Ultimate Southeast Asia & The Majestic Mekong – with Sapa & Luang Prabang – Southbound

27 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
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Group Tour
This inspiring Southeast Asia river cruise vacation begins in vibrant Bangkok, Thailand. A boat ride on the klongs, Bangkok’s famous canals, is the perfect way to start your sightseeing. Continue at the Grand Palace featuring the Temple of the Emerald Buddha followed by the Temple of the Reclining Buddha—the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in the city. Fly...

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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Welcome to Thailand
    • Boat ride on klongs; visit the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha
    • Day at leisure
    • Fly to Siem Reap
    • Visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple; Apsara dance performance
    • Visit Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei, and a noodle-making village
    • Fly to Phnom Penh; onboard welcome reception
    • Visit Wat Hanchey and partake in a traditional water blessing by local monks; walking tour in Angkor Ban with school visit
    • Ox cart ride through the countryside and visit a local farmer’s home in Kampong Tralach; visit the silversmith village of Konpong Louang; visit the Tuol Sleng Museum and one of the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh
    • Sightseeing by private cyclo, including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum; show by children from local orphanage

What's this trip about?

    This inspiring Southeast Asia river cruise vacation begins in vibrant Bangkok, Thailand. A boat ride on the klongs, Bangkok’s famous canals, is the perfect way to start your sightseeing. Continue at the Grand Palace featuring the Temple of the Emerald Buddha followed by the Temple of the Reclining Buddha—the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in the city. Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia, where you’ll see the magnificent Temples of Angkor. The famous temples here, such as Angkor Wat and the Bayon temple, featuring some 200 mysterious faces carved in its many towers, are a display of intricacy and architectural grandeur unmatched in the world. Next, board your ship and begin your cruise along the mighty Mekong River. Visit the capital city of Phnom Penh, with the magnificent Royal Palace featuring its striking Silver Pagoda and the National Museum. Take in the stunning views at the 8th-century temple of Wat Hanchey before walking through the rural village of Angkor Ban to visit with welcoming schoolchildren. Continue your cruise into Vietnam and stop in the villages for interactions with locals, such as a visit to the home of a skilled family who make handcrafted sampans for a living. Go on an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, the unbelievable network of tunnels used extensively during the war. In exciting Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy a walking tour of the famous landmarks and try your hand in the kitchen with a Vietnamese cooking class. Disembark your cruise ship and fly to Hanoi, where you’ll explore the famous Old Quarter with peddlers trading goods among its 36 ancient streets. From here, travel to Ha Long Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin, where you’ll be amazed at the more than 3,000 limestone islands of varying shapes. Enjoy a 2-night cruise along the bay and then and then visit Sapa, surrounded by mountains with lush green hillsides. A unique cultural experience here will be a visit to the villages of the Zay and Black Hmong ethnic groups to learn about their way of life. Conclude your trip in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your sightseeing here will show you the famous sites, such as Wat Xieng Thong, considered the most beautiful monastery in the city. The beautiful scenery, ornate temples, and interactions with locals make this Southeast Asia river cruise vacation one you won’t soon forget!

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityBANGKOK
End CityLUANG PRABANG Your extension ends with breakfast this morning

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus

Destinations

Attractions

  • Cu Chi Tunnels
  • Ha Long Bay
  • Hanoi
  • Luang Prabang

Activities

  • Culture

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1

BANGKOK, THAILAND Welcome to Thailand! Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.

Day 2

BANGKOK Canals, Temples, and the Buddhas of Bangkok CLASSIC This morning, your Guided Sightseeing begins with a boat ride on the klongs, Bangkok’s famous canals. Visit the stunning Grand Palace featuring the Temple Of The Emerald Buddha. Also, visit the Temple Of Th...

Day 3

BANGKOK Enjoy a full day at your leisure. (B)

Day 4

BANGKOK–SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA Today, fly to Siem Reap, your base during your visit to Angkor, considered by many to be the most spectacular architectural ruins on Earth! (B)

Day 5

SIEM REAP The Tranquil Temples of Angkor and Joyful Dances CLASSIC Explore the temples by tuk-tuk. Start at the best preserved and most famous of all the temples: Angkor Wat. Featuring five trademark towers, it is the symbol of Cambodia. Then, continue your Guided Ex...

Day 6

SIEM REAP Root-Covered Ruins and Native Noodles CLASSIC Continue your Sightseeing Tour to the Angkor temples at Ta Prohm. Tree roots cover the ruin walls, allowing you to experience the temple with the same wonder as early explorers. Then visit Banteay Srei, a unique...

