Plying the inland waterways of a continent by deluxe riverboat has become an increasingly popular mode of travel. Riverboats provide an ideal way to explore the very heart of a continent by traversing its scenic arteries. Without having to travel overland point-to-point, these vessels offer up an opportunity to explore dynamic destinations, returning each day to a club-like atmosphere and the comfort of a spacious stateroom with premium amenities and excellent cuisine. Enjoy colorful local scenery from your stateroom balcony as you glide along peacefully. When your ship docks in the center of town, stroll ashore to explore or set off on a complimentary bicycle. In Europe, cruise along the fabled Rhine, romantic Danube and Rhône Rivers . . . and what a unique and fulfilling way to explore France, Holland, Germany, Austria and Hungary effectively in a single itinerary. River cruising has extended to Russia’s mighty Volga, Burma’s Irrawaddy, Vietnam-Cambodia’s Mekong, China’s Yangtze and now even to India’s Ganges. Your inclusive vacation is an incredible value. Sightseeing excursions led by local experts and guides, and access to cultural experiences ashore are part of the package.
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Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong
Angkor Wat
Spend 2 nights Hanoi, overnight in Ha Long Bay, then travel to Siem Reap for 3 nights before embarking on your Mekong river cruise aboard the AmaLotus, ending your journey with a 2-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
OVERVIEW: Your journey begins in Vietnam’s bustling capital, Hanoi, followed by an excursion to breathtaking Ha Long Bay for an overnight sojourn. A short flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia then brings you to the gateway of the ancient Khmer empire. Spend three days touring the temples of Angkor Archeological Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - before embarking your Mekong cruise on Tonle Sap Lake. Visit rural villages, historic pagodas, floating markets and a Buddhist monastery along the way. Overnight in Phnom Phen, capital of Cambodia. Conclude your cruise in lively Ho Chi Minh City, where you will enjoy a two-night stay. While at port, included tours immerse you in rich, centuries-old culture. Ride trishaws and ox-carts, visit floating markets and historic pagodas and explore the legendary temples of Angkor Wat. While aboard, enjoy western-style cuisine as well as locally-inspired dishes, air conditioning, interior corridors, a panoramic lounge, and amenities such as a swimming pool, spa, salon, and fitness room.
INCLUDED FEATURES
• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Hanoi at the Sofitel Legend Metropole (or similar), including daily buffet breakfast
• Overnight stay on board a traditional wooden Junk in Ha Long Bay
• 3 nights hotel accommodation in Siem Reap at the Sofitel Royal Angkor (or similar), including daily buffet breakfast 
• 7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom - most with balcony (Twin Balconies featured onboard AmaDera)
• Life enriching tours and excursions
• Fine dining with all meals included during your cruise
• Unlimited wine with every lunch and dinner on board
• Complimentary house-brand spirits, beer and soft drinks during cruise
• Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
• Welcome Dinner and Farewell Cocktail Party & Dinner
• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) at the Sheraton Saigon (or similar), including buffet breakfast
• Onboard special highlights including folklore dances and music performances, culture discussion forums, theme dinners and piano entertainment
• Non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
• All transfers with the purchase of cruise & air package
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 | ARRIVE HANOI, VIETNAM
Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city, known for its graceful colonial architecture, frenetic streets, and verdant parks and temples. After checking Into your hotel mid-afternoon, the remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own.
Day 2 | HANOI
A morning sightseeing tour will take you to some of Hanoi’s most famous historical and cultural sites, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, One-pillar Pagoda and The Temple of Literature. You will also visit the infamous prison that American POWs sarcastically dubbed the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War. In the afternoon, experience an authentic rickshaw ride (known as “cyclo”) in the Old Quarter, followed by a Traditional water puppet show. (B)
Day 3 | HANOI - HA LONG BAY
After breakfast, leave Hanoi behind and take a scenic ride to one of Vietnam’s most renowned locations, Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Board a traditional wooden Junk, where you will spend the night – an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience and an AmaWaterways exclusive. After visiting a floating village, enjoy an onboard dinner set against the Bay’s magnificent scenery and dramatic limestone cliffs and rock formations. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | HA LONG BAY - HANOI - SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA
This morning, your Ha Long Bay Junk continues its scenic cruising during breakfast onboard. Late morning, disembark the ship and transfer to Hanoi Airport, stopping for lunch en route. A short flight will take you to Siem Reap in Cambodia, the gateway to Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer empire and one of the most renowned archeological sites in all of Southeast Asia. Tonight, you will enjoy a special “Apsara Dancing Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | SIEM REAP - ANGKOR
After breakfast, you will have a guided sightseeing tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include Angkor Thom, the newly restored Baphuon Temple, Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King. You will also see the Bayon Temple, best known for its gigantic smiling stone faces. This afternoon, travel through the rural countryside to visit the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei. Afterwards, you will visit an English-language school sponsored by AmaWaterways in the village of Ta Toum. (B,D)
