Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Luang Prabang (WHSQ)
18 days from Bangkok to Bangkok
Step back in history as you explore Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia on this amazing cruise vacation. Enjoy a 7-night cruise along the Mekong River, discover the ancient ruins of Angkor, visit some of the countries' historical treasures, behold spectacular scenery, and learn about different cultures. This is a journey like no other!
Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam have a long history and on this tour, you'll see some of the historical sights, including the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam-a network of tunnels used by the Viet Cong-and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Cambodia-a former high school that housed over 17,000 prisoners. Learn about the culture with a weaving demonstration in Luang Prabang, a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class in Ho Chi Minh City, a lecture on Buddhism in Udong, an opportunity to partake in a traditional water blessing given by local monks in Kampong Cham, a private Apsara dance performance in Siem Reap, and a visit to traditional Khmer houses, a local school, and a Buddhist monastery in Angkor Ban.
Visit the temples at Angkor in Cambodia. These ancient temples, built between the 9th and 13th centuries, are unmatched among ancient ruins anywhere in the world. See many of the temples, including spectacular Angkor Wat, built in the 12th century. Words and photos simply cannot describe these amazing structures. They must be visited in person!
All of this and more await you on this fabulous cruise vacation. So pack your camera and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
Highlights & Sightseeing
Cruise:
Deluxe 7-night cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
Luang Prabang:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit the National Museum, Wat Mai, Wat Visoun, Wat Xieng Thong, and Ban Xiang Khong; weaving and sa paper-making demonstrations
Ho Chi Minh City:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; walking tour of the city's landmarks; visit the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market; cooking class; welcome dinner; Cu Chi Tunnels excursion; visit a rubber plantation; begin your cruise on the Mekong
Cai Be:
Visit An Kiet House and a cathedral; see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candy are made
Sa Dec:
Visit a brick factory, rice factory, local market, and the ancient house of Mr. Hyunh Thuy Le
Chau Doc:
Visit a local fish farm and the religious sites at Sam Mountain; walking tour of a local market
Phnom Penh:
Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields; sightseeing by private cyclo including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum
Prek Bang Kong:
Walking tour through the village to see silk weaving
Angkor Ban:
Walking tour through the village
Kampong Cham:
Visit Phnom Pros, Phnom Srey, Nokorbachey, and Wat Hanchey; partake in traditional water blessing by local monks
Udong:
Visit a monastery; lecture on Buddhism
Kampong Tralach:
Ride on a traditional ox cart through the countryside
Siem Reap:
Sightseeing with a Local Guide; visit Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Srei; Les Artisans d'Angkor, Apsara dance performance
Meals
B: American breakfast daily L: 11 lunches D: 9 dinners including a welcome dinner in Ho Chi Minh City and a farewell dinner in Siem Reap
Hotels
Luang Prabang Maison Souvannaphoum (SF), Ho Chi Minh City InterContinental Asiana Saigon (D), Siem Reap Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa (D), Bangkok InterContinental Bangkok (D)
It's about you. You are the reason we've used our 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. Inspired by you, we've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. Here are some of the features and amenities you'll experience on board our Avalon ships.