Day 7

PHNOM PENH (EMBARKATION) Your intimate Suite Ship® Awaits! Fly to Phnom Penh and transfer to the port where your ship’s crew will be waiting to welcome you onboard. Get acquainted with the ship and relax before your welcome reception this evening. AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO WAT HANCHEY (B,L,D)

Day 8

WAT HANCHEY–ANGKOR BAN Water Blessings and Back-to-School Adventures DISCOVERY Visit Wat Hanchey, a hilltop temple dating back to the 8th century. Climb or be driven to the top where you will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a traditional ...

Day 9

KAMPONG TRALACH–KONPONG LOUANG Calm in the Cambodian Countryside DISCOVERY Your Guided Sightseeing starts in Kampong Tralach with an Ox Cart Ride through the beautiful Cambodian countryside. Along the way, stop to meet a local farmer and learn about his daily life. A...

Day 10

PHNOM PENH Bonjour! French Charm in Cambodia CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the city by private cyclo with visits to the Royal Palace with the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts. The remainder of t...

Day 11

BORDER CROSSING–CHAU DOC, VIETNAM Good Morning, Vietnam! DISCOVERY Take a Village Walk through the Chau Doc market, and absorb the atmosphere as locals are busy buying and selling fish, meat, and produce. After lunch, embark on a Guided Excursion down the backwaters...

Day 12

LONG KHANH A–CU LAO GIENG Cotton Weavers & Sampan Makers DISCOVERY This morning, a sampan brings you to the village of Long Khanh A, for a Cotton-Weaving Demonstration of this well-preserved tradition. DISCOVERY This afternoon, enjoy scenes of daily life on Cu ...

Day 13

BEN TRE Sweets and Sampans DISCOVERY Board a sampan this morning and Visit a Local Workshop in Ben Tre to see how rice paper, rice wine, and traditional candies are made. Continue on to a local garden, where several types of fruit indigenous to the area are grown. ...

Day 14

HO CHI MINH CITY (DISEMBARKATION) Motorbikes, Monuments, and Mouthwatering Cuisine CLASSIC Take a Walking Tour of Ho Chi Minh City’s historic landmarks, including a stop at the Rex Hotel for a refreshing drink at the rooftop bar where the U.S. Military held the infa...

Day 15

HO CHI MINH CITY. EXCURSION TO CU CHI TUNNELS Secret Passageways and Underground Hideouts CLASSIC Drive out of the city for a Guided Visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels—an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length—used as a hideout and secret village by...

Day 16

HO CHI MINH CITY–HANOI Today, transfer to the airport and fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for the night. (B)

Day 17

HANOI Historic Hanoi and Water Puppets CLASSIC First, join a Guided Visit of the mausoleum and the humble cottage from which “Uncle Ho” ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969. Next, see iconic sites, including One Pillar Pagoda, the Presidential Palace, and the infam...

Day 18

HANOI–HA LONG BAY Island Shapes and a Floating Village Travel from Hanoi through the fertile countryside to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bay is dotted with more than 3,000 limestone islands carved into fanciful shapes. Board the luxurious Paradise E...

Day 19

HA LONG BAY Caves, Kayaks, and Scenic Climbs DISCOVERY Visit Titop Island, for a Guided Excursion for a swim, or climb 400 steps to the top of the island for stunning views. You can also visit Luon Cave by boat, and explore Dark & Bright Cave by bamboo raft, OR:...

Day 20

HA LONG BAY–HANOI Surprising and Amazing Beauty This morning, relax onboard your ship, or visit Sung Sot Cave, considered one of the most beautiful in the area with its magnificent formations. Afterwards, return to Hanoi and check in to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. (B)

Day 21

HANOI–SAPA Today, transfer to the hill-station town of Sapa known for its mountain scenery, rice fields, and colorful ethnic minorities. This afternoon, join a Walking Tour of this small town and visit the local market. (B)

Day 22

SAPA your Guided Sightseeing starts with a visit to Ta Van and Lao Chai villages, to see the traditional way of life of the Zay and Black Hmong ethnic groups. These ethnic groups live together here under the watch of Fansipan Mountain. The Zay live a sedentary lifesty...

Day 23

SAPA This morning, your Guided Tour includes one of the famous Weekly Markets. Here, the local ethnic minority groups wear their most beautiful costumes as they sell and trade their homemade products. The Flower Hmong group is most recognizable with their colorful dre...

Day 24

SAPA–HANOI–LUANG PRABANG, LAOS This morning, drive to Hanoi and board your flight for Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. (B)

Day 25

LUANG PRABANG Today, enjoy a full day of Guided Sightseeing in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin your morning by ascending Mount Phousi for beautiful views over the city and Mekong River. Then walk through the historic town center stopping at Wat Mai, famous for ...

