Best Guide on Planning the Perfect Mekong River Cruise

A Mekong River Cruise can expose you to a number of great experiences. Most of these will be completely new to you, and of course, 100% authentic.

Image credit- Mekong Kingdoms

Mekong River

With an unimaginable length of 2700+ miles, the Mekong River is considered the longest in south-east Asia. It flows across many countries including Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and China.

Highlights to be covered

Attractions that you can spot during the experience may vary on the path you choose. But the most popular among all are Ho Chi Minh City, Angkor Temples and Luang Prabang.

Experiences

It’s not just about admiring the temples and ancient cities. You also get the chance to visit floating villages, floating markets and countless number of paddy fields.

Choosing your cruise

Mekong river cruises have different durations. Depending on your availability, budget and desire, you may choose the cruise type. There are 14-nighs cruises, 3-day cruises and 7-day cruises that you can choose from.

Cruise partners

If you think of enjoying a Luang Prabang cruise, you may opt for reputed options such as Mekong Kingdoms. Dining, entertainment and education opportunities with them are just priceless.

Experience a Mekong River Cruise

The mighty Mekong River is one of the most magnificent sights for those travelling to East or Southeast Asia and the great things is, it is perfect for a captivating cruise.

Where is the Mekong?

Beginning in China’s Tibetan Plateau, the river travels over 4,000 km, flowing through six countries including Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia. A Mekong River cruise is an ideal way to traverse these waters which support rich biodiversity and offer insights into local culture and livelihoods.

Best Way to Travel

The best way to explore the river is to enjoy cruises offered by operators such as Mekong Kingdoms which have their own fleet of luxury boats. You get both day journeys and sunset dinner cruises as well as more intimate overnight experiences amidst the finest comforts as you visit places in Laos and Thailand.

Diverse Destinations

Each destination along the Mekong River has something different to offer. You can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang in Laos, take in the lush beauty of Chiang Khong and the Golden Triangle, witness temple ruins in Chiang Saen and venture to Chiang Mai in the ancient Lanna Kingdom.

Unique Experiences

Depending on the type of cruise, you will be able to enjoy plenty of activities be it stopping by hill-tribe villages, sampling local cuisine, encountering elephants or seeing historical sites. Key attractions to visit along the way include the sacred Pak Ou Caves, Wat Dhon Kuhn, Khamu village and the idyllic Kuang Si Waterfalls.

 

Mekong River Cruise experience

In the earlier days, civilisations were born around massive rivers, which also assisted in establishing relevant cultures. Mekong River is no exception. One can learn about the fascinating cultural aspects of an ancient civilisation when embarking on a luxury Mekong River cruise.

Image credit- Mekong Kingdoms

History of Mekong River

The earliest settlement date back to 2100 BC, the Khmer culture of Funan. Khmer empire Angkor was the last greatest Indianised state in the area. Mekong River is regarded as the cornerstone of the economic growth and prosperity of South East Asia.

Cruising Area

The spectacular Mekong Delta is spread over an area of approximately 15,000 square miles, which boasts of lush green paddy fields, fruit orchards, fish farms, and thriving ecosystems. Mekong Delta contributes to more than half of Vietnam’s rice production; hence, it’s also called the “rice bowl” of the country.

Cruising Experience

A Mekong River cruise would let travellers come across new cultures, thus being able to perceive life from a different perspective. From ancient temples and serene villages to incredible scenery and wildlife along the way, a cruise along this mighty river will offer an unparalleled experience.

Overnight Mekong Cruises

One can embark on a unique and scintillating night-time adventure on the Mekong River with cruise companies such as Mekong Kingdoms. A night-time cruise along this river would reveal a land of spellbinding beauty.

Cruise Planning

The relief of settling onto the deck of a massive cruise ship sailing towards your desired destination as you sip on a pina colada is simply one of the most rewarding experiences, especially if you managed to plan the whole time to your precise needs.

Compare your options:

It easy to get swamped by the range of options and destinations available for you when you first begin your search. Take care to not get overwhelmed and always cross-check to ensure that you are making the best choice.

Trust a travel agent:

Once you know what cruise you want to take get the help of a travel agent to assist with the best possible itinerary for your trip!

Be early:

An element that is easy to overlook is the time factor, if you prepare well in advance it is much more likely that you will be able to secure for yourself the best experience out in the ocean or even on a Mekong river cruise if you are siged up with places like Mekong Kingdoms.

Think about a shorter trip:

Sometimes the 5-day long trip can be as satisfying and refreshing as the 3-week long journey on the high seas and could be more cost-effective as well!

Mekong River Cruises Guide

The Mekong is one of the largest rivers on the planet; flowing through several South East Asian countries, it has had a tremendous impact on the culture of these countries and their people. A cruise along this great river can be the adventure of a lifetime and we’ve put together a quick guide to help you plan the perfect river cruise.

Why Visit the Mekong River

A cruise along the Mekong will take you on a journey that spans countries and cultures. You’ll encounter everything from ancient ruins to traditional fishing villages. What’s more, the Mekong river basin boasts an astounding degree of biodiversity – second only to the Amazon.