Day 1 Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand
Welcome to Bangkok! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2 Bangkok-Luang Prabang, Laos
Today, fly to Luang Prabang. (Breakfast)
Day 3 Luang Prabang
Today, enjoy a full day of sightseeing in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start with a visit to the NATIONAL MUSEUM, formerly the Royal Palace. Nearby is WAT MAI, famous for its 5-tiered roof built in the traditional style of Luang Prabang. You will also visit WAT VISOUN and WAT XIENG THONG, often thought to be the most beautiful wat or monastery in the city. This afternoon, visit the village of BAN XIANG KHONG. Here you will witness a WEAVING DEMONSTRATION and learn about how sa paper
is made by hand from the pulp of mulberry trees. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 4 Luang Prabang
A full day at leisure to explore on your own. You may want to consider an optional morning trip to witness the Tak Bat (almsgiving ceremony), with a visit to a local market. Each morning before dawn, Buddhist monks don their distinctive saffron-colored robes and walk through the streets to collect alms (offerings of food). This is a truly memorable sight you will not soon forget as you personally present alms to the monks and receive their blessings. Afterward, walk through the colorful morning market on the banks of the Mekong River in the center of town. Here you will see locals buy and sell their produce and meats. (Breakfast)
Day 5 Luang Prabang-Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Today, transfer to the airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, still known as Saigon to many. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 6 Ho Chi Minh City
This morning, enjoy a WALKING TOUR of the city's famous and historic landmarks as you stroll through the heart of the city along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) past the Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, the Municipal Theatre, the Central Post Office, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Next, visit the REUNIFICATION PALACE (formerly the Presidential Palace) and the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM. For lunch, participate in a hands-on VIETNAMESE COOKING CLASS. The lesson starts with a walking tour of BEN THANH MARKET with a local chef, where you will learn how different fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood are used in Vietnamese cuisine. Afterward, head into the classroom to prepare different dishes and learn how to recreate them once you return home. Last but not least, sample your delicious creations! The afternoon is at your leisure to explore this lively city. Tonight, enjoy a special welcome dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 Ho Chi Minh City. Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels
This morning, leave the city and drive through vast expanses of rice paddies to visit the CU CHI TUNNELS, an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length that was used by the Viet Cong as a hideout and secret village during the war. Here you will be joined by a Viet Cong veteran and an expert Local Guide to learn about how the tunnels were constructed and for a chance to walk through a section to experience what life would have been like underground. Make a quick stop at a RUBBER PLANTATION to learn more about this industry before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch. The rest of the afternoon and evening are at your leisure. Maybe stop at the famous Rex Hotel for a drink and sweeping views of the city. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 8 Ho Chi Minh City (Embarkation)
This morning, transfer to the port on the Saigon River and board your river cruise vessel to start your CRUISE up the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9 Cruising: Cai Be-Sa Dec
This morning, board a sampan for a scenic cruise though Cai Be Harbor, passing the city's beautiful French Gothic cathedral. Once on land, tour AN KIET HOUSE and its surrounding gardens, which feature several types of fruit indigenous to the area. Next, stop at a local establishment to see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candy are made. Visit the beautiful CATHEDRAL on the waterfront before returning to the ship for lunch. After lunch, reboard sampans and enjoy scenes of daily life along the river en route to Sa Dec. Stop at a BRICK FACTORY to see workers forming the clay bricks that fill the local landscape. Stop at the adjacent RICE FACTORY for insight into the various types of rice produced in the region and to learn about the importance of the rice husk in fueling the brick kilns. Next, ride through the LOCAL MARKET and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. Your final stop today is the ancient HOUSE OF MR. HYUNH THUY LE, the lover of French novelist Marguerite Duras and inspiration for the film L'Amant-The Lover, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10 Cruising: Chau Doc-Cambodian Border Crossing
Cruise down the backwaters of the Mekong in a sampan to Chau Doc. Along the way you will see traditional Vietnamese floating markets and villages. Upon arrival, learn about some of the different species of fish living in the Mekong at a LOCAL FISH FARM. Then, enjoy a WALKING TOUR of the bustling outdoor market. Last stop is at the religious sites at the base of SAM MOUNTAIN. Return to the ship for lunch and head for the Cambodian border. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11 Cruising: Phnom Penh
The capital city of Phnom Penh retains its French charm to this day. Sightseeing this morning provides a glimpse of the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime. Visit the TUOL SLENG GENOCIDE MUSEUM, a former high school that housed over 17,000 prisoners. Of this number, it is believed that less than 15 survived the torture and avoided being sent to the Killing Fields. You will also visit one of the KILLING FIELDS, where over 200,000 people were killed by the Khmer Rouge. After lunch on the ship, enjoy a sightseeing tour 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. This evening you may want to enjoy some of Phnom Penh's lively nightlife. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12 Cruising: Prek Bang Kong-Angkor Ban
Today, start with a visit to the village of PREK BANG KONG, where silk weaving is a well-preserved tradition. Spend time exploring the many houses in the village to see the weaving and to learn more about how silk is produced. After lunch, enjoy a WALKING TOUR through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here you will visit TRADITIONAL KHMER HOUSES, a LOCAL SCHOOL, and a BUDDHIST MONASTERY, where you will meet with the local monks. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 13 Cruising: Kampong Cham-Wat Hanchey
This morning, travel by motorcoach to see the twin holy mountains of PHNOM PROS and PHNOM SREY (man and woman hill), where you will see the beautiful stupa as well as two huge Buddha statues, both measuring over 30 feet long or tall. You will also stop at NOKORBACHEY, an Angkorian temple complex featuring several original statues of Buddha. After lunch, visit WAT HANCHEY, a temple dating back to the 8th century and the Chenla Empire. Located on a hilltop, enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a TRADITIONAL WATER BLESSING given by local monks (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
NOTE:
The climb to Wat Hanchey features a steep incline. If you feel you are unable to make the climb you will be driven to the top by car.
