Mekong River - Downstream - Low water

Guests are welcomed in Siem Reap at the Heritage Line lounge before transferring to the moored vessel on the Mekong River. After boarding, the crew provides a brief orientation and guides guests to their staterooms. Once settled in, lunch is served in the restaurant, followed by a safety briefing in the lobby by the cruise director.

In the afternoon, the ship sails along the Mekong River, offering time to relax on deck. The cruise director hosts a casual sunset gathering with canapés and prosecco for those who wish to attend. Dinner follows, and an evening film screening is available in the indoor lounge.

Early risers may join a morning Tai Chi session on the sun deck before breakfast. The morning excursion visits the village of Angkor Ban.

Angkor Ban includes a monastery and an adjacent village where monks can be seen during their morning class. Visitors have the opportunity to speak with residents and observe daily life in rural Cambodia. The visit provides insight into local traditions and offers opportunities for photography.

After returning to the ship, the cruise continues downstream toward Phnom Penh, stopping at the small silk-weaving community of Prek Bangkong. Located where the Tonle and Mekong Rivers meet, this village was once home to members of the royal family before their relocation to the Royal Palace. The community is now recognized for its skilled artisans who produce silk by hand. The excursion includes a visit to the heritage house of H.E. Sam-El, a former royal architect.

The day concludes with relaxed sailing toward Phnom Penh and into the Tonle River. Dinner is served on board, followed by an optional evening film screening in the lounge. The ship anchors midstream for the night.

You are in the midst of the vast 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, you embark on tuk-tuks to travel the heart of rural Cambodian life. During this excursion, you'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 the ship, lunch can be enjoyed along with spectacular views of the Tonle River region, as the ship sails south to Kampong Tralach. An afternoon tea is served at the bar before you continue with another excursion.

Embark on an exciting outing to discover another part of the rural Cambodian countryside. The ox-pulled cart transports you along the riverside and down winding back roads, flanked by picturesque rice paddies, until you arrive at a small village. Here, you 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.

The ship sets sail again for some more miles down the Tonle River before reaching Phnom Penh. You moor mid-stream with views of the skyline of this vibrant city.

Welcome to Phnom Penh, once renowned as the "Paris of the East." Despite its rapid development, it retains 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.

Your full-day sightseeing tour begins right after breakfast, allowing you to explore the city's highlights. Start with a cyclo ride, meandering through the town, and then visit historic places such as the palace and the silver pagoda. Your journey takes you to the "S21" prison, a poignant and dark chapter in Cambodia's history during the Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. Afterward, pause for a delightful lunch in town before visiting one of the country's most famous history museums, "Sosoro," and concluding the tour with a stroll through the city's French quarter, including the iconic and aptly named monument of Wat Phnom.

To cap off this eventful day, you'll indulge in a delightful open-air barbecue and gala dinner accompanied by a classic Apsara dance performance. Afterward, feel free to explore the city at night, savoring Phnom Penh's vibrant nightlife or taking in the lively river promenade.

Before bidding farewell to Phnom Penh, 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.

Once the ship departed, the rest of the day is at your own disposal. Switch into cruise mode and experience the relaxing cadence this mighty river emanates. The afternoon is perfect for spa, relaxation on a terrace deck, or private balcony kick-backs. Conjure up a spell to merge with the river and float into a state of mild bliss. A visit to the bridge might be a pleasant amusement, as the captain always has a little story to share about “his” river. Or, learn more about Khmer gastronomy: join a local culinary workshop held by the head chef.

As you sip drinks and nibble on treats during afternoon tea, you approach the border and arrive in Vietnam. From here you continue the sailing into the heart of the bustling Mekong delta mooring near Gieng Island.

After the morning Tai Chi session and a delightful breakfast, you embark on an exploration revealing a vibrant kaleidoscope of 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 you to the careful process of crafting these fragrant 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, you 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 you all understand the rhythms and resilience of life on the Mekong - so simple, so joyful.

After back onboard a siesta after lunch, the expert guides offer a presentation about life in the Mekong Delta as the ship continues to My An Hung in the Sa Dec province.

My An Hung Village is a wonderful example of a real local village in the Mekong Delta where time stood still. You receive wonderful insights into the private household of a local family and visit the seasonal vegetable fields to understand what the farmers is currently cultivating. A Vietnamese tea tasting at a local family’s house is accompanied by a presentation of a variety of fruits that are grown near-by, freshly cut from the tree. An artistic group performs displays the traditional dragon dance, whilst you can snack on the “vitamins bombs”.

Back on board, the ship sails into the sunset towards the destination of the next day. A complimentary cocktail hour and alfresco snacks accompanied by music and dance vibes are offered to enjoy the blue hour before dinner is served.

Wake early to embrace the stunning dawn scenery when the Delta's inhabitants have been active for hours. Enjoy your daily Tai Chi class before indulging in a lavish breakfast buffet. By local boat, head out to 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, gain profound insights into local life and witness the traditional mat-making process. Additionally, you can 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.

During a visit to a workshop in the town of Cai Be, you'll have the opportunity to observe the production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine and coconut candies. This is a very interesting manual process involving manual labor and special production techniques. After the workshop, you are heading to Tan Phong Island, a smaller island in the middle of the vast Mekong. You are visiting a local family and their fruit garden, offering you various kinds of tropical fruits to taste. A buggy ride through the island gave you a glimpse of the local day-to-day life as it unfolds. You stop at another family’s house. They specialize in weaving water hyacinth plants into artistic crafts by hand.

Once everyone is back on board, the ship makes its final journey to My Tho, offering some little farewell party vibes along the way.

Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home. Disembark the ship after breakfast and take a bus transfer from My Tho to Saigon. It is only around 70 kilometers on the highway, and you arrive in Saigon by mid-morning.

Hope you enjoyed this fascinating river cruise, just as the crew does every single time. Moreover, take the enchanting memories and friendships with you and share the stories of this amazing river—the Mighty Mekong.

Please Note:
Itinerary and program are subject to change and are operated as advertised on public website or collateral at the time of boarding
Optional tours and program are subject to change and are operated as advertised on public website or collateral at the time of boarding