Ho Chi Minh City, Jungle, and Villages Aboard a Premier River Vessel
EARLY SIGN-UP DISCOUNT
30% Early Sign-up discount on a limited number of cabins for 2023, 2024 & 2025 departures confirmed with deposit by December 31, 2023. Please call for availability.
This journey promises a truly immersive experience and the opportunity to discover rich heritage and traditions along the Mekong River. Experience one of Asia's most epic and worthwhile cruises. Embrace the most authentic parts of Mekong culture and way of life while embracing the beautiful landscapes of the Mekong river basin in the comfort and luxury of the Aqua Mekong riverboat. These cruises operate year-round and you will find there is always something fascinating to experience along the river, no matter what time of year you travel. The Mekong has two distinct seasons: low-water and high-water, which refers to the water levels of the Mekong River. Whether you choose the high-water or the low-water season for your cruise, traveling aboard the Aqua extends your options. Low-water season (December to mid-August) offers the opportunity to see a quieter side of local life on Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. During high-water season (mid-August to November), you are able to travel up the river to Siem Reap and experience floating villages and Tonle Sap Lake.
Arrive: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam (or reverse)
Depart: Siem Reap, Cambodia (or reverse)
Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap Itinerary
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
Day 1: Tonle Sap Lake / Siem Reap / Cambodia
Day 2: Tonle Sap Lake / Prek Toal / Moat Khla
Day 3: Tonle Sap Lake /Chhnok Tru / Kampong Chhnang
Day 4: Tonle Sap and Mekong River / Koh Chen / Koh Oknha Tey
Day 5: Mekong River / PHNOM PENH
Day 6: Mekong River / Ka'om Samnor-Vinh Xuong Border Crossing / Chau Doc / My An Hung / Vietnam
Day 7: Binh Thanh / Sa Dec / Cai Be / Mekong River
Day 8: Mekong River / My Tho / Ho Chi Minh
At time of reservation: $1,000
105 days prior to departure: Balance
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Minimum fee: $200 per person
91-120 days prior to departure: $400 per person
90 days or less: 100% of trip cost
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Listed below are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
The trip is rated Level 1, Easiest, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Cruising days provide ample opportunities to relax on board, while shore excursions require a moderate amount of walking, often along uneven cobblestone streets and up and down stairs, and optional biking.
The tropical climate of Cambodia and Vietnam means temperatures are warm year-round, generally fluctuate between 78°F and 86°F. Unlike the usual summer or winter, the Mekong river has two distinct seasons: low-water and high-water, which refers to the water levels of the Mekong. The high-season runs from mid-August to November and receives increased flows originating from the Tibetan highlands and China. The low-season runs from December to mid-August. During high-season, water from the swelling Mekong lake increases its area of the Tonle Sap by up to six times and the majority of the areas surrounding Tonle Sap become wetlands that support a vast variety of wildlife. The lakes many stilt villages appear to float on water as the water level rises by as much as 26 feet! It is also during the swell that the Tonle Sap lake and river reverses its flow—a natural phenomenon that must be seen to be believed.
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Submit the form below to download itinerary
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.