Tour Type:River Cruise Tour Duration:23 Days (22 Nights) From:Hanoi toSiem Reap Tour Code:VEMR23 Operator:APT
from AU $8,185 pp
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River Cruise Description
Experience 23 unforgetable days. Travel by Private Train to Sapa, board a traditional wooden junk for your luxurious overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, enjoy a class with the Red Bridge Cooking School in Hoi An and cruise the Mekong River.
Hanoi - visit a home in Le Mat village, enjoy a foot massage or explore the 500 year-old village of Bat Trang
Hoi An - learn how to make lanterns, take an eco-tour of the countryside, enjoy a walking tour of the city, learn about wet rice planting or enjoy a bicycle tour
Saigon - take a walking tour and cycle ride, visit an artist’s home or see the city from a motorbike
Siem Reap - visit Wat Preah Phrom Rath Temple, take a tuk-tuk ride to visit the Senteurs d’Angkor workshops or take a tethered balloon ride
Arrive Hanoi
On arrival in Hanoi today, you’ll be met at the airport by your local guide and transferred to your luxurious hotel, located close to the centre of the city. Late this evening, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers and your local guide for the next four days at an informal gathering at your hotel. Stay: Hanoi, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Day 2
Duong Lam
After breakfast, travel by coach to the ancient village of Duong Lam. Recognised as a national relic, it has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses dating back 400 years. On arrival, visit one of the oldest houses in the village, the home of the Huyen family, who have lived here for generations. Then choose to explore this quiet village and the tranquil countryside on foot or by bicycle. Visit the restored Phung Hung Temple and Mia Pagoda before enjoying lunch at the house of a local family. Back in Hanoi this evening, step aboard the Victoria Express Train for the overnight rail journey to Lao Cai. Stay: Overnight in a superior cabin aboard the Victoria Express Train (B/L)
Day 3
Lao Cai, Sapa
On arrival in Lao Cai this morning, disembark your train and transfer to Sapa, a quiet and visually stunning mountain town located in north-western Vietnam. Enjoy breakfast before time at leisure. Later that afternoon, set off on a soft trekking tour to nearby Ta Phin, a picturesque and small village that’s home to the Kinh, Black H’mong and Red Dao people, who are known for their red headscarves and their handicraft skills. This expedition offers great insight into the daily life of these ethnic hill tribes. Afterwards, return to Sapa for dinner. Stay: Sapa, Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa (B/L/D)
Day 4
Sapa, Ta Van, Lao Cai, Hanoi
This morning, a guided walking tour of Sapa will take you to the colourful markets. A magical combination of breathtaking landscapes, ethnic cultures and bracing mountain air, the alpine village of Sapa has been a gathering spot for hundreds of years. Here, local hill tribes buy and sell household products, animals, embroidery, silverware and handicrafts, as well as drinking rice wine and corn wine with friends. After time to look around, enjoy lunch, then farewell Sapa and visit the nearby village of Ta Van. Later, return to explore the city of Lao Cai before re-boarding the Victoria Express Train for your overnight journey back to Hanoi. Stay: Overnight in a superior cabin aboard the Victoria Express Train (B/L)
Day 5
Hanoi, Freedom of Choice Touring
Upon arrival back in Hanoi, check in to your hotel. Then choose from a trip to a local calligrapher’s home in Le Mat village; a walking tour of 500 year-old Bat Trang, famous for its pottery; or a foot massage at your hotel. Tonight, meet your APT Tour Director at a Welcome Reception. Stay: Hanoi, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (2 Nights) B
Day 6
Hanoi, Dine Around Dinner
A tour of Hanoi today includes Ba Dinh Square, One Pillar Pagoda and The Temple of Literature. Later, take a rickshaw ride in the Old Quarter, then enjoy front row seats at a water puppet show. Tonight, choose from quality dining at the Ly Club; the Hanoi Press Club; Nineteen 11; Madame Hien; or Sen Restaurant. (B/D)
Day 7
Hanoi, Ha Long Bay
After breakfast, travel to World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay and board a luxurious wooden junk. Set sail to discover Ha Long Bay’s magnificent scenery. Enjoy time on Titop Island, then continue to the Bat Cave area and visit the bay’s largest floating fishing village. Stay: Ha Long Bay, Indochina Sails Junk (B/L/D)
Day 8
Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Hue
