Riches of the Mekong, January 12-24, 2024, with Chateau Montelena

Day 1: Friday, January 12

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

Arrive in Siem Reap, Cambodia, the gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of the Khmer empire. You will be met and transferred from Siem Reap Airport will be met and transferred to the hotel. Tonight, join Chateau Montelena host and winemaker Matt Crafton for a welcome dinner in the lovely Mouhat’s Dream restaurant. (D)

OVERNIGHT: SOFITEL ANKGOR PHOKEETHRA RESORT (3 nights)

Day 2: Saturday, January 13

SIEM REAP – ANGKOR

Begin your morning exploration of the Angkor temple complex at Angkor Thom, meaning “the great city.” This is home to Bayon Temple, best known for its gigantic smiling stone faces, as well as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. You’ll then visit nearby Ta Prohm, known as the “Kingdom of Trees,” for the way in which the temple stones have become intertwined with thick forest vegetation over the centuries. Afternoon excursions take you to the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei, meaning “Citadel of Women,” as it has been said that the carving is too fine to have been done by the hand of man. Cap this memorable day off with a special Apsara Dance Show at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers. (B,D)

Day 3 Sunday, January 14

SIEM REAP – ANGKOR

Discover the heart and soul of Cambodia and the most iconic of all Angkorian Temples, Angkor Wat. This is one of the largest religious monuments ever constructed and a true masterpiece of Khmer architecture built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century to honor the Hindu god, Vishnu. (B,D)

Day 4: Monday, January 15

SIEM REAP – KAMPONG CHAM, EMBARKATION

Transfer via motorcoach to the AmaDara in Kampong Cham for your seven-night cruise. Board a motorcoach to the Twin Mountains, known as Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (male and female mountains). In the annals of Khmer legend, the twin mountains were formed as the result of a competition between the men and women of an ancient Cambodian kingdom to resolve which gender would be responsible for wedding proposals. Later, join fellow guests for an evening Welcome Dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Tuesday, January 16

ANGKOR BAN – OKNHATEY

During the morning, go on a walking tour to 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 sails to Oknhatey or “Silk Island,” located on the lush banks of the Mekong River. This island is known for its rich tradition of silk weaving. While here, you’ll visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving that have been preserved for centuries. Your ship moors in Oknhatey village. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Wednesday, January 17

OUDONG – KAMPONG TRALACH – PHNOM PENH

Your cruise continues to sail to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The morning excursion takes you to 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. After visiting Oudong, be treated to a truly authentic excursion, an oxcart ride through a local village Kampong Tralach. 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. After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Thursday, January 18

PHNOM PENH

This morning’s excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). Alternatively, you may wish to shop for unique treasures at the bustling yellow-colored Central Market. After lunch on board, you’ll explore the highlights of the city, followed by a visit to the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Friday, January 19

PHNOM PENH – BORDER CROSSING – TAN CHAU, VIETNAM

Spend the day cruising the Mekong River as your ship crosses the border into Vietnam. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Saturday, January 20

TAN CHAU – SA DEC

Visit Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. You will have the opportunity to enjoy an authentic experience via a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops, followed by a boat ride through the narrow channels of the Mekong River to “Evergreen Island.” Alternatively, take a boat ride to Evergreen Island and return to Tan Chau, where you will visit a rattan mat workshop. Later in the day, cruise to Sa Dec. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Sunday, January 21

SA DEC – XEO QUYT – CAI BE

Once ashore in Sa Dec, tour the town where French writer Marguerite Duras spent many years in her youth. Visit a colorful local market and the 19th-century house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour, on whom her prize-winning novel “The Lover” is said to be based. Later, board a motorcoach for Xeo Quyt, once used as a military base during the French war and now an important ecological site. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, and the historic Kiet Old House. In Cai Be, cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Monday, January 22

DISEMBARKATION – MY THO – HO CHI MINH CITY

Disembark the AmaDara in My Tho Port and transfer to Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam’s former capital of Indochina was once known as the “Paris of the Orient,” and today, it is an industrial, cultural and educational hub. Explore such famous landmarks as the former Presidential Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum before visiting the Ben Thanh Market—one of the oldest and most iconic structures in Ho Chi Minh City. (B,L)

OVERNIGHT: SOFITEL SAIGON PLAZA (2 nights)

Day 12: Tuesday, January 23

HO CHI MINH CITY

This morning visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense underground network built during the Vietnam War. Spend your afternoon at leisure exploring and enjoying more of Ho Chi Minh City. Tonight, there is a special farewell dinner for the guests of Chateau Montelena. (B,D)

Day 13: Wednesday, January 24

DEPART HO CHI MINH CITY

Bid farewell to Ho Chi Minh City. You will be transferred to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your homeward flight. (B)