Day 26

LUANG PRABANG Enjoy a full day at your leisure. (B)

Day 27

LUANG PRABANG Your extension ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Dates & Availability

Price From $9,129
Price per day$338
Last Updated: 5/24/2019

Dates and Prices do not include air travel. Participation in this vacation requires purchase of the following flights from Avalon Waterways, not included in pricing: (1) roundtrip air from your U.S. gateway and intra-vacation air segments; or (2) intra-vacation air segments only, starting at $858. Required intra-vacation air segments: Bangkok/Siem Reap; Siem Reap/Phnom Penh; Ho Chi Minh City/Hanoi; Hanoi/Luang Prabang. Air prices were effective on February 7, 2018 and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, air prices may be higher. Gratuities for Local Guides & drivers are included (excludes extensions which are to be paid locally). Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability). Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available. All prices are per person based on double room occupancy. Cruise price based on Category B in an Panorama Suite on Mekong Deck. To upgrade to a Category A on Tonle Deck, add $400 per person or $800 in single occupancy. Extra Nights per person in Bangkok: January to April: in single room $249; in twin room $130 August to October: in single room $300; in twin room $156 November to December: in single room $328; in twin room $169 Extra Nights per person in Luang Prabang: January to April & September to December 18: in single room $322; in twin room $167 July to August: in single room $217; in twin room $114 December 19 to December 31: in single room $389; in twin room $200

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Avalon Waterways.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Avalon Waterways Reviews & Ratings

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crezet kickartz

Feb 2025

Written on

My husband and I went on our first trip from Amsterdam to Basel. It was so great and as it was my first big OE the sights were very breath-taking.

The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lo...

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James Allen

Jan 2025

Written on

Great Staff

The staff was interactive, polite, and memorable. We were lucky enough to have met and interacted with the staff on 2 different boats. Avalon handled the necessary c...

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Janis Lloyd

Jan 2025

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Avalon consistency—good!

Cabins always great. Food very good. I wish there were semi-dry white wine offered at dinner. (Rieslings, not dry). Christmas market in Colmar was not enjoyable, way...

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Logistics

Accommodation

InterContinental Bangkok The InterContinental Bangkok located within the core of the city's business and commercial districts. Within walking distance there is a wide range of shopping and other facilities are within easy walking distance. Access to the rest of the city is easy with the adjacent BTS skytrain station. Throughout, you will appreciate impeccable service and the warm, attentive hospitality that is authentically Thai. Bangkok Thailand 973 Ploenchit Road Park Hyatt Siem Reap The Park Hyatt, Siem Reap is the city's most prestigious address and perfect base to explore the Temples of Angkor. Located in the heart of the city, this award winning hotel blends an elegant and contemporary design to create an enlivening resort and residential feel. From the second you arrive you will be welcomed by true Cambodian hospitality and superb service. The stylish guestrooms offer a refined home away from home with all the amenities one would expect from a deluxe hotel. The luxurious collection of accommodation is matched by stylish dining venues that offer fresh, flavorful, well-presented dishes of French and Indochine inspirations. Lighter fare is also offered at The Glass House, the onsite deli-patisserie. Discerning travelers will appreciate the other amenities on offer. Relax by one of the two pools or in the inviting Living Room lounge and bar, get in a work out in the fitness center, or visit The Spa for holistic therapies and treatments using only locally harvested floral and aromatic ingredients. Siem Reap Cambodia Sivutha Blvd Avalon Saigon Vietnam InterContinental Westlake Conveniently located just 10 minutes from the central business district and numerous shopping areas. Built entirely over the serene waters of historic West Lake and adjacent to the famous 800-year-old Golden Lotus Pagoda, the hotel features contemporary Vietnamese design and exceptional service for an unforgettable visit to the City of Peace. Hanoi Vietnam 1A Nghi Tam, Tay Ho Paradise Elegance The newest and most luxurious ship sailing on Ha Long Bay. A mix of contemporary design style and traditional Vietnamese building materials create warm and welcoming spaces throughout the ship. Dine in comfort in the spacious Le Marin Restaurant, take in the panoramic views from the sundeck, or go for relaxing spa treatment. Spacious deluxe cabins feature a balcony, air-conditioning, and a large en-suite bathroom. Ha Long Bay Vietnam Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa Nested amongst the slopes of North Vietnam's mountainous region is Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, built in the style of a traditional chalet in perfect harmony with the natural scenery. This stone & wood construction blends seamlesslly with surrounding environment, overlooking Indochina's highest peak, Mount Fanxipan. Sapa Vietnam Sapa District, Lao Cai Province Angsana Maison Souvannaphoum Maison Souvannaphoum was the residence of Prince Souvannaphouma in the 1960s and 1970s, making it one of the few "historical" modernist buildings in town. The hotel exudes a distinct colonial style of solid brick structures with shuttered windows, reminiscent of French provincial buildings, added with a local touch. Luang Prabang Laos Rue Chao Fa Ngum, Banthatluang

Transportation & Flights

Participation in this tour requires a purchase of additional local flights. ,
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Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
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Additional Information
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Trip ID
AVALON-WSBP

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