12-Days Lower Mekong Journey – Vietnam and Cambodia – Upstream (Saigon – Siem Reap)

Upon arrival in Saigon, meet your guide at arrival hall for transfer to hotel.

Note: Hotel check in time is at 2:00pm; early check-in is not included and subject to availability.

This morning, take a 2hr drive northwest to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels started in 1948 to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps.  The tunnels also served as living quarters, communication and supply routes, and housed hospitals, food and weapons caches. Touring the underground compounds will provide a better understanding of the history of the tunnels, the hardship of life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese resilience during combat. Return to Saigon. Stop at a local restaurant for lunch.

Afternoon we continue to the highlights of city tour. With over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes, Saigon is truly a city that never sleeps. Despite its modernity, Saigon maintains a strong link to the past and our city tour takes in some of Saigon’s most historic landmarks including the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France (entrance is only permitted when no services are being performed).

Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. A short drive away is the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid perspective of the American War through the eyes of the Vietnamese. (Please note that some of the displays are very graphic.) Experience Saigon’s famed street coffee culture while your guide provides a brief language lesson as well as insights into daily life of a Saigonese before returning to your hotel.

Note: The water levels on the Lower Mekong in Cambodia vary seasonally. A low-water period typically happens between mid-November and end-August; the high-water period between end-August and mid-November (periods may alter). Cruise itineraries vary between both periods.

Below cruise itinerary is based on Lower Mekong upstream cruise from Saigon to Siem Reap between end of August to Mid of November (high water period).

After breakfast, meet your cruise representative at the lobby by 10am for pre-cruise registration, before transfer departs towards My Tho to embark on the vessel. Upon boarding, our crew will guide you to your staterooms providing a short briefing on the cabin’s facilities. After spending some time to settle in, lunch awaits in the ship’s restaurant, followed by a welcome & safety briefing in the lobby by our cruise director.

As the afternoon unfolds, sailing with the flow of the Mekong River, you can enjoy time on the deck. The cruise director invites to a little sunset event with canapés and prosecco, where one can socialise with other fellow passengers. After officially kicked off your journey, dinner is served. During the evening dining, the ship will likely reach Tan Phong Island area near Cai Be, where we anchor midstream. This is your first glimpse of the bustling area where we will begin our Mekong adventure on land tomorrow. If you like, join the evening cinema in the climatised indoor lounge later.

Wake early to embrace the stunning dawn scenery, a time when the Delta’s inhabitants have already been active for hours. Energize yourself with our daily morning Tai Chi class before indulging in a tasty breakfast buffet. By local boat, we first stop at Cai Be before heading out to Tan Phong, a smaller island in the middle of the huge Mekong River.

During the visit to a workshop in the town of Cai Be, guests have the opportunity to observe the production of distinct products of the Mekong Delta such as rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine and coconut candies. Get to know the very interesting manual processes involving manual labour and special production techniques. After the workshop, we reach Tan Phong Island to visit a local family and their fruit garden. The island showcases many kinds of tropical fruits to taste. A funny buggy ride through the island let us have a glimpse of the local day to day life as it unfolds. We stop at another family’s house. They specialize in the weaving of water hyacinth plants into artistic crafts – all by hand.

Relax and enjoy some time on your private balcony or at the bar as we continue our voyage upstream. In the afternoon, we arrive at the Sa Dec region and anchor near one of the larger islands in the Mekong known as Binh Thanh.

This island is home to several communities that sustain themselves by cultivating water hyacinths. Strolling through the village, you’ll gain profound insights into local life and witness the complete traditional mat-making process. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to meet a local elderly couple who have spent their entire lives on this island. They enjoy engaging in conversations with foreign visitors.

Before dinner, join us in the lounge for a presentation about life on the Mekong Delta as the ship sails toward our mooring spot for the night near Gieng Island.

After our morning Tai Chi session and a delightful breakfast, we embark on an exploration revealing a vibrant kaleidoscope of the diverse activities bringing the Mekong Delta to life.

Gieng Island, also known locally as Mango Island, is perfect to stroll through under the shade of flourishing mango groves that shape the island’s landscape. A visit to a small incense workshop introduces us to the careful process of crafting these fragrance incense sticks by hand. Another local highlight is a traditional boat-building workshop, where generations of families assemble wooden vessels that are essential to life along the river. Before departing, we surely are going to taste some of these delicious and freshly picked mangoes with a local tea in the courtyard of a century-old local home. This is the moment when we all understand the rhythms and resilience of life on the Mekong – so simple, so joyful.

After lunch, board a traditional sampan toward Evergreen Island, a fertile pocket of the delta known for its small-scale farms and seasonal crops. Upon arrival, spend time with a local farming family and gain insight into their daily routine. You’re invited to step into the shoes of your hosts and share in their daily work. Depending on the season, you will help prepare seedlings, plant new crops, or assist with the harvest; a rare opportunity to share the delta daily life from the inside. Much of what’s grown here is later used by our onboard chef, tying your culinary experience onboard directly to the land.

After having discovered Mekong delta’s bustling rhythm, we head towards the border. Once in Cambodia, an overnight sail takes us to the country’s capital.

Welcome to Phnom Penh, a city once renowned as the “Paris of the East.” Despite its rapid development, it has retained much of its rustic charm and elegance. Phnom Penh is a remarkable city with a history and culture that spans centuries, still palpable at every street corner.

