The Big Three: River cruises in Asia for solo travellers

Who ever said that solo travellers aren’t adventurous? Asia is a region seemingly made for river cruising, as our River guide cover feature on Myanmar proves.

It’s a bucket-list destination and one that offers everything you could want: ancient history, great food, luxury accommodation and a sense of adventure.

Following on from the publication of Cruise Adviser’s River 2015-16 guide, each week we will be running our Big Three feature, which gives you a trio of cruise options to choose from. This week it’s Asian river cruises for solo travellers.

To request a copy of Cruise Adviser’s River guide email: info@cruise-adviser.com or click here to read the digital version. Our Family guide is out in May.

China

Line: APT
River: Yangtze
Departure port: Beijing
Duration: 13 days
Date: June 18, 2015
Price: £5,080

This once in a lifetime trip down the Yangtze includes pretty much everything – from flights to China to three nights in the Raffles Beijing and three nights in the Fairmont in Shanghai. The luxury vessel will sail through bucket list sites including the Three Gorges Dam while you will also get the chance to see the famed Terracotta Army.

Cambodia

Line: Mekong River Cruises
River: Mekong
Departure port: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Duration: 12 days
Date: August 29, 2015
Price: £3,670

This phenomenal itinerary takes in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and is one for adventurous solo travellers. Starting in Cambodia, the cruise will include tours of Angkor Wat, hot air balloon rides and learning about the ancient Khmer empire. The tour tends to avoid the mass tourist spots – and comes at a reasonable price too.

Myanmar

Line: Amadeus River Cruises 
River: Irrawaddy 
Departure port: Prome
Duration: Ten days
Date: September 21, 2015
Price: £3,618

There is a huge amount of buzz about Myanmar, arguably the hottest river cruise destination in the world right now. A river cruise is the ideal way to see the former British colony, a country that is still developing its road network. This ten-day itinerary calls at both Bagan and Mandalay and can be easily paired with a pre- or post-cruise stay in Yangon or Inle Lake.