Rick's Riches of the Mekong 2024
You are invited to join us on an 11 day adventure through Cambodia, the Mekong river and Vietnam. We'll combine the best of land and cruise elements to explore the region in luxury and comfort. We'll begin our adventure in Siem Reap, Cambodia with included excursions to some of the most beautiful destinations in Asia, including Angkor Wat, a UNESCO world heritage sight. We'll then head to the Mekong for a 7 night river journey on a luxury AmaWaterways ship, the AmaDara. We'll finish our adventure in Ho Chi Minh City where we will offer an optional post cruise experience in Thailand. Accommodations, meals, transfers, tours and excursions are included on both land and cruise portions of our adventure.
Our rates will be ALL-INCLUSIVE of the cruise, our daily tours and excursions in each port and chef prepared tasting dinners with perfectly paired wines. We will have a daily one-hour cocktail social hour each evening with our group to celebrate together each day. Premium wines and beers will be complimentary during lunches and dinners and sparkling wines complimentary during breakfast. Unlimited wi-fi and an Apple computer in each cabin with connected internet will also be included. We will have lots of additional fun surprises planned to make the journey unforgettable.
Arrive in Siem Reap, Cambodia, the gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of the Khmer empire.
Begin your morning exploration of the Angkor temple complex at Angkor Thom, meaning “the great city." This is home to Bayon Temple, best known for its gigantic smiling stone faces, as well as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. You’ll then visit nearby Ta Prohm, known as the “Kingdom of Trees,” for the way in which the temple stones have become intertwined with thick forest vegetation over the centuries. Afternoon excursions take you to the fascinating jewel in the crown of Angkorian art, Banteay Srei, meaning “Citadel of Women,” as it has been said that the carving is too fine to have been done by the hand of man. Cap this memorable day off with a special “Apsara Dance Show” at your hotel, featuring local Cambodian/Khmer folk dancers.
Discover the heart and soul of Cambodia and the most iconic of all Angkorian Temples, Angkor Wat. This is one of the largest religious monuments ever constructed and a true masterpiece of Khmer architecture built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century to honor the Hindu god, Vishnu.
Transfer via motorcoach to the AmaDara ship on the Mekong river in Kampong Cham for your seven-night cruise. Board a motorcoach to the Twin Mountains, known as Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (male and female mountains). In the annals of Khmer legend, the twin mountains were formed as the result of a competition between the men and women of an ancient Cambodian kingdom to resolve which gender would be responsible for wedding proposals. Later, join fellow guests for an evening Welcome Dinner.
During the morning, go on a walking tour to Angkor Ban, one of the few villages in Cambodia that was not destroyed under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Here people still live in their traditional wooden abodes and keep their old cultural traditions alive. Hundreds of wooden houses stand intact on stilts, shaded with banana trees, among the hustle and bustle of the daily agricultural on-going of the local villagers. After visiting here, the ship sails to Oknhatey or “Silk Island,” located on the lush banks of the Mekong River. This island is known for its rich tradition of silk weaving. While here, you’ll visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving that have been preserved for centuries. Your ship moors in Oknhatey village.
Your cruise continues to sail to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The morning excursion takes you to Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital from the early 17th century until 1866. Today, Oudong is a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. While here, be treated to a memorable Buddhist Blessing Ceremony at a monastery. After visiting Oudong, be treated to a truly authentic excursion, an oxcart ride through a local village Kampong Tralach. Later in the day, experience Phnom Penh via a tuk tuk ride and be enchanted by the city's French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture. After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge.
This morning’s excursion takes you to Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention center (Genocide Museum). After lunch on board, you will explore the highlights of the city, followed by a visit to the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. Alternatively, you may wish to shop for unique treasures at the bustling, yellow-colored Central Market after your visit to Royal Place. After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge.
We spend the day cruising the Mekong River as your ship crosses the border from Phnom Penh, Cambodia to Tan Chau, Vietnam.
Visit Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. You will have the opportunity to enjoy an authentic experience via a traditional “xe-loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops, followed by a boat ride through the narrow channels of the Mekong River to “Evergreen Island.” Alternatively, take a boat ride to Evergreen Island and return to Tan Chau, where you will visit a rattan mat workshop. Later in the day, cruise to Sa Dec.
Once ashore in Sa Dec, tour the town where French writer Marguerite Duras spent many years in her youth. Visit a colorful local market and the 19th-century house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour, on whom her prize-winning novel “The Lover” is said to be based. Later, board a motorcoach for Xeo Quyt, once used as a military base during the French war and now an important ecological site. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops, and the historic Kiet Old House. In Cai Be, cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board.
Our cruise concludes in My Tho Port, where we’ll disembark and transfer via motorcoach from My Tho Port to Ho Chi Minh city. The motorcoach drives to the Sofitel Saigon Plaza in the early afternoon.
We will sail on AmaWaterways’ sole cruise ship on the Mekong River. The AmaDara features French Colonial décor and richly carved wood furniture inspired by the history of the region, as well as local artifacts made by native craftsmen. Air-conditioned interior corridors lead to spacious staterooms and suites, most featuring twin balconies that invite the ever-changing scenery of Southeast Asia inside. On board, the AmaDara caters to your every whim, with massage rooms, fitness room, gift shop, hair salon and sun-deck pool. Her stunning Saigon Lounge provides respite by day and unites guests over intriguing local entertainment by night. Savor authentic regional delicacies and Western cuisine in the Main Restaurant or dine at The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant; and throughout your cruise, be treated to unlimited complimentary wine with lunch and dinner, as well as house brand spirits, local beer and soft drinks throughout your cruise..
Rates for river cruises are a little more up front than you would pay for an ocean cruise but then include virtually everything, including excellent excursion choices, providing a worry-free vacation knowing everything is taken care of. We want to give everyone plenty of notice for this adventure with time to budget and plan.
French & Outside Balcony, 502 sq. ft.
| Sadec Deck 3 mid-ship |
Sadec DeckFrench & Outside Balcony, 366 sq. ft. Deck 3 mid-ship
| Sadec Deck 3 mid-ship |
Category A: Saigon Deck, French & Outside Balcony, 251 sq. ft.
| Saigon Deck 2 mid-ship |
Category B: Sadec, Saigon & Tonle Decks, French & Outside Balcony, 251 sq. ft.
| All decks, mid-ship & aft |
Category C: Saigon & Tonle Decks, French & Outside Balcony, 251 sq. ft.
| Saigon & Tonle Decks aft |
Book with Rick by January 27th, 2023 and receive a discount of $250.00 per person. We'll also provide $25 onboard credit per person. Guests who have sailed with AmaWaterways previously will receive extra discounts.
Includes 3 nights 5 star accommodations in Siem Reap pre-cruise with included breakfast and dinner daily. All tours, excursions and transfers are also included in rates (rates below include the early booking discount. Past guests of AmaWaterways will receive extra discounts). All rates are listed per person DOUBLE OCCUPANCY.
| Luxury Suite | $6547 SOLD OUT | |
| Suite | $5147 SOLD OUT | |
| Category A | $4647 SOLD OUT | |
| Category B | $4347 SOLD OUT | |
| Category C | $3648 SOLD OUT |
There are taxes and port charges of $210 per person and will be added to your reservation.
$400 per person to secure your reservation and due within 7 days of your reservation request. Final payments are due no later than July 24th, 2024. Cancellations prior to 121 days before sailing will incur a $200 per person penalty.
To make your reservation request, please send a facebook message to Rick Scadlock with your category preference. You can also send a text to Rick at 425-501-4206, or via email to rick@rickscruises.com. We will then set up your reservation and email you a confirmation with deposit instructions.