Mekong River Cruises
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The best Mekong cruises
Compiled by
MelissaMekong travel expert at TourRadar
Downstream Mekong River Cruise Tours from Siem Reap To Phnom Penh 3-Day
1 Review by TourRadar travelers
The mighty Mekong beckons aboard Mekong Dawn from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. Float past Kampong Phluk's floating community, take traditional ox-cart rides in Kampong Tralach, and visit Koh Chen's silversmith artisans. Air-conditioned cabins and authentic Southeast Asian cuisine complete the journey.
Duration 3 days Destinations Siem Reap, Kompong Chhnang, Kampong Tralach, Koh Chen, Phnom Penh Age Range 5 to 70 year olds River Mekong Operator DNQ Travel From
- US$979
The Mekong in a different way - Between adventure and must-seesites (port-to-port cruise) (from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers
The boutique Toum Tiou 2 vessel combines cultural wonders with adventure. Marvel at UNESCO-listed Angkor Wat complex, paddle through Cai Be, and float through Tra Su Forest. Local life unfolds through Vespa food tours in Ho Chi Minh City, ox-cart rides in Kampong Tralach, and visits to floating villages on Tonlé Lake.
Duration 11 days Destinations Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Oudong, Kampong Tralach, Koh Chen, Siem Reap Age Range up to 99 year olds River Mekong Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
- US$2,572
The Mekong in a different way - Between adventure and must-seesites (10 destinations)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelersMega Sale
UNESCO-listed Angkor Wat stands as gateway to a Mekong adventure aboard Toum Tiou 2. Kayak in Cai Be, cycle through Kampong Chhnang's pottery villages, and tour Phnom Penh's Royal Palace. Cable cars ascend Sam Mountain while floating villages dot Tonlé Lake. Vespa street food tours and traditional Apsara dance performances add local flavor.
Duration 11 days Destinations Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Oudong, Kampong Tralach, Koh Chen, Siem Reap Age Range up to 99 year olds River Mekong Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From $3,029
25% Off- US$2,284You save $745
Temple Discovery and Luxury Mekong Cruise
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Our voyage on Scenic Spirit exceeded our expectations. It was an amazing experience!”
Jared, traveled in February 2020
Mega Sale
Scenic Spirit sails past ancient temples, floating markets, and silk villages. Wat Hanchey monastery, Phnom Penh's Royal Palace, and Tan Chau's bird sanctuary highlight the route. Luxury suites with butler service, multiple dining venues, and exclusive cultural experiences await.
Duration 11 days Destinations Siem Reap, Hanchey, Kampong Cham, Angkor Ban, Silk Island, Phnom Penh, Tan Chau, Sa Dec, Cai Be, Ho Chi Minh City Age Range up to 99 year olds Ship Scenic Spirit River Mekong Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $11,735
47% Off- US$6,178You save $5,557
AmaDara brings French Colonial luxury to the Mekong's waters. The route winds from Vietnam's delta through floating markets and traditional villages to Cambodia's historic sites, complemented by cultural performances and unlimited beverages.
Duration 8 days Destinations Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau, Phnom Penh, Tonle Sap Lake, Kampong Tralach, Oudong, Koh Chen Age Range up to 90 year olds Ship AmaDara River Mekong Operator AmaWaterways From
47% Off- US$2,799
What people love about Mekong Cruises
- Temple Discovery and Luxury Mekong Cruise
Our voyage on Scenic Spirit exceeded our expectations. It was an amazing experience!
- Mekong Upstream Vietnam Cambodia on Mekong Navigator
Great tour with nice food and friendly people.
- Mekong Downstream Cambodia Vietnam on Mekong Navigator
Staff excellent. Cabin lovely but situated back of boat and engine noise so loud prevented sleep. Other passengers were warned if this and given a reduced rate. Food and service excellent. Mooring at Phnom Penh for three nights with no view but underside of dock made balcony unusable for almost half of cruise. €1000 refund from Lotus accepted. Tourradar attempt to claim 20% of that disgraceful.
Travel Mekong your way
There's something special about the Jayavarman - it combines colonial elegance with the ability to navigate quieter parts of the Mekong. You'll drift past fishing villages and vibrant markets while enjoying quality service and comfortable amenities on board. The routes take you from busy trading spots to peaceful monasteries tucked away along the shoreline, showing you just how varied life is along this mighty river.
