MEKONG River Cruise - Vietnam & Cambodia 2020

Today we begin our tour with the visit to Angkor Wat, one of the modern wonders of the world. Be amazed by the sheer size of the temple and learn how the Khmer Empire prospered between the 9th and 13th centuries, around the time when Angkor Wat was built. Stroll through the intricately carved hallways that show hundreds of fine carvings and discover small shrines still in use today by the local people.

12:00 back to the hotel for lunch and relax before going back out at 13:30 to visit the world-famous masterpieces that are Ta Prohm. Enter Ta Prohm by the west gate and be amazed by its detailed and refined bas-reliefs along with the presence of giant trees and roots that are slowly taking over the stones. Return to hotel by 17:00

After dinner we will depart for the famous Phare Circus 19:45. Phare Circus works mainly with disadvantaged young people. They learn circus skills, theatre performance, music and a range of visual arts. It combines local traditions with new creative and innovative genres. Daring athleticism is combined with stories that speak powerfully to Cambodia’s not-too-distant history; for example, escape from tyranny is depicted through tightrope walking. The dark subject of a young girl trying to deal with memories of atrocities, is depicted by breathtaking acrobatics in which seemingly impossible goals are achieved. More than simply a circus, Phare is an amazing blend of traditional and modern theatre, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling and contortion beautifully choreographed and performed in a story about Cambodian lives and society. Return to our hotel 21:00

This morning we explore the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, the former great capital of the Khmer Empire from late 12th century until its ultimate decline in the 15th century. Inside the compound, you will be able to visit some of the most mysterious and fascinating structures of the Angkor complex. Start this morning entering the city by the impressive 23-meter-high South Gate and head to Bayon temple. With its 37 towers and enigmatic smiling faces, it is one of the most emblematic temples. Once your guide has shared with you its knowledge and secrets, continue to Baphuon and learn more about the gigantic project of conservation it has undergone to get back at its monumental appearance. Then join the Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King via Phimeanakas, a small yet wonderful temple hidden in a multi-century old forest behind the terraces.

Late morning, we will meet back at our hotel those guests just arriving and travel overland south to the town of Kampong Cham where our ship awaits us. The transfer through the local countryside takes about 4 hours; box lunch, snacks and beverages are provided during the trip. Upon arrival you check in to your well-prepared staterooms then make yourself familiar with all facilities onboard and take some rest before dinner and orientation.

After dinner we learn more about the education of the young Cambodian generation (NGO project). The children join us on board, always excited to show their skills in music and art. Be sure to be bathed in smiles upon your applause. Late evening our lounge cinema features selected classic movies (every night).

Every morning, our Tai Chi class on the sun deck will give you energy for the day ahead. Breakfast is served in the dining hall. This morning we tour the rural Angkor Ban village where time stands still. We are transported back a hundred years into an era unsullied by modernity. The houses here are truly rustic, made by hand and without any concrete. But most of all, we feel overwhelmed by the unbridled warmth of the villagers. Back on board a Monks’ blessing ceremony will deliver spirits and wishes for health and prosperity for all.

Enjoy your lunch as we set sail downstream the Mekong. In the afternoon a High Tea is offered, and our staff is keen to show you the variety of traditional Khmer fashion. We arrive at the Island of Koh Oknha Tey. This spot in the middle of the Mekong owns its fame for manufacturing high class silk products. By tuk tuk we explore the island with its workshops and learn how silk is processed from its source, provided by little silkworms, to a final top-quality product made of original Cambodian silk. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase some of these authentic silk products before we get back onboard. After some additional cruising time, we pass the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Rivers as the boat anchors near Kampong Chhnang. Have a fresh drink before dinner and marvel at the amazing marshlands of this beautiful region.

Wake up early to witness this spectacular scenery at the break of dawn. Our morning Tai Chi class offers the perfect scenery today. Breakfast buffet is served in the dining hall. We are now
in Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “water world”, where everything is on sticks balanced on water rich soil. We take a local boat to the shore then by mini buses we head to a rural village for our walking tour. Our guides introduce you to the village specialties – Khmer style pottery and the making of palm sugar. Before returning to the boat, we explore the floating villages and wetlands of the region then back on board for lunch while the cruise continues with a languid meander along the Tonle River which glides through leafy swaths of the Southeast Asian jungle before reaching Kampong Tralach.

At Kampong Tralach we are greeted by cacophonous sounds of children who wave enthusiastically from the rivers edge as they bring their livestock for a bath in the River. Our afternoon excursion begins with a visit to the local schoolhouse and talk with the kids; they are very eager to practice their English. To return to the boat experience something we are quite sure you have never done – riding ox carts through the local villages.

After some additional cruising time the boat arrives at the pier of Phnom Penh. Feel free to have your first exploration by yourself after dinner. Stroll along the river promenade and watch the locals chit-chatting, selling odds and ends or have a drink in one of the numerous bars (kindly inform our crew once you are leaving the ship on your own).

