Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Embark Ship, Cai Be
Signature Experience
Receive Fast-Track Service for a seamless arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
On arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, receive Fast track Service before being met and transferred to a centrally located hotel for ship registration formalities. Journey to My Tho and embark your ship. Set sail from My Tho and soak in the scenery during your cruise towards Cai Be. Tonight, a Vietnamese welcome dinner awaits, showcasing the diverse flavours from the region.
- Stay:Seven Nights, Mekong River, Mekong Serenity
- Daily: Lunch,Dinner
DAY 2: Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau
Board your traditional sampan for your first excursion on the banks of the Mekong. Step ashore to visit Cai Be Catholic Church and the colourful port area filled with crumbling colonial buildings and flowering gardens. Built in the Roman architectural style, the bell towerwith its set of four bells cast in France in 1931, is the tallest of all the churches in the Mekong Delta. Afterwards, you’ll visit rice paper and coconut candy manufacturers and learn how these Vietnamese staples are made.
Head back to the ship to refresh before sitting down to savour a delicious lunch whilst continuing to cruise to the quaint town of Sa Dec. Upon arrival, explore Sa Dec by foot and meet some of the sellers at the colourful market. Continue to where French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese-Chinese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Tour his former home and learn the story behind Duras’ best-selling novel,The Lover. After, visit a traditional Cao Dai temple. Watch visitors and pilgrims come and go and appreciate the beauty of the colourful building. Dinner is served as you cruise towards Tan Chau.
- Daily:Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
DAY 3: Tan Chau, Evergreen Island, Border Crossing, Phnom Penh
Transfer to a small boat to cruise the tiny tributaries around the town of Tan Chau. Pass a floating fish farm, then step ashore for a fun rickshaw tour and a visit to a local silk and rattan weaving workshop. Later, step back in time as you experience authentic rural Mekong life on a nearby Evergreen Island. The remainder of today is yours to relax on board and soak up views of the Mekong. Upon entering Cambodia, you’ll cruise towards its enthralling capital, Phnom Penh.
- Daily:Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
DAY 4: Phnom Penh
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™
Perhaps experience some of Cambodia’s sobering history with a visit to the infamous Killing Fieldsand the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Or, discover Phnom Penh on a cyclo ride to uncover some well-known sights. History buffs canadmire the exhibits at the National Museum or, if you prefer explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagodaor you may wish to set off on a journey to sample some locally brewed beers at two of the city’s craft breweries.
Enjoy your Freedom of Choice activity then spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. You may wish to head ashore and explore more of Phnom Penh independently or simply relax on board.
- Daily:Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
DAY 5: Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Chen, Oknha Tey
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
In Oudong, be treated to a Buddhist Blessing at a local monastery.
Today, journey to historic Oudong, which was Cambodia’s fascinating royal capital from 1618 until 1866. During your time here, you’ll enjoy a Signature Experience. On the way back to Phnom Penh, take a leisurely stroll through the village of Koh Chen and visit some home workshops that manufacture copperware. Later, your ship glides along the lush banks of the Mekong to Oknha Tey, which is renowned for its silk manufacturing traditions, preserved over centuries. Here, gain an insight into the traditional silk weaving process as you stroll among the stilt houses. Watch as the village women create the beautiful Khmer fabrics from their wooden looms. After, return to your river ship to relax before enjoying delicious onboard dining tonight.
- Daily:Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
DAY 6: Oknha Tey, Angkor Ban, Wat Hanchey
Sail to Angkor Ban, where you'll disembark and enjoy a captivating walking discovery of this historic village. Remarkably, Angkor Ban stands as one of the rare Cambodian villages that remained unscathed during the tumultuous Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. Here, people still live in traditional wooden homes and keep ancient cultural traditions alive. This afternoon, your ship continues sailing upstream to Wat Hanchey.
- Daily:Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
DAY 7: Wat Hanchey, Kampong Cham, Koh Pen
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Journey by local tuk tuk around a riverside village and gain an insight of village life.
If you are feeling active this morning, set out on a walk to the hilltop pagoda of Wat Hanchey. From here, enjoy spectacular views over the Mekong, making it well worth the climb. You’ll find many temples, pagodas and stupas, some dating back to the 8th century. Lunch is back on board, before your Signature Experience. On your ship this evening, toast the end of your cruise during a final farewell dinner.
- Daily:Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
DAY 8: Kampong Cham, Disembark Ship, Siem Reap
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Be welcomed backstage at Phare Circus and watch a mesmerising performance from your VIP seats. Combining captivating acrobatics, theatre and storytelling, showcasing the country’s rich culture and talent.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Visit ODA, Opportunities of Development through Art, a One tomorrowpartner.
Bid farewell to the crew and disembark the Mekong Serenity early at Kampong Cham. Travel to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat, passing through picturesque countryside and remote villages where you can observe rural life. On arrival at your hotel, enjoy a light lunch and some relaxation time before your Signature Experiences.
- Stay:Three Nights, Siem Reap, Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort
- Daily:Breakfast,Lunch
DAY 9: Siem Reap
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
At Angkor Archaeological Park, enjoy a special sunrise experience at Angkor Wat.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™
Tonight, take the opportunity to savour a taste of Cambodia with a choice of local restaurants for dinner.
Rise early this morning to witness sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. As the sun rises, soak up the atmosphere as you marvel at this ancient wonder. After the sun has risen delve into the history and significance of this sacred site with a guided tour inside the vast temple complex and the sprawling grounds before returning to the hotel for a late breakfast.
Continue your exploration of the World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park with a visit to Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital. Built during the heyday of the Khmer Empire in the 12th century, this is an extraordinary complex of Hindu and Buddhist monuments. Head to the intriguing Bayon Temple, with its carved stone smiling faces of gods, goddesses and other mythology beings. Visit the Terrace of Elephants, which used to be the base for the king’s grand audience hall, and the Terrace of the Leper King, which housed the royal crematory.
Journey to Ta Prohm, known for the thick jungle of fig trees and vines that have enveloped the structure, creating a feeling akin to stepping into a lost world. Commonly referred to as the 'Tomb Raider temple' due to it being used as a location in the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider which starred Angelina Jolie, Ta Prohm is a captivating glimpse into the past and testament to a bygone era.
Tonight enjoy your Freedom of Choice dinner.
- Daily:Breakfast,Dinner
DAY 10: Siem Reap
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Treat yourself to a private visit to Theam’s Gallery and discover this talented Cambodian artist known for his unique sculptures, paintings, and intricate crafts. Indulge in a tantalising five-course Khmer dinner while enjoying a traditional Apsara dance performance accompanied by live musicians.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™
Perhaps enjoy a tuk tuk ride to the Senteurs d’Angkor workshop. If you’re feeling energetic, join a quad bike adventure or take a leisurely bicycle tour through the Cambodian countryside. Other options include a horse and cart ride, a traditional Khmer cooking class, a shopping adventure, or why not indulge in a relaxing spa treatment.
Explore Siem Reap your way today. Tonight, your Signature Experience awaits. Set amid a stunning garden this promises to be an enchanting and memorable evening.
- Daily:Breakfast,Dinner
DAY 11: Depart Siem Reap
Farewell Siem Reap after breakfast this morning, as you transfer to Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport for your onward flight.
- Daily:Breakfast
