Aqua Mekong Explorer Cruise 5 days from Phnompenh to Siem Reap

A magnificent presence on the Mekong river, Aqua Mekong showcases modern architecture and interiors by renowned architect Noor Design. The Mekong river cruise ship’s 20 spacious, air-conditioned suites feature full-length windows that offer spectacular panoramas of the ever-changing Mekong scenery. With its commitment to safety and comfort, Aqua Mekong remains the leader in Cambodia and Vietnam luxury cruises. The four ergonomically-designed launch boats bring guests on highly personalized day trips to explore the Mekong delta through landmarks, temples, and villages where tradition, spirituality, and craftsmanship reside.

As the Aqua Mekong charts a luxurious passage across Cambodia and Vietnam, on-board guests embark on an inspiring journey of local flavors with a dining experience crafted by Michelin-starred consulting chef David Thompson. The ship’s bar menu, created by renowned spirit experts and cocktail designers Proof & Co, echoes a similar locally-minded philosophy.

Outlined route

Delve deeper into these captivating landscapes on the 4-night Mekong Explorer Cruise, concentrating solely on Cambodia’s timeless pastoral serenity or traveling back in time as we sail upriver from Ho Chi Minh (SGN) and the thriving Mekong Delta past floating villages, colonial vestiges and gilded pagodas to the Art Deco landmarks of Phnom Penh. Enjoy twice-daily excursions on bike, kayak and guided visits to Mekong River's dynamic riverside markets. Explore the otherwise inaccessible locations on our custom designed, ergonomic and private speedboats, each sitting up to 10 guests. The Mekong River acts as storyteller as you encounter splendidly distinct Khmer and Vietnamese cultures en route. Back on board, watch the Mekong's enduring charms unfold from the daybed alongside your five-star suite's wall of windows or on your private deck.

Day 1: Embark Aqua Mekong at Phnom Penh Port (Cambodia). Overnight on board (L/D)
Day 2: Cruising upriver from Koh Chen to Kampong Prasat. Overnight on board (B/L/D)
Day 3: Continue cruising upriver from Kampong Prasat to Kampong Chhnang, then downriver to Kampong Tralach. Overnight on board (B/L/D)
Day 4: Cruising to Koh Oknha Tey - Preah Prosop. Overnight on board (B/L/D)
Day 5: Cruising to Phnompenh and disembarkation. Transfer to Phnompenh Airport for flight ti Siem Reap (B)

SIEM REAP FLIGHT EXTENSION

During low water season, cruise vessels are not able to travel up to the Tonle Sap Lake due to the water level. Airplane transfers via Cambodian Angkor Air are included in your cruise fare in order to continue your Cambodian adventure with us to Siem Reap and its ancient lost city of Angkor Wat. Requests for flight changes and/or upgrades are not available. Please kindly inform our Reservations team should you choose to remain in Phnom Penh after disembarkation.

Notes: All itineraries are subject to change, due to weather and other conditions.

Tour Included

Sharing double occupancy in Design Suite with air condition & well-equipped facilities:
Luxurious 322 square feet design suite or 644 square feet interconnecting suite
Comfortable California King-size bed or twin beds
Suites without balconies have panoramic windows & an interior sofa that converts to a single bed
Suites with balconies have panoramic windows, sliding glass door and an exterior daybed
Large double closets, chest of drawers with safe
Pampering organic natural hair and bath amenities
En-suite bathroom with walk-in shower and rainforest showerhead & professional hairdryer
All meals while on board
Selected premium wines and beer, non-alcoholic drinks
Excursions with knowledgeable local guides
Group transfers between vessel and meeting point in Phnompenh and Ho Chi Minh city
Laundry
Internet connection (intermittent depends on locations)

Tour Excluded

All air tickets and visas fees
Private transfers from vessel and meeting points
Alcoholic drinks, spa services and all other individual expenses (ex. boutique purchases) which are not mentioned in “all-inclusive experience”, are at your owned pockets
Supplement charge for single use accommodation
Guide and crew gratuities

Tour Plan

Day 1: CAMBODIA | Phnom Penh

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 conferring 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. Overnight on board.

Day 2: CAMBODIA | Koh Chen - Kampong Prasat

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 Mandala, a meditation center. In the afternoon, a walking tour of Kampong Prasat offers a close up perspective on local lives and their riverside environment. Overnight on board.

Day 3: CAMBODIA | Kampong Chhnang – Kampong Tralach

In the cooler hours, we head into the lush countryside to visit traditional potters and palm-sugar producers, astride mountain bikes or chauffeured by shaded tuk-tuk. Into the rice paddies we pedal to watch wizened masters scale sky-piercing palms towering over us. Cruise across the glassy water and disembark among the lotuses for an ox-cart ride along the Tonle Sap riverbanks, past lacquered wooden houses where during these dry months’ residents take refuge in the relative cool of these outdoor impromptu living rooms. Overnight on board.

Day 4: CAMBODIA | Koh Oknha Tey - Preah Prosop

On this river of time, we admire dexterous Khmer artisans dyeing and weaving kroma, the ubiquitous item 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. Overnight on board.

Day 5: CAMBODIA|Phnom Penh – Flight to Siem Reap

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 or choose to shop at the Russian Market. We bid farewell to 4-night guests who are disembarking in Phnom Penh.

Airplane transfers are provided if you would like to continue your Cambodian adventure to Siem Reap and its ancient lost city of Angkor Wat. Guests will be fully escorted by our guides in a luxury car transfer to Phnom Penh Airport. Tour ends.