Siem Reap-Phnom Penh

SERENITY CRUISE siem reap - phnom penh 4 NIGHTS THE MIGHTY MEKONG cambodia v i e t n am

The mighty Mekong – a mysterious body of water. Flowing through six countries in Asia. Giving love and life to millions. Received its fame by the legendary God King of ancient Cambodia, King Jayavarman VII, who linked hands with the waters of the Mekong to build the magnificent Angkor civilization. serenity cruise serenity cruise siem reap - phnom penh [downstream] siem reap - phnom penh [downstream]

4 nights 4 nights

The very best of rural Cambodia with vivid green landscapes, ancient temples and real The very best of rural Cambodia with vivid green landscapes, ancient temples and real Cambodian village life. This cruise provides an insight into some still widely unknown Cambodian village life. This cruise provides an insight into some still widely unknown regions of this amazing country. regions of this amazing country.

HIGH WATER PERIOD LOW WATER PERIOD

High water period is approx. rom mid-August to mid-November High water period is approx. rom mid-August to mid-November day one day one

e greet our guests in the morning at our TODAY’S ROUTE e greet our guests in the morning at our TODAY’S ROUTE welcome lounge in Siem Reap. Kick back welcome lounge in Siem Reap. With a last Siem Reap – Tonle Lake - Tonle River Siem Reap - Kampong Cham W with a second coffee this morning before W glance back, we bid farewell to the iconic sights of Angkor and travel southeast over land to the we depart on a short bus ride to the pier. With a last Siem Reap Siem Reap M M e e Tonle Lake k Tonle Lake k town of Kampong Cham, where the ship awaits us Transfer o glance back, we bid farewell to the iconic sights of o n

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e (approximately 4.5 hrs transfer time including rest stop) Angkor and travel a short distance to the shore of r Kampong Cham Kampong Cham Tonle Lake. A local boat brings you to the vessel and To keep you entertained during the ride, our expert 1

T Angkor Ban T Angkor Ban o o n your luxurious “home” for the next several days. When n guides share interesting insights about Cambodia and l e l Kampong Chhnang 1 e R Kampong Chhnang R i v i v e e r moving into your staterooms, your first inclination may Kampong Tralach r the region we journey through. Kampong Cham is an Kampong Tralach Koh Oknha Tey Koh Oknha Tey be to step on your balcony to watch the ship set sail on important trade and transportation hub. The highway Phnom Penh Phnom Penh its fascinating lake crossing. VIETNAM connecting the town and the capital of Phnom Penh VIETNAM is among the best maintained in Cambodia, and the As you have lunch, the vessel gently glides over Tonle CAMBODIA country’s first bridge across the Mekong (Kizuna CAMBODIA Lake. You can feel fortunate about this occasion, as Tan Chau Tan Chau Bridge) was built here in 2001. When moving into your Binh generally this shallow lake can only be crossed during Binh Saigon Saigon Thanh Thanh Island staterooms upon boarding, your first inclination might My An Hung Island Cai Be high water season, which is approximately from August My An Hung Cai Be My Tho be to step on your balcony to watch the ship set sail for My Tho to mid-November. In fact, the Tonle Sap (Sap means a southbound journey on the mighty Mekong. 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 This afternoon you learn more about the education of the young Cambodian generation. Children km (160 mi) in the wet season. Not only is it the livelihood to the three million people who fish and from the small village of Chiro come on board, always excited to show their skills in music and dance. farm along its banks, but this rich ecosystem and UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve is also TODAY’S DINING The Organization for Basic Training (OBT) provides a free, supplemental education in English, maths, TODAY’S DINING home to over 100 avian and 300 species of fish. Lunch, Dinner and the arts to these local youths. Shower the young performers with applause and in return, you are Lunch, Dinner bestowed upon with the most genuine and happy Cambodian smiles. With smiles on our faces, we Let your soul float and your eyes wander while the boat prepare to leave the ship for a bus excursion to a nearby spectacle only present during the Mekong’s makes its way across. It is often stated that “nautical DAILY INSIGHT DAILY INSIGHT low water season. The Koh Paen Bamboo Bridge connects the mainland with Koh Paen Island and is air” makes you hungry, so you are cordially invited to During dry season (December to April) Tonle Lake re-built by the local community every November when water levels drop, then is swept away by the The Koh Paen Bamboo Bridge, which connects the our afternoon tea. Get to know other travellers while provides around 50% of the flow to the Mekong Delta in rainy season’s rushing waters in June. mainland to Koh Paen Island using 50,000 bamboo enjoying some tasty treats. The rest of this cruising Vietnam. During the rainy season, the Mekong becomes sticks, is rebuilt every year as the depth of the Mekong afternoon is fully yours to relax on your private balcony a swelling depository and can increase its height by 10 We continue our land journey to the enchanting pre- recedes and ferries can no longer cross. However, the meters, thus becoming a vast ocean. But, as it reaches world’s longest bamboo bridge will soon be replaced by or be pampered by our therapists at the Apsara Spa. Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh, the volume of Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey (7th century). a nearby concrete bridge, now under construction by water is so immense, it forces Tonle River to reverse its Formerly built to honor the Hindu god, Hirahara, the the Cambodian government. Before dinner, our expert guide holds a presentation flow, allowing for balance to triumph. complex is now a Buddhist temple, a testament to the about the geography of the Mekong River and Tonle country’s past and present religious beliefs. This small Lake along with the unique attributes of the area. If you complex sits on a hilltop with breath-taking views over are in the mood for some evening entertainment, there the Mekong. Many young, novice monks live on the is a cinema in the lounge showcasing classic movies compound of Wat Hanchey, and we have the chance and interesting documentaries on a nightly basis. to observe a bit of their daily lives: eating simple meals, praying, studying, or hanging out and making conversation while in their saffron-coloured robes.

