Aqua Mekong
Described as a "floating five-star hotel", the Aqua Mekong was designed by British architect David Hodkinson of Noor Design and is constr... Read more
This classic Mekong river cruise itinerary places you in the footsteps of the legendary King Jayavarman VII, who sailed the Mekong in the late 12th century to build the grand Khmer empire. Aboard the luxury Aqua Mekong, the whole narrative of the region’s mysteries and wonders unravel before your eyes. Follow our expert English-speaking guides and discover magnificent carved temples, lush landscapes and rural villages where culture and craft flourishes — leaving no stone unturned.
We meet you at the Phnom Penh TS1 Port for check-in to your 3-story, five-star Mekong abode. Welcome aboard. We’ll leave you to settle into your floating retreat, with its window wall unveiling an endlessly captivating panorama. Enjoy these private Mekong moments on your California King bed, terrace or daybed. Together we celebrate the onward journey towards the heart of this mighty river with a Khmer apsara performance, an indigenous tradition memorialized on the temple walls at Angkor Wat.
In the silversmith village of Koh Chen, we watch artisans producing the magnificent silverware favored by Khmer royalty. We continue to Udong, the royal capital from the 17-19th centuries, where we learn about a uniquely challenging Buddhist practice at the Vipassana Dhura, a meditation center. In the afternoon, a walking tour of Kampong Prasat offers a close-up perspective on local lives and their riverside environment.
In the cooler hours of the morning, we head out on skiffs to visit traditional potters and palm sugar producers in the village of Andong Russei. There’ll be a chance to explore while riding mountain bikes or chauffeured by tuk-tuks. We’ll pedal through the rice paddies to watch climbers scale the sky piercing palms towering over us. After lunch, there’ll be more opportunities to bike through the countryside, go fishing, and discover the floating village of Kampong Tralach on board skiffs. Finally, we’ll end the day with kayaking along the Tonle Sap and sundowners by the riverbank.
On this river of time we admire dexterous Khmer artisans dyeing and weaving kroma, the ubiquitous fabric no Khmer lives without. Explore the riverbank on two wheels if you wish, past Buddhist temples and thatch houses perched on spindly wooden stilts while white oxen wade just offshore. After lunch, we board our marine-grade aluminum skiffs and head towards the tamarind trees of Preah Prosop, a remote village little changed over several lifetimes.
We show off the Cambodian capital to our passengers by motorized tuk-tuk, the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum of Cambodia, home to the world’s largest collection of Khmer art. For those who wish, we visit the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide and the Killing Field or shopping at Russian Market. We bid farewell to 4-night guests who are disembarking in Phnom Penh.
Welcome our 3-night passengers over custom sundowners like the Salted Watermelon Crush with Thai basil. Together we celebrate the onward journey towards the heart of this mighty river with a Khmer Apsara performance, an indigenous tradition memorialized on the temple walls at Angkor Wat.
Say ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’ while we cross the border and sail towards Tan Chau, a vibrant border town where we take the local rickshaw called xe loi for a trip around town or pedal 18-kilometers on the peaceful island of Long Khanh. In the afternoon, we visit a typical Mekong Delta village called My An Hung where we will walk through verdant plantations. We will be invited to a local's home to taste local fruits while hearing traditional folk songs performed by villagers, followed by a unique Unicorn dance. A 17-kilometer biking option is also available for those who wish to explore the countryside on wheels.
Begin the day at Binh Thanh mat weaving village or opt to visit Sa Dec where we will peruse the vibrant market. We continue downstream for Cai Be, zigzagging in our sampan past lone fishermen on their long tail boats. Later, our skiffs moor at a wooden pier. Here in Cai Be, walk or bike ride among high-roofed open courtyard houses, some dating back more than 100 years, and currently inhabited by gracious locals who will invite us to glimpse their property.
After a hearty breakfast, we bid farewell to Aqua Mekong. En route to Ho Chi Minh, we stop at Vinh Trang Pagoda, one of the largest Mahayana Buddhist temples in the region. You will notice the mixed architectural style and see three large buddha statues plus an impressive collection of bonsai trees.
Contact one of our Journey Designers to start planning your itinerary.
Described as a "floating five-star hotel", the Aqua Mekong was designed by British architect David Hodkinson of Noor Design and is constr... Read more
As this suggested itinerary can be personalised to your specific requirements, it is not available for online booking.
Depending on your preferred dates and arrangements, final pricing will vary from low season to peak season travel.
Please call A&K on 1300 851 800, send us a booking enquiry to book this journey or contact your travel agent.
Tailor-Made Journeys
Unlock the intriguing heritage and thriving modernity of Siem Reap, gateway to Angkor Wat and the sprawling ruins of the Khmer Empire.
Tailor-Made Journeys
Delve into one of Southeast Asia’s crown jewels, on this compact journey from North to South, encountering the people, culture and cuisine that make V...
Private Jet Journeys
Our world was shaped by great kingdoms and dynasties whose timeless monuments — from the Roman ruins of Volubilis to Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia — come to...
Small Group Journeys
Discover five of Asia’s most historic monuments accompanied by top local experts on a spectacular journey that encompasses China’s Great Wall, Forbidd...
Small Group Journeys
Discover the many flavours of Vietnamese culture and cuisine on a fun and informative journey designed for foodies who like to travel in style.
Small Group Journeys
Discover astonishing Angkor Wat and cruise for seven nights on an exclusive charter along the Mekong River to experience its varied cultures in rural ...
Small Group Journeys
Immerse yourself in the historical, cultural and culinary treasures of four countries — Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand — on a single, comprehens...
Tailor-Made Journeys
Immerse yourself in the rich cultural and timeless traditions of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos on this in-depth three country journey.
Tailor-Made Journeys
Experience an explosion of colour, flavour and ancient intrigue in Cambodia. Unpeel the enthralling layers of Phnom Penh. Spark your creativity in dyn...
Tailor-Made Journeys
Immerse yourself in the captivating culture and impossibly beautiful temples of Cambodia. Seek out the ruins of the mighty Khmer Empire. Explore the f...
Tailor-Made Journeys
Experience the irresistible allure of Vietnam on this journey from north to south. Delve into the surprises of sophisticated French-colonial cities an...
Tailor-Made Journeys
The warmth and friendliness of the Vietnamese, the contrasts of ancient and modern, the excellent lodgings and myriad cultural attractions make Vietna...
It looks like you are located in Australia, New Zealand
or South East Asia.
Proceed to A&K Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia Proceed to website
