Spiritual Cambodia and The Mekong

Pricing based on departure date 4 August 2026

Selected departure dates available from August to October 2026.  Also available in reverse itinerary. 

INCLUSIONS

• Experiences in 12 destinations
• Freedom of Choice inclusions in two locations
• Locally inspired dining - a total of 26 meals and a wide range of onboard beverages
• Seven-night cruise aboard APT's new luxury river ship, the Mekong Serenity
• Witness the sun rising above Cambodia’s Angkor Wat
• Be welcomed by monks into a traditional Buddhist Blessing
• Jump in a tuk tuk and explore the charming island of Koh Pen
• Indulge in a tantalising five-course Khmer dinner, while enjoying a traditional Apsara dance performance accompanied by live musicians in the gardens of a private gallery

Itinerary highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City

On arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, receive Fast track Service before being met and transferred to a centrally located hotel for ship registration formalities. Journey to My Tho and embark your ship. Set sail from My Tho and soak up the scenery during your cruise towards Cai Be. Tonight, a Vietnamese welcome dinner awaits, showcasing the diverse flavours from the region.

Day 2: Cai Be to Tan Chau

Board your traditional sampan for your first excursion on the banks of the Mekong. Step ashore to visit French gothic Cai Be Church, built in the Roman architectural style, as well as the colourful port area filled with crumbling colonial buildings and flowering gardens. The church’s bell tower, with its set of four bells cast in France in 1931, is the tallest bell tower in the Tien Giang Province. Afterwards, you’ll visit rice paper and coconut candy manufacturers and learn how these Vietnamese staples are made.

Head back to the ship to refresh before sitting down to savour a delicious lunch whilst continuing to cruise to the quaint town of Sa Dec. Upon arrival, explore Sa Dec by foot and meet some of the sellers at the colourful market. Continue to where French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese-Chinese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Tour his former home and learn the story behind Duras’ best-selling novel, ‘The Lover’. After, visit a traditional Cao Dai temple. Watch visitors and pilgrims come and go and appreciate the beauty of the colourful building. Sail towards Tan Chau as dinner is served.

Day 3: Tan Chau to Phnom Penh

Transfer to a small boat to cruise the tiny tributaries around the town of Tan Chau. Disembark for a rickshaw tour and visit a local rattan weaving workshop. Then, explore Evergreen Island to see authentic rural Mekong life. This afternoon, appreciate some downtime and watch the scenery pass as the Mekong Serenity cruises towards the Cambodian border.

Day 4: Phnom Penh

Enjoy your Freedom of Choice activity then spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. You may wish to head ashore and explore more of Phnom Penh independently or simply relax on board.

Day 5: Oudong and Oknha Tey

_a]:c_inherit [&_>_a]:td_underline [&_>_a]:hover:c_semantic-primary-highlight">Journey to Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital, where you will enjoy a Signature Experience. Following the visit, return via Koh Chen village and visit local copperware workshops. Back on board, cruise to Oknha Tey, known for its silk weaving traditions. Stroll among the stilt houses and gain an insight into the traditional silk weaving process. Watch as the village women create beautiful Khmer fabrics from their wooden looms.

Day 6: Angkor Ban and Wat Hanchey

_a]:c_inherit [&_>_a]:td_underline [&_>_a]:hover:c_semantic-primary-highlight">Sail to Angkor Ban, where you'll disembark and enjoy a captivating walking discovery of this historic village. Remarkably, Angkor Ban stands as one of the rare Cambodian villages that remained unscathed during the tumultuous Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. Here, people still live in traditional wooden homes and keep ancient cultural traditions alive. This afternoon, your ship continues sailing upstream to Wat Hanchey. 

Day 7: Wat Hanchey to Kampong Cham

_a]:c_inherit [&_>_a]:td_underline [&_>_a]:hover:c_semantic-primary-highlight">If you are feeling active this morning, walk to the hilltop pagoda of Wat Hanchey for expansive views over the Mekong. Here, you may find some novice monks along with many temples, pagodas, and stupas, some built this century while others date back to the eighth century. Savour lunch on board before enjoying a Signature Experience. Celebrate with a farewell dinner on board this evening.

Day 8: Disembark and Travel to Siem Reap

_a]:c_inherit [&_>_a]:td_underline [&_>_a]:hover:c_semantic-primary-highlight">Bid farewell to the crew and disembark the Mekong Serenity early at Kampong Cham. Travel to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat, passing through picturesque countryside and remote villages where you can observe rural life. On arrival at your hotel, enjoy a light lunch and some relaxation time before your Signature Experiences.

Days 9: Siem Reap

Wake early this morning to witness sunrise at the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. As the sun rises, soak up the atmosphere as you marvel at this ancient wonder. After the sun has risen, delve into the history and significance of this sacred site with a guided tour inside the vast temple complex and the sprawling grounds before returning to the hotel for a late breakfast.

Continue your exploration of the World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park with a visit to Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital of the Khmer Empire. Built during the heyday of the Empire in the 12th century, this is an extraordinary complex of Hindu and Buddhist monuments. Head to the intriguing Bayon temple, with its carved stone smiling faces of gods, goddesses and other mythological beings. Visit the Terrace of Elephants, which used to be the base for the king’s grand audience hall, and the Terrace of the Leper King, which housed the royal crematory.

Journey to Ta Prohm, known for the thick jungle of fig trees and vines that have enveloped the structure, creating a feeling akin to stepping into a lost world. Ta Prohm is commonly referred to as the 'Tomb Raider Temple' due to it being used as a location in the blockbuster 2001 film ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’, which starred Angelina Jolie. The temple offers a captivating glimpse into the past and is a testament to a bygone era. Tonight, enjoy your Freedom of Choice dinner.

Days 10: Siem Reap

_a]:c_inherit [&_>_a]:td_underline [&_>_a]:hover:c_semantic-primary-highlight">Embark on your selected activity today. Tonight, your Signature Experience awaits. Set amid a stunning garden, this promises to be an enchanting and memorable evening.

Day 11: Depart Siem Reap

Transfer to Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport for your onward flight.

Your Ship Mekong Serenity

Cruise the Mekong River in style and convenience aboard the new Mekong Serenity luxury river ship to discover Vietnam and Cambodia’s iconic sights and hidden treasures.

• On your luxury river cruise aboard the Mekong Serenity, international house wine, local beer, spirits and soft drinks are all included.
• Luxuriously spacious, the Mekong Serenity boasts some of the largest entry-level suites of any vessel cruising the Mekong River.
• During your cruise on the Mekong River, you'll enjoy luxury onboard service including two garments laundered per day per person.
• Aboard the Mekong Serenity you can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi in select common areas and suites, so that you can stay connected during your cruise.
• All suite categories aboard the Mekong Serenity include a private balcony, so you are free to enjoy the ever-changing scenery of Vietnam and Cambodia.
• Delight in an intimate culinary journey for an authentic taste of Vietnam in the onboard Indochine restaurant with a special five-course menu.

Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Be, Tan Chau, Vietnam Border Crossing, Phnom Penh, Oknhatey Village, Angkor Ban, Wat Hanchey, Kampong Cham, Siem Reap

All fares are displayed in AUD, 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.