River Cruise Itinerary

On this unique and inspiring Southeast Asia river cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia, you’ll be immersed in the cultures and ancient traditions as you sightsee and spend time with locals in the most interesting places along the mighty Mekong River.Via sampan, cruise into Vinh Long and experience Vietnamese culture with a visit to a workshop to learn how rice wine and traditional candies are made. See firsthand how handcrafted sampans are built at the home of a family in Cu Lao Gieng. Walk through a colorful market as the locals are busy with their daily routine of buying and selling produce. In the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, tour the National Museum and Royal Palace with its striking Silver Pagoda. Enjoy a song and dance performance by children from a local orphanage. On a hilltop at the site of the 8th-century temple of Wat Hanchey, take in the stunning views before walking through the rural village of Angkor Ban to visit with welcoming schoolchildren. Continue this diverse river cruise and stop in a Silversmith Village to see craftsmen making silver artwork using ancient techniques. Go on an ox cart ride amongst rice paddy fields in the enchanting Cambodian countryside and witness the daily lives of farmers. This once-in-a-lifetime Southeast Asia river cruise vacation is sure to create lasting memories!

1. Day 1
   HO CHI MINH CITY (EMBARKATION)

   Thu, Aug 12, 2021

   Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding Transfer to the port on the Saigon River for embarkation. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO VINH LONG(D)
2. Day 2
   VINH LONG–CU LAO GIENG

   Fri, Aug 13, 2021

   Sweets, Sampans, and Sun HatsDISCOVERY Board a sampan this morning to Visit a local workshop in Vinh Long where you will see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies are made. DISCOVERY This afternoon, enjoy scenes of daily life on Cu Lao Gieng Island via sampan and local motor cart. Your Guided Excursion starts at a local workshop, where a skilled family hand-crafts sampan boats. Then, visit the home of a local family that makes Vietnamese conical hats, or “Non la,” from materials available to them such as palm leaves and bamboo. These iconic hats are primarily used as protection from the sun and rain but you may also see them used as a basket to carry home goods from the market. Lastly, stop at one of Vietnam’s oldest Catholic churches.AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO CHAU DOC(B,L,D)
3. Day 3
   CHAU DOC–LONG KHANH A–BORDER CROSSING, CAMBODIA

   Sat, Aug 14, 2021

   Colorful markets, Charming Locals, and Cotton WeaversDISCOVERY In Chau Doc take a Guided Walk through the local market and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. Then embark on a River Excursion down the backwaters of the Mekong. Along the way, see traditional floating homes, speedboat merchants, religious sites, a market selling dried goods, and more. DISCOVERY After lunch, a sampan brings you to the village of Long Khanh A for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration of a well-preserved artisan’s tradition. Return to the ship to set sail for the Cambodian border.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH(B,L,D)
4. Day 4
   PHNOM PENH

   Sun, Aug 15, 2021

   The Royal TreatmentCLASSIC Take a City Tour by private cyclo to visit the Royal Palace with the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the city at your leisure. Consider a Guided Optional Tour of a local brewery with free-flowing local beer! Just before dinner, children from a local orphanage will perform a show featuring local song and dance.(B,L,D)
5. Day 5
   PHNOM PENH

   Mon, Aug 16, 2021

   A Dark History or Market Dynamics CLASSIC This morning, a Guided Visit of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and one of the Killing Fields offers a glimpse into the atrocities inflicted on the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge regime, OR:DISCOVERY Visit the lively Central Market by tuk-tuk to see its unique Art Deco design.After lunch, depart Phnom Penh and enjoy some time at leisure on the ship. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO WAT HANCHEY(B,L,D)
6. Day 6
   WAT HANCHEY–ANGKOR BAN

   Tue, Aug 17, 2021

   Water Blessings and Back To School Adventures DISCOVERY Visit Wat Hanchey, a hilltop temple dating back to the 8th century. Climb or be driven to the top where you will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a traditional water blessing given by local monks. DISCOVERY After lunch, enjoy a Walking Tour through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here, you will visit a traditional Khmer house and interact with children at a local school. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO KONPONG LOUANG(B,L,D)
7. Day 7
   KONPONG LOUANG–KAMPONG TRALACH

   Wed, Aug 18, 2021

   Calm in the Cambodian CountrysideDISCOVERY Start your Guided Sightseeing at the silversmith village in Konpong Louang. Here, see talented craftsmen use age-old techniques to turn pure silver into works of art. In Kampong Tralach board an ox cart for a ride through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Along the way, stop to meet a local farmer and learn about his daily life. This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising on the Tonle River. EVENING CRUISE TO PHNOM PENH(B,L,D)
8. Day 8
   PHNOM PENH (DISEMBARKATION)

   Thu, Aug 19, 2021

   Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)

Inclusions

Gratuities for Local Guides & drivers are included (excludes extensions which are to be paid locally).

Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).

Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available.

All prices are per person based on double room occupancy. Cruise price based on Category B in a Panorama Suite on Mekong Deck.

To upgrade to a Category A on the Tonle Deck, add $400 per person in double occupancy or $800 in single occupancy.

Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available.

Health and Safety Protocols for Avalon Waterways

Ship Information

Cabins

Life on Board

Questions & Answers