See all River Cruise toursSelect from our extensive range of 65 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Mekong with our expert guides leading the way.
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Top operators
Based on what our travelers are saying, Scenic's luxury Mekong cruises are getting solid reviews, particularly their Scenic Spirit vessel. One of our guests came back really pleased, saying it went beyond what they expected. The market has quite a range of options though - there's a bit of a cautionary note from someone who booked the Mekong Dawn through TourRadar and found they paid noticeably more than other companies were charging for the exact same cruise. The AmaDara seems to hit the right notes with its crew quality, knowledgeable guides and well-maintained boat. Though one traveler mentioned they would have liked more variety in the menu and also a schedule that wasn't quite so structured - they were hoping for more downtime to just relax and take things at their own pace. Looking at these different experiences, it's clear that pricing research matters before booking, and each cruise line has its own approach to scheduling and amenities. It's worth checking multiple providers, reading detailed itineraries and also asking about how flexible the daily programs are if you prefer a more laid-back pace.
- 4.5 (399 reviews)
"The cruise was excellent. However the initial meeting was badly organised and it was difficult to know where we would meet up. Only after meeting did we find out that the first day of the cruise was cancelled and we would have to go by bus to start the cruise next day. No one from Croisi or from TourRadar had told us about this, but everyone else knew. Although the cruise was advertised as English speaking, we were the only native English speaking people on the cruise. Luckily the Finns who were more than half the passengers all spoke excellent English and we got on well with them. At the end of the cruise, the cruise director and local guide were very helpful in getting us to our hotel in Siem Reap, which was different to the one the others were staying at.
- Tours
- 15 tours
- Age range
- 1 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- River Cruise
- Response time
- 22h
- Response rate
- 88%
- Average price
- $384
- 5.0 (138 reviews)
"My review is all about you tourrador You charged me $759. USD MORE than any other agents selling this cruise. That to me is a big scam MEKONG DAWN.COM selling this same cruise for $1.199 for 2 people MEKONG BOAT.COM selling this same cruise for $1.120 for 2 ASIA KING TRAVEL selling same cruise for $1.120. For 2 The cabins on this cruise are all the same, there this NO upper deck cabins like your advertising. And suggested. I paid you $1958 USD that is more than $759 usd overcharge by your company I would like to be refunded this amount Either from TOURRADAR or DNQ TRAVEL .COM Mr MINH when changing $1958 to AUD this was Over $3.150 I paid for a 2 night cruise Refund please
- Tours
- 3 tours
- Age range
- 1 to 75 years old
- Adventure type
- River Cruise
- Response time
- 19h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $392
- 4.5 (28 reviews)
"Great river cruise for a seasoned traveler. Well paced. Lots to see staff is friendly and responsive. Cruise director is a dynamo. Get to see locals living life in Their villages and markets.
- Tours
- 4 tours
- Age range
- 12 to 90 years old
- Adventure type
- River Cruise
- Response time
- 22h
- Response rate
- 77%
- Average price
- $493
Best places to start your adventure
Most of our Mekong journeys kick off from Ho Chi Minh City - about 28 different cruise routes start there, with Siem Reap close behind launching 25 departures. Phnom Penh and Hanoi each serve as starting points for 9 different itineraries, and Vientiane offers something a bit off the usual path. The booking sweet spot is around 2 months out - that's 56 days to lock in your preferred cabin and dates. During the busy season from November through March you'll want to book even earlier to get spots on the popular boats. Our travelers tell us this period has the best weather too - lower humidity and less rain make it perfect for exploring floating markets, old temples and local villages. The whole journey covers roughly 1,000 kilometers of rich culture, with trips ranging from quick 3-night hops to longer 14-night explorations that really let you settle into river life.
Mekong tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
75 tours in MekongExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Mekong. We have 75 adventures that vary from 2 days to 25 days. With the greatest number of departures in October, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Top Mekong travel itineraries to fit your plans
When you have 10 days, you can really get into the Mekong's flow. Up in Laos, the routes take you to local chopstick makers, organize dinners on empty islands and show you through the massive Xayaburi Dam. Down on the lower Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia, you'll explore the Royal Palace, wander through floating markets and connect with village life. Our clients particularly enjoy the special moments - getting blessed by monks in old temples, watching lion dancers perform on deck and taking evening remork rides through glowing city streets. The ships come with spa services, morning tai chi and cooking classes using ingredients you'll pick up at local markets. It's ideal for anyone wanting to dive deep into the culture while enjoying really comfortable accommodations.