Back on board you have some downtime before dinner. If you are feeling restless from all the excitement during your first day on the Mekong River, there is a cinema in the lounge showcasing classic movies and interesting documentaries on a nightly basis. serenity cruise serenity cruise siem reap - phnom penh [downstream] siem reap - phnom penh [downstream]

4 nights 4 nights

HIGH WATER PERIOD LOW WATER PERIOD

High water period is approx. rom mid-August to mid-November High water period is approx. rom mid-August to mid-November day two day two

ake up early to witness the spectacular TODAY’S ROUTE ake up early to witness the spectacular TODAY’S ROUTE

scenery at the break of dawn. To make Kampong Chhang - Kampong Tralach - Kampong Cham scenery at the break of dawn. To make Kampong Cham - Koh Oknha Tey - Kampong Chhang W the experience complete, join our daily W the experience complete, join our daily morning Tai Chi class. Afterwards, a rich breakfast morning Tai Chi class. Afterwards, a rich breakfast Siem Reap Siem Reap M M e e Tonle Lake k k buffet awaits, or if you prefer, we can serve breakfast o buffet awaits, or if you prefer, we can serve breakfast Tonle Lake o n

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e directly to your room. directly to your room. r Kampong Cham Kampong Cham We now are at Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s Today, the small village of Angkor Ban is our first T Angkor Ban T Angkor Ban o o n n l e l Kampong Chhnang e R Kampong Chhnang R i “water world”, where everything is balanced on sticks destination. The village is famous for its unspoiled v i v e e r Kampong Tralach r Kampong Tralach Koh Oknha Tey in water-rich soil. It is perhaps the most fascinating Koh Oknha Tey community and beautiful, traditional houses. It feels cruising spot in Cambodia. We take a local boat to the Phnom Penh like being transported back a hundred years, into Phnom Penh VIETNAM VIETNAM shore and hop on a mini bus to reach a quite unique, an era unaffected by modernity where villagers are nearby rural village. As we explore the village on foot characterized by their unbridled warmth. CAMBODIA CAMBODIA our guide reveals the village’s specialties – Khmer style Tan Chau Tan Chau Back on board, a monks’ blessing ceremony delivers Binh pottery and the process of making of palm sugar from Binh Saigon Saigon Thanh spirits and wishes for health and prosperity for us all. Thanh Island Island Cai Be the Cambodian “skor t’not” palm tree. My An Hung Cai Be My An Hung My Tho While we sail downstream, afternoon tea is offered My Tho We drive back to the shore where our local boat starts an exploration of nearby floating villages and at the bar. Our staff is keen to show you a variety of the surrounding wetlands. Although we are still in the heartland of Cambodia, the residents of these traditional Khmer fashion the local people still wear on special occasions. Conversely, the ubiquitous floating villages are actually of Vietnamese descent who were expelled by the Khmer Rouge and soon Cambodian scarf, the Krama, is a garment worn by people of all ages and walks of life. This multi- returned after the ruling party was overthrown in 1979. No longer having land to settle on, they have functional attire is worn not just around the neck, but also as a bandanna, facemask, belt, swimwear, TODAY’S DINING TODAY’S DINING since lived “on the water”. Back on board and with lunch ready in the restaurant, the vessel continues and even as a hammock to carry children. cruising languidly along the Tonle River towards Kampong Tralach. This part of the Tonle River is Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Meanwhile we arrive at the island of Koh Oknha quite interesting to watch from the terrace as the river at certain points is very, very narrow. Tey. This spot in the middle of the Mekong owes its DAILY INSIGHT DAILY INSIGHT A monks’ blessing ceremony delivers spirits and wishes for health and prosperity for all of us whilst fame to manufacturing high-class silk products. We the boat glides through leafy swaths of this jungle-like Gather on the terrace deck as we pass Phnom Penh this go sightseeing along the island’s roads a bit via tuk Gather on the terrace deck as we pass Phnom Penh landscape. We reach Kampong Tralach, where laughing evening to observe the historical landmarks on your tuk before arriving at the village’s workshops and this evening to observe the historical landmarks on right, such as Wat Phnom, the National Museum, and your left, such as the Royal Palace, the National children wave enthusiastically at our arrival. We are in the Royal Palace just before the vessels makes a sharp witnessing the curious process of making silk, starting Museum, and the city’s tallest religious structure, Wat the middle of Cambodia’s countryside where – surprise left turn from the Tonle River onto the Mekong River. from a tiny silkworm larva to cocoon, then dyeing, Phnom, just after the vessels makes a sharp right turn – traditional ox carts are still a common means of spinning and weaving the fibres into high-quality from the Mekong River onto the Tonle River. transportation. Our ox-powered vehicle takes us on Cambodian silk. a journey along the riverside and through back roads After some additional cruising time, we pass the lined with rice-paddy fields until we arrive at a tiny confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Rivers, and the village. Beginning a few short years ago, local children boat anchors near Kampong Chhnang for the night 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 the underprivileged youth. The students, who are dressed in green shirts, are always happy to meet us every week as the principal gives an introduction and updates us on the current situation of the school. After this outing, we sail downstream, passing the confluence of the Tonle and Mekong Rivers and making our way to the vessel’s overnight spot. serenity cruise serenity cruise siem reap - phnom penh [downstream] siem reap - phnom penh [downstream]

