BANGKOK | GLIDING ON THE TONLE SAP

This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to your hotel. After having a welcome briefing, in the early evening enjoy a special sunset cruise with a cocktail and canapes on nearby Tonle Sap. The largest lake in the country, Tonle Sap is a unique geographical wonder and offers insight into the centuries-old traditions of riparian life.

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA | SUNSET AT ANGKOR WAT

Set off to explore the extraordinary temples of Angkor, a breathtaking city lost in the jungle and Cambodia’s most prized national treasure. Enter the monumental gates of Angkor Thom, and visit the Bayon Temple, with its 172 large-scale faces wearing enchanting smiles. Continue to Ta Prohm Temple to see crumbling towers embraced by massive tree roots. This afternoon, visit magnificent Angkor Wat, where you stay until sunset, marveling as the diminishing, moody light washes over this unforgettable, faraway world.

CRUISING THE MEKONG | BOARD YOUR ALL-SUITE CRUISER

Drive through the lush and scenic Cambodian countryside to Kampong Cham, where you board A&K’s private charter of all-suite ‘Mekong Princess,’ your boutique river cruiser for the next seven nights. Tonight, enjoy a Khmer-inspired dinner.

CRUISING THE MEKONG | LIFE IN A LOCAL VILLAGE

Explore the charming town of Angkor Ban, where you enjoy glimpses into the lives of local people, starting with a visit to a family home. Stroll through a small market frequented by locals and stop briefly at a monastery complex. Then, board ‘Mekong Princess’ and cruise to Phnom Penh, where you Ride Like a Local through Cambodia’s lush and alluring capital city on an engaging cyclo tour. Discover the ornate Royal Palace, and wander past huge stupas (Buddhist monuments) and spirit houses en route to the Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and the diamondencrusted Maitreya Buddha. Visit the National Museum before returning to the ship to enjoy a professional exhibition of traditional folk dances.

CRUISING THE MEKONG | PHNOM PENH

This morning, learn about Cambodia’s darker days as you visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and then walk the notorious killing fields of Choeung Ek, one of history’s most infamous places. Your afternoon is free to explore the city on your own.

CRUISING THE MEKONG | CROSSING INTO VIETNAM

Cruise into Vietnam early this morning and continue downstream to little-known Hong Ngu, which nimble ‘Mekong Princess’ can enter with ease. In this place where few Westerners have ever been, experience an especially friendly welcome, followed by a visit to a local family home, where you watch the weaving of kromas (traditional Khmer scarves). Later, explore a local temple dedicated to Hoa Hao, a unique Vietnamese religion. In the afternoon, board a sampan (wooden boat) to Gieng Island, where hundreds of the vessels are built each day. Cruise a canal past orchards and rice fields. Continue to a historic Christian monastery built by the French in 1879.

CRUISING THE MEKONG | MEET A LOCAL FAMILY

Disembark at the village of Hoa An, well known for its floral and craft industries. See how locals grow and use flowers, and meet a family in their home. Later, reboard the ship and cruise downstream toward Can Tho, where you disembark to visit Zihuang Pagoda. Back on board, relax on a Scenic Sundowner this evening, observing local life at the close of day along the delta.

CRUISING THE MEKONG | FLOATING MARKET VISIT

Rise early for a sampan cruise through a fascinating floating market near Can Tho, weaving between boats that sell goods and produce. Fresh coconut water, the Vietnamese “anti-aging drink,” refreshes you before a stop at a local factory to see the making of traditional noodles. Back on board ‘Mekong Princess,’ cruise deeper into parts of the Mekong Delta rarely touched by travellers to see the fourth-century Phuoc Hau Pagoda, where you interact with local monks to learn about their daily life and practices.

CRUISING THE MEKONG | LIFE AMONG THE MANGROVES

Today, board a sampan to wend your way through a channel lined with mangroves, whose tangled roots provide a sheltered habitat for the smallest denizens of the river’s ecosystem. Pause to see an artisan produce coconut candy, a favorite local snack. Next, board an intimate, two-seater boat for a cruise through lush, narrow creeks lined with nipa palms, a native species and the only one of its kind adapted to the mangrove habitat. Participate in a Chef ’s Table cooking demo this afternoon, led by your onboard chef.

HO CHI MINH CITY | DESIGN YOUR DAY

Unlike other river ships that are forced to dock outside of Saigon, ‘Mekong Princess’ takes you right into the heart of this lively, evocative metropolis, now known as Ho Chi Minh City. Disembark your river cruiser to enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.

Visit the War Remnants Museum to view photographs by Bunyo Ishikawa, a Vietnam War photojournalist, and then explore Reunification Palace.

Sample Local Specialties, experiencing the culinary treasures to be found on a Saigon street-food tour.

Stroll Ben Thanh Market & Craft Boutiques to discover the latest in trendy shops and local market life.

Tonight, gather for a special farewell dinner.

DEPART HO CHI MINH CITY

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to depart.