Kratie 8 Day Expedition Cruise - Visit Cambodia & Vietnam

Description

Experience our most comprehensive sailings in the Mekong Delta with seven nights spent exploring Cambodia and Vietnam. During the high-water season, journey between Ho Chi Minh and Siem Reap, exploring floating villages, temples and palaces, and the Prek Toal Bird Reserve. Alternatively sail between Ho Chi Minh and Phnom Penh in the low-water season, exploring the countryside through bike rides and floating villages via skiff tours.

Trip Name

Kratie 8 Day Expedition Cruise - Visit Cambodia & Vietnam

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury River Expedition Length: 62.4 meters / 204 feet Passenger Capacity: 40 Year Built: 2014 Aqua Mekong operates as a compact, high-spec river vessel built for controlled immersion into Cambodia and Vietnam’s culture, landscapes, and food traditions. Suites are large, climate-controlled, and fitted with floor-to-ceiling glass to keep the Mekong panorama in constant view. Social areas—pool, cinema, gym, spa—are scaled for quiet rather than crowd. Shore access is handled by a private tender fleet, allowing tightly run excursions into temples, markets, villages, and river life without dependence on public infrastructure. The onboard culinary programme is engineered around regional produce and Mekong flavours, executed with Michelin-level discipline. Market visits, cooking demonstrations, and ingredient-driven menus keep the experience tied to place. Kayaks, bikes, guided hikes, and cultural visits round out the activity options, supported by a crew-to-guest ratio that enables controlled, small-group exploration.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 Mekong River – Phnom Penh

Welcome aboard Aqua Mekong, and step into your floating sanctuary where floor-to-ceiling windows reveal panoramic riverscapes. Unwind in the privacy of your design suite—whether from the comfort of your California King bed, private terrace, or daybed—as the Mekong quietly unveils its magic. Together we celebrate the onward journey towards the heart of this mighty river with a Khmer Apsara performance, an indigenous tradition memorialized on the temple walls of Angkor Wat.

Day 2 - Day 2 Mekong River – Angkor Ban/Prek Dam Bok – Phnom Hanchey

The day begins at Angkor Ban, a Khmer village renowned for its beautifully preserved wooden houses. Explore a sustainable indigo weaving community and immerse yourself in local culture. For a more active experience, enjoy a scenic bike ride from Prek Dambok, passing by lush landscapes, traditional stilt houses, and vibrant river life. In the afternoon, ascend to Phnom Hanchey, a sacred hilltop symbolizing Mount Meru. Discover ancient temple ruins, panoramic Mekong views, and a revered Buddhist pilgrimage site. Alternatively, guests may opt to cycle along the river and through the picturesque Cambodian countryside.

Day 3 - Day 3 Mekong River – Kampi River – Kratie/Koh Trong Island

Travel by skiff along the mighty Mekong to the Kampi River, a lush and biodiverse haven that serves as Southeast Asia’s exclusive habitat of the Irrawaddy dolphin. Those seeking a more active excursion may cycle through the lush Cambodian landscapes before setting off by skiff to spot these extraordinary dolphins in their natural habitats. In the afternoon, explore Koh Trong Island by foot and tuk-tuk, visiting a community-led village to learn about the locals’ unique ways of life and their efforts to conserve biodiversity in the area. Stroll through fruit orchards famed for their sweet pomelos and admire traditional Khmer stilt houses, or cycle through Kratie town to visit a remarkable 200‑year‑old wooden structure of significant historical and cultural value.

Day 4 - Day 4 Mekong River – Kampong Cham – Peam Chikang/Koh Andet

In the cool hours of the morning, we set off by skiff to a charming riverside town known for its unique blend of Khmer and French architecture. Afterwards, we visit Nokor Bachey, a late 12th century Angkorian temple built during the height of the ancient Khmer civilization. We then explore the legendary twin hills of Phnom Bros and Phnom Srei, steeped in Khmer folklore and spiritual significance. There’ll be a chance to explore while riding mountain bikes or chauffeured by tuk-tuks. After lunch, we sail to Peam Chikang, renowned for its traditional Cambodian aluminum cooking pot craftsmanship. Alternatively, pedal through quaint Khmer and Cham villages, keeping an eye out for birds nesting among century old trees along the way.

Day 5 - Day 5 Mekong River – Phnom Penh

We introduce guests to the vibrant Cambodian capital by motorized tuktuk, with stops at the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum of Cambodia, home to the world’s largest collection of Khmer art. For those interested, visit the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide, the National Museum of Cambodia, the Sosoro Museum of Money and Economy, the serene Wat Phnom hill, or the bustling Russian Market. We bid farewell to 4-night guests who are disembarking in Phnom Penh. Guests wishing to continue their Cambodian journey to Siem Reap and the ancient lost city of Angkor Wat enjoy a complimentary flight extension, including a shared transfer to Phnom Penh Airport. Return to welcome our 3-night guests over custom sundowners like the Salted Watermelon Crush with Thai basil. Together we celebrate the onward journey towards the heart of the mighty Mekong River with a Khmer Apsara performance, an indigenous tradition memorialized on the temple walls at Angkor Wat.

Day 6 - Day 6 Mekong River – Ka’Om Samnor – Vinh Xoung Border Crossing – Chau Doc – My An Hung

Say ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’ while we cross the border and sail towards Tan Chau. Here, we’ll visit the vibrant border town of Chau Doc to take the local rickshaw, called xe loi, for a trip around the town and market. We head off by van to Long Son Pagoda for a panoramic view atop Sam Mountain. Ask the monks about their age-old Mahayana Buddhist practices before returning via the bustling morning market. Optional 18-kilometer bike ride on Long Khanh.In the afternoon, we visit a typical Mekong Delta village called My An Hung where we will walk through verdant plantations. We will be invited to a local’s home to taste local fruits while hearing traditional folk songs performed by villagers, followed by a unique Unicorn dance. A 17-kilometer biking option is also available for those who wish to explore the countryside on wheels.

Day 7 - Day 7 Mekong River – Binh Thanh/ Sa Dec – Cai Be

Begin the day at Binh Thanh mat weaving village to bike through local markets, fruit plantations, and fish farms. Guests can also take it slow and opt to visit Sa Dec where we will peruse the vibrant markets with our chef, along with a visit to the Lover House and Kien An Cung. Onboard, a cooking demonstration followed by a scrumptious lunch awaits.We continue downstream to Cai Be and board a local sampan to Tan Phong Island, where we’ll visit a fruit garden, savoring local fruits along the way. Here, guests can pick their mode of adventure from a short 8-kilometer trail around the island, to a kayak through a small canal, or a relaxing walk through the community for a closer look at local life.

Day 8 - Day 8 Mekong River – My Tho – Ho Chi Minh

After a hearty breakfast, we bid farewell to Aqua Mekong. En route to Ho Chi Minh, we stop at Vinh Trang Pagoda, one of the largest Mahayana Buddhist temples in the region. You will notice the mixed architectural style and see three large buddha statues, as well as an impressive collection of bonsai trees.

Day 9 - Please note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Cruise deep into the heart of the Mekong Delta, exploring traditional floating villages, riverside communities and vibrant local markets in Cambodia and Vietnam.
Discover Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage with visits to Phnom Penh, remote Mekong islands, Buddhist temples and the wildlife-rich Prek Toal Bird Reserve.
Experience authentic local life through village walks, bicycle rides, skiff excursions and encounters with artisans along one of Asia’s great rivers.