Welcome to Phnom Penh – the once called Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. It is an amazing town with centuries of incredible history and culture which can still be felt at many street corners. We start with a full sight-seeing tour right after breakfast. By bus we visit the Killing Fields at the outside of the city and afterwards the centrally located prison “S21”. Both historic sites display the sad and cruel chapter of Khmer history when the Khmer Rouge ruled the country with terror and suppression. Those places have not changed much since this horrific time back in the early seventies and it can be quite heartbreaking. Alternatively, you can explore the city in the morning by your own before re-joining the group for lunch on-board.

Our exploration of Phnom Penh continues with a fascinating cultural heritage program. The golden edifice of the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda and the exceptional Khmer crafts at the National Museum are our afternoon highlights. The day trip ends with a “cyclo” ride back to the ship through the bustling streets of downtown Phnom Penh.

Take some rest in your spacious cabin or join other fellow passengers at the bar for refreshing drinks before our captivating evening activities start.

The dinner on the sun deck is accompanied with an Apsara dance performance. You have to witness the brilliance and richness of this dance along with the soothing sounds of Cambodia’s traditional music. As the evening unwinds, enjoy dinner with a good glass of wine and marvel at the skyline of Phnom Penh, and the calming flow of the Tonle River.

Early morning, we cast off as we make our way down river to the Vietnam border. After breakfast we gather at the lounge for a captivating lecture about Cambodian modern history, held by a professor of the Royal University of Phnom Penh. The rest of the morning is at leisure to sit back and relax in cruise mode experiencing the therapeutic influence that this mighty river radiates. It is time for massages, relax on a sun bed by the pool, or your own private balcony, watching the wonders and daily life along the mighty Mekong.

After lunch our vegan culinary class is offered, then in the afternoon our guides lead a class to sharpen your knowledge and skills about the local cuisine, language and fashion.

We reach the border and finally arrive in Vietnam. From here it is just a short distance to Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced border town with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. We moor near the city with views on the riverbanks. Dinner will be served then join our evening cinema for another selected classic movie.

Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at the dining hall or in the quiet privacy of your balcony. Brace yourself for a tour around Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced town near the Cambodian border with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and
Khmer community. Once on-shore we hop on “xelois” to explore Tan Chau. A “xeloi” is a local vehicle which is still used as a taxi in this region. We slowly move around the streets to see all the workshops, houses and domiciles. Get to feel the laid- back vibes of this off-the-beaten-path region. We stop at the colorful, local market near one of the town’s temples. This is the best time to interact with the vendors of this friendly town and try your hand at bargaining. Next, we board our local boats and cruise among the floating houses of this region.

Back on board before lunch is served. You may like to pamper yourself with a spa treatment or take a dip into the pool on the sun deck. Our expert guides offer a presentation on the “Life on the Mekong Delta” as the ship continues to My An Hung near the Sa Dec province.

This afternoon we will set off for the My An Hung Village. At the village we receive wonderful insights into the private household of a local Vietnamese family. We are allowed to visit their vegetable garden and access the seasonal vegetable fields via crossing a monkey bridge. We are invited to their house for a Vietnamese tea and exotic local fruit tasting. Next a local dance troop performs for us a typical traditional dragon dance unique to this area.

As the sun sets and the light bathes everything golden, we settle on a riverbank gathering with cocktails and river side dance party. Back on the ship we cruise downstream, refresh yourself and get ready for dinner. The ship moors mid-river near Sa Dec.

In the morning we arrive at the island of Binh Thanh. After breakfast we embark on a local boat for a visit of the Island. Binh Thanh is one of the larger islands in the vast stream of the Mekong. Some communities have settled here and make their living by growing water hyacinths. We explore this area off-the-beaten-path by wandering through a local village to get a true understanding of the area’s native life. Everyday life here includes the entire process of their traditional mat making. Try some weaving yourself with some instruction from the locals. We will also meet an older local couple who will share their story of life on this island from childhood, to memories of the war, to today’s globalization of Vietnam and its effect on local life. Back on-board lunch is served, then an early afternoon at leisure as we cruise along the Mekong. In the early afternoon we arrive in Cai Be, a charming town which is famous for its Catholic French church and their manufacturing of traditional crafts and food products. The floating market of Cai Be is getting smaller every year, since trading on the water is shifting more and more to the modern central markets. We can still see some boat to boat trading of local goods, such as fruits and agricultural products. Our guide will explain all the particulars of this long-lasting trading culture. Each boat has a special marker that lets buyers know what goods they are selling. Afterwards we go on-shore to visit a workshop where we learn how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies and rice wine is manufactured. Cai Be and its surrounding areas are covered by coconut trees and hence the region is also famous for the production of coconut candies. The city is crisscrossed by many water canals. By local boat we will explore the lush and green canal network and observe the farmers working in the fields. As the sun sets, our crew invites you to a farewell event. Before dinner, enjoy a dance party and music together with the crew. After dinner we have our closing ceremony and presentation as the ship moors at My Tho.

Enjoy your last breakfast aboard then at 9:00 we will disembark the ship with a bus transfer from My Tho to the drop off point in Saigon. It is only around 70 kilometers on the highway. You will arrive in Saigon by mid-morning where taxis can be arranged to your local hotels or have the option to be transfer directly to the airport.