Boutique luxury river-cruise company Aqua Expeditions is launching a new boat on the Mekong in September 2014.

This September you'll be able to cruise down the Mekong in five-star style with Aqua Expeditions' new river safari Aqua Mekong.

Founded by Francesco Galli Zugaro, Aqua Expeditions has its roots in Peru, where it was the first ever luxury river-boat on the Peruvian Amazon. Now, with two boats in Peru, this will be the third edition and their first in Asia, transporting passengers from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh in Cambodia to My Tho in Vietnam, or from Vietnam to Cambodia.

The intimate yet spacious and ultra luxe boat will feature 10 Design Suites, four with balconies, on both the first and second deck; all with panoramic views of the river.

The space for up to 40 passengers will also incorporate indoor and outdoor bars, an indoor dining room and outdoor private dining, a screening room, library and games room, boutique, lobby lounge and an outdoor deck with sunbeds, plus a fitness center, outdoor plunge pool and two spa treatment rooms. Yes, it's hard to believe you get all of that on a river-cruiser, but the boat has been designed to offer the same high standards as a five-star hotel, including king size beds, flatscreen TVs and wireless. You definitely won't be roughing it.

While traveling along the river, the boat will also make daily stops for river and shore excursions, with 10 bicycles on board for passengers to explore independently onshore.

Dining hasn't been given a backseat either, with michelin-starred executive chef David Thompson—best known for his Bangkok restaurant Nahm, and also Asia's top ranked chef in the San Pellegrino World 50 Best Restaurants awards—creating a menu exclusively for Aqua Mekong. He'll be drawing on his Southeast Asian culinary influences, with the use of fresh local ingredients.

Three, four and seven night itineraries are on offer, with rates from US$3,000 ($3,812). Find out more on the Aqua Expeditions website.

Advertisement

Leave a Comment