4 nights 4 nights

HIGH WATER PERIOD LOW WATER PERIOD

High water period is approx. rom mid-August to mid-November High water period is approx. rom mid-August to mid-November day three day three

fter aa sumptuous breakfast, we learn more TODAY’S ROUTE fter a sumptuous breakfast, we are now at TODAY’S ROUTE about the education of the young Cambodian Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “water Kampong Cham - Koh Oknha Tey - Phnom Penh Kampong Chhang - Kampong Tralach - Phnom Penh A generation. Children from the small village A world”, where everything is balanced on sticks of Chiro come on board, always excited to show their in water-rich soil. It is perhaps the most fascinating Siem Reap Siem Reap M M e e Tonle Lake k skills in music and dance. The Organization for Basic k cruising spot in Cambodia. We take a local boat to the o Tonle Lake o n

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Training (OBT) provides a free, supplemental education e shore and hop on a mini bus to reach a quite unique, r Kampong Cham Kampong Cham in English, maths, and the arts to these local youths. nearby rural village. As we explore the village on foot

T Angkor Ban T Angkor Ban o o n Shower the young performers with applause and in n our guide reveals the village’s specialties – Khmer l e l Kampong Chhnang e R Kampong Chhnang R i v i v e e r return, you are bestowed upon with the most genuine Kampong Tralach r style pottery and the process of making of palm sugar Kampong Tralach Koh Oknha Tey and happy Cambodian smiles. With smiles on our Koh Oknha Tey from the Cambodian “skor t’not” palm tree. Phnom Penh Phnom Penh faces, we prepare to leave the ship for the enchanting VIETNAM VIETNAM We drive back to the shore where our local boat starts pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey (7th century). an exploration of nearby floating villages and the Formerly built to honor the Hindu god, Hirahara, the CAMBODIA CAMBODIA surrounding wetlands. Although we are still in the Tan Chau complex is now a Buddhist temple, a testament to the Tan Chau Binh Binh Saigon heartland of Cambodia, the residents of these floating Saigon Thanh Thanh country’s past and present religious beliefs. This small Island Island Cai Be My An Hung Cai Be villages are actually of Vietnamese descent who were My An Hung complex sits on a hilltop with breath-taking views My Tho My Tho expelled by the Khmer Rouge and soon returned after over the Mekong. Many young, novice monks live on the ruling party was overthrown in 1979. No longer having land to settle on, they have since lived the compound of Wat Hanchey, and we have the chance to observe a bit of their daily lives: eating “on the water”. simple meals, praying, studying, or hanging out and making conversation while in their saffron- Back on board and with lunch ready in the restaurant, the vessel continues cruising languidly along coloured robes. TODAY’S DINING TODAY’S DINING the Tonle River towards Kampong Tralach. This part of the Tonle River is quite interesting to watch While we sail downstream, lunch is served and afterwards our staff is keen to show you a variety Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner from the terrace as the river at certain points is very, very narrow. The boat glides through leafy Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner of traditional Khmer fashion the local people still wear on special occasions. Conversely, the swaths of this jungle-like landscape. We reach Kampong Tralach, where laughing children wave ubiquitous Cambodian scarf, the Krama, is a garment worn by people of all ages and walks of life. DAILY INSIGHT enthusiastically at our arrival. DAILY INSIGHT 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. The amount of usable silk in each cocoon is small, and We are in the middle of Cambodia’s countryside where During dry season (December to April) Tonle Lake about 5,000 silkworms are required to produce a kilogram – surprise – traditional ox carts are still a common provides around 50% of the flow to the Mekong Delta in Meanwhile we arrive at the island of Koh Oknha (2.2 lb) of raw silk. Vietnam. During the rainy season, the Mekong becomes means of transportation. Our ox-powered vehicle Tey. This spot in the middle of the Mekong owes its a