Our full-day sightseeing tour begins right after breakfast, allowing us to explore the city’s highlights. We’ll start with a cyclo ride, meandering through the town, and then visit historic places such as the palace and the silver pagoda. Our journey takes us to the “S21” prison, a poignant and dark chapter in Cambodia’s history during the Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. Afterward, we’ll pause for a delightful lunch in town before continuing to immerse within the Khmer culture. This afternoon starts with a visit of a famous academy of arts and a school dedicated to preserve traditional arts. Observe young dancers training in the intricate Apsara dance and take the opportunity to learn some basic techniques on your own under guidance. Conclude the day with a leisurely stroll through the city’s French Quarter, including the iconic Wat Phnom temple.

Back on board, join a captivating testimony held in the lounge of the ship. Having endured the S21 imprisonment and later taking an active part in the Khmer Rouge tribunal, Mr. Sum Rithy continues to bear witness to a difficult chapter of Cambodia’s history. Guests have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to talk, question and discuss a living witness of this dark Cambodian era. To cap off this eventful day, guests can indulge in a delightful open-air barbecue and gala dinner accompanied by a classic Apsara dance performance. Afterward, feel free to explore the city and its nightlife on your own, with its lively river promenade and colourful bars and cafes.

We are leaving Phnom Penh early to make our way to Prek Bangkong.
Default Morning Excursion (any ship): At the confluence of the Tonle and Mekong Rivers lies the small village of Prek Bangkong, known for its silk weaving community. This village was also the former residence of the Royal family before they moved to the Royal Palace. However, the real stars in this area today are the silk weavers, artisans who craft silk from the very beginning. We will have the opportunity to closely observe and learn about this intricate silk production process. We conclude this excursion by visiting the heritage house of H.E. Sam-El, once a famous architect for the royal family.

As we continue to sail upstream and prior to lunchtime, our guide offers a presentation about the geography of the Mekong and the Tonle Rivers.
Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): Angkor Ban features a monastery with an adjacent enchanting local village. You’ll have the chance to meet monks during their morning class and engage in friendly conversations with the villagers. As we stroll through the village, we understand the local way of life in various aspects, collecting wonderful memories of Cambodia’s rustic lifestyle. The village offers great photographic moments whilst interacting with the local community.

Once back onboard, the ship turns arounds sailing down the Mekong River to reach our overnight mooring place, at the confluence of the Mekong and the Tonle Rivers.

Early birds are welcome to join the daily Tai Chi on the open deck again.
Default Morning Excursion (any ship): Our first stop is Kampong Luong, a renowned Silver Smith Village. Here, 400 families breathe life into silver, copper, and brass, crafting art pieces and jewelry. A short stroll on the island reveals their hard labour. Continue with a visit to Wat Prang, the Royal Buddhist Temple. This sacred site offers a moment of reflection on the king’s legacy, intertwining both history and spirituality. Engage with the monks and laymen, learning about their daily lives, rituals, and personal stories.

Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): In the afternoon, we enjoy an exciting excursion to discover another part of rural Cambodian Kampong Tralach countryside. Our ox-pulled cart will transport us along the riverside and down winding back roads, flanked by picturesque rice paddies, until we arrive at a small village. Here, we will have the opportunity to learn about a local NGO school and library project. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the nearby ancient 300-year-old temple and Buddha shrine.

Join a happy hour time at the bar whilst we sail into the sunset. We moor later near Kampong Laeang. After dinner, the nightly cinema has another classic film on display.

We are in the midst of the expansive Tonle region, one of Cambodia’s amazing ecosystems. The tour this morning leads to Kampong Laeang, an unknown hamlet situated just across from the famous pottery town of Kampong Chhnang. Once ashore, we embark on tuk-tuks to travel the heart of rural Cambodian life. During this excursion, we’ll explore various locals, discover the art of pottery making, and visit a charming pre-Angkorian temple. From a vantage point, amazing panoramic views of the vast floodplains and lush rice fields (seasonal) can be enjoyed.

Back on board, the ship enters now the vast Tonle Lake. During the whole afternoon, accompanied by some onboard entertainment, you can enjoy the ocean-like views until we reach our mooring spot mid-lake at the doorstep of Siem Reap. We end this day of sailing with a farewell dinner and party vibes.

Enjoy your last breakfast on board our floating sanctuary.

The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambodia, giving love and life to millions of people. This rich ecosystem and UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve has more fish than any other lake in the world and is home to an incredible variety of birds, including rare and endangered feathered life.

Here, our cruise comes to an end this morning. We prepare to disembark the ship and take a local boat to the shore, passing a vast floating community. We arrive at the Siem Reap pier and bring you to the drop off point in the city centre.

Note: Dropped off time is 9:30am during high water periods, or approx. at 1:30pm during low water periods.

Upon arrival at hotel, check in and enjoy the rest of the day free at your leisure, or book an optional tour and explore this beautiful city.

Note: Hotel check in time is at 2:00pm; early check-in is not included and subject to availability.

Today, 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.

Go back in town for lunch at a local restaurant and relax before going back to visit the world-famous masterpieces that are Ta Prohm and Angkor Wat. 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. Finish up your exploration with a visit to Angkor Wat and enjoy the sunset over the emblem of the Kingdom of Wonder.

Enjoy free time at leisure until you are transferred to airport for onward journey or flight back home.

Note: Hotel check out time is at 12:00pm; late check-out is not included and subject to availability; Extra night with optional tours is available at request.