Mekong River - Downstream - Low water

Upon arrival, you are warmly greeted by the crew, who guide you to your staterooms and brief you on the cabin's facilities. After settling in and exploring the vessel, a welcome lunch buffet is served, followed by a safety briefing by the cruise director. 

Later in the afternoon, you can enjoy your first excursion by bus, exploring the highland of Kampong Cham. This area is an important trade and transportation hub with scattered small hamlets around the outskirts. In Cheung Krok, locals craft handmade items, whether food, fashion, or other everyday goods. The nearby Bamboo bridge, erected seasonally, serves as more than just a passageway; it's a gateway to the past. 

As the sun sets, you are back on board, sailing with the flow of the Mekong River towards Angkor Ban for the overnight mooring. You can mingle with fellow travelers during a welcome event at the bar with canapés and prosecco while the Mekong shores provide a perfect backdrop. After dinner, you can enjoy a classic or captivating documentary in the evening cinema.

The morning Tai Chi session sets the mood for the day as you begin your tour of Angkor Ban, which includes a monastery and a village behind it. You can meet monks during their morning class and chat with the locals while meandering through the rustic village. It's an opportunity to experience Cambodia's local way of life and collect wonderful memories. 

Afterward, board your luxury ship and sail downstream towards Phnom Penh, stopping at a small silk-weaving community known as Prek Bangkong. You can learn about the intricate silk production process while observing the skilled artisans. The excursion concludes with a visit to the heritage house of H.E. Sam-El, once a famous architect for the royal family. The rest of the day is spent joyfully sailing, passing the skyline of Phnom Penh, and heading northbound into the small Tonle River. Enjoy a multi-course menu and an entertaining evening cinema before mooring midstream in the Tonle River.

You are in the midst of the vast Tonle region, one of Cambodia's unique ecosystems. Discover Kampong Laeang this morning, just across from the famous pottery town of Kampong Chhnang. Once ashore, embark on tuk-tuks to travel the heart of rural Cambodian life. During this excursion, explore various locals, discover the art of pottery making, and visit a charming pre-Angkorian temple. From a vantage point, you can enjoy panoramic views of the vast floodplains and lush rice fields (seasonal).

Back on the ship with lunch enjoyed and spectacular views of the Tonle River, sail south to Kampong Tralach. An afternoon tea is served at the bar before you continue with the afternoon excursion.

Once the ship stops, enjoy an exciting excursion to discover another part of the rural Cambodian countryside. Your ox-pulled cart will transport you along the riverside and down winding back roads flanked by picturesque rice paddies until you arrive at a small village. You can learn about a local NGO, school, and library project here. Alternatively, you can visit the nearby ancient 300-year-old temple and Buddha shrine.

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.

In the evening, an engaging expert lecture will be held in the lounge. To cap off this eventful day, indulge in a delightful open-air barbecue and gala dinner accompanied by a classic Apsara dance performance. Afterward, explore the city at night, savoring Phnom Penh's vibrant nightlife or taking in the lively river promenade.

Once the ship departs, the rest of the morning and the whole afternoon is at your disposal. It is time to switch into cruise mode and experience this mighty river's relaxing cadence. The afternoon is perfect for massages, relaxation on a terrace deck sunbed, or private balcony kickbacks. Conjure a spell to merge with the river and float into mild bliss. You also may like to visit the bridge, as the captain always has a little story to share about "his" river. Or, if you are curious to learn more about Khmer gastronomy, join a culinary workshop to sharpen your knowledge about local cuisine.

As you sip drinks and nibble on treats during afternoon tea, you approach 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. Moor is near the city and has views of the riverbanks.

Welcome to Vietnam's fish sanctuary. After your morning Tai Chi session and a delightful breakfast, explore this area renowned primarily for its aquaculture.

Upon disembarking, immerse yourself in the vibrant town life of Tan Chau by boarding "xelois" (the Vietnamese word for rickshaws). Your xeloi driver leisurely navigates through a network of streets, allowing you to observe workshops, street vendors, shops, and the intriguing day-to-day activities of the locals. Your journey takes you to the local market, where you mingle with residents as they go about their morning shopping routines. Continuing, visit a Cao Dai temple and meet with one of the priests, who will enlighten you about the unique beliefs and spirit of Cao Dai. Your final destination is a fish farm operated for many years by a local family, who benefit from this distinctive business. Here, gain insight into the essential knowledge required to manage such a unique regional enterprise.

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

My An Hung Village is a wonderful example of an authentic, 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 are cultivating. A Vietnamese tea tasting at a local family's house is accompanied by a presentation of fruits grown nearby, freshly cut from the tree. An artistic group performs displays of the traditional dragon dance, while you can snack on the "vitamins bombs".

Back onboard, the ship sails into the sunset towards your destination for the next day. A complimentary cocktail hour and snacks at the pool with 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 workshop visit in Cai Be, you can observe the production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine, and coconut candies. This is an exciting manual process involving manual labor and unique production techniques. After the workshop, head to Tan Phong Island, a smaller island in the middle of the vast Mekong. Visit a local family and their fruit garden, which offers various tropical fruits to taste. A buggy ride through the island lets you glimpse the local day-to-day life as it unfolds. Stop at another family's house. They specialize in weaving water hyacinth plants into artistic crafts by hand.

Afterward, the ship makes its final journey to My Tho, offering some little farewell party vibes.

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.