Cruising the Mekong River

No Single Supplement Limited Availability

A Journey through Southeast Asia

On Board the Mekong Navigator

February 21–March 6, 2023

Overview

Envelop yourself in the heritage of Cambodia and Vietnam on this cultural journey through Southeast Asia. Start this once-in-a-lifetime experience by exploring Angkor Wat and the other stunning Angkor temples. Then, board a deluxe river cruiser to visit rural villages and vibrant cities along the Mekong River. Discover the nuances of day-to-day life while meeting artisans in their workshops and families in their homes, visiting temples and markets, and traveling like locals in tuk tuks, sampans and other typical modes of transportation. Fill each day with moments that will become memories that last forever. Angkor Temples: Marvel at the ancient Angkor temples—Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Thommanon.

Phnom Penh: Take a cyclo cab ride through the city, visiting the Royal Palace and the National Museum. Learn about the tragedy of the Killing Fields at a museum and memorial dedicated to the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. Ho Chi Minh City: Explore Vietnam’s largest city. Visit the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. See Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall, and more. Travel Like a Local: Get a different perspective on local life as you ride sampans and share the waterways with fishermen and merchants. Observe daily activities from open-air tuk tuks and cyclos.

Arts, Crafts, and Cultural Performances:

Meet artisans and get an up-close look at their work during visits with traditional Khmer scarf makers and boat makers. Watch a performance of the apsara, Cambodia’s national dance. Enriching Lecture Series: Learn about the region’s history, religion, agriculture and more from local experts.

Top: Sampan ride in Vietnam | Above: Bayon Temple, Angkor

Highlights Include

Itinerary

For further information, visit SmithsonianJourneys.org.

Left: Angkor Wat temple | Below: Ho Chi Minh City market Bottom: Fishing on the Mekong River

Days 1 & 2 | In Transit Depart for Siem Reap, Cambodia. Day 3 | Siem Reap, Cambodia | Arrive in Siem Reap and transfer to the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort. Gather for a welcome reception tonight. Day 4 | Siem Reap | Angkor Thom | Excursion: Angkor Thom. Explore Angkor Thom, a great walled city that once was home to one million people and the last capital of the Khmer Empire. Bayon is the temple in the center of the city. Its 54 towers feature carvings of more than 200 smiling faces, and the amazing bas-reliefs of epic battles are among the must-sees. (Active) Excursion: Cambodian Culture. Travel by tuk tuk to a dance school to watch a performance of the apsara, a classical Cambodian dance. After, see the highlights of Siem Reap during a city tour by tuk tuk, the ubiquitous motorized rickshaws found throughout Southeast Asia. Enjoy a delicious Cambodian cuisine at a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 5 | Siem Reap | Angkor Wat |

Ta Prohm | Thommanon |

Excursion: Angkor Wat. Explore Angkor Wat, the crown jewel of the Angkor Archaeological Park. Originally a Hindu temple, it eventually became filled with Buddhist elements as the new religion spread through the empire. (Active)

Excursion: Ta Prohm and Thommanon.

Visit the haunting temples of Ta Prohm, where roots of massive kapok trees have overtaken the buildings. This Buddhist monastery once served 80,000 people. After centuries of neglect, the jungle has claimed the temples, courtyards and paths, creating a mystical atmosphere. Continue to Thommanon, a recently restored temple with exquisite apsara carvings. (Active) Day 6 | Siem Reap | Kampong Cham | Enjoy a leisurely morning. There is time to join a tuk tuk tour to the city’s arts and crafts center. Late this morning, transfer to Kampong Cham, where you will embark the Mekong Navigator. Tonight, kick off your Mekong River cruise at a welcome dinner.

Day 7 | Wat Hanchey | Angkor Ban | Excursion: Wat Hanchey. Walk to Wat Hanchey, a brightly painted, seventh-century temple that sits atop a hill overlooking the river. Tour the temple, receive a traditional Buddhist water blessing from the monastery’s monks, and take in the spectacular panoramic views of the river valley below. Educational Focus: Life on the Mekong. A local expert discusses how the Mekong River has influenced life and culture along the vital waterway. Excursion: Angkor Ban. Get a glimpse of life in the rural village of Angkor Ban. Enjoy a home visit with a family to learn about daily life in this small

Luang Prabang

LAOS

Siem Reap/ Angkor Wat CAMBODIA

Wat Henchey/

Angkor Ban Phnom Penh Mekong River

Hong Ngu Kampong Cham VIETNAM

Ho Chi Minh City

Port of Call/Overnight Ship Motorcoach Air Sa Dec Tien Loi Mekong Delta

Above: Royal Palace, Phnom Penh | Right: Apsara dancer

village. Meet students at a local school and visit the town’s monastery before returning to the ship. Day 8 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Excursion: Phnom Penh. Take a ride on a cyclo, a bicycle rickshaw, to the Royal Palace. See the Silver Pagoda, named for the 5,000 silver tiles that line the floor, and a gold Buddha studded with 2,086 diamonds. Visit the National Museum. A shuttle is available to take you to Central Market this afternoon. Tonight, see a performance of the apsara, Cambodia’s national dance, and other folk dances. Take advantage of an overnight in Phnom Penh to take a motorbike taxi ride through the city to see its landmarks and temples illuminated at night. Day 9 | Phnom Penh |

Excursion: Killing Fields and Genocide Museum.

