Mekong Navigator – MN231217 – DOWNSTREAM – 7 nights

After breakfast, board the sampan cruising through small canals with water coconut palm trees and apple mangrove trees on 2 sides. After getting on shore, we walk through tropical fruit plantations. After that hop on a Lambro 550 for a trip to a local house which is a local coconut candy factory and observe handicrafts shaped from the coconut. Later on, take our time to observe the local beekeepers tending their hives. Take the chance to try fresh honey, partake in fresh honey tea and fresh tropical fruits while enjoying “Don Ca Tai Tu” folk music. Then make a slow walk to the canals where we board hand-rowing boats and cruise along the canals observing birdlife and local life before taking sampan ride back to the cruise.

After a nice lunch, board our sampan for a short journey to Cho Lach where we will observe and learn how to make planter pots, from making the moulds to the finished painted items. Then make our walk through the local countryside and talk to the local farmers working in the fields and learn how to graft tropical trees. Continue our leisurely stroll through the village before visiting a local house to learn how bamboo fish traps are made and see how the villagers use them to catch fish and shrimp. Then board the sampan back to the cruise.

Cu Lao Gieng, known as “The Mango Island”, is a small and lovely island along the upper Mekong River, untouched by tourism, famous for mango farms.

Touring this serene island would give people an interesting insight into its nature, architecture and local life. The sightseeing partly by sampan and partly by remork will include 4 stops: bamboo basket making village, an ancient French-designed house, mango farm, and a Catholic church of Gieng island.

The island tour begins with a visit to bamboo basket making village to learn about the age-old craftwork which has been preserved for generations. Continue sightseeing into shady mango roads with photo opportunities. Another stop is made at a mango farm to enjoy the fresh mango and see the secret of the local farmers using techniques to change the mango color naturally. The next stop is at the most beautiful colonial Catholic church on the island.

Before returning to the cruise, guests will have a chance to visit one of the oldest houses on this island which is still remaining with French architecture.

In the afternoon, board the sampan cruising on small canal with hundreds of fish farm along the canal in Long Thuan village. You will walk to the Taoism temple where we will voluntarily make a donation and have our fortunes told by local Taoist monks. After visiting the temple, you will explore the beautiful and peaceful countryside. Before returning to the sampan, guests visit local house to learn how to make a Unicorn and enjoy a Unicorn Dance Performance.

This morning we sail upstream to enjoy a leisurely cruise and taking in the sights along the Mekong River reaching Phnom Penh in late afternoon. Some cultural activities are planned on board (introduction of tropical fruits and fruit tasting, demonstration of Vietnamese spring roll making, introduction of traditional Cambodian costumes).

In the evening, before dinner, there is a cocktail and sabering time hosted by our Captain.

In the morning, learn more about the darkest days of Cambodian history. After a scenic 45-minute drive from the ship, you arrive at the Choeung Ek killing fields, where you may walk through the fields, visit the small museum and Buddhist memorial stupa, and learn more about the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Before returning to the ship, there is a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21), the former school converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge. 

After returning to the ship from the S-21, enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh - shopping, dining at one of the many wonderful restaurants, or exploring the city independently.

(There is a scheduled shuttle coach with your local guide provided from the Port to the Central Market for your shopping time).

Pre-dinner cultural entertainment is provided on the Sun Deck as guests enjoy a performance by local children of Apsara, the Khmer national dance and other traditional folk dances.

After breakfast on board this morning, Tuk Tuk drivers meet you on the pier for an exciting morning tour of the best sites in Phnom Penh. You are gently transported along the riverfront to the Royal Palace complex which is the official residence of the King of Cambodia, where you enjoy a leisure walk through the grounds. After viewing the Throne Hall and Moonlight Pavilion, you visit the famous Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia's Emerald Buddha and the Maitreya Buddha, which is encrusted with more than 9,000 diamonds. 

Your Tuk Tuk is waiting outside to take you on the short ride to the open-air National Museum, Cambodia’s largest museum of cultural history with one of the world’s largest collections of Khmer art and ceramics as well as Angkorian and pre-Angkorian artefacts, excavated at the Angkor Temple complex at Siem Reap, as well as other areas around Cambodia.

After returning to the ship, enjoy a free afternoon in Phnom Penh.

DAY 7: WAT ROKA KAONG - OPOPEL VILLAGE - KAMPONG CHAM

This morning we will visit Wat Roka Kaong. Based on archaeologists’ statements this Temple complex was built in 1840. Some parts of the building were made by wood and have been renovated 1998. An emerald statue was found during the renovation believed to be over 180 years old and given this Wat its second name Wat KeoMoni Chort (Emerald). In front of the two Golden Buddhist Columns (53meter tall), where two temples, the north temple called Preah Keo Preah Kor and the south temple called BakSei Chamkrong. Unfortunately, Baksei Chamkrong temple was destroyed by a landslide in 2020. Enjoy wandering around this temple complex and then proceed to the Main Pagoda.

Upon entering the beautiful and colourful Main Pagoda, we receive a traditional water blessing from the local monks. 

This afternoon we have a visit to the rural and charming village of Opopel, with its stilted houses and grazing Brahim cows seeking the shade of banana trees. You feel a sense of timelessness here, witnessing the rhythm of rural life. A visit is made to the home of a local family who discusses their lifestyle, then onto the local school to join children in their classroom giving you a glimpse a typical Cambodian school day. A leisurely stroll through the village offers an opportunity to take photos of this place that time has forgotten. On your way back we make a brief stop at the local monastery.

In the evening, you gather in the Sun Deck in front of the Le Salon Lounge for a Farewell Reception with the entire crew, before enjoying a Cambodian Farewell Dinner in Le Marche Dining Room.

Following breakfast, you say goodbye to the crew as you disembark the cruise and transfer from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap, Cambodia, with a lunch stop, arriving in Siem Reap in the afternoon.