Meet you at the Phnom Penh TS1 Port for check-in to your 3-story, five star Mekong abode. Welcome aboard. Leave you to settle into your floating retreat, with its window wall conferring an endlessly captivating panorama. Enjoy these private Mekong moments on your California king bed, terrace or daybed. Celebrate the onward journey towards the heart of this mighty river with a Khmer apsara performance, an indigenous tradition memorialized on the temple walls at Angkor Wat.

In the silversmith village of Koh Chen, observe artisans crafting exquisite silverware favored by Khmer royalty. Proceed to Udong, the royal capital from the 17th to 19th centuries, to discover the uniquely challenging Buddhist practices at the Vipassana Dhura meditation center. In the afternoon, take a walking tour of Kampong Prasat for an intimate look at local life and their riverside surroundings.

In the cooler hours of the morning, head out on skiffs to visit traditional potters and palm sugar producers in the village of Andong Russei. There’ll be a chance to explore while riding mountain bikes or chauffeured by tuk-tuks. Pedal through the rice paddies to watch climbers scale the sky-piercing palms towering over you.

After lunch, there’ll be more opportunities to bike through the countryside, go fishing, and discover the floating village of Kampong Tralach on board skiffs. Finally, end the day with kayaking along the Tonle Sap and sundowners by the riverbank.

On this river of time, admire dexterous Khmer artisans dyeing and weaving kroma, the ubiquitous fabric no Khmer lives without. Explore the riverbank on two wheels if you wish, past Buddhist temples and thatch houses perched on spindly wooden stilts while white oxen wade just offshore. After lunch, board marine-grade aluminum skiffs and head towards the tamarind trees of Preah Prosop, a remote village little changed over several lifetimes.

Show off the Cambodian capital to your passengers by motorized tuk-tuk, the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum of Cambodia, home to the world’s largest collection of Khmer art. For those who wish, visit the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide and the Killing Field or shop at Russian Market. Bid farewell to 4-night guests who are disembarking in Phnom Penh.

Welcome 3-night passengers over custom sundowners like the Salted Watermelon Crush with Thai basil. Celebrate the onward journey towards the heart of this mighty river with a Khmer Apsara performance, an indigenous tradition memorialized on the temple walls at Angkor Wat.

Say ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’ while you cross the border and sail towards Tan Chau to the vibrant border town of Chau Doc where you take the local rickshaw called xe loi for a trip around town to a market. Head off by van to Long Son Pagoda for a panoramic view atop Sam Mountain. Ask the monks about their age-old Mahayana Buddhist practices. Return via the bustling morning market. Optional 18-kilometer bike ride on Long Khanh Island to see paddy fields and get a snippet of local life.

In the afternoon, visit a typical Mekong Delta village called My An Hung where you will walk through verdant plantations. You will be invited to a local's home to taste local fruits while hearing traditional folk songs performed by villagers, followed by a unique Unicorn dance. A 17-kilometer biking option is also available for those who wish to explore the countryside on wheels.

Begin the day at Binh Thanh mat weaving village to bike through local markets, fruit plantations, and fish farms. Guests can also take it slow and opt to visit Sa Dec where you will peruse the vibrant markets with the chef, along with a visit to the Lover House and Kien An Cung.

Continue downstream for Tan Phong Island where we’ll board a local sampan to a fruit garden, savoring local fruits along the way. Here, guests can pick their mode of adventure from a short 8-kilometer trail around the island to a kayak through a small canal, or a relaxing walk through the community for a closer look at local life.

After a hearty breakfast, bid farewell to Aqua Mekong. En route to Ho Chi Minh, stop at Vinh Trang Pagoda, one of the largest Mahayana Buddhist temples in the region. You will notice the mixed architectural style and see three large Buddha statues plus an impressive collection of bonsai trees.