Enjoy breakfast as your junk returns to land. Disembark and transfer to the airport in Hanoi for your flight to Hue. Stay: Hue, La Résidence Hotel and Spa (2 Nights) (B/L)
Day 9
Hue
This morning cruise the Perfume River. Disembark at Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest pagoda in Vietnam. Later, drive to the tomb of former emperor Minh Mang. Enjoy lunch in a garden setting, then visit the Imperial Citadel. Tonight enjoy an Emperor Feast. (B/L/D)
Day 10
Hue, Hoi An
Today see the beautiful Lang Co Beach, then visit Da Nang’s Museum of Cham Sculpture on the way to Hoi An. Stay: Hoi An, Palm Garden Beach Resort and Spa (2 Nights) (B/L/D)
Day 11
Hoi An, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning attend a cooking class with the Red Bridge Cooking School. After lunch, enjoy your selected touring activity. (B/L)
Day 12
Hoi An, Saigon, Freedom of Choice Touring
After a flight to Saigon, enjoy your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Tonight, enjoy dinner at Xu Restaurant with Luke Nguyen’s menu and matching wines. Stay: Saigon, Sheraton Saigon Hotel and Towers (2 Nights) (B/D)
Day 13
Cu Chi Tunnels, Tay Ninh, Saigon, Dine Around Dinner
This morning visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the war. Used by the Viet Cong, the tunnels played a crucial role in bringing about the American withdrawal. Then drive to Tay Ninh and visit the Tay Ninh Holy See, a temple of the Cao Dai faith. This evening enjoy hawker-style dishes at Quan An Ngon; Vietnamese cuisine at Temple Club; Chinese and Cantonese specialities at Li Bai; Vietnamese fine dining at Hoang Yen; or Mediterranean cuisine at Carmague. (B/L/D)
Day 14
Saigon, Freedom of Choice Touring, Embark Cruise
Transfer to My Tho Port to embark your river ship for your eight day Mekong River cruise. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner. Stay: The luxurious RV AmaLotus cruising along the Mekong River (7 Nights) (B/L/D)
Day 15
Cai Be, Vinh Long
A local boat will take you to Cai Be today, an intriguing river-land town. Visit the floating markets then go ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral as well as the colourful port area, which is filled with colonial buildings and delightful flower gardens. Tour a local rice paper manufacturer to learn how rice paper is made, then enjoy lunch back on board as your ship cruises towards Vinh Long - the second biggest city by the Mekong River. Enjoy a boat ride and visit a bustling afternoon market where you’ll see an array of aquatic life being sold. (B/L/D)
Day 16
Sa Dec, Tan Chau In the morning, 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. Here, tour Huynh Thuy Le’s old house and learn the story behind Duras’ award-winning novel, The Lover. Later, visit Thien Hau Pagoda and the beautiful Fujian Temple. Following lunch back on board, cruise to the peaceful town of Tan Chau. On arrival, enjoy a walk through the town. (B/L/D)
Day 17
Tan Chau, Border Crossing
This morning, transfer to a small boat and travel along the tiny tributaries where stilt houses are haphazardly leaning on each other. Step back in time during a visit to a remote evergreen island, and see rural Mekong life untouched by tourism. See a floating fish farm, then step ashore for a tour of Tan Chau by rickshaw. The remainder of today is then spent on board. This afternoon, perhaps attend a fruit-carving demonstration by the ship’s chef while the border formalities are carried out and you cross into Cambodia. Your river ship will continue cruising overnight, heading for the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. (B/L/D)
Day 18
Phnom Penh
On arrival in Phnom Penh today, a tour will take you to visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda as well as the National Museum of Cambodia, home to one of the world’s largest collections of Khmer art. After lunch, take an excursion to the infamous Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, on the site of the Khmer Rouge’s notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21). After dinner this evening, perhaps step out to take a leisurely stroll around this fascinating capital. (B/L/D)
Day 19
Chong Koh, Oudong, Kampong Tralach
After breakfast, enjoy a walk around the little-known silk-weaving village of Chong Koh. Then continue cruising to Prek K’dam, where you’ll disembark and set off by coach on an afternoon tour of Oudong, the royal capital of Cambodia from 1618 until 1866. Afterwards, continue to Kampong Tralach for a visit to Wat Kapong Tralach Pleu before an ox-cart ride takes you through rice fields and a small village to rejoin your ship on the Tonle River. (B/L/D)
