Ama Waterways Charms of the Mekong river cruise
Departing 24 August 2026
7 Nights onboard AmaDara, sailing from Vietnam to Cambodia
All onboard dining in a variety of venues
Welcome Cocktail & Dinner
Unlimited Wine with lunch and dinner
Complimentary local beer, house-brand spirits and soft drinks during cruise
Snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
Immersive excursions with knowledgeable guide
All service charges for onboard and shore staff, taxes and port charges
SPECIAL OFFER
itravel Exclusive BONUS: $150* USD per person Onboard Credit
Valid for new and deposited bookings: 1-31 October 2025
Itinerary:
Day 1: HO CHI MINH CITY
- Transfer via motorcoach from Ho Chi Minh City to AmaDara at My Tho Port for your 7-night river cruise and then meet fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner as the ship cruises to Cai Be. (L,D) * All cruise only guests should meet us at Sofitel Saigon Plaza at 11:30am in Ho Chi Minh City on Embarkation day to join the transfer to the ship in My Tho Port. We recommend that you fly into Ho Chi Minh at least one day prior to embarkation; please inquire about important arrival arrangements prior to your cruise.
Day 2: CAI BE SA DEC OR Sa Dec
- Take a local boat to Cai Be. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, or you may instead choose to add an active walking tour to the historic Kiet House, followed by a visit to candy and rice paper workshops. Later in the day, journey to Sa Dec, a sprawling town on the Mekong Delta, where French writer Marguerite Duras spent part of her youth. Once ashore in Sa Dec, visit a fascinating local market and a colorful Cao Dai Temple, home to the unique religion of Caodaism in Southern Vietnam, a fusion of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Confucianism. Alternatively, you may wish to tour the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’s Chinese paramour, on whom her prize-winning novel “The Lover” is said to be based. The house itself now serves as a small museum showcasing a blend of architectural styles, original furniture and family memorabilia. In the evening, your ship cruises to Tan Chau. (B,L,D)
Day 3: TAN CHAU OR BORDER CROSSING.
- Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. Be treated to an authentic experience on a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops. You may also choose the trishaw ride with visits to craftsmen’s workshops, followed by an active walking tour to “Evergreen Island.” As a third alternative, explore the stunning Mekong Delta on an intimate tour through Vietnam's Tra Su Forest and Sanctuary. Board a traditional sampan boat and glide through this diverse ecosystem that includes more than 70 species of birds, including the painted stork and oriental darter, and lush greenery encompassing majestic cajuput trees, lotuses, water lilies and a carpet of bright green moss in the rainy season that appears to glow as you gently drift through it. Later in the day, cruise from Vietnam to the Cambodian border en route to Phnom Penh. (B,L,D) *Please Note: Tra Su Forest visit is capacity controlled.
Day 4: PHNOM PENH.
- This morning, you will visit the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. Alternatively, you may wish to shop for unique treasures at the bustling, yellow colored Central Market after you visit to Royal Palace. After lunch on board, the excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge. (B,L,D)
Day 5: OUDONG, PHNOM PENH
- Visit Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital from the early 17th century until 1866. Today, Oudong is a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. While here, be treated to a memorable Buddhist Blessing Ceremony at a monastery. You may walk around Oudong’s monastery or take an active walking tour to see panoramic views of the Oudong plain. Later in the day, experience Phnom Penh via a tuk tuk ride and be enchanted by the city's French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture. (B,L,D)
Day 6: OKNHATEY VILLAGE
- In the morning, set sail for Oknhatey Village. Oknhatey is the “Silk Island,” located on the lush banks of the Mekong River and known for its rich tradition of silk weaving. While here, you will visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving, an art that has been preserved for centuries. Your cruise continues to sail to Angkor Ban. (B,L,D)
Day 7: ANGKOR BAN , KAMPONG CHAM
- Go on a walking tour of Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Here people still live in their traditional wooden abodes and keep their old cultural traditions alive. Hundreds of wooden houses stand intact on stilts, shaded with banana trees, among the hustle and bustle of the daily agricultural on-going of the local villagers. After visiting here, the ship sets sail for Kampong Cham, where you will go on an afternoon excursion to Wat Nokor, perhaps the most treasured monument within the ancient complex of Banteay Prey Nokor. Fusing the Old-World with the “new,” this centuries-old temple now boasts a contemporary pagoda within its walls, delighting guests with colorful depictions of the Buddha’s life. Alternatively, visit the Twin Mountains, known as Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (the male and female mountains). Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)
Day 8: KAMPONG CHAM , SIEM REAP
- Your cruise concludes in Kampong Cham, where you disembark and motorcoach transfer to Siem Reap. (B) *Guests booking cruise only will be transferred from the ship to Sofitel Angkor hotel in Siem Reap. We recommend that you schedule your onward flight to depart Siem Reap after 4:00pm today to avoid potential missed connections.
FULL TERMS & CONDITIONS:
✅ The onboard credit is valid only for the duration of the cruise. Any unused credit cannot be redeemed for cash and is non-transferrable.
✅ Please refer to the cruise lines terms & conditions and cancellation policy.
✅ All prices are correct at the time issue. Pricing is dynamic and is subject to changes & fluctuations at any time without notice, subject to availability at the time of booking.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PASSENGERS
✅ All passengers are required to sign in or create an account and complete Your Cruise Check In (including contact information, passport details, emergency contact, etc). Once all required passenger information is complete, and your documentation is ready, you will be able to download or print your cruise documentation. You will be required to present your documentation, passport, and visa (if required) at embarkation.
✅ In your cruise line account you will have the opportunity to book shore excursions, make dining reservations, reserve onboard experiences such as spa treatments, etc, when available for your sailing.
✅ All travellers are required to present on check-in a valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months beyond your return travel date to Australia.
✅ Visa and entry requirements vary by country and are subject to change without notice. It is your responsibility to obtain required visa and other documentation prior to travel for the countries you are travelling to and through. For the most up-to-date travel requirements, please visit: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
✅ For non-Australian passport holders, only the countries you plan to visit can provide up-to-date information about visa and entry requirements. Please contact the embassy or consulate of the countries you are visiting well in advance of travel. Please also ensure that you hold a valid re-entry visa or permit for Australia.
✅ We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance with cruise cover, that covers you for the duration of your holiday, to protect you from any possible cancellation charges, onboard or overseas medical costs, repatriation, loss of luggage, personal liability, or other expenses that may arise. You may be required to provide a copy of your certificate on embarkation. Travel Insurance may be mandatory for some cruise lines and destinations.
✅ When a minor (age 17 and under) travels without their legal guardian, an accompanying adult must present a notarized form signed by the child’s guardian. This ensures the child has the guardian’s consent to leave the country and participate in release-form activities onboard. The Minor Consent Form can be obtained from the cruise line.
✅ If your child has a different last name than you, you will need to bring an official supporting document to help explain why the names are different. The supporting document must be the original, or a notarized copy. Please refer to the cruise line’s website for examples of valid supporting documents.
✅ Whilst the cruise line will make all reasonable endeavours to provide a cruise in accordance with the published schedules and itineraries, your cruise itinerary is not guaranteed and does not form part of your contract. Many factors may affect the cruise line’s ability to provide an itinerary as scheduled. These could include weather, mechanical difficulties, civil unrest, or other unforeseen circumstances.
✅ Fuel Surcharges, Taxes, and Port Fees are subject to change without notice at any time whether or not you have a confirmed booking under deposit, or if you have made final payment.