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Asia

WHO'S ONBOARD: SLOW TRAVEL CONNOISSEURS — BEST FOR: HARD-TO-REACH DESTINATIONS — CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF: AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES
RIVER CRUISING

As vast and varied as the countries they sail, river cruises in and around Asia prove beyond a doubt that this part of the world is worthy of the long-haul.

RIVER CRUISING

As vast and varied as the countries they sail, river cruises in and around Asia prove beyond a doubt that this part of the world is worthy of the long-haul.

Pouring through six different countries on its way into the South China Sea, life on the banks of the Mekong has been flourishing for over four millennia. The diversity on display is as enchanting as it is eye opening. Passing villages locked in time and rainforests teaming with wildlife, Laos’ traditional riverbank settlements melt into Cambodia’s religious sites and Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling streets, lined with anything from palaces to coffee shops.  

Boat life takes on an island-hopping guise further north in Halong Bay; leisurely drifting is melded with a spot of adventure in the likes of hiking remote islets and exploring marine biodiversity. A quieter, lesser-sailed experience can be found in nearby Lan Ha Bay, though. Elsewhere, exclusivity is taken up a notch on the Ganges, where only a select number of sailings are permitted each year.

Port report
A spotlight on the places not to be missed

    • Mekong River

      A feast for the senses

      Asia’s third-longest river, sailing the Mekong opens up a cornucopia of experiences that delightfully steal a breath of two. With cities like Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City en route, a whirlwind of onshore excursions from sobering historical sites to buzzing districts make for plenty of distractions. Still, it isn’t all about urban endeavours, as evidenced when visiting Vietnam’s Cái Bè District, bursting with colour from its famed flower gardens and the hubbub of the floating markets. The upper Mekong slows things down further in the verdant valleys of Laos’ Luang Prabang, revealing the rural lives of the tribes that live along its banks.

    • Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay

      Vietnamese icons

      A UNESCO World Heritage site just east of Hanoi, Halong Bay’s calm waters and characterful rock formations are a mecca for sailing trips aboard traditional junk boats. An overnight stay takes in the must-sees like floating fishing villages, prehistoric caves and stop-offs on little islets primed for hiking. Extend by another night and the door opens to onboard cooking classes, exploring a pearl farm and kayaking between the limestone karsts. Halong’s more under-the-radar alternative, Lan Ha Bay, makes for a more relaxed voyage discovering isolated beaches and cycling around the leafy landscapes of Cat Ba Island before sipping sundowners on deck.

    • Ganges River

      On the banks of spirituality

      Believed to be the embodiment of the Hindu goddess Ganga, sailing the waters of the Ganges proves to be an enlightening and spiritual experience. Authentic India is on full display while drifting past traditional towns, historic temples and impressive architecture. Deeper explorations are a must, though, providing a glimpse into the country’s history with visits to brass working villages, battlefields and spots of sacred importance. Expanding the journey from water to land by hopping aboard the Maharajas' Express is also encouraged, taking in the likes of the Golden Triangle, Mumbai and the Blue City – Jodhpur. 

A Carrier curation
  • Get a flavour of Ho Chi Minh City before you depart by touring the city in a vintage French car. Spend a few hours zipping around the must-see landmarks, or, if time is short, arrive to dinner in timeless style.
  • Cruise completed, stray from the tourist paths on a guided tour of Varanasi’s temples and ponds dedicated to the Devi (Hindu goddesses). Wandering from town to riverside, the tour highlights the importance of the deity of the divine feminine and the connection to the river.
  • The night before your cruise, head to the rooftopser three of the best skybars in town. Sipping on cocktails and savouring canapés as the ci of Phnom Penh to uncovty’s lights spread out all around.
  • Get a flavour of Ho Chi Minh City before you depart by touring the city in a vintage French car. Spend a few hours zipping around the must-see landmarks, or, if time is short, arrive to dinner in timeless style.
  • Cruise completed, stray from the tourist paths on a guided tour of Varanasi’s temples and ponds dedicated to the Devi (Hindu goddesses). Wandering from town to riverside, the tour highlights the importance of the deity of the divine feminine and the connection to the river.
  • The night before your cruise, head to the rooftopser three of the best skybars in town. Sipping on cocktails and savouring canapés as the ci of Phnom Penh to uncovty’s lights spread out all around.
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Discover the loveliest pre- and post-cruise lodgings and exclusive experiences designed around you.
Get in touch your way…
We customise every trip to you and our quotes are bespoke. We’re here to offer advice, recommendations and answer your questions.
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The tried and tested. The classic. Ocean cruises are the quintessential form of voyage that the word ‘cruise’ evokes.

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