Majestic Mekong

Sail into serenity with our unbeatable Mekong River cruise deal! 

Pricing based on departure date: 20 August, 2024

Other dates:

03 September 2024

17 September 2024

7 January 2025

(there are departure dates from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh available as well) 

Your ship: RV Apsara

River Cruising | Vietnam & Cambodia

Joined the fleet in 2023, glide along the Mekong River on the RV Apsara, you will discover the alluring destinations of Vietnam and Cambodia in premium comfort.

Trip Inclusions

• Seven-night Mekong River cruise aboard the RV Apsara, featuring all suites with twin balconies
• Services of a Travelmarvel Tour Leader and expert English-speaking local guides
• 21 meals - 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners, plus select international wine and local beer included with lunch and dinner on board your Mekong River cruise
• Explore the agricultural Koh Pen Island by tuk tuk
• Receive a traditional Buddhist blessing by monks in Oudong

Itinerary Map

Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels, Cai Be, Tan Chau, Phnom Penh, Oudong, Oknhatey Village, Angkor Ban, Siem Reap

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Embark Ship, Cai Be

Your journey begins today amid the vibrant bustle of Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival be met at the airport and transferred to ship registration. Later, travel to My Tho where you will board your boutique river ship, the RV Apsara, your home for the next seven nights. Soak in the scenery as you cruise towards Cai Be where the ship will anchor overnight.

Day 2: Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau

Explore Cai Be and its surrounds by tender boat as you view local life on the river and along its banks. Go ashore to see the French Gothic cathedral, the tallest church in the Mekong Delta with its impressive bell tower, and visit manufacturers of rice paper and coconut candy to learn how they're made.

Head back to the ship and sit down to a delicious lunch whilst cruising to Sa Dec. Afterwards, take a boat ride to the charming town of Sa Dec for a guided tour. Stroll through the colourful markets and continue by foot to the home of Huynh Thuy Le, once the lover of French writer Marguerite Duras, who penned her best-selling novel, The Lover, about their affair.

Back on board unwind or relax your body with a rejuvenating treatment from the spa. As the sun sets the RV Apsara sets sail for Tan Chau. Enjoy dinner and later head up to the Saigon Lounge for evening entertainment or a cocktail.

Day 3: Tan Chau, Cambodia Border Crossing, Phnom Penh

Transfer to a small boat for a journey along the tiny tributaries that snake around Tan Chau. Embark on a rickshaw tour and weave through the tiny laneways of this sleepy town almost untouched by tourism. Home to one of the largest silk-weaving centres in Vietnam, you can observe how silk is woven in the local workshops.

After lunch, take a small boat to discover rural life on Evergreen Island. Observe the traditional Vietnamese farming techniques, where the land is ploughed by water buffalo and where you can see authentic rural Mekong life. Later appreciate some down time and watch the scenery of the Mekong River pass as the RV Apsara spends the afternoon cruising towards the Cambodian border. While border formalities are carried out sit down and enjoy the onboard activities and presentations. Cross into Cambodia and cruise overnight towards the capital Phnom Penh.

Day 4: Phnom Penh

Today learn of the atrocities inflicted upon Cambodians during Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Explore the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields, where you'll find the Memorial Stupa, a glass monument erected in memory of the thousands of Cambodians who lost their lives. After lunch on board, visit the spectacular Royal Palace, delighting in its dazzling white and gold architecture. Then head to the glorious Silver Pagoda, set on the southern side of the palace complex.

The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. You may wish to head to the local markets for souvenirs or perhaps to taste the local delicacy of fried tarantula. Alternatively, relax on board and enjoy the facilities and service.

Day 5: Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Chen, Phnom Penh

INSIDER EXPERIENCE - Visit a monastery in Oudong where you will partake in a Buddhist blessing offered by the monks.

Travel by coach to Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia, for your memorable Insider Experience. Afterwards, you will visit Koh Chen and explore the open-air copperware workshops. Return to the ship and enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh, or perhaps enhance your time by choosing one of Travelmarvel's select experiences.

Day 6: Phnom Penh, Oknha Tey, Angkor Ban

Rise early as your ship glides along the lush banks of the Mekong to Oknha Tey (Oknha Tei), or Silk Island renowned for its silk manufacturing traditions, preserved over centuries. Travel by tuk tuk, pass rice fields and get a glimpse into rural life. Stroll amongst the still houses and gain an insight into the traditional silk weaving process. Watch as the village women create the beautiful Khmer fabrics from their wooden looms.

Return to your river ship and enjoy lunch on board as the ship sets sail for Angkor Ban. In the afternoon as you cruise up the Mekong River enjoy time at leisure. Have a dip in the pool or sit and read a book on the Sun Deck while soaking in the scenery.

Day 7: Angkor Ban, Koh Pen, Kampong Cham

INSIDER EXPERIENCE

Take a tuk tuk ride through the agricultural island of Koh Pen. Travel along the shaded lanes and past wooden stilted houses, tucked amongst palm and sandalwood trees.

Start your morning with a guided walk of Angkor Ban, a village awash with stories of Cambodia's cultural history, and one of the few traditional villages that survived the Khmer Rouge regime. Nicknamed the 'Lucky Village', stroll through town, see traditional stilted houses and a Khmer-style pagoda. After lunch, your cruise docks at its final location Kampong Cham where you can enjoy your Insider Experience. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board with your fellow travellers as you reminisce about your Mekong River cruise adventure. 

Disembark Ship, Kampong Cham, Siem Reap, Angkor

Disembark in Kampong Cham after breakfast and transfer to Siem Reap. In due time, transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your onward flight.

It is recommended to spend time in Siem Reap to make the most of your experience, please ask us about extension packages to add to this wonderful cruise!

Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels, Cai Be, Tan Chau, Phnom Penh, Oudong, Oknhatey Village, Angkor Ban, Siem Reap

All fares are displayed in Australian Dollars and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.