Day 14 Cruising: Prek Dam-Udong-Kampong Tralach
Today, dock at Prek Dam, then transfer by motorcoach to the village of Udong, former capital of Cambodia. Upon arrival, visit a MONASTERY for an in-depth LECTURE ON BUDDHISM. Continue on to Kampong Tralach for an OX CART RIDE past rice paddy fields and the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure to relax on board. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 15 Cruising: Siem Reap (Disembarkation)
This morning, enjoy time on board the ship as you cruise through Tonle Sap (Great Lake). After the rainy season, this massive body of water can cover around 10,000 square miles and provides the perfect breeding ground for fish, which play a vital role in providing food for people living on the lake. Just before Noon, arrive in Siem Reap, your base during your visit to Angkor and considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! This afternoon, start your sightseeing of the TEMPLES OF ANGKOR. Constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries, the temples were built around the Khmer interpretations of Indian religious and political beliefs that, ultimately, evolved from Hinduism to Buddhism. The complex architectural grandeur of the Angkor temples is arguably unmatched among ancient ruins anywhere in the world. First, visit ANGKOR THOM to see the BAYON TEMPLE. One of the few Buddhist temples in Angkor, it features some 200 striking faces carved in 54 towers and impressive bas reliefs. Next stop is the best preserved and most famous of all the temples: ANGKOR WAT, honoring the Hindu god Vishnu. Featuring five trademark towers and stunning bas reliefs, it has become a symbol of Cambodia. Here you will be joined by an ARCHAEOLOGIST from the APSARA Authority, which was created to protect Angkor, for a special guided tour of the ruins. This evening is at leisure to explore charming Siem Reap-or stay to witness sunset at Angkor Wat! (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 16 Siem Reap
Today, continue your sightseeing of the Angkor temples. Unlike the other temples, TA PROHM has been left relatively untouched. Tree roots grow over and through the ruin walls, allowing you to experience the temple with the same wonder as the early explorers who discovered it. Then, visit BANTEAY SREI, a unique temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Unlike other temples, it is built on a small scale from red sandstone, which can be carved like wood. Then, stop at LES ARTISANS D'ANGKOR, a development project teaching young adults traditional handicraft techniques. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. This evening, enjoy a PRIVATE APSARA DANCE PERFORMANCE, where the ancient Khmer culture is brought to life by talented dancers, singers, and musicians. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 17 Siem Reap-Bangkok, Thailand
Enjoy the morning at leisure in Siem Reap before flying to Bangkok. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. (Breakfast)
Day 18 Bangkok
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Call (520) 445-6812 for more information or to book today! Mention code 11243736
- Cruise Line
- Avalon Waterways
- Offer
- Offer valid through 6/30/2013
- Duration
- 18 Days
- Cruise Ship
- Angkor
Click for more information on this ship.
