marveling as the diminishing, moody light washes over this unforgettable, faraway world. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening.

Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor | Meals: BL

Drive through the lush and scenic Cambodian countryside to Kampong Cham, where you board A&K’s private charter of all-suite ‘Mekong Princess,’ your boutique river cruiser for the next seven nights. Tonight, enjoy a Khmer-inspired dinner.

'Mekong Princess' | Meals: BLD

Explore the charming town of Angkor Ban, where you enjoy glimpses into the lives of local people, starting with a visit to a family home. Stroll through a small market frequented by locals and stop briefly at a monastery complex. Then, board ‘Mekong Princess’ and cruise to Phnom Penh, where you Ride Like a Local through Cambodia’s lush and alluring capital city on an engaging cyclo tour. Discover the ornate Royal Palace, and wander past huge stupas (Buddhist monuments) and spirit houses en route to the Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and the diamond-encrusted Maitreya Buddha. Visit the National Museum before returning to the ship to enjoy a professional exhibition of traditional folk dances.

'Mekong Princess' | Meals: BLD

This morning, learn about Cambodia’s darker days as you visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and then walk the notorious killing fields of Choeung Ek, one of history’s most infamous places. Your afternoon is free for you to relax on your own.

'Mekong Princess' | Meals: BLD

Cruise into Vietnam early this morning and continue downstream to little-known Hong Ngu, which nimble ‘Mekong Princess’ can enter with ease. In this place where few Westerners have ever been, experience an especially friendly welcome, followed by a visit to a local family home, where you watch the weaving of kromas (traditional Khmer scarves). Later, explore a local temple dedicated to Hoa Hao, a unique Vietnamese religion. In the afternoon, board a sampan (wooden boat) to Gieng Island, where hundreds of the vessels are built each day. Cruise a canal past orchards and rice fields. Continue to a historic Christian monastery built by the French in 1879.

'Mekong Princess' | Meals: BLD

Disembark at the village of Hoa An, well known for its floral and craft industries. See how locals grow and use flowers and meet a family in their home. Later, reboard the ship and cruise downstream toward Can Tho, where you disembark to visit Zihuang Pagoda. Back on board, relax on a Scenic Sundowner this evening, observing local life at the close of day along the delta.

'Mekong Princess' | Meals: BLD

Rise early for a sampan cruise through a fascinating floating market near Can Tho, weaving between boats that sell goods and produce. Fresh coconut water, the Vietnamese “anti-aging drink,” refreshes you before a stop at a local factory to see the making of traditional noodles. Back on board ‘Mekong Princess,’ cruise deeper into parts of the Mekong Delta rarely touched by travellers to see the fourth century Phuoc Hau Pagoda, where you interact with local monks to learn about their daily life and practices.

'Mekong Princess' | Meals: BLD

Today, board a sampan to wend your way through a channel lined with mangroves, whose tangled roots provide a sheltered habitat for the smallest denizens of the river’s ecosystem. Pause to see an artisan produce coconut candy, a favourite local snack. Next, board an intimate, two-seater boat for a cruise through lush, narrow creeks lined with nipa palms, a native species and the only one of its kind adapted to the mangrove habitat. Participate in a Chef ’s Table cooking demo this afternoon, led by your onboard chef.

'Mekong Princess' | Meals: BLD

Unlike other river ships that are forced to dock outside of Saigon, ‘Mekong Princess’ takes you right into the heart of this lively, evocative metropolis, now known as Ho Chi Minh City. Disembark your river cruiser to enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.

• Visit the War Remnants Museum to view photographs by Bunyo Ishikawa, a Vietnam War photojournalist, and then explore Reunification Palace.
• Sample Local Specialties, experiencing the culinary treasures to be found on a Saigon street-food tour.
• Cycle the Countryside, exploring the nearby Thanh Da Peninsula.

Tonight, gather for a special farewell dinner.

The Reverie Saigon | Meals: BD

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to depart.

Meals: B

Internal air included: Bangkok/Siem Reap
This journey contains some active elements.
Minimum age is 10 years.
First group event: welcome briefing at 8:30 a.m. on Day 2.
Last group event: farewell dinner at 7:30 p.m. on Day 11.
Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.

Alternative accommodation may be used on Days 2-3. Please contact A&K for details.

Included with every Luxury Small Group Journey

• English-Speaking Resident Tour Director and Local Guides
• Hand-Selected Luxury Accommodations
• Airport Meet and Greet with Private Transfers
• Travelling Bell Boy Luggage Handling
• Breakfast in Bed on Select Days
• Full Breakfast Daily; Select Lunches and Dinners
• Your Choice of Activity on Design Your Day
• Traveller’s Valet Laundry Service
• Internet Access
• Entrance Fees, Taxes and All Gratuities Except Resident Tour Director
• 24/7 A&K On-Call Support
• Guaranteed Departures with Just Two Guests

Talk to one of our expert Journey Designers or your travel agent about booking this tour as a private journey for your own small group with family or friends. Or, if you would prefer to travel privately, find out more about creating the perfect bespoke tailor-made journey based on this itinerary.