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October 15 -30, 2013
AmaWaterways AmaLotus
16-day tour starting in Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Siem Reap, before embarking on your 7-night Mekong River cruise. End your journey with a 2-night stay in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
There can be no more striking cultural contrast than the one between bustling Vietnam and tranquil Cambodia. From Ho Chi Minh City through the Mekong Delta, so rich in human life and endeavor, to the diverse countryside of Cambodia, you'll discover two countries, two cultures, and two ways of life linked by one river, the Mekong. Your journey begins with a two-night stay in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, known for its colonial architecture, vibrant streets, and ancient temples, followed by an excursion to breathtaking Ha Long Bay for an overnight sojourn.
A short flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, brings you to the gateway of the ancient Khmer empire. Spend three days touring the temples of Angkor Archeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before embarking your all-gay Mekong cruise onboard the intimate 124-passenger AMA Lotus. Visit rural villages, historic pagodas, floating markets and a Buddhist monastery along the way. Explore the Royal Palace in Phnom Phen, capital of Cambodia. Conclude your cruise with a two-night stay in lively Ho Chi Minh City.
Your Ship - AmaLotus
The 124-passenger AmaLotus features ultra-spacious 624-sq. ft. Suites; ten Jr. Suites at 290 sq. ft. and standard staterooms at 226 sq. ft., with 90 percent of her staterooms boasting outside balconies. With a décor that combines Colonial elegance with regional Khmer accents, staterooms include comfortable sitting areas, individually controlled air-conditioning, a mini-bar, safety deposit box, robes and slippers, and a luxurious bathtub (Jr. Suites/Suites). Public areas include a main restaurant serving Asian and Western specialties; Saigon Lounge; Gift Shop; Fitness Center, Spa, plus a swimming pool and bar on the Sun Deck. The ship also features a fully English-speaking staff.
Dining & Cuisine
The AmaLotus features a main restaurant which serves Asian and Western specialties. Meals are prepared by local chefs and consist of Western cuisine as well as Vietnamese and Cambodian cuisine. Breakfast is served buffet style each morning. For lunch, selections include salads, soups, hot entrées and desserts. Dinner is a multi-course meal with a selection of entrées. Free –flowing wine and beer are included with every lunch and dinner on board. Complimentary house brand spirits and soft drinks are also included throughout your cruise.
Stateroom Amenities
• Staterooms are 226 sq. ft. and feature Twin Balconies
• Jr. Suites are 290 sq. ft. with an outside balcony, sitting area, bathroom with shower and separate tub
• Indochina Suites are 624 sq. ft. with an extras-spacious outside balcony, king-size bed, sitting area, bathroom with shower and separate whirlpool bathtub
• All outside staterooms with sitting areas, most featuring balconies
• Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
• In room safe, hair dryer, mini-bar, bathrobe and slippers
• Hotel-style white on white, plush bedding
• Individually controlled air-conditioning
• Writing desk and mini-bar
Ship Public Areas
• Mekong Restaurant
• Sun Deck with lounge chairs and bar
• Saigon Lounge
• Full-service spa
• Swimming pool
• Fitness Center
• Gift Shop
• Library/Panoramic Lounge
Onboard Entertainment
Onboard special highlights include folklore dances and music performances, culture discussion forums, theme dinners and piano entertainment.
Smiling Faces on Board
With AmaWaterways, you'll find an exceptional vacation experience. In addition you'll enjoy the finest onboard service of any river cruise line. After ten years in business, we believe that a big factor in our award-winning success is superior service and attention. Our passengers consistently rate our personalized, professional and friendly service as a highlight of their cruise. How do we know? They tell us. Passengers aboard every AmaWaterways ship complete a detailed questionnaire at the end of their cruise, and we diligently read every single one of them. It provides continuous feedback on our passengers' experience, and enables us to guide our onboard staff. We can praise the staff for a job well done, and make quick adjustments before the start of the next cruise. At AmaWaterways, customer service is our top priority.
