Asia is a destination that is best seen to be believed. No words can conjure up the rich culture that exists everywhere you look, nor is any sentence able to do justice to the unique and intriguing lifestyles of the locals who live here.
Whilst ocean cruising is a spectacular way to witness the jewels of Asia, river cruising can take you deeper into the mystery of this destination, leaving you free to explore right from the riverbank. Here, Fran Hayden, Marketing Executive at ROL Cruise, looks at the best river cruises of Asia.
Scenic’s Luxury Irrawaddy – From Mandalay to Yangon
As a 5 star luxury line, Scenic go above and beyond to ensure that all your needs are met: from your luggage unpacked by a personal butler, to a choice of gourmet cuisine and level of personalised service that will delight. With ships akin to floating hotels, you can cruise the Irrawaddy river in the utmost luxury as you voyage from Mandalay to Yangon. Highlights of this river cruise include the chance to experience traditional river life in Schwe Pyi Thar, explore the colonial relics of Thayetmyo and Salay before arriving in the bustling capital of Yangon.
Your Asia adventure doesn’t end there – when in Yangon, you will be able to revel in the magnificence of the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda. As the sun sets on an incredible experience you’ll take part in a traditional oil lamp lighting ceremony, an uplifting and magical way to conclude your time in this mystical land.
Join Scenic on an unmissable cruise from Mandalay to Yangon, here.
The Wonders of China, Tibet & the Yangtze
With this soul-enriching river cruise from Uniworld, you can embrace the yin and yang of wonders old and new. Uniworld’s impeccable service combined with a truly magnificent cruise and tour itinerary provides intimate and up-close views of this remarkable region.
Featuring a pre-cruise experience which includes a three night stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Beijing, an included excursion to bear witness to the astonishing Terracotta Army in Xi’an, a visit to the holiest site in Tibet – the Jokhang Temple – and a simply unforgettable experience at Chongqing Zoo to see the giant pandas. Your cruise of the Yangtze River includes an excursion to the magical Three Gorges, the Goddess Stream and the Three Gorges Dam.
Embark on an incredible cruise of the Yangtze River, here.
Essential Vietnam & Cambodia with APT
Celebrating 90 years of touring in 2017, APT are specialists in providing their guests with the most immersive experiences possible. With the expert services of a Cruise Director, unique and exclusive Signature and Insider Experiences offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences – your Vietnam & Cambodia cruise is bound to be unforgettable. In Ho Chi Minh city, you will enjoy a two night hotel stay plus a choice of Signature Experiences, one of which is a unique visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. From here, you will join your river cruise ship in Cai Be and cruise inwards to Tan Chau, Phnom Penh, where you will be able to choose between a selection of immersive tours – perhaps enjoy a tour of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda; visit the infamous Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum; explore the National Museum of Cambodia; or take a guided city tour in a tuk tuk.
Join APTs Essential Vietnam & Cambodia river cruise, here.
The Mighty Mekong in Ultimate Luxury
From the famous Silver Pagoda of Phnom Penh to the ancient sacred site of Wat Hanchey, this luxury Mekong river cruise takes you to some of the most iconic sights in Southeast Asia. You will journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap and witness astounding sights which will open your eyes to a whole other way of living. Visit the floating markets of Sa Dec, the temple-strewn capital of Oudong and the ancient Khmer Bridge at Kampong Kdei.
Not only this, but a real bucket-list experience awaits in Siem Reap where you’ll be able to visit the world’s largest religious monument – the temples of Angkor. Not only this, but your 11 night river cruise will be one of utmost luxury as you’ll be on board one of Scenic’s 5 star luxury ships, Scenic Spirit. From the moment you step on board, you’ll enter a world of renowned all-inclusive luxury… what more could you want.
Cruise the Mighty Mekong with Scenic, here.
Discover the Hidden Wonders of Myanmar
The Irrawaddy River, meandering its way through the lowlands of Myanmar, has been used as a trading route since the 6th century and is the lifeblood of the country’s economy – travelling via the river provides ample opportunity to glimpse rural life.
This exceptional itinerary brought to you by APT’s luxury brand of river cruising, takes you on an unforgettable river cruise of this unique area of the world and includes highlights such as the chance to make pottery with the locals in Yandabo, the chance to join a sunset cruise and glide beneath the world’s longest teak wood bridge, the U Bein, and the incredible chance to explore the temples of Bagan including the Shwezigon Pagoda.
Not only will you be privy to these once-in-a-lifetime experiences, but with APT’s luxury brand, you can enjoy a whole host of added benefits – absolutely free of charge.
Discover the Hidden Wonders of Myanmar with APT, here.
For further information on ROL Cruise and to register to receive special offers and Cruise Miles loyalty rewards visit ROLCruise.co.uk or call free on 0800 251 1005.
