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 tops 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 the Angkor Ban village on the Mekong River. The village is famous for its unspoiled community and beautiful, traditional houses. It feels like being transported back a hundred years, into an era unaffected by modernity where villagers are characterized by their unbridled warmth.

While sailing upstream, lunch is served and afterward, the staff is keen to show you a variety of traditional Khmer fashions the local people still wear on special occasions. Conversely, the ubiquitous Cambodian scarf, the Krama, is a garment worn by people of all ages and walks of life. This multi-functional attire is worn not just around the neck, but also as a bandanna, facemask, belt, swimwear, and even as a hammock to carry children.

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 provided free, supplemental education in English, maths, and the arts, and they are always excited to show their skills in music and dance. Shower the young performers with applause and in return, you are bestowed upon with the most genuine and happy Cambodian smiles.

Continue the land journey to the enchanting pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey (7th century). Formerly 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, and travelers have the chance to observe a few of their daily lives: eating simple meals, praying, studying, or hanging out and making conversation while in their saffron-colored robes.

Another temple on the way is the tranquil monastery of Wat Nokor. Although not massive in comparison to the vast complexes of Angkor Wat, Wat Nokor is the largest of its kind in Kampong Cham Province and is distinctive from other temples with its black sandstone walls. Here, travelers might have the chance to engage in light banter with some of the sociable monks living in the area.

Back on board, you are free to relax until dinner is served. The boat moors mid-river near Kampong Cham.

In the early morning, sail downstream on the Mekong. 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 on the Mekong and Tonle Rivers. Gliding through leafy swaths of this jungle-like landscape travelers reach Kampong Tralach, where laughing children wave enthusiastically at arrival.

Travelers are in the middle of Cambodia’s countryside where – surprise – traditional ox carts are still a common means of transportation. The ox-powered vehicle takes travelers on a journey along the riverside and through back roads lined with rice-paddy fields until travelers arrive at a tiny village. Beginning a few short years ago, local children have had the opportunity to receive an education here. The “Green School” is a local project supported by Heritage Line in this remote area to support underprivileged youth. The students, who are dressed in green shirts, are always happy to meet travelers every week as the principal gives an introduction and updates on the current situation of the school.

Tonight, the boat finds its anchor spot in the Tonle River near Kampong Chhnang, allowing you to observe river life close by until dinner is served.

After a sumptuous breakfast, travelers are now at Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “water world”, where everything is balanced on sticks in water-rich soil. It is perhaps the most fascinating cruising spot in Cambodia. Take a local boat to the shore and hop on a minibus to reach a quite unique, nearby rural village. As travelers explore the village on foot the guide reveals the village’s specialties – Khmer-style pottery and the process of making of palm sugar from the Cambodian “skor t’not” palm tree.

Drive back to the shore and take the local boat back to the ship. In this area along the Tonle River local communities used to live along the shores on floating houses. Their inhabitants were of Vietnamese descent and were expelled by the Khmer Rouge and returned after the ruling party was overthrown in 1979. As they had no land to settle on, they decided back then to live “on the water” until only recently in 2021 the government relocated them to land.

Back on board lunch is served as your floating sanctuary cruises gently along the narrow Tonle River, towards the Great Tonle Sap Lake. The river then opens to a vast “sea”, the biggest freshwater lake in Asia.

You can feel fortunate about this occasion, as generally this shallow lake can only be crossed during high water season, which is approximately from August to mid-November. In fact, the Tonle Sap (Sap means Lake in the Cambodian language) varies from 2,500 sqkm (965 sqmi) in size and 160 km (99 mi) in length during the dry season to an astonishing area of 16,000 sqkm (6,000 sqmi) and length of 250 km (160 mi) in the wet season. Now that travelers are on the open water, let your soul float and your eyes wander towards Siem Reap as the boat makes its way across.

Crew invites you to a farewell event and to enjoy some cheerful moments before dinner, including music and Cambodian dancing together with the team. Savor your final dinner aboard and relive the week’s adventures in your mind’s eye with a glass of wine at the open bar.

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.