Taking a Day Tour

If you’re strapped for time, a day cruise might be ideal for you. If you’re visiting the Mekong via Laos, Luang Prabang is where you want to go. There should be many Luang Prabang cruise tours to choose from. For instance, Mekong Kingdoms offers sunset cruises with dinner, as well as visits to Pak Ou cave and Kuang Si waterfall. Alternatively, you can experience Cambodian culture via a day tour through Kampong Cham.

Visiting the Delta

Located in Vietnam, the Mekong Delta region is ripe with natural beauty and exotic wildlife – a cruise along this stretch of the river is guaranteed to be filled with spectacular photo ops. This option also lets you experience Vietnamese culture first-hand, and the chance to try out authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

A Luxury River Cruise

Choosing a luxury cruise lets you enjoy all the sites and experiences the Mekong relaxed, pampered and in quiet comfort. Most luxury cruises travel between Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City or Phnom Penh. Taking these routes means you’ll encounter everything from beautifully crafted pagodas and temples to endless rice fields and charming floating markets.

 

 

Mekong River Cruise Experience

The Mekong river is the main reason why so many powerful civilisations thrived in South East Asia. And a cruise down the river is the perfect way to really understand how much influence a river can have on mankind and their development.

Mekong River Cruise
Mekong River Cruise | Image Credit : Basile Morin, Mekong Sun river cruise ship in Luang Prabang, CC BY-SA 4.0

Asia’s Most Legendary River

luxury Mekong river cruise is one of the best ways to understand the influence the great river has had on civilisation. The river has enriched culture and traditions for more than 2000 years in the region which means a cruise with Mekong Kingdoms will take you on that same journey years later.

Cambodia

The cruise will take you through Cambodia following in the footsteps of royalty who sailed the same seas years before. Cambodia is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site Angkor Wat and other spectacular remnants of Khmer culture.

Vietnam

Vietnam is next on the Mekong River, the easternmost country on the Indochinese peninsula. It is a visual masterpiece of colour and wonders fast evolving into a prime tourist destination.

Mekong River

The Mekong River is the 12th longest in the world. It flows from the Tibetan plateau to the South China sea through China to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. It is the lower end of the river, the basin that spreads across Cambodia and Vietnam that is mostly traversed.

 

Cruise Planning tips

A vacation on a cruise is a vacation that’s always well-spent. Many of us are little afraid to arrange a cruise holiday on our own because we think planning is a terrific process. No, it’s not! Just follow these simple steps.

Image credit- MekongKingdoms

Before everything, pick your destination and itinerary

First, plan the destination you are going to explore among the many options you have. If you select a Mekong River cruise for instance, as your next adventure, make sure you plan your itinerary that goes in hand with the cruise.

Then pick a Stateroom or Suite

The next big decision lies with the type of accommodation you need to stay on board. Cruises with agents like Mekong Kingdoms are considerate about the needs and wants of their travelers and help them pick the best for them.

Before you board, reserve the dining options

Before you board, make sure you reserve the entertainment and dining spaces too. If you like some wine or cocktails onboard, make sure you book your beverage package in advance too.

Basic packing tips

This is about planning your travel suitcase, finally. Make sure you have the basics such as sunglasses, medications, swimsuits, and clothing for different types of excursions all packed in your suitcase, together with the other things that you may need.

 

Cruise Planning travel blog

If you’ve never been on a cruise, now is the time to get on it and plan one! Cruises aren’t like your traditional holidays, they are so much better. Here’s some help when planning it!

Choose the destination

You’ll be given a plethora of choices in terms of destinations as there are plenty of cruises all around the world! Also remember, when it comes to a cruise, there is not just one destination, there’s always more than one involved, so pick carefully. For those interested in a Mekong River cruise, consider the ones provided by Mekong Kingdoms, and you won’t be disappointed!

Choose the accommodation

Before making your final decisions, you need to give some thought to the type of accommodation you prefer. You may also need to take into account who is accompanying you and thereafter pick a type of accommodation that best suits you and your travel partner/s.

Find the right cruise

With the number of cruises available, you might find yourself extremely confused as to which you’re supposed to pick. The best thing to do would be to research on the cruise and the stops it will make and check if it lines with your interests and likes.

 

Mekong River Cruise experience

Around great rivers, civilizations and cultures have evolved for centuries and this is the same story with Mekong River too. A cruise across this river is, of course, a very nice experience, and there are certain things you should know before planning this voyage.

Why it’s special?
A Mekong River cruise experience is possible with a trusted party the likes of Mekong Kingdoms, with whom you get the best options, excitement and most importantly the knowledge. The expedition is special because it gives you knowledge of a rich heritage and traditions enriched by over 2000 years of human history.

Best time to visit
There is generally a tropical climate in Cambodia and Vietnam. Thus, temperatures are warm year-round which makes it fine to go there any period of the year. Cruises also run year-round leaving you nothing to worry about the best times.

Highlights
During a Mekong River cruise, there are many things one can explore, and culture is one of the main. You can also embrace the unique landscapes of the river basin during the cruise and even meet some guides and local community who would talk to you with smiles on their faces.

Your cruise options
Choose your luxury Mekong River cruise according to your specific requirements. For those who have time, the 07-night cruises can give you more experiences and exposures so this would be the ideal choice. However, there are also 3 and 4-night options available for these cruises as well.