Day 20
Kampong Chhnang, Tonle Sap
Enjoy a boat excursion into the wetlands near Kampong Chhnang this morning. Then return to your ship and cast off towards the lake of Tonle Sap - measuring more than 150 kilometres in length. Absorb the tranquillity of the lake as you cruise past floating fishing villages. This evening, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board. (B/L/D)
Day 21
Disembark Cruise, Siem Reap, Dine Around Dinner
After breakfast this morning, a short boat ride will take you past floating villages to port. Once ashore, transfer to your hotel in Siem Reap. Later, visit Ta Prohm, a well-preserved temple famous for its intertwined trees. On your return to Siem Reap, visit a ‘grass roots’ orphanage before dinner at L’Angelo; Alliance Café; Viroth’s Restaurant; Champey; or the Kanell Restaurant. Stay: Siem Reap, Le Méridien Angkor (2 Nights) (B/D)
Day 22
Siem Reap, Angkor
After some free time this morning, head to World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park to explore the iconic temple of Angkor Wat. This afternoon, visit the last and most enduring capital of the Khmer empire, Angkor Thom, where you’ll see the 12th century temple, Bayon as well as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner accompanied by an Apsara dance performance. (B/D)
Day 23
Siem Reap, Freedom of Choice Touring, Depart
After breakfast, enjoy your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Perhaps visit the Wat Preah Phrom Rath Temple and take part in a Buddhist blessing; take a tuk-tuk ride to the Senteurs d’Angkor workshops; enjoy a tethered balloon ride to view the temples from above; ride an elephant to Bayon; or visit the Wat Athea temple on a quad bike adventure. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to the airport. (B)
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River Cruise Prices
Cruise prices are per person. Please request a quote for tour availability.
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Note:
All departures above are guaranteed to depart. Single prices available, please request.
We will check the availability of your departure in your quote along with all applicable cruise specials.
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Note:
All departures above are guaranteed to depart. Single prices available, please request.
We will check the availability of your departure in your quote along with all applicable cruise specials.
2012/13 Vietnam River Cruise SuperDeal Savings
EXCLUSIVE - Our Best Price Above PLUS APT's Superdeal Savings Below!
Guaranteed lowest prices in Australia! We will combine the applicable APT Superdeal below & OUR PRICE to your quote.
View APT Superdeals by clicking on the icon on the left. Terms & Conditions apply.
The information below relates to this itinerary only.
Tour Operator: APT
Immerse yourself in the local culture of Vietnam & Cambodia with APT - the leaders in Mekong River cruising. Explore the region in absolute comfort aboard a luxurious world-class river ship. Visit remote communities inaccessible to most and untouched by tourism. With APT, you'll gain a deeper insight into the local way of life when exploring the villages that line the banks of the mighty Mekong.
All APT Vietnam and Cambodia cruises are on the RV AmaLotus. This state-of-the-art ship was designed with our valued travellers in mind, and launched in 2011. From the intricate elegance of the interior appointments and the opulence of the suites to the wealth of recreational choice provided in the vessel's public areas, these river ships are truly the finest on Vietnam and Cambodia's waters.You can find detailed information on the RV AmaLotus ship details page, and general information on the APT Operator page (Note: These links will take you away from this tour itinerary page).
Our customers have awarded us a 98% satisfaction rating, and APT is committed to maintaining it. We promise we'll continue to set the amazing standards for which we are known, making your choice easy. Through APT's co-ownership of Ama Waterways, we're internationally recognised as the leader in river cruising. The innovative design of our ships, our unmatched experience and insight, as well as our commitment to providing you the ultimate in holiday choice are only some of the many reasons you should choose to travel with APT.
Travel documents, including your travel kit (with luggage labels, ticket wallet, personalised itinerary, touring information and travel bag), are sent approximately two to three weeks prior to departure from your home country, provided full payment has been received.