Massage and Beauty Salon
As you sail through Vietnam and Cambodia's most beautiful and tranquil scenery, why not take the opportunity to pamper yourself? We have an expert hair stylist, masseuse and beauty therapist at your disposal for the duration of the cruise. Pamper your body and rejuvenate your spirit while you're on board with AmaWaterways.
Vietnam & Cambodia Cruise and Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - October 15, 2013
Arrive in Hanoi, Vietnam
Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam's vibrant capital city, known for its graceful colonial architecture, frenetic streets, verdant parks and ancient temples. After your airport greeting, transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the city on your own, or perhaps, visit the fabled Old Quarter.
Day 2 - October 16, 2013
Hanoi, Vietnam
A morning sightseeing tour will take you to Hanoi's most famous historical and cultural sites: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, One-pillar Pagoda and The Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, experience an authentic rickshaw ride (known as "cyclo") in the Old Quarter, followed by a traditional water puppet show.
(Breakfast)
Day 3 - October 17, 2013
Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Overnight Junk
After breakfast, depart Hanoi for a scenic motor coach ride to one of Vietnam's most renowned locations: Ha Long Bay. Board a traditional wooden Junk that combines classic beauty with modern conveniences, plus luxurious overnight accommodations. Set sail to discover the Bay's magnificent scenery set amidst stunning limestone cliffs. That evening, you'll enjoy dinner on board, and overnight on the Junk.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 - October 18, 2013
Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Siem Reap (Cambodia)
This morning, your Ha Long Bay Junk continues its scenic cruising while a delightful breakfast is served in the dining lounge. Late morning, disembark for a motor coach transfer to Hanoi Airport. After a short flight, arrive in Siem Reap, Cambodia, gateway to Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer empire and one of the most renowned archeological sites in all of South East Asia.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 - October 19, 2013
Siem Reap - Angkor
After breakfast, begin a guided sightseeing tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include Angkor Thom, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King and the Bayon. This afternoon, visit the most iconic of all Angkorian temples - Angkor Wat.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6 - October 20, 2013
Siem Reap - Angkor
his morning, travel through rural countryside to the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei. Then visit Ta Prohm, the temple famous for its intertwined trees (showcased in the film Tomb Raider).
(Breakfast)
Day 7 - October 21, 2013
Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake / Embarkation - Kampong Chhnang
Welcome aboard your luxurious vessel, moored at Tonle Sap Lake. The great lake dominates Cambodia and is known for its profuse bird life and tranquil fishing villages. Meet your fellow travelers at the Welcome Dinner as you cruise to Kampong Chhnang. The ship moors overnight.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 - October 22, 2013
Kampong Chhnang - Kampong Tralach - Oudong
After breakfast, a motor boat excursion takes you into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the Tonle Sap river. Enjoy a stunning variety of birdlife, and see numerous great fish traps, some over a half mile long. After your excursion, to your vessel and cast off towards Kampong Tralach.
An afternoon tour includes an oxcart ride from the river bank through the coreturnuntryside to the beautiful Wat Kapong Tralach Pleu. Tour the pagodas, and then board a motor coach to Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia, where you will tour the Buddhist monastery. After the visit, you motor coach will take you to your vessel, which will cruise towards the village of Chong Koh.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9 - October 23, 2013
Chong Koh - Phnom Penh
This morning, visit the Chong Koh silk weaving village for a leisurely walk. Your vessel then departs for Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. An afternoon walking tour provides an orientation to this spectacular city. Return to the vessel for dinner, followed by a special Khmer folk performance on board. The vessel moors overnight in Phnom Penh.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10 - October 24, 2013
Phnom Penh
A morning tour explores the highlights of Cambodia's capital city, famous for its French colonial architecture, busy cafes, vibrant nightlife and renovated river "corniche." Visit the Royal Palace and the spectacular Silver Pagoda. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. After lunch onboard, another excursion leads to the infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge's grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention centre (Genocide Museum) situated in the suburbs of the city. An overnight on the waterfront provides an opportunity to dine in one of many nearby restaurants and experience Phnom Penh's vibrant nightlife, should passengers so choose.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11 - October 25, 2013