Don't miss out on visiting:
Siem Reap, Hanchey, Kampong Cham, Angkor Ban, Silk Island, Phnom Penh, Tan Chau, Sa Dec, Cai Be, Ho Chi Minh City
Our 14-day golf and cruise packages combine luxury river travel with rounds at Southeast Asia's best courses. You'll start in Vientiane playing excellent clubs like Lakeview, Long Vien and also Luang Prabang before joining your river vessel. While cruising, you'll visit remote Khmu villages, explore caves packed with Buddha statues and see the Golden Triangle area. Our guests love how active mornings on world-class courses flow into laid-back afternoons discovering riverside communities. The trip finishes in Thailand with rounds at Santiburi Chiang Rai and also Chiang Mai Highlands, both set against beautiful mountain scenery.
Don't miss out on visiting:
Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi, My Tho, Vinh Long, Sa Dec, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Koh Chen, Kampong Tralach, Kampong Chhnang, Tonle Sap Lake, Siem Reap, Banteay Srei, Angkor Wat
Don't miss out on visiting:
Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau, Phnom Penh, Oudong, Angkor Ban, Kampong Cham, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang, Bangkok
Demographics
Our solo travelers on the Mekong really connect with the river cruise experience - it's got this nice balance of being social when you want and having your own space when you need it. There's one cruise that our clients particularly love; it takes you into smaller villages away from the usual tourist spots, so you're seeing real local life but can always head back to the comfort of your boat community. The daily schedule works well for solo guests, mixing group activities with plenty of free time to do your own thing. What makes it special is how the staff create this warm, inclusive feeling where single travelers naturally get to know other guests over meals and village visits, while still having quiet moments to watch life unfold along the river from their private cabin.
The luxury Mekong cruises work beautifully for couples - they blend romance with real cultural experiences in a way that our guests really appreciate. Several routes feature intimate morning champagne service near ancient temples, private dining on your balcony and couples treatments in the onboard spa. There's this particularly good cruise that includes special VIP seats at the Cambodian Phare Circus and temple dinners by candlelight. Another favorite gets couples cooking local dishes together in hands-on classes and then enjoying evening drinks while watching the sunset from deck. The cabins themselves are lovely - they've got these beautiful French colonial details and big windows, so couples can take in the changing river views together in their own private space.
Solo Travelers52 tours All tours for Solo Travelers- Couples50 tours
- Seniors (50+)43 tours
Best time to visit
- Spring 2025
Spring weather sets up perfectly for active Mekong exploration, mixing cycling and cruising in well-balanced days. You'll pedal through rural villages in the cool morning light, then kick back on deck for spectacular sunsets. Our clients particularly like the special touches - sipping champagne breakfast near Angkor Wat and exploring Phnom Penh's colonial streets by tuk-tuk. The spring routes really connect you with local life, from pottery workshops by the river to cooking classes with delta chefs who share family recipes and kitchen secrets. The crew makes it extra special, with personal butlers noting your favorite drinks and making quick stops when you spot interesting markets, workshops and also riverside villages.
- 21 tours
- popular 29 tours
- Summer 2025
Summer is an excellent time to visit the famous floating markets along the Mekong River. Explore Cambodia’s Angkor Wat in the early morning or late afternoon.
- popular 27 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Autumn sees less rain and also fewer tourists, making for a peaceful and authentic travel experience. Attend the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam for a unique cultural celebration.
- 33 tours
- popular 40 tours
- 35 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
The winter Mekong cruises really shine with intimate experiences along the delta's hidden corners. A favorite route kicks off with an exciting speed boat ride from Phnom Penh to Chau Doc, where you'll switch to smaller sampan boats to navigate the narrow canals. Our travelers love cycling through quiet villages and watching daily life unfold at the floating markets. For those interested in local traditions, another winter option takes you to Oknha Tey island for hands-on silk weaving sessions and up to hilltop temples for authentic water blessings from monks. The smaller ships, carrying just 36-68 passengers, can slip into remote spots that bigger vessels simply can't access, giving you a more personal look at riverside life.
- 25 tours
- popular 28 tours
Contact our Mekong travel experts
Nadine
Expert in Mekong at TourRadar
Nadine is one of our seasoned Mekong Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Mekong tours answered!
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