Wonders of Japan, Vietnam & Cambodia

Welcome to Japan and the vibrant city of Osaka.  Japan.  Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for your three-night included stay. This evening, meet your Tour Director for your briefing and welcome dinner.

We begin our morning tour of Osaka with a stroll through Shinsaibashi-suji shopping avenue, followed by Kuromon Ichiba Market, known as ‘Osaka’s kitchen.’ Afterwards, visit the Museum of History and the rebuilt Osaka Castle. The afternoon is free at leisure before transferring to the Umeda Sky Building for 360-degree night-time views of the glittering skyline of Osaka from the Floating Garden Observatory. Then savour your dinner and admire the spectacular views, 170-metres off the ground.

Drive to Asuka, birthplace of the Japanese nation and cradle of Japan’s  ancient culture. Wander through the Inabuchi terraced rice paddies and the ancient Tobiishi stone bridge, celebrated in Japanese folklore. Then visit Ishibutai tumulus, the largest known megalithic structure in Japan. EmeraldPLUS As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, learn about the history, life and training routine of a sumo wrestler during a private visit to a Sumo Museum in Kehayaza, where Sumo originated. After your welcome ceremony, witness a demonstration of Jinku and the wrestlers in action in the dohyo. Later in the evening, take a ride on the Osaka Metro to explore the lively entertainment area of Dotonbori.

Drive to the culturally-rich city of Kyoto, home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites. Upon arrival, glide through the ethereal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove on a traditional rickshaw, before exploring the World Heritage-listed Tenryu-ji Temple, where you’ll enjoy a delicious vegetarian meal. Afterwards, visit the famous Kinkaku-ji, or Golden Pavilion,  so named, as this temple is completely covered in gold leaf. Settle into your hotel in Kyoto for your included two-night stay. EmeraldPLUS As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, tonight’s exclusive dinner will allow you to engage with a Geisha or Maiko, your hosts for this evening. This is  a rare opportunity to learn about the life of a Geisha and the traditional art of Japanese hospitality.

Begin your day with an early morning visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, iconic for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and appearance in the film ‘Memoirs of a Geisha.’ Continue to Nara, Japans first permanent capital established in 710 A.D., originally known as Heijo. Here, you’ll visit Todaiji Temple, founded in the eighth century as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples across Japan.  This Temple grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 A.D., in order to lower the temples influence on governmental affairs. Spot wild deer in Nara Park before returning to Kyoto, stopping at a sake brewery and museum to sample Japan’s famous brew. Ryokan Upgrade For a unique insight into Japanese culture, opt to stay overnight in a Ryokan (at additional cost, must be pre-booked before departure). This traditional Japanese Inn features tatami mat flooring with futon beds, sliding shoji paper doors, onsen hot spring baths and private facilities, and includes breakfast and dinner.

Travel by Shinkansen, or bullet train, to Hakone. Upon arrival, stroll through the Hakone Chokokuno Mori Open-Air Museum, admiring art works and sculptures in a natural setting, before transferring to your hotel for your included stay.

Admire the stunning views of iconic Mount Fuji during your scenic cruise of Lake Ashinoko, before driving to Tokyo. Upon arrival, explore the quaint district of Asakusa, paying your respects at Sensoji, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple.  Later, check in and relax at Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo, your home for the next three nights. DiscoverMORE Dine at a Gonpachi Nishiazabu, made famous in the film, ‘Kill Bill’ (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese Izakaya evening bar scene, enjoying Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki with your Tour Director (extra expense)

Soak up the spectacular views of Tokyo from above, at the top of Tokyo Sky Tree, the world’s tallest tower. Then learn how to make your own sushi lunch, instructed by a local chef. Afterwards, wander through picturesque Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens, before experiencing the Shinjuku entertainment district come alive at dusk and its vibrant sights and sounds.

Visit the Imperial Shinto Meiji Shrine, before walking across the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, in Shibuya. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure for some last-minute shopping in Shibuya. EmeraldPLUS As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, this evening, take in the bright lights of Tokyo during your farewell dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay, with free-flow drinks on a yakatabune, a traditional-style houseboat.

Say goodbye to the land of the rising sun and fly to Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam. On arrival, you will be met by your Emerald Cruises representative and transferred to your hotel, situated in downtown District 1, for a two-night stay. After checking in, you will be free to explore the city before meeting your tour director for your welcome briefing and dinner at a local restaurant.

Drive away from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels, watching the city skyline fade into the distance as the road winds through rice paddies, villages and scenes typical to southern Vietnam. Spend a couple of hours walking around Cu Chi’s rugged grounds with a local guide. Upon your return to Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy a Pho (noodle soup) lunch with the remainder of the afternoon and evening yours to enjoy at leisure or venture out on one of our DiscoverMORE excursions. Included Excursion Cu Chi Tunnels DiscoverMORE An evening Saigon Street Food walking tour (extra expense) DiscoverMORE One Night in Saigon (extra expense)

After checkout, enjoy a tour of the city, visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House and Town Hall. Then, visit the Reunification Palace before transferring to the port where you will board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, Emerald Harmony. You’ll be welcomed on board by your captain and crew before setting sail after lunch down the Saigon River to Cho Gao canal where you will anchor for the night. This evening, enjoy your first dinner on board with your fellow travellers. Your Cruise Director will conduct a port talk to review the activities and itinerary for the days ahead. Included Excursion An orientation tour of Ho Chi Minh City

