In the afternoon, guests enjoy a scenic drive from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham, Cambodia with a stop for lunch en route, then embark the luxurious Mekong Navigator.  As your downstream journey commences towards Kampong Cham, experience our cordial hospitality at a welcome reception and introduction to our friendly and professional crew who will present a safety briefing. In the evening a Cambodian themed dinner served in Le Marche Dining Room offers a cultural and innovative introduction to native cuisine.

Guests begin the morning with a walk up the hill to Wat Hanchey a thriving religious complex of both Hindu and Buddhist temples with breath-taking panoramic views over the Mekong. There is the option to receive a traditional Buddhist Water Blessing from the monastery’s resident monks. There are many outstanding stupas, temples, pagodas and statues worth exploring before descending all 303 steps when returning to the ship. For gentle walkers, there is a small coach provided for ascent and descent of the hill.

Guests will this morning learn more about the darkest days of Cambodian history and the harrowing loss and sadness that haunts its people. A 45-minute drive through countryside are the Choeung Ek killing fields where more than one million people were killed and buried in mass grave sites by the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979.  Walk through the fields, visit the small museum and buddhist memorial stupa and learn more about the atrocities committed during the Pol Pot’s regime. Before returning to the ship there is a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21), a former school that was converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge. 

Guests enjoy an unscheduled afternoon and have the option to take the coach accompanied by their local guide from the port to the central market to explore the city of Phnom Penh in the afternoon, from shopping, dining at one of the many wonderful restaurants, to sightseeing around the city independently. 

Breakfast is taken on board before guests are greeted at the pier by their appointed Tuk Tuk driver for an enchanting tour of the best sites in Phnom Penh. Guests are expertly pedalled along the riverfront to the Royal Palace which is the official residence of the King of Cambodia. Comprising several buildings, the main palace is an important symbol of the Kingdom set in beautifully manicured gardens. Guests stroll through the grounds to see the Throne Hall and Moonlight Pavilion, the famous Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and Maitreya Buddha encrusted with more than 9,000 diamonds. 

The city tour continues by Tuk Tuk to the National Museum, Cambodia’s largest museum of cultural history with one of the world’s largest collections of Khmer art and ceramics as well as Angkorian artifacts, excavated at the Angkor Temple complex in Siem Reap and further afield in Cambodia. In the afternoon, guests are free to further explore Phnom Penh on a variety of optional excursions at a small cost. Alternatively, guests can opt to go shopping or sample the city’s vibrant restaurants and bars.

Pre-dinner cultural entertainment is provided on the Sun Deck as guests enjoy a performance by local children of Aspara, the Khmer national dance and other traditional folk dances. 

Note: This day is also embarkation day for guests who join 4 nights cruise itinerary from Phnom Penh to My Tho. Guests embark the luxurious Mekong Navigator in the late morning and lunch onboard. In the afternoon, guests are free to further explore Phnom Penh. Alternatively, guests can opt to go shopping or sample the city’s vibrant restaurants and bars. Guests also enjoy pre-dinner cultural entertainment and dinner on board. 

Relax and enjoy a morning of leisure on the sundeck, in the lounge, library or wonderful La Vie spa as the ship sails downstream towards the border. Guests observe a fascinating transformation in the riverfront architecture and landscape. Exciting cultural activities will take place on board. 

In the morning, you are taken by traditional sampans to the local island village of Hong Ngu in the Mekong Delta, close to the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Here, a large number of traditional Khmer scarves are woven in many village homes and exported to Cambodia. Guests have the opportunity to observe the weaving process passed down many generations. Some villagers are also embroidery artists and display their art for visitors to enjoy. The inhabitants of this rural area have only recently become familiar with western travellers and always offer a friendly welcome. Before returning to the sampans, guests can enjoy a walk around the beautiful evergreen island, stopping for a visit at the home of a local war veteran. 

After lunch on board, guests make the short journey from ship to shore by sampan, landing on the charming island of Cu Lao Gieng to visit a local village where hundreds of sampans and rowing boats are made daily. An enchanting sampan cruise circumnavigating the island ends with a visit to the Cu Lao Gieng Cathedral which wasbuilt in 1879, shortly after the Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon in 1863. There may be an opportunity to interact with a local priest at the Cathedral (subject to his availability). The peaceful villages are surrounded by flourishing orchards and verdant green lawns, far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life.

On arrival at Sa Dec port the traditional sampan is again used to navigate the tapestry of Mekong canals, giving guests the opportunity to observe traditional village life before arriving at the historic town of Sa Dec. If water levels allow, a stop is planned at Cao Dai Temple. A visit to Sa Dec would not be complete without a visit to the former home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who was the inspiration for Marguerite Duras’ famous novel, L’Amant (The Lover), as well as the Chinese Temple called Kien An Cung, built in honor of the Huynh Thuy Le Family, where you will be warmly welcomed by traditional Chinese Lion Dances. Guests return to the ship on foot through the town's market which is a bustling, extraordinary and colourful experience, providing many wonderful photo opportunities of the fresh and unusual produce of meat, live fish and seafood for sale.

