Part 1: Riches of the Mekong River Cruise Excursions We Loved

We're taking you through the incredible shore excursions from our Riches of the Mekong River cruise with AmaWaterways (Charms of the Mekong in reverse), sharing exactly what to expect from this cultural journey through Cambodia and Vietnam. You'll discover the magic of exploring nearly 1,000 temples at Angkor Wat (including how to maximize your “golden ticket” for independent exploration), experience authentic village life in Angkor Ban where locals welcome you into their homes, and learn about Cambodia's complex history through visits to the Royal Palace and difficult but important sites like the Killing Fields. We'll share practical tips for navigating the bus transfers, how to prepare for the heat and cultural sites, and how AmaWaterways' Giving Back Asia program lets you make a difference during your visit. Whether you're already booked on a Mekong cruise or considering this bucket-list adventure, you'll understand what makes these excursions so transformative and how they connect you with the warmth and resilience of the Cambodian people. This is part one of our two-part series (Part 2 is here) covering days 1-4, with part two continuing our journey into Vietnam.Be sure to listen to our onboard river cruise experience on the AmaDara along the Mekong River.For stunning photos and additional information about cruising this spectacular river in Southeast Asia, read our AmaWaterways Mekong River Cruise Review: 30 Unexpected Surprises.We were grateful we had handheld rechargeable fans for our excursions! Find it in our Mekong River Cruise packing list on Amazon. AmaWaterways’ Giving Back Asia program is fabulous. Don’t forget to bring items to donate. (A list of items can be found on the Giving Back Asia webpage; you can donate from home too).Ask a question or send fan mail.Support the show👉🏻 Press that FOLLOW button so you never miss an episode, released every other Wednesday. Need help planning your trip? Check out our RESOURCES, whether you're looking to understand which cruise to book, which travel insurance is best, or how to organize your luggage with our packing lists: https://sometimessailing.com/resources/▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @sometimes-sailing📩 Sign up for our newsletter.🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice.  📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us.©2026 Small Ship Cruise Talk. All rights reserved. May contain affiliate links. Some trips and experiences have been hosted. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are our own.