Mekong River Cruise: Vietnam & Cambodia

Transfer from the two night pre in Ho Chi Minh or from the airport and board the Mekong Jewel.

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Today, you’ll witness the hustle and bustle of delta river life as the local traders take their produce to market. After breakfast, you’ll board a traditional sampan and explore the narrow canals and backwaters of this famed region. The untouched island of Tien Loi awaits on a unique excursion created exclusively for Rockstar guests, where you can see how local farmers make rooster cages, decorate bonsais in their yards and more. Upon arrival to Vinh Long, your sampans will bring you to a traditional rice factory. Back onboard, savor an authentic Vietnamese meal this evening.

Included excursion: Village life on the Mekong

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Following breakfast, continue your journey via sampan, where you’ll observe the daily routines of the villagers in Sa Dec. Visit a colorful temple, the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le and then venture to Gieng Island, where you’ll experience how a local family makes incense sticks and the conical hat.

Included excursion: Sampans and romance

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Visit the local island village of Hong Ngu, a major producer of the traditional Khmer scarves located not far from the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Since they’re woven in many homes around the village, you’ll have the opportunity to see the process first-hand. You’ll also stop at a local temple dedicated to a unique religion founded in this area of Vietnam, Hoa Hoa. Your last and most interesting visit of the day? A visit to the local home of a retired VC General.

Included excursion: Daily life on the great delta

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Today, you’ll discover the thriving capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. It stands at the juncture of three captivating rivers and represents a dizzying blend of architectural styles—French colonial, Khmer, modern and everything in between. Here, you’ll find an alluring riverside esplanade amid numerous bewitching Buddhist temples, palaces and artifacts.

Included excursion: Cambodia’s capital—Phnom Penh

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Today’s featured excursion may be the most profound and memorable experience of your entire journey. You’ll learn about the infamous Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge and visit a former school-turned-prison that is now a genocide museum.

Included excursion: The Killing Fields—tragedy and reconciliation in Cambodia

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If yesterday was an exploration of Cambodia’s dark past, today is a celebration of the country’s bright future. You’ll meet young children at a local school and friendly villagers in their homes, and have a rare opportunity to receive an unforgettable water blessing from local Buddhist monks.

Included excursion: Cambodia’s vibrant cultural life

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Disembark the Mekong Jewel.

Today is a bucket list kind of day as you explore the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, a gigantic religious complex that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Every aspect of Angkor Wat had religious meaning to its builders 900 years ago: the great rectangular moat, the main gate facing the west, the towers topped with stone lotuses, the huge smiling stone heads, the layout of the lanes and buildings. The largest religious monument in the world, magnificent Angkor Wat is the single most recognizable landmark in Cambodia. It is simply breathtaking in both size and scope and boasts the longest continuous bas-relief in the world. Although Angkor Wat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its importance is so immeasurable that several other conservation organizations have been enlisted to help ensure its protection. And yet, Angkor Wat is just one piece of this enormous complex at the heart of the ancient Khmer Empire (which ruled this region between the ninth and 12th centuries). It was part of a roughly 250-square-mile (64,749-hectare) city that has largely disappeared into the jungle, though excavation efforts are ongoing (recent laser imaging has revealed another, even larger nearby city under the jungle floor that was linked to the temple city).

Enjoy lunch at Malis restaurant before having the evening at your leisure.

Two nights at Sofitel Angkor Resort in Supreme Room.

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Today is all about magnificent views.

You can choose the optional sunrise tour where your morning begins at Bakheng Hill, where a steep path will take you to Phnom Bakheng, the highest temple in Angkor. Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime sunrise overlooking the gates of Angkor Wat and the temples of Angkor—a truly breathtaking sight. Float along the baray, a typical ancient Khmer reservoir, on a gondola surrounded by ancient ruins. Finally, end your excursion at the ruins of Prasat Chrung, the Shrine of the Angle, whose wall makes for the perfect vantage point to take in the amazing landscapes. Please note: As the dirt path to the temple can be steep and is not handicap accessible, this tour is recommended for more active travelers.

Your included tour begins by entering the spectacular remnants of Angkor Thom, the royal city. Built during the heyday of the Khmer dynasty in the 12th century, this extraordinary complex of Hindu and Buddhist monuments was once lost to the world for many years, hidden under dense jungle vines.

After an exciting day of sightseeing, you’ll indulge in a lavish dinner with an Apsara dance show. Apsara is the traditional Khmer dance form that tells stories and conveys messages using ornate costumes, graceful movements, codified facial expressions, and distinctive hand and foot positions. The many Apsara figures that adorn Angkor and pre-Angkor temples you’ve just visited testify to the dance form’s long and esteemed history.

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