The Lost Civilisation By World Journeys
Boutique Mekong River Cruise with Heritage Line
8 Days / 7 Nights from $5,250 Price Per Person
Sales from 18 May 2023 to 31 December 2026
**Sample itinerary**
Saigon > Siem Reap (Upstream) | High Water Season
Low Water Season: mid-November to end of August
High Water Season: end of August to mid-November
**Day 1 : Saigon > My Tho > Tan Phong Island**
On arrival you will be welcomed and bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon as you travel south towards My Tho for embarkation. As twilight bathes the Mekong Delta in a golden haze, take the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers and join in our official welcome with canapés and prosecco.
During dinner, the ship will likely reach Tan Phong Island area near Cai Be, where we anchor midstream. This is your first glimpse of the bustling area where we will begin our Mekong adventure on land tomorrow.
**Day 2 : Tan Phong Island > Bihn Thanh Island > Tan Chau**
Today you may wake up early and embrace the stunning dawn scenery for your morning Tai Chi class before indulging in a lavish breakfast. By local boat, we gain access to the secluded island of Tan Phong, a small island situated in the midst of one of the expansive Mekong River tributaries flowing toward the nearby sea.
This morning you will visit Cai Be and have the opportunity to observe the manual production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine and coconut candies. After you will head to Tan Phong Island and visit a local family fruit garden and try delicious tropical fruits. The visit is followed by a buggy ride through the island giving you a glimpse of local day to day life. Stop at a family’s house specialised in weaving water hyacinth plants to create artistic crafts by hand.
Return to your boat and relax as you continue you journey. Later, arrive at one of the largest islands in the Mekong known as Binh Thanh. You may spend time learning about the communities nerby.
**Day 3 : Tan Chau > Phnom Penh**
This morning you will explore Tan Chau region, renowened for its aquaculture. You will visit the region by 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. You will visit the local market and mingle with residents. Explore Cao Dai temple begore reaching your final destination, a fish market that has been operating for many years by a local family.
Continuing our journey, we ascend the river for the remainder of the day, crossing into Cambodia and heading towards Phnom Penh. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure.
**Day 4 : Phnom Penh**
Welcome to Phnom Penh, a city once renowned as the “Paris of the East.” Despite its rapid development, it has retained much of 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.
After breakfast, enjoy a full day sightseeing tour, 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. Later after lunch you will have time to explore the charming city’s French quarter, including the iconic and aptly named monument of Wat Phnom.
In the evening, you will be invited to an engaging expert lecture in the lounge. To cap off this eventful day, we’ll indulge in a delightful open-air barbecue and gala dinner accompanied by a classic Apsara dance performance. Afterward, feel free to explore the city at night, savouring Phnom Penh’s vibrant nightlife or taking in the lively river promenade.
**Day 5 : Phnom Penh > Angkor Ban > Kampong Cham > Prek Bangkong**
Early departure to make our way to Angkor Ban. This place includes a monastery with a delightful local village behind it. You’ll have the chance to meet monks during their morning class and engage in friendly conversations with the villagers. As we meander through the village, we’ll get as close as possible to the local way of life, collecting wonderful memories of Cambodia’s rustic lifestyle.
As we continue to sail upstream and prior to lunchtime, our crew showcases afterwards various traditional Khmer fashions worn by locals during special occasions.
Later you will explore the town of Kampong Cham which is an important trade and transportation hub but it still maintains scattered small hamlets around the outskirts where the community’s rhythm blends with the skilled hands of artisans. For instance, in Cheung Krok, locals craft various handmade items, whether it’s food, fashion, or other everyday goods.
Once back onboard, the ship turns arounds sailing down the Mekong River again to reach our overnight mooring place Prek Bangkong later in the evening.
**Day 6 : Prek Bangkong > Kampong Tralach > Kampong Laeang**
After breakfast and or Tai Chi class, if you choose to join, you will get ready to visit the small village of Prek Bangkong, located at the confluence of the Tonle and Mekong Rivers and known for its silk weaving community. This village was also the former residence of the Royal family before they moved to the Royal Palace. However, the real stars in this area today are the silk weavers, artisans who craft silk from the very beginning.
As you continue to sail upstream into the Tonle River and prior to lunchtime, your guide offers a presentation about the geography of the Mekong and the Tonle Rivers. In the afternoon, we enjoy an exciting excursion to discover another part of rural Cambodian Kampong Tralach countryside.
Join a happy hour time at the bar whilst we sail into the sunset. We moor later near Kampong Laeang. After dinner, the nightly cinema has another classic film on display.
**Day 7 : Kampong Laeang > Tonle Lake**
We are in the midst of the vast Tonle region, one of Cambodia’s amazing ecosystems. We will discover Kampong Laeang this morning, situated just across from the famous pottery town of Kampong Chhnang. Once ashore, we embark on tuk-tuks to travel the heart of rural Cambodian life. During this excursion, we’ll explore various locals, discover the art of pottery making, and visit a charming pre-Angkorian temple.
Back on board, the ship enters now the vast Tonle Lake. During the whole afternoon, accompanied by some onboard entertainment, you can enjoy the ocean-like views until we reach our mooring spot mid-lake at the doorstep of Siem Reap. We end this day of sailing with a farewell dinner and party vibes.
**Day 8 : Tonle Lake > Siem Reap**
The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambodia, giving love and life to millions of people. This rich ecosystem and UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve has more fish than any other lake in the world and is home to an incredible variety of birds, including rare and endangered feathered life.
Disembark the ship and take a local boat to the shore, passing a vast floating community. Arrive at the Siem Reap pier where you will be dropped off in the city centre, where arrangements conclude.
Type of Journey: Boutique river cruise with in-depth excursions: Let us tailor-make your itinerary to include travel arrangements before and/or after your cruise.
Inclusions
- 7 nights’ accommodation onboard your ship of choice and in your category of choice
- All meals (B, L, D) onboard
- Welcome drink, local beers, and house wines at lunch/dinner
- Coffee including espresso/tea, juices, soft drinks, and water
- Shared roundtrip transfers to/from the ship
- English-speaking local guides
- Shared excursions as per the itinerary
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Fuel and taxes