Visit the memorial and museum dedicated to the victims of the brutal Khmer regime in the 1970s, and Tuol Sleng, a former school converted into the Khmer Rouge’s infamous prison, S-21. Your guide offers in-depth commentary and personal insight into this turbulent time in Cambodia’s history. Educational Focus: Cambodia Today. A local expert talks about life, current events and Buddhist culture in contemporary Cambodia. Local Flavor: Learn how to make spring rolls during a demonstration by the ship’s chef. Day 10 | Long Khanh, Vietnam | Local Flavor: Join the chef for a demonstration of his exquisite fruit-carving skills.

Educational Focus: Agriculture and Fisheries.

Delve into Vietnam’s agricultural customs. Learn about the cultivation of rice and other crops. Also, discuss the importance of the country’s fisheries. Excursion: Vietnamese Handicrafts. Travel by sampan to Hong Ngu, a traditional village where resident textile artists that make kramas, the colorful checkered scarves worn throughout

Extend your stay

Luang Prabang, Laos |

2 Nights

Spend two nights at Villa Maly in Luang Prabang, the World Heritage capital of Laos. Learn about the culture, visit a temple, and see a beautiful waterfall. Witness the morning ritual between monks and the community. Included are two excursions, daily breakfasts, one lunch, one dinner, and a reception.

$950 per person, double occupancy | $1,590 single occupancy

Hanoi & Ha Long Bay |

3 Nights

Extend your journey in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi and beautiful Ha Long Bay. Spend two nights in Hanoi at the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi. See its highlights and a traditional water puppetry show. Take a one-night cruise of Ha Long Bay aboard the Paradise Elegance. Included are two excursions, cruise, daily breakfasts, one lunch, and two dinners.

$2,390 per person, double occupancy | $3,380 single occupancy Accommodations

Mekong Navigator

Cruise the Mekong River in luxury aboard the Mekong Navigator, a floating boutique hotel. From warm hospitality and gracious service to spacious, relaxing suites, bask in elegance and sophistication from your first moment aboard. Each day, savor gourmet meals, featuring local cuisine and international dishes. Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, and local beer and spirits throughout your cruise, and wine with dinner. Each evening, retreat to your inviting suite, which offers individual climate controls, spa-quality toiletries, a pillow menu, turndown service, and more. Wi-Fi is complimentary.

Mekong Navigator cabin

Cambodia. Visit a local temple dedicated to a unique Vietnamese religion. (Active) Day 11 | Cu Lao Gieng | Sa Dec | Excursion: Cu Lao Gieng. Ride a sampan to the island of Cu Lao Gieng and see the 19th-century cathedral. Visit a family-run workshop that makes sampans and rowboats. Excursion: Sa Dec. Take a sampan through the narrow, scenic canals at Sa Dec. Visit the elegant home of Hyun Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras to write her famous novel, L’Amant. Day 12 | Vinh Long | Tien Loi Island |

Excursion: Tien Loi Island. Board a sampan to visit Tien Loi, an island inhabited by only seven families. See farmers making rooster cages. Continue to a village that grows millions of plants and trees sold throughout Vietnam. Excursion: Vinh Long. Ride a sampan to a factory where traditional rice wine and candies are made. Visit a senior home run by Buddhist nuns. Learn about the home’s role in the community. Day 13 | My Tho | Ho Chi Minh City | Disembark in My Tho and continue to Ho Chi Minh City. Excursion: A City at War. Visit the Reunification Palace, headquarters of the South Vietnamese government during the Vietnam War. At the War Remnants Museum, see artifacts from the 1945 August Revolution through the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. After lunch, shuttles are available to take you to bustling Ben Thanh Market.

Educational Focus: Contemporary Vietnam.

A local expert shares insight into Vietnamese culture, the country’s growing economy, and more. Day 14 | Depart Ho Chi Minh City | Transfer to the airport for the return flights to your gateway city.

Note: Itinerary may change due to local conditions. Walking is required on many excursions, and surfaces may be uneven or unpaved. Smithsonian Journeys will share the ship with other educational and cultural institutions, which will add to your experience.

Flights and transfers included for FlexAir participants Complimentary transfers are available for FlexAir travelers and those able to meet at a scheduled departure time.

Mekong Navigator

Deck Plan

68-Guest River Cruise Ship Ship’s registry: Vietnam

Tour Prices

Category-Deck Tour Price Special Offer Price*

E-Superior (Midship) $8,190 $7,940

D-Vista (Forward/Midship) $8,590 $8,340

C-Signature (Forward/Aft) $8,890 $8,640

B-Prestige (Midship) $9,590 $9,340

A-Grande (Forward) $10,190 $9,940

*Price includes $250 special savings. See website for details!

A similar itinerary is also available in 2022! Please call or visit SmithsonianJourneys.org for full details.

Supplement for single accommodations are an additional $1,295. (Limited availability) Grande, Prestige, and Signature suites have a balcony. Vista suites have a French balcony. Superior suites have a porthole. VAT and port tax supplement are an additional $290 per person. All prices quoted are in USD, per person, based on double occupancy and do not include air transportation costs (unless otherwise stated).