After a short sail to Cai Be, the English-speaking guide will accompany you on the tapestry of waterways by sampan, passing a colourful collection of local boats from the delta provinces, larger boats selling their goods and the characterful stilted houses of Cai Be.  Continuing into the narrower canals of Cai Be, a stop is made to visit Ba Duc House, a traditional Vietnamese home and garden.  Back onboard the sampans, it’s a short paddle through the canals to reach a traditional rice factory where industrious artisans produce rice paper, rice wine and popped rice. There’s a selection of postcards, souvenirs, and beautiful oil paintings on sale. 

Before dinner guests gather on the Sun Deck as the ship sets sail for My Tho to enjoy a farewell reception with all the crew, followed by a Vietnamese Farewell Dinner in Le Marche Dining Room. 

Following breakfast the crew bid farewell as guests are invited to disembark for transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Phnom Penh - Saigon Cruise 5D4N

Low Seasons: from A$1,429pp

High Seasons: from A$2,369pp

Siem Reap - Saigon Cruise 8D7N

Low Seasons: from A$2,459pp

High Seasons: from A$4,149pp

Rates valid from 1 JAN 2020 to 30 SEP 2021

Low Seasons: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep 

High Seasons: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec

Further discount or seasonal promotion applies for selected departures. Please contact us for details.

Cruise rates are in Australian Dollar (A$) per person, double/twin sharing occupancy.

Rates are inclusive of government tax and service charges.

Rates are subject to change without prior notice.

Single Room 

30% surcharge of Double Occupancy

Child Policy

Lotus Cruises allows children above 5 years old on board with the following restrictions:

Maximum one child between 5 and 12 years old per cabin sharing bed with parents, 10% of double occupancy fare rate applied (without extra bed); and 25% of double occupancy fare rate applied with Extra bed (folding bed), applied to Vista Suite, Prestige Suite and Grande Suite only.

Above 12 years old adult rate applied. Please contact us for special permission of infants below 5 years old onboard. Children are only allowed on board in accompany by at least one adult. Lotus Cruises is not responsible for the safety of children on board. Parents are always fully reliable for their children and have to supervise and police their children. 

Pre/Post Tour Arrangement 

ATA Holidays can support pre or post tours, accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap at extra charge. Please contact us for details.  

INCLUSIONS

7 nights (or 4 nights) onboard the luxurious Mekong Jewel

Full board during the cruise

Complimentary wine for lunch and dinner

Complimentary coffee and fine tea selection, soft-drinks, local beer and local spirits 

Complimentary daily sundowner cocktail

Champagne welcome reception

Complimentary aluminum water bottle for excursions

Complimentary wifi in-room and public areas

Exclusive experiences: Cultural performances, calligraphy and crew farewell performance

English – speaking crew and expert local guides

All entrance fees, transportation as mentioned in the shore excursion programs

Deluxe Sampans with cold towel service, fresh fruit and tea/coffee service (where applicable)

Individual VOX listening devices throughout cruise shore excursion program

Shoe cleaning after excursion

Welcome drink and cold towel service following excursions

Transfers to/from Ho Chi Minh City/Seam Reap/Phnom Penh to Embarkation/Disembarkation point 

Port charge and gratuities

EXCLUSIONS

Visa

Airfare to/from destination

Premium wine and spirits

Transfer outside included transportation as provided in the shore excursion program

Spa treatments, on-board laundry and gift shop items

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR GRANDE & PRESITGE SUITES

Butler Service to Include: 

+ Nightly Turndown Service

+ Assistance with Pillow Menu Selection

+ Presentation of Spa-Quality Bath Amenities

+ Ensures Accommodations are Immaculate

+ Polish and Condition Shoes Upon Request

+ Refreshes Ice Bucket

+ Prepare and Pack Luggage Upon Request

+ Scented Bath on Request

Complimentary One-Hour Spa Treatment Per Guest per journey

Complimentary Laundry Service

Complimentary Evening Canapés

PAYMENT

Booking is made more than 60 days prior to cruise date: A 20% deposit of total value is required upon confirmation. The balance must be paid at least 60 days prior to cruise date. 

Booking is made less than 60 days prior to cruise date: 100% of total value is required upon confirmation 

Payment method: by bank transfer or by credit card via PayPal

Bank name: Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Beneficiary name: ATA Holidays 

BSB: 062140 Account number: 11448437

Reference: Booking Code/ Guest Name (must be mentioned in transaction)

Payment by credit card will incur the following transaction fee: 

Visa/Master: 2,5% of total value

Amex: 3% of total value

Client/remitting party must cover their own bank charges.

Booking will be cancelled if payments are not received on due date(s). 

CANCELLATION/AMENDEMENT

Cancellations or amendments must be informed in writing. E-mail cancellation or booking amendments are only effective once re-confirmed by ATA Holidays. We strongly recommend to advice passenger to purchase travel insurances to cover cancellation cost if any. Should you have to cancel or amend, the following terms will apply:

More than 180 days: admin fee of A$160/person

From 61 to 180 days: 20% of total value 

From 31 to 60 days: 50% of total value 

Within 30 days or no show: 100% of total value

Certain special offers may be non-refundable/non-amendable. These will be advised to you at the time of booking. Refund can take up to 45 days after cancellation date.