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.

INCLUSIONS
• 4 nights or 7 nights onboard the luxurious Mekong Navigator
• Full board including themed dinners, welcome and farewell reception
• Complimentary house wine for lunch and dinner
• Complimentary local coffee and fine tea selection, soft-drinks, local beer and local spirits
• Complimentary water bottle for excursions
• Complimentary wifi in-room and public areas
• Lotus Cruises exclusive’s series of cultural performances, educational talks, food demonstration classes
• English speaking crew and English expert local guides
• All entrance fees, transportation as mentioned in the shore excursion program
• 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 from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham and from My Tho to Ho Chi Minh City (Coach transfers),
EXCLUSIONS
• Port Charge U$75 per passenger
• Visa. For Upstream cruises only: Cambodia E-Visa will not be accepted at river check point, we recommend to make visa on arrivial when you are on the cruise with us, visa cost 40 USD/person)
• 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
• Suggested gratuities U$64 per passenger (for 4 nights) or U$112 per passenger (for 7 nights)

2022 Special Offers

Superior Suite: A$1,408 (L), A$1,726 (S), A$2,268 (H)

Vista Suite: A$1,602 (L), A$1,964 (S), A$2,588 (H)

Signature Suite: A$1,796 (L), A$2,208 (S), A$2,906 (H)

2023 Special Offers

Superior Suite: A$1,475 (L), A$1,809 (S), A$2,379 (H)

Vista Suite: A$1,679 (L), A$2,059 (S), A$2,714 (H)

Signature Suite: A$1,883 (L), A$2,314 (S), A$3,048 (H)

2024 Special Offers

Superior Suite: A$1,545 (L), A$1,896 (S), A$2,493 (H)

Vista Suite: A$1,760 (L), A$2,159 (S), A$2,846 (H)

Signature Suite: A$1,974 (L), A$2,426 (S), A$3,197 (H)

2022 Special Offers

Superior Suite: A$2,471 (L), A$3,060 (S), A$4,007 (H)

Vista Suite: A$2,804 (L), A$3,482 (S), A$4,569 (H)

Signature Suite: A$3,137 (L), A$3,903 (S), A$5,128 (H)

2023 Special Offers

Superior Suite: A$2,589 (L), A$3,207 (S), A$4,201 (H)

Vista Suite: A$2,938 (L), A$3,648 (S), A$4,789 (H)

Signature Suite: A$3,287 (L), A$4,090 (S), A$5,378 (H)

2024 Special Offers

Superior Suite: A$2,709 (L), A$3,361 (S), A$4,404 (H)

Vista Suite: A$23,077 (L), A$3,824 (S), A$5,021 (H)

Signature Suite: A$3,444 (L), A$4,288 (S), A$5,639 (H)

(L) Low Season: May, Jun, Jul, Aug

(H) High Season: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec

(S) Shoulder Season: Apr, Sep

Rates are in Australian Dollars (A$), per person, based on Double Occupancy.

Single Accommodation: 30% surcharge of Double Occupancy.

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

a. Maximum one child between 5 and 11.99 years old per cabin sharing bed with parents, 30% of double occupancy fare rate (sharing) if staying in a cabin with two adults; and 75% of double occupancy fare rate (sharing) if staying in a cabin with one adult.

b. Above 12 years old adult rate applied.

c. Please contact Lotus Cruises for special permission of infants below 5 years old onboard.

NOTE: 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.

• All-Suite Luxury Vessel
• 2 Grande Suites with Panoramic French Balcony and Wraparound Veranda (584 Square Feet/54 Square Meters)
• 2 Prestige Suites with Private Balcony (387 Square Feet/36 Square Meters)
• 16 Signature Suites with Private Balcony (291 Square Feet / 27 Square Meters)
• 10 Vista Suites with French Balcony (276 Square Feet / 26 Square Meters)
• 4 Superior Suites with Portholes (256 Square Feet / 24 Square Meters)
• Grande & Prestige Suites Feature Fixed King Beds
• Superior, Vista and Signature Suites can be converted from two twin-size to one queen-size bed
• Luxury Honeycomb Spa Robes with slippers
• All Natural Spa Quality Bath Amenities
• Pillow Menu
• In-room Electronic Safe
• 300-Thread Count Linens with Duvet
• Premium Mattresses
• Welcome flowers arrangement and fresh fruit upon arrival
• Complimentary Wireless Internet in suite and public areas
• Make-Up Mirror
• Multi-Configuration Plugs
• Generous Closet Space and under-Bed Storage
• Alarm Clock
• Hair Dryer
• Flat Screen LCD Television with Satellite International channels
• Mini Bar 

• 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 departure date: 20% of total booking value is required upon confirmation. The balance payment is due by 60 days prior to cruise date. For bookings made less than 60 days, full payment is required at the time of booking. Bookings will be cancelled if payments are not received on due date(s).

Payment can be made via bank transfer or credit cards. Credit card payment will incur a merchant fee of 2.5% for MasterCard and Visa, 3% for American Express, in addition to the total amount payable. You must cover your own bank charges and merchant fees. 

CANCELLATION

Cancellations or booking amendments must be informed in writing. E-mail cancellation or booking amendments are only effective once re-confirmed by ATA Holidays and Lotus Cruises. 

More than 180 days prior to cruise date: admin fee of U$100/pax

Between 180-61 days: 20% of total booking value 

Between 60-31 days: 50% of total booking value

30 days to cruise date or no show: 100% of total booking value

See other Lotus Cruises’ Booking Terms & Conditions here.