Day 6 | SIEM REAP - ANGKOR
This morning we will visit the most iconic temple of all Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat. This massive temple complex was built in the early 12th century to honor the Hindu god Vishnu. You will also visit Ta Prohm, known as the “Kingdom of Trees” for the way in which the temple stones have become intertwined with thick forest vegetation over the centuries (an incredible sight that will be easily recognized by fans of the film “Tomb Raider”). The afternoon is yours to spend however you wish. (B)
Day 7 | SIEM REAP/TONLE SAP LAKE - EMBARKATION - KAMPONG CHHNANG
Today you will board your river cruise ship at Tonle Sap Lake, the great lake that has dominated Cambodia and its people for centuries. Meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Kampong Chhnang. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | KAMPONG CHHNANG - KAMPONG TRALACH - OUDONG
After breakfast, a local boat will take you into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the Tonle Sap River. Enjoy the stunning variety of bird life here, and be on the lookout for the traps used to catch fish in this area – some are over a half-mile long! After returning to the ship and cruising to Kampong Tralach, you will have a truly memorable afternoon excursion – an oxcart ride through the rice paddies surrounding a small village. Later, you will be transferred to Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia, and tour a monastery where you will receive a special Buddhist blessing. Back on board the ship, relax and enjoy the scenery as you cruise towards the village of Koh Chen. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | KOH CHEN - PHNOM PENH
This morning, take a leisurely walk to the Koh Chen silk weaving village. You will also visit home workshops specializing in silversmithing and coppersmithing. Later, your ship will depart for Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, where an afternoon walking tour will give you a wonderful introduction to the city. Your tour includes a stop at Wat Phnom. Return to the ship for dinner and an onboard Khmer folk performance presented by local children. The vessel moors overnight in Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)
Day 10 | PHNOM PENH
A morning tour explores the highlights of the city, famous for its French colonial architecture, busy cafes and colorful nightlife. Visit the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. After lunch onboard, you will take an afternoon excursion to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields, and also visit the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum) just outside the city. An overnight on the waterfront provides an opportunity to dine on your own in one of many nearby restaurants, if you so choose. (B,L,D)
Day 11 | PHNOM PENH - BORDER CROSSING - TAN CHAU, VIETNAM
Spend the day cruising the Mekong River and crossing the border into Vietnam. Your vessel moors at the small town of Tan Chau, Vietnam. (B,L,D)
Day 12 | TAN CHAU - SA DEC
Today, you will take a small local boat through narrow channels to several scenic locations, including a small village known as “Evergreen Island”. Later, you will see Tan Chau from the vantage point of a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) that will take you around to all the sights, with stops at a silk-making workshop and another that produces rattan mats and slippers. This afternoon, your ship cruises to Sa Dec, where it will moor over- night. (B,L,D)
Day 13 | SA DEC - XEO QUYT - CAI BE
In the morning, board a local boat for Sa Dec. Once ashore, you will tour the town where French writer Marguerite Duras spent many years in her youth. Visit a colorful local market, and the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras' Chinese paramour, now a small museum. Afterwards, board a motor coach for Xeo Quyt, once used as a base during the French and U.S. wars and now an important ecological site. After lunch on board, a local boat will take you to Cai Be’s spectacular floating market. You will also have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper workshops. This evening, enjoy a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)
Day 14 | HO CHI MINH CITY - DISEMBARKATION
Your cruise comes to an end as the ship docks at My Tho Port, followed by a transfer to Ho Chi Minh City. As the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina, Saigon was known as “Paris of the Orient.” Today, Vietnam’s largest city is an industrial, cultural and educational hub, but still retains vestiges of its colonial past. Upon arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, you will enjoy a city tour that explores famous landmarks, such as the former Presidential Palace, Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral; Cho Lon (China Town) and its famous Binh Tay market and Thien Hau pagoda. Overnight at a luxurious hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. (B,L)
Day 15 | HO CHI MINH CITY
Today is free to explore Ho Chi Minh City on your own, perhaps venturing to nearby shops and markets for mementos of your Southeast Asia adventure. (B)
Day 16 | DEPART HO CHI MINH CITY
Bid farewell to Ho Chi Minh City and prepare for your homeward flight. (B)
in collaboration/AmaWaterways
Customize Your Journey
Explore the ships and cruising options. Tell us when and where you want to go and what you want to see and do at the outset and at the conclusion of your cruise ~ pre and post. You may want to take a few, or more than a few additional days on either end of your cruise to explore and enjoy the cities and regions where you will embark and disembark. We can customize a personal journey around your cruise itinerary with best pricing based upon your travel dates and the number of persons in your party.
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