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 > Sa Dec > Gieng Island**
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 we arrive at Sa Dec, a charming riverside town in Dong Thap Province where you will enjoy an afternoon excursion. Begin with a walk through the lively central market, where an abundance of fresh produce, seafood, and local delicacies reflects the region’s rich agricultural rhythm. Visit the historic home of Huynh Thuy Le and journey to Kien An Cung Pagoda, a century-old temple of Chinese heritage. With its ornate details and tranquil riverside setting, it provides a peaceful contrast to the town’s lively streets before returning on board.
Before dinner, join us in the lounge for a presentation about life on the Mekong Delta as the ship sails toward our mooring spot for the night near Gieng Island.
**Day 3 : Gieng Island > Phnom Penh**
After an early morning Tai Chi session and breakfast, embark on a day of exploration along the Mekong Delta. Explore Gieng Island, also known as Mango Island, is perfect to stroll through under the shade of flourishing mango groves that shape the island’s landscape. Visit a small shop to learn about the process of crafting incense sticks by hand. Another local highlight is a traditional boat-building workshop, where generations of families assemble wooden vessels that are essential to life along the river. Before departing, taste some delicious and freshly picked mangoes with a local tea in the courtyard of a century-old local home.
After lunch, the afternoon unfolds at a gentle pace as the ship glides towards the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. You are invited to join a hands-on cooking class, where you’ll learn a Vietnamese dish simple enough to recreate at home later. Alternatively, the time is yours to unwind on deck as the landscapes drift by, or retreat to the spa for a soothing treatment that restores both body and mind.
Once in Cambodia, the journey continues with an overnight sail into Cambodia, en route to the country’s capital.
**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 > Prek Bangkong > Angkor Ban**
Early departure to make our way to Prek Bangkong, a small village 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. You will have the opportunity to closely observe and learn about this intricate silk production process. We conclude this excursion by visiting the heritage house of H.E. Sam-El, once a famous architect for the royal family.
As we continue to sail upstream and prior to lunchtime, your guide offers a presentation about the geography of the Mekong and the Tonle Rivers. Later explore Angkor Ban, famous for its monastery and 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.
Once back onboard, the ship turns arounds sailing down the Mekong River to reach our overnight mooring place, at the confluence of the Mekong and the Tonle Rivers.
**Day 6 : Angkor Ban > Kampong Luong > Kampong Tralach > Kampong Laeang (Tonle)**
After breakfast your first stop today is Kampong Luong a renowned village where 400 families breathe and life into silver, copper, and brass, crafting art pieces and jewellery. A short stroll on the island reveals their hard labour. Continue with a visit to Wat Prang, the Royal Buddhist Temple. This sacred site offers a moment of reflection on the king’s legacy, intertwining both history and spirituality. Engage with the monks and laymen, learning about their daily lives, rituals, and personal stories.
In the afternoon, we enjoy an exciting excursion to discover another part of rural Cambodian Kampong Tralach countryside. Our ox-pulled cart will transport us along the riverside and down winding back roads, flanked by picturesque rice paddies, until we arrive at a small village. Here, we will have the opportunity to learn about a local NGO school and library project. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the nearby ancient 300-year-old temple and Buddha shrine.
Join a happy hour time at the bar whilst we sail into the sunset. Your boat moor later near Kampong Laeang. After dinner, the nightly cinema has another classic film on display.
**Day 7 : Kampong Laeang > Tonle Lake**
You are in the midst of the vast Tonle region, one of Cambodia’s amazing ecosystems. Discover Kampong Laeang this morning, situated just across from the famous pottery town of Kampong Chhnang. Once ashore, embark on tuk-tuks to travel the heart of rural Cambodian life. During this excursion, 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, 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 after breakfast 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