Phnom Penh - Tan Chau (Vietnam)
Spend a day cruising the Mekong River and crossing the border into Vietnam. Your vessel moors at the small town of Tan Chau, Vietnam.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12 - October 26, 2013
Tan Chau - Sa Dec
After breakfast, transfer to small boats, which will navigate through narrow channels to visit an evergreen island. You will also visit a catfish farm and a rattan mat and slipper-making workshop . Back ashore, a traditional "xe-loi" (trishaw) awaits to transport you around Tan Chau. In the afternoon, your vessel cruises downstream to Sa Dec, where it will moor overnight.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 13 - October 27, 2013
Sa Dec - Xeo Quyt - Cai Be
In the morning, board a local boat for Sa Dec passing floating markets as you boat maneuvers through the river's channels. Once ashore, you will tour Sa Dec, noteworthy as the town where the French writer Marguerite Dumas spent many years in her youth. Visit a local market, Fujian Temple and the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Dura's Chinese paramour, which is now a small museum. Afterwards board a motor coach for the 1-hour ride to Xeo Quyt, used as a base during the French and U.S. wars and now an important ecological site, with its jungle overgrowth. After lunch on board, a local boat will take you to Cai Be's spectacular floating market; then you will go ashore to see candy and rice paper workshops. This evening, enjoy a gourmet Farewell Dinner on board.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 14 - October 28, 2013
Ho Chi Minh City - Disembark
Your cruise comes to an end as the ship docks at My Tho Port, followed by a transfer to Ho Chi Minh City. As the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina, Saigon was known as "Paris of the Orient." Today, Vietnam's largest city is an industrial, cultural and educational hub, but still retains vestiges of its colonial past. Upon arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, you will enjoy a city tour that explores famous landmarks, such as the former Presidential Palace, Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral; Cho Lon (China Town) and its famous Binh Tay market and Thien Hau pagoda. Overnight at a luxurious hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 15 - October 29, 2013
Ho Chi Minh City
Today is free to explore Ho Chi Minh City on your own, perhaps venturing to nearby shops and markets for mementos of your Southeast Asian odyssey.
(Breakfast)
Day 16 - October 30, 2013
Ho Chi Minh City - Departure
Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
(Breakfast)
Accommodations
Hanoi
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel
The Hotel Metropole Hanoi is an award-winning French colonial-style hotel lying in the heart of Hanoi, near Hoan Kiem Lake and the magnificent Opera House.
Boasting a classical white façade, green shutters, original wrought iron detail, wood paneling and a lush courtyard lawn, the hotel is one of the region's few remaining hotels of its era.
The property offers 364 rooms & suites, complemented by a choice of three restaurants (French, Vietnamese and Italian), three bars, seven function rooms, a heated swimming pool, health club, the luxurious Le Spa du Metropole, complimentary wifi and for hotel guests a daily tour of the recently opened war-time bomb shelter and Path of History guided by hotel's Ambassador of History.
Siem Reap
Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort
Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra offers 5-star accommodation in Siem Reap close to the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat. The Siem Reap hotel, which elegantly combines Khmer and French architectural design, features landscaped gardens, 5 restaurants and bars, meeting facilities, a luxury spa and the largest free form swimming pool in Cambodia. The leading luxury resort in Siem Reap also boosts a world-class 18-hole golf course at the Phokeethra Country Club, which is only a 25 min drive from the hotel.
Ho Chi Minh City
Sheraton Hotel Saigon
Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City's vibrant business and entertainment district, Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers is a haven of convenience. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the city in our central location.
Experience superb cuisine in one of eight stylish restaurants and bars. Continually voted as one of the city's Top 10 places to see, our outdoor Level 23 Wine Bar is an unforgettable place to watch a stunning sunset over the city while enjoying a world-class wine list.
Or lounge by the pool, energize in the state-of-the-art fitness center, or simply relax in our Aqua Day Spa. Get out and explore the Opera House and Reunification Palace. Look for bargains at the Ben Thanh markets, and experience boutique shopping on the famous Dong Khoi Street.
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