Aqua Mekong

Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Show all

1. Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Mekong River.

   Aqua Mekong crew warmly welcomes you at the meeting point in Ho Chi Minh City where an air-conditioned coach will transfer you to the ship at My Tho Harbor. Settle into your floating luxury retreat and memorable first night onboard your five-star home on the legendary Mekong.

2. Day 2: Mekong River – Binh Thanh/ Sa Dec – My An Hung.

   Begin the day learning about traditional mat weaving at Binh Thanh Village or visit Sa Dec's vibrant market and the famous house of Marguerite Duras' legendary lover, Mr. Huynh Thuy Le. In the afternoon, stroll through the verdant plantations in the Mekong Delta village of My An Hung, visiting a local's home to savor local fruits, listen to traditional folk song performances by villagers, and participate in a unique unicorn dance. A 10.5-mile (17km) biking option is also available for those who wish to explore the idyllic countryside on wheels.

3. Day 3: Mekong River – Chau Doc – Vinh Xuong/ Ka’om Samnor Border Crossing.

   As the sun rises, travel by skiff along Bassac Canal to the Chau Doc Floating Market for real eye-opener, then hop on the van to Long Son Pagoda atop Sam Mountain to meet Buddhist monks who've made this sacred hilltop their home.
   
   Optional: Hop on a rickshaw to visit Tan Chau Market with the cruise's chef or take a picturesque 11 mile (18km) bike ride on Long Khanh Islet.
   
   After lunch, relax by the pool, try traditional Khmer massage or learn to cook Mekong inspired dishes while you cross the Cambodia-Vietnam border.

4. Day 4: Mekong River – Koh Oknha Tei – Preah Prasob.

   Sail into the legendary land of the glittering former Khmer empire. At Koh Oknha Tei, watch how Khmer artisans dye and weave krama, a silk scarf loved by locals and a treasured cultural asset that dates back from the Angkor period. Then, cycle the idyllic riverbank past Buddhist temples and traditional thatched and stilted homes and see farmers with white Brahman oxen working the rice fields. After lunch, board Aqua Mekong's private fleet of launch boat and head towards the tamarind trees of Preah Prasob, a remote village little changed over several lifetimes and home to a startlingly colourful Buddhist temple.

5. Day 5: Explore Phnom Penh.

   See the best of the Cambodian capital on motorized tuk-tuk, including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum of Cambodia, home to the world's largest collection of Khmer art. Based on your preferences, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or shop at the Russian Market before disembarking the Aqua Mekong.

6. Day 6: Tonle Sap River – Koh Chen – Kampong Chhnang.

   Awake to the beauty of rural Cambodia and sail by skiff to the silversmith village of Koh Chen for a first-hand encounter with artisans producing magnificent royal Khmer silverware. Keep an eye out for their famous silver bowls, regularly chosen by Cambodia's king as gifts for visiting dignitaries. In the afternoon, continue experiencing Khmer riverside life in Kampong Chhnang. In this serene village, meet traditional potters and palm-sugar producers and watch them practices age-old craftsmanship and techniques dating back to the 6th century that is still highly relevant and valuable today.

7. Day 7: Mouth of the Tonle Sap Lake – Chhnok Tru – Moat Khla.

   Discover vast wetlands, birdlife and remote stilt communities around the Tonle Sap Lake, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designated in 1997. In Chhnok Tru, visit an intriguing ice factory and learn from locals what it is like to live in a town where its school, church, pagoda, police station and even the karaoke bar "float" on water. After lunch, sail to the floating village of Moat Khla and attend a Buddhist blessing ceremony in this isolated community accessible only by water.

8. Day 8: Tonle Sap Lake – Prek Toal – Siem Reap.

   Continue the exploration of Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, setting off on Aqua Mekong's ergonomic skiffs to the 22,000-hectare Prek Toal Core Bird Reserve, one of the last refuges in Southeast Asia for large waterbirds like the spot-billed pelicans, milky stork, black-headed ibis and the elusive masked finfoot.

   Disembark in the enigmatic city of Siem Reap, home of the Angkor Wat. If you like to request a quote for your Siem Reap excursions, contact our Travel Consultants.