Mekong River Cruises Takes you Through Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
The Mekong River is the world's 12th longest river and stretches over 2,700 miles. A Scenic Mekong River cruise sails through various parts of Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, and provides an enlightening view of how important the river is to the local Cambodian people and to their livelihoods.
The Mekong River flows from the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet, through precipitous gorges in China and the Golden Triangle—a geographical point where the borders of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand meet.
From there, the Mekong River continues its southward course through Cambodia and Vietnam, before it finally empties into the South China Sea.
Travel the iconic waterways of the Mekong on board a Scenic River Cruise, and experience all-inclusive cruising like never before. From unforgettable excursions, fine dining and complimentary beverages throughout your cruise, to the luxury extras you’d expect to pay extra for; Scenic's innovative approach to all-inclusive travel means everything is included in the price of your river cruise.
CULTURAL IMMERSION
On a Scenic river cruise down the Mekong River, guests will be provided with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture and the history of the region. This journey begins with a visit to Wat Hanchey, a pagoda set atop a prominent hillside near the city of Kampong Cham.
The Buddhist temple and monastery was a significant place of worship as far back as the Chenla period in the 8th century. The site consistently fascinates visitors with its bright colors, large fruit sculptures, and a brick Hindu temple from the 7th century that was built in honor of Shiva, one of the three major Hindu deities.
Only a short distance down the river in the city of Kampong Cham itself, travelers can visit Wat Nokor, a religious site that is made up of a colorful, modern Hinayana Buddhist pagoda that has been built inside the walls of a 12th-century Mahayana Buddhist shrine, which was originally constructed by Khmer King Jayavarman VII, a Buddhist ruler who built more than 100 hospitals and many monuments during his three-decade-long reign.
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UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Other experiences to be enjoyed during a Mekong River Cruise include a lesson on Buddhist prayer with monks at a mountaintop stupa, pagoda, and monastery in the ancient capital city of Oudong. Guests can also participate on Scenic's guided tours of local food markets followed by a cooking demonstration of Khmer cuisine in Phnom Penh.
A visit to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary in Tan Chau shouldn't be missed. Experience a guided boat tour through acres of flooded forests that are inhabited by various types of stork, herons, waterhens, kingfishers, and other species of birds.
Guests looking to connect with nature in other ways will enjoy an elephant trek to the peak of Mount Phou Asa, which offers splendid views across the Mekong River valley.
Those wishing to do a bit more of the exercising themselves can take bicycle tours of nearby villages in Champasak, a province in southwestern Laos.
Java aficionados will enjoy a visit to a nearby coffee plantation, where they’ll learn about the process of growing and harvest coffee beans. And, of course, Scenic river cruise guests will have a chance to explore the World Heritage Site of Wat Phou, an ornate Khmer temple made up of pillars, shrines, and palaces (among other edifices).
The site also features a natural spring that, according to the local people, emits holy water. Guests interested in exploring Southeast Asia further might also be interested in hearing about Scenic’s Irrawady River cruises.
WILDLIFE OF THE MEKONG
The Mekong River supports about 1,100 species of fish, but it is also home to an array of rarer and more unique animals. According to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF), a 118-mile-long stretch of the Mekong that runs between Cambodia and Laos is home to fewer than 100 Irrawaddy dolphins.
These rare river dolphins are not yet endangered, but the WWF classifies them as being vulnerable to extinction; and the Khmer and Lao cultures both regard the species as a sacred animal. The Mekong is also home to Siamese crocodiles (in the wetlands region) and giant species of Catfish, Carp, and Ibis.
Endangered tigers can also be found in the forests of the Mekong River valley.
Grand Indochina & Luxury Mekong
Spend 27 days unveiling the most magical sights, tastes and experiences. Marvel at the sheer magnificence of Halong Bay or the town of Hoi An – forever lost in time. Spoil yourself with incredible cuisine that can be found literally everywhere. Wander the astounding World Heritage-listed temples of Angkor Wat and Wat Phou. Be enchanted by the water puppets of Hanoi, spend time in the uplifting orphanage of Duc Son Pagoda and explore the Cu Chi tunnels.
About Scenic Cruises
From humble beginnings in Newcastle, Australia, to a global company with business centers in Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, USA, Canada, and the UK, Scenic is a true success story within the travel industry. The Scenic story began in 1986, when their founder Glen Moroney began operating coach tours throughout Australia, quickly expanding into New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and South Africa. By the end of the decade Scenic was hosting tours to Canada and Alaska, and in 2008 we launched our unique Space-Ships and began offering luxury all-inclusive river cruises throughout Europe. In January 2019, Scenic will enter a new chapter in its journey with the launch of its first ocean cruising vessel, Scenic Eclipse.