Freedom of Choice Touring is a exclusive APT option which allows you to custimise certain days on your tour to your liking. On particular days you are given a choice of 3 - 5 touring options and you can select the one that interests you the most.
Freedom to Dine Around (Or Dine Around Dinners) are APT's way of allowing you to have an incredible dining experience on your turms. On particular nights, you get to choose where you would like to dine from a selection of 5 different restaurants.
All meals are prepared by onboard chefs. Meals consist
of exotic Asian fare, with Western-style food always available should you desire the more familiar taste of home. Every morning enjoy a lavish breakfast buffet, offering a choice of English, Continental or Asian inspired cuisine. Have your eggs cooked to order at the breakfast bar. Lunch also offers an extensive buffet, with an a la carte dining menu. For dinner enjoy a four-course a la carte feast of Vietnamese & Cambodian cuisine (with equally impressive Western style alternatives available). Soft drink, Beer, Spirits, Coffee and tea are available free of charge throughout
the day and during meals. Regional wine is also included during lunch and dinner on board.
Handicapped facilities on board are limited. River cruise vessels
are not equipped with wheelchair ramps and hallways and doors
may not be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. Ships are
equipped with an elevator but it does not access all decks. Additionally,
motorcoaches and minibuses used for transfers and shore excursions
may not be equipped with wheelchair ramps. Any condition requiring
special attention must be reported to APT at the time of booking.
Facilities and services for passengers with disabilities differ among
destinations and, in some cases, may be limited or non-existent.
Participants requiring special assistance must be accompanied by a
person responsible for and physically able to provide such assistance.
Transfers and shore excursions follow a predetermined timetable
and thus participants should have no physical impairment(s) that
would affect the time schedules or interfere with the rights of other
passengers on their holiday. Without limitation, APT and its affiliates
are not responsible for any denial of services by airline carriers,
cruise vessels, hotels, lodges, coaches, local guides, operators
or other independent suppliers.
For your convenience, all purchases and paid services on board
are billed with a guest check and added to your shipboard account.
At the end of the cruise, you will receive a total, which can be paid
with cash or credit card. The ships do not accept payments made
by Diners Club cards.
Citizens of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom require visas for travel to Vietnam and Cambodia. We will provide up to date information on the process upon receiving your tour enquiry. If you hold a passport from another country, we can also provide information upon enquiry. Alternatively you can contact your embassy. We strongly recommend that you obtain adequate Medical and Travel Insurance before departure. This should cover any unforeseen circumstances which may arise on tour (such as cancellation fees, loss of luggage, early departure from tour due to illness etc.).
The climate on Vietnam is tropical in the south; monsoonal in the north with the hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March). The climate in Cambodia is also tropical with the rainy, monsoon season in (May to November) and the dry season (December to April). There is little seasonal temperature variation. We have average temperatures and rainfall listed on every itinerary (look to the right hand side of your screen)
Arrival & Departure Information
Prebooked Transfers
All APT clients travelling on river tours receive a transfer on the first and last day of the tour. This will
be from the airport to/from either the ship or tour hotel. A transfer
is not included, though may be purchased, should you be arriving
or departing on days other than the first and last day of touring.
These additional transfers are only applicable when your
pre and/or post tour arrangements are booked with Global Journeys & APT.
On Your Own Transfers
If you have not arranged an arrival transfer with Global Journeys, make your own way
to the ship or hotel with the help of the information provided in your itinerary. If you have independent travel arrangements
prior to your APT tour and do not have an APT transfer, the Tourist
Information office at your arrival city will be able to offer assistance
with directions to the ship or hotel. If you transfer to the ship on
your own, we recommend you call the ship prior to confirm the
ships docking location.
The APT Office is available in case of an emergency.
Terms & Conditions:
Yep, all the boring small print! We still recommend you read it all though, as no one likes surprises. Click here to read them now - they will open in a new window, or print them off to read over later with a cup of coffee!
Immerse yourself in the local culture of Vietnam & Cambodia with APT - the leaders in Mekong River cruising. Explore the region in absolute comfort aboard a luxurious world-class river ship. Visit remote communities inaccessible to most and untouched by tourism. With APT, you'll gain a deeper insight into the local way of life when exploring the villages that line the banks of the mighty Mekong. 
All APT Vietnam and Cambodia cruises are on the 