| Day | Port | Arrive | Depart |
| Day 1 | Bangkok | ||
| Day 2 | Luang Prabang | ||
| Day 3 | Luang Prabang | ||
| Day 4 | Luang Prabang | ||
| Day 5 | Ho Chi Minh City | ||
| Day 6 | Ho Chi Minh City | ||
| Day 7 | Ho Chi Minh City | ||
| Day 8 | Ho Chi Minh City | ||
| Day 9 | SA DEC | ||
| Day 10 | Chau Doc | ||
| Day 11 | Phnom Penh | ||
| Day 12 | Angkor Ban | ||
| Day 13 | Wat Hanchey | ||
| Day 14 | Kampong Tralach | ||
| Day 15 | Siem Reap | ||
| Day 16 | Siem Reap | ||
| Day 17 | Bangkok | ||
| Day 18 | Bangkok |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
Dates and Prices do not include air travel.
Participation in this vacation requires purchase of the following flights from Avalon Waterways, not included in pricing: (1) roundtrip air from your U.S. gateway and intra-vacation air segments; or (2) intra-vacation air segments only, starting at $1239. Required intra-vacation air segments: Bangkok/Luang Prabang; Luang Prabang/Ho Chi Minh City; Siem Reap/Bangkok. Air prices were effective on April 11, 2012 and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, air prices may be higher.
Port Charges:
$65
Prices based on double room occupancy.
Single Room Supplement:
$3479
Triple rooms are not available.
Extra nights per person in Bangkok:
in single room $249; in twin room $130
Cruise pricing is based on a category B, deluxe outside stateroom on Mekong Deck. To upgrade to Category A on the Tonle Deck, add $300 per person sharing a twin stateroom or $600 for a single stateroom.Travel Terms & Conditions
The purchase of any travel services offered by Avalon Waterways, constitutes a contractual arrangement between you and Avalon Waterways, and represents your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand the Terms & Conditions prior to booking. These Terms & Conditions cover Deposit & Final Payment information, Air-Inclusive Deposits & Final Payment, Revisions & Revision Fees, Air Arrangements, Participation, Travelers Who Need Special Assistance, Young Travelers, Smoking, Price Policy, Visas and Passports, Hotels & Accommodations, Baggage Allowance, Travel Documents, Not Included in the Land Price, Refunds, Service Inquires After the Vacation, Holidays, Safety, Photos & Pictures, Optional Excursions, and Responsibility.Important Notes
- Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $250 per person per vacation is required for Avalon Waterways to reserve space for you.
- Charges not included in the land vacation price: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; applicable cruise taxes, fees, fares and port charges; passports; visas and vaccinations; transfers; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); additional excursions and activities not listed as "included" in the itinerary; porterage at airports or train stations; Travel Protection premiums; and all other items of a personal nature.
Booking your Vacation with Air
Our volume buying power saves you money. We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city. Avalon Waterways offers 2 air options: Flex Air and Instant Purchase Air. Flex Air allows flexibility if you want to make changes to your vacation schedule. Instant Purchase Air may offer additional airline options but has more restrictions. Some vacations may only offer one Air type option.
Guaranteed air-inclusive prices: air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. An additional non-refundable air deposit ($250 per person for 2012 departures or $300 per person for 2013 departures) is required for Flex Air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e. air-inclusive vacation). Air can only be booked by Avalon Waterways in conjunction with a vacation package. Instant Purchase Air requires air payment in full at time of booking (i.e. air-inclusive vacation) plus $30 per person non-refundable service fee. Once booked, Instant Purchase Air is non-refundable, and non-changeable. Some vacations may only offer one Air type option. However, once your airfare is confirmed and Avalon Waterways has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.Air-Inclusive Vacations - Applicable Taxes & Fees
Air inclusive price quotes will include all government-imposed taxes and fees applicable at the time of booking and will be shown as a Total Amount. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply. At the time of booking your air-inclusive vacation online, carrier Websites will be provided to check baggage fees. The total airfare price, the base airfare price, and the applicable government taxes and fees are broken-out line-by-line and shown while booking online and on the invoice after your travel is booked. For return travel from some countries, international travelers are required to pay entry and/or exit fees at the airport. These fees will be collected by the local government and are payable by the traveler at time of travel. Your confirmation booking information will contain information about these fees.
