Day 1. Depart London
Make your way to London Heathrow for your flight to Hanoi.
Day 2. Hanoi, Freedom of Choice
On arrival in Hanoi, be met and transferred to your hotel. Later, perhaps travel to Le Mat village and meet a calligrapher to learn about the art form; tour the village of Bat Trang; or relax and enjoy a massage at your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Dinner
Day 3. Hanoi, Freedom of Choice
A tour of Hanoi today includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, The Temple of Literature and One Pillar Pagoda. Later, take a rickshaw ride through the Old Quarter, then enjoy premium seating at a traditional water puppet show. Tonight, enjoy dinner at Nineteen 11; the Ly Club; the Hanoi Press Club; Madame Hien; or Club De L’Oriental
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Dinner
Day 4. Hanoi, Ha Long Bay
Today travel to Ha Long. Here, transfer to a traditional junk for your luxurious overnight cruise on World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay. Set off among the spectacular islets and enjoy lunch on board as you sail to Titop Island, where you’ll have time to swim or explore. Later, continue to the Bat Cave area for a visit to the bay’s largest floating fishing village, or perhaps set off on a kayak tour to explore the nearby Bat Cave. Back on board, enjoy dinner and a range of entertainment options this evening.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 5. Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Saigon
Wake to the beauty of Ha Long Bay and, before breakfast, travel to Surprise Cave for a tour. Then return to land and transfer to Hanoi airport for your flight to Saigon. Settle in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 6. Saigon, Long Tan OR Cu Chi Tunnels
Today visit the place that served as the Australian Military Base during the Vietnam War, explore the Long Phuoc Tunnels and attend a memorial service at Long Tan Cross (min. and max. numbers apply). Or perhaps visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Tonight enjoy a degustation dinner with matching wines at Xu Restaurant.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 7. Saigon, Freedom of Choice, Embark Cruise
Enjoy a walking tour of the city and a cyclo ride; visit an artist’s home; or tour Saigon by motorbike. Later, embark your ship for your seven-night Mekong River cruise. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner tonight.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 8. Cai Be, Vinh Long
A local boat will take you to Cai Be, an intriguing river-land town. Visit its floating markets then go ashore to explore the French Gothic cathedral and its colourful port area. Later cruise to Vinh Long. Here, enjoy a boat ride and explore the bustling markets.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 9. Sa Dec, Tan Chau
Enjoy a boat ride past floating markets to Sa Dec, the city where the French writer, Marguerite Duras, met her Vietnamese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Tour Le’s old house as well as Thien Hau Pagoda and the Fujian Temple. Later, cruise to Tan Chau.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 10. Tan Chau, Evergreen Island, Border Crossing
Visit a remote evergreen island and a floating fish farm then tour Tan Chau by rickshaw. The rest of today is then spent on board as you cross into Cambodia. Tonight, enjoy a Vietnamese banquet.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 11. Phnom Penh
In Phnom Penh, tour the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. Then, after lunch, visit the infamous Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 12. Chong Koh, Oudong, Kampong Tralach
Enjoy a stroll around the silk-weaving village of Chong Koh. Then cruise to Prek K’dam and set off on a tour of Oudong. Later, visit Wat Kampong Tralach Pleu before an ox-cart ride takes you back to your ship.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 13. Kampong Chhnang, Tonle Sap
Enjoy a small-boat excursion into the wetlands near Kampong Chhnang, then return to your ship and set off towards the lake of Tonle Sap. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Lunch
- • Dinner
Day 14. Disembark Cruise, Siem Reap, Freedom of Choice
Disembark and transfer to Siem Reap, then head to Angkor Archaeological Park to visit many of the main sights, including Angkor Thom. Tonight in Siem Reap, choose from five restaurants - Mouhots Dream; The Citadel; The Square 24; Champey; or The Foreign Corespondent's Club.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Dinner
Day 15. Siem Reap, Angkor
Rise early to enjoy a glass of champagne as you take in sunrise at Angkor Wat. Afterwards, tour the iconic temple, explore Ta Phrom and visit a ‘grass-roots’ orphanage. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner and a Khmer performance of Apsara dance.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
- • Dinner
Day 16. Siem Reap, Freedom of Choice, Depart
Today, perhaps visit Wat Preah Phrom Rath; ride a tuk-tuk to the Artisans d’Angkor workshop; enjoy a tethered balloon ride; take off on a quad bike adventure; ride an elephant to the temple of Bayon; or indulge in a spa treatment. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
- Daily Meals Included:
- • Breakfast
Day 17. Arrive UK
Your flight arrives early this morning at London Heathrow.
RV AmaLotus
Cruise in style aboard the newest and most luxurious ship on the Mekong.
Technical Data
Launched: 2011, Length: 92.05m, Suites: 62, Max. Passengers: 124, Crew: 60, Decks: 4. See RV Amalotus River Ship plans here.
Suite Floor Plans
Standard Suite
Category: C - 226 square feet / 21 square metres.
These spacious entry-level suites feature porthole windows and represent amazing value. See Standard Suite floor plan here.
Deluxe Balcony Suite
Categories: B and A - 226 square feet / 21 square metres.
44 Deluxe Balcony Suites offer both Outside and Ama Private Balconies.
See Deluxe Balcony Suite floor plan here.
Sadec Balcony Suite
Category: Sadec - 290 square feet / 26.9 square metres.
Also benefitting from two balconies, Sadec Balcony Suites have more space, a larger balcony, a king-size bed and an ensuite with a separate bath.
See Sadec Balcony Suite floor plan here.
Owner's Balcony Suite
Category: Owner's - 624 square feet / 58 square metres.
In addition to an Outside Balcony and an Ama Private Balcony, these huge suites have a large Balcony Terrace with sun lounges. Other extra features include a separate living area and a bathroom with a whirlpool tub that offers riverside views. With another ensuite, a second television and a sitting area, an adjoining room makes these suites perfect for families or for entertaining.
See Owner's Balcony Suite floor plan here.
* Please note ship and suite floor plans are indicative only.
The RV AmaLotus
The RV Amalotus ships bought AMA Private Balconies to the world. Featuring more space per guest in public areas, and a much higher staff-to-guest ration than most other vessels. View a virtual tour of APT's RV Amalotus River Ship here.