Passing through six countries, the Mekong is packed with more than 1,000 species of wildlife, which is more than any other river except the Amazon. This exclusive 15-day holiday includes a seven-night all-inclusive river cruise along it, giving you the chance to travel the same waters as the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, giant freshwater stingrays and giant catfish. You'll be joined by like-minded Good Housekeeping readers sharing the same sense of adventure.
Your adventure begins in the Cambodian town of Siem Reap, gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat. After four days of exploring this magnificent temple complex you will then board Emerald Waterways' Emerald Harmony and for seven nights take in awe-inspiring landscapes from the sun-deck and experience life from the perspective of one of the 70 million people who live in its basin. Finally, you will arrive at Ho Chi Minh and disembark for three days of sightseeing in the beautiful city formerly known as Saigon.
You'll depart from your chosen airport - London Heathrow or Manchester - for your overnight flight.
Today, you'll arrive in Siem Reap in Cambodia. You'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for the next three nights. Later, you'll meet your tour director.
After breakfast, you will visit the Angkor Thom, the fortified city that was the last capital of the Khmer Empire. After the tour, you will visit the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm amid the jungle trees. This evening, you will witness the acrobatic Phare Cambodian Circus.
An early start will see you enjoy a sunrise at the fascinating Angkor Wat. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its elaborate and intricate carvings and you'll have ample time to explore, before returning to your hotel for a day at your leisure. In the evening, you will enjoy a gala dinner.
Leaving Siem Reap behind, you will board your Emerald Waterways Star-Ship in Prek'kdam, stopping on route for lunch and a visit to the impressive Angkor Bridge. This evening, you'll enjoy your first dinner on board as you sail towards Kampong Tralach.
Your day starts with an ox cart ride and a visit to the Wat Kampong Tralach and Oudong temples. The former royal capital of Cambodia, Oudong hosts the burial sites of Khmer kings and religious artefacts.
You'll wake up in the 'Pearl of Asia', the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. You will learn about the Khmer Rouge and the almost total evacuation of Phnom Penh in 1975 as well as visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which served as the Khmer Rouge's torture headquarters. In the afternoon, visit the majestic Royal Palace and its gardens. This evening you can try a tuk-tuk ride through Phenom Penh before enjoying a night on a rooftop terrace enjoying the views.
Today, you will learn about the enormously complicated silk-making process on a visit to the family-owned Lanh My A silk factory. Then you will head to Evergreen Island for a taste of the local farming community. Back on board your ship, you'll cruise across the Cambodia/Vietnam border.
This morning, you will visit a local family for a scarf-weaving demonstration on Long Khanh Island. Then you'll see the Hoa Hao Buddhist pagoda and a grapefruit garden. The afternoon is yours or you can take an optional tour of the Ramsar Bird Sanctuary. Back on board this evening, you'll enjoy a lion dance performance.
A visit to the mesmerising, unspoilt My An Hung village is first on the agenda today. You'll then sail to Sa Dec to visit the Chinese congregational house in Kien An Cung and the home of Mr Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras' novel L'Amant.
On a trip to the village of Dat Dua this morning, you will watch a coconut candy workshop before visiting the Tan Long Pagoda.
This morning you will bid farewell to your Star-Ship and transfer to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. There you'll enjoy a guided tour, starting with the city's most iconic building. The Presidential Palace, now known as Reunification Hall, was seen on footage around the world in April 1975 as the city fell to the North Vietnamese. You'll see the colonial quarter and the Opera House and City Hall.
Today, you'll take a drive through rice paddies and villages on your way to take a guided tour of Củ Chi's rugged grounds and hear about the network of tunnels constructed during the French and American wars. After returning to Ho Chi Minh City, the afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure.
After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight home.
After your overnight flight, you will arrive back in the UK.
Soft lighting, fragrant scents and mod-Cambodian design
Funky art, quaint vintage sculptures and beautifully handcrafted
lotus flower displays show the detailed character of this upscale
boutique hotel. The striking décor was provided by Asia's foremost
hotel architect-designer, Bangkok-based Bill Bensley, during its
2012 renovation. Rooms come with a view either over the stunning
swimming pool and flourishing tropical gardens or over the leafy
streetscape below. A percentage of your daily room rate will be
contributed to the Shinta Mani Foundation, which supports the
eduaction of less-fortunate young adults in Cambodia.
Thoughtful design and contemporary innovation combine with authentic flavours and world-class service
You'll become familiar with the majesty of the Mekong river from the sun deck of Emerald Waterways' newest recruit to the fleet of Star-Ships, Emerald Harmony, where thoughtful design and contemporary innovation combine with authentic flavours and world-class service. Emerald Harmony is specifically designed to sail into the centre of Ho Chi Minh, allowing us to dock at the heart of this fantastic city.
Excellent hospitality and service in an historic, colonial-style building
Grand Hotel Saigon is a colonial-style hotel built in 1930. The
hotel was restored in 1997 and now boasts both an 'Ancient Wing'
styled on European colonial architecture, and a 'Luxury Wing'. Its
facilities include a recreation area, Sky Lounge, both Western and
Asian restaurants, bars and Rooftop Grand Lounge, and even a
450-seat ballroom. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of Ho
Chi Minh, overlooking its historical streets and the Saigon
River.
To view Emerald Waterways’ supplier’s terms and conditions click here.