This morning, you’ll cruise through the bustling Cho Gao canal, one of the major arterial canals of Vietnam connecting Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll be fascinated watching the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway, where upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day. Once on the Mekong River, this afternoon you’ll visit the Tan My Floating community followed by a ride through local plantations to visit a mushroom farm, a fruit farm with sampling and a honey farm with local sweets. Later, you’ll sail onwards to Sa Ðéc, a Mekong Delta hidden gem. Included Excursion Visit the Thoi Binh hamlet and its farming and fishing communities that is untouched by tourism

After a short sampan ride to Sa Ðéc, enjoy a walking tour with a visit to the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspired Marguerite Duras’ celebrated novel, L’Amant, and the town’s bustling central market. Return to Emerald Harmony by sampan, then sail on to My An Hung Island. Recognised as a cultural and historical destination, this small rural village specialises in cultivating red-hot chilli and peppers and is known for its Monkey Bridge. As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, listen to local folk singing during your visit. EmeraldPLUS Listen to some local folk singing in My An Hung Included Excursion A visit to My An Hung village and its Monkey Bridge

Known as ‘Mango Island,’ Cu Lao Gieng is a small, scenic island untouched by tourism, located along the upper Mekong River. Travel by local motorcycle rickshaw through the island’s villages to visit families who work in a variety of local industries including Mango farming, different types of boat building and a factory making incense sticks for temples. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure on board, or alternatively, partake in a DiscoverMORE excursion to the Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in An Long. As part of our EmeraldPLUS experience, you’ll delight in a traditional Lion Dance performance on board. EmeraldPLUS A Lion Dance performance on board Included Excursion See the local industries in Gieng Island DiscoverMORE A visit to Tam Nong Ramsar Bird Sanctuary in Tram Chim National Park (extra expense)

Embark on a sampan ride to Evergreen Island for a walk through a local village, giving you a glimpse into the lives of the local farming community. Reboard your sampan and return to Tan Chau and as part of our EmeraldPLUS experience, visit the local Cao Dai Temple. Cao Dai is a syncretic, monotheistic religion established in Tây Ninh, southern Vietnam, in 1926. At the temple, learn more about this fascinating and complex religion. Afterwards, ride in a Xe Loi (local form of cyclo) back to your sampan before returning to Emerald Harmony. Back on board your Star-Ship, you’ll sail to the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. EmeraldPLUS A visit to a local Cao Dai Temple and Xe Loi ride, unique to the Mekong Delta Included Excursion A visit to Evergreen Island

This morning, you’ll awake in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Known as the ‘Pearl of Asia,’ the city was almost entirely evacuated by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Today, you’ll learn about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of Cambodia’s history. A short drive will take you to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek, where you’ll have the opportunity to stroll through the fields, visit the memorial and understand more about this country’s sombre chapter. Afterwards, visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as ‘S-21’), a former school converted to the Khmer Rouge’s main prison and torture HQ. Spend the afternoon as you please, either exploring our DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the Central Market located in the heart of Phnom Penh, or simply relaxing on board Emerald Harmony. This evening, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a remork (local Tuk-Tuk) tour through Phnom Penh to admire the city lights. EmeraldPLUS Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour Included Excursion Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum DiscoverMORE A silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Craft Beer Adventure by remork (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Samai Distillery (extra expense)

Located north of Phnom Penh, Oudong was the former royal capital of Cambodia until it relocated to Phnom Penh in 1866. Start your day with a visit to the Oudong Monastery and Temples. Important remnants here include the burial sites of Khmer kings as well as religious artefacts dating back more than a century. In Oudong Monastery’s main temple, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the majestic Royal Palace, with its French-inspired gardens and Silver Pagoda. Back on board, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation. Afterwards, make the short sail to Prek K’Dam, gliding past Phnom Penh illuminated at night. EmeraldPLUS A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing EmeraldPLUS Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation Included Excursion A visit to the Royal Palace

Disembark Emerald Harmony in the morning and continue by road to Siem Reap for your included three-night stay. Your hotel, a deluxe boutique property of world-class design that takes great care in honouring the environment and paying homage to the traditional and local aesthetics. This evening as part of your EmeraldPLUS programme, attend Phare, The Cambodian Circus, where a combination of acrobatics, music and dance tell a uniquely Cambodian story. Take advantage of our DiscoverMORE dinner at the circus to further support Phare’s work. EmeraldPLUS Phare Cambodian Circus performance DiscoverMORE Evening – Local Fare at Phare Circus (extra expense)

Today, start with a visit to Angkor Thom, not a single temple such as the historic sites it neighbours, but rather one of the most remarkable royal cities of the Angkor Period and an architectural wonder. As the last capital of the Khmer Empire, it was a fortified city, home to priests, officials of the palace, military and buildings for administering the kingdom. Afterwards, visit the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm. In an incredible standoff between human creation and nature, the jungles root systems have reclaimed this spiritual location now enshrouded in wild vegetation. The backdrop to many Hollywood scenes, the incredible Ta Prohm is both a cinematic and contemplative location. This evening is free to visit ‘Pub Street’ or try a DiscoverMORE option. Included Excursion Visit to Angkor Thom Included Excursion Visit to Ta Prohm Temple DiscoverMORE Evening – Sunset Drinks Gondola Boat at Bayon (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Evening - Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense)

Witness a mesmerising sunrise over Angkor Wat. Afterwards, walk through this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, renowned for its intricate carvings. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to explore the town, or join a DiscoverMORE excursion. Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an immersive evening and farewell dinner at Satcha Handicraft Centre, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance. EmeraldPLUS Apsara dance performance and dinner show Included Excursion Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat DiscoverMORE Siem Reap Countryside by Vespa (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Banteay Srei Temple and APOPO (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Tonlé Sap (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Khmer Cooking Class (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop (extra expense)

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred to the Siem Reap airport to catch your onward or homebound flight. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.