Welcome to Phnom Penh, the city once named Paris of the East. It retains much of its rustic charm and elegance despite its rapid development. This lovely town has a rich history and culture that are still evident on numerous street corners.

Your day will start with a full-day sightseeing tour right after breakfast. Ride a bus to visit the Killing Fields outside the city and, afterward, the centrally located prison called S21. Both historic sites display the sad and cruel chapter of the country’s history when the Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia with terror and oppression. Alternatively, you may explore the city on your own in the morning before re-joining the group.

Have lunch at a well-known restaurant in town and experience the elegant air for which Phnom Penh’s top addresses are known. The exploration of Phnom Penh continues with the cultural highlights of the city’s heritage. The golden edifice of the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda and the exceptional Khmer crafts at the National Museum top the list of the city’s must-sees. The day trip ends with a cyclo ride along the bustling streets of downtown Phnom Penh and back to the ship.

Mr. Jean-Michel, a local expert, will give an eye-catching lecture about Cambodia's modern history in the early evening. A professor from the Royal University of Phnom Penh, who has studied the subject extensively and in person, is a highlight of this cruise.

Take some rest or join fellow passengers at the bar for refreshing drinks. Join your fellow passengers for a special open-air gala featuring a barbecue dinner feast in the evening. The dinner is accompanied by a classic Apsara dance performance and other folklore dances.

As the evening unwinds, enjoy your supper with a good glass of wine and marvel at the skyline of Phnom Penh and the calming flow of the Tonle River.

Before the sun peeks over the horizon, the cruiser sets sail towards Kampong Tralach on the Tonle River. This part of the Tonle River is quite interesting to watch from the terrace, as the river at some points is very narrow. The boat glides through leafy swaths of this jungle-like landscape.

Upon reaching Kampong Tralach, you can see laughing children waving enthusiastically at your arrival, and traditional ox carts are still a common means of transportation. Your ox-powered vehicle takes you on a journey along the riverside and through back roads lined with rice paddy fields until you arrive at a tiny village.

While sailing upstream, enjoy your lunch, and afterward, the crew will display a variety of traditional Khmer fashions the locals wear on special occasions. Conversely, the Cambodian scarf, the Krama, is worn by people of all ages and walks of life. 

Later in the day, the ship cruises along the narrow Tonle River towards a fascinating cruising spot in Cambodia, Kampong Chhnang, which means “water world," where everything is balanced on sticks in water-rich soil. Take a local boat to the shore and hop on a minibus to reach a nearby, unique rural village to explore local specialties, Khmer-style pottery, and the process of making palm sugar from the Cambodian Skor t’not palm tree.

Drive back to the shore, where the local boat starts an exploration of nearby floating villages. Although you are in the heartland of Cambodia, the residents of these floating villages are actually of Vietnamese descent. Once you are back on board, relax until dinner is served and take in the beautiful countryside and its gentle evening sounds.

In the early morning, sail from the lower Tonle River towards the Mekong, passing their confluence at Phnom Penh. You will arrive at the island of Koh Oknha Tey, which lies in the middle of the Mekong and owes its fame to manufacturing high-class silk products. Go for a sightseeing tour along the island’s roads a bit via tuk-tuk before arriving at the village’s workshops and witnessing the curious process of making silk, starting from a tiny silkworm larva to a cocoon, then dyeing, spinning, and weaving the fibers into high-quality Cambodian silk.

Before lunch, the expert guide holds a presentation about the geography of the Mekong River and Tonle Lake, along with the unique attributes of the area. Afterward, a monk’s blessing ceremony delivers spirits and wishes for health and prosperity for all.

The ship will sail towards the small Angkor Ban village up in the Mekong River. This village is famous for its unspoiled community and beautiful, traditional houses. The sunsets and the light now bathe everything in a golden hue. The surrounding natural beauty is the perfect backdrop for a riverbank gathering with cocktails and dancing with the crew in this remote and secluded location. Continue cruising while dinner is served, and the boat finds an overnight spot on the Kampong Cham riverbank.

After a sumptuous breakfast, leave the ship for a tour of the enchanting pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey (7th century). Built to honor the Hindu god Hirahara, the complex is now a Buddhist temple, a testament to the country’s past and present religious beliefs. This small complex sits on a hilltop with breathtaking views over the Mekong. Many young novice monks live on the compound of Wat Hanchey. Have the chance to observe a few of their daily activities, such as eating simple meals, praying, studying, or hanging out and having a conversation while in their saffron-colored robes.

After returning to the ship and partaking in lunch, stop at the tranquil monastery of Wat Nokor. Although not massive like the vast complexes of Angkor Wat, Wat Nokor is the largest temple in Kampong Cham Province and is distinctive from other temples with its black sandstone walls. Here, you can engage in light banter with some of the monks living in the area.

As it is a low-water season, you may be fortunate to visit a nearby spectacle only present during the Mekong’s dry months (December to May). The Koh Paen Bamboo Bridge connects the mainland with Koh Paen Island and is rebuilt by the local community every November when water levels drop.

Continue to cruise further up the Mekong to visit a local school and learn more about the education of the young Cambodian generation. Children from the Organization for Basic Training (OBT) are always excited to show off their skills in music and dance. Shower the young performers with applause, and in return, you are bestowed with the most genuine and happy Cambodian smiles.

Enjoy your last breakfast on board this floating sanctuary. You will disembark the ship for a transfer by bus to the drop-off point in Siem Reap.

The transfer takes approximately 4.5 hours, including a rest stop. The expert guides will give you fascinating facts about Cambodia and the area you travel through during the ride to keep you entertained. You will arrive in Siem Reap in the afternoon to catch your flight home.