swelling depository and can increase its height by 10 takes us on a journey along the riverside and through meters, thus becoming a vast ocean. But, as it reaches fame to manufacturing high-class silk products. We back roads lined with rice-paddy fields until we arrive Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh, the volume of go sightseeing along the island’s roads a bit via tuk water is so immense, it forces Tonle River to reverse its at a tiny village. Beginning a few short years ago, local tuk before arriving at the village’s workshops and flow, allowing for balance to triumph. children have had the chance to receive an education witnessing the curious process of making silk, starting here. The “Green School” is a local project supported from a tiny silkworm larva to cocoon, then dyeing, by Heritage Line in this remote area to support the spinning and weaving the fibres into high-quality underprivileged youth. The students, who are dressed Cambodian silk. in green shirts, are always happy to meet us every week After some additional cruising time, the boat arrives as the principal gives an introduction and updates us and docks at the pier of Phnom Penh. Feel free to on the current situation of the school. go out and explore by yourself after dinner. Stroll After some additional cruising time back aboard, the along the river promenade and watch the locals chit- boat arrives and docks at the pier of Phnom Penh. Feel chatting, selling odds and ends or have a drink in one free to go out and explore by yourself after dinner. of the numerous bars. Stroll along the river promenade and watch the locals chit-chatting, selling odds and ends or have a drink in one of the numerous bars serenity cruise siem reap - phnom penh [downstream]

4 nights

The very best of rural Cambodia with vivid green landscapes, ancient temples and real Cambodian village life. This cruise provides an insight into some still widely unknown regions of this amazing country.

day four

elcome to Phnom Penh - the city once TODAY’S ROUTE named Paris of the East. Despite its rapid Phnom Penh W development, it has retained its rustic charm and elegance. It is an amazing town with Siem Reap M e k Tonle Lake o centuries of incredible history and culture which can n

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still be felt at many street corners. r Kampong Cham We start with a full sight-seeing tour right after T Angkor Ban o n l e Kampong Chhnang R i breakfast. By bus, we visit the Killing Fields outside the v e Kampong Tralach r city and afterwards the centrally located prison “S21”. Koh Oknha Tey Both historic sites display a sad chapter of the country’s Phnom Penh VIETNAM history when the Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia with terror and oppression. Those places have not changed CAMBODIA much since this horrific time back in the early seventies Tan Chau Binh Saigon and it can be quite heart-breaking. Alternatively, you Thanh Island may explore the city on your own in the morning My An Hung Cai Be My Tho before re-joining the group. We have a lunch at a well- renowned restaurant in town and experience the elegant air Phnom Penh’s top addresses are known for. Our 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 TODAY’S DINING bustling streets of downtown Phnom Penh and back to the ship. Breakfast, Lunch, Barbecue Gala-Dinner

Take some rest or join fellow passengers at the bar for refreshing drinks. Today’s evening is a special one: let us invite you to a wonderful open air gala featuring a barbecue dinner feast. The dinner is DAILY INSIGHT accompanied by a classic Apsara dance performance Learning the Cambodian Apsara dance is quite difficult along with other folklore dances. to master. Girls must begin training at a very young age to gain the flexibility needed to gracefully move their As the evening unwinds, enjoy your supper with a hands and feet, appearing to be floating on the clouds. Central to this dance are the hand gestures, with each good glass of wine and marvel at the skyline of Phnom of the over 1,500 finger movements narrating a story. Penh and the calming flow of the Tonle River. serenity cruise siem reap - phnom penh [downstream]

4 nights

day five

njoy your last breakfast aboard your floating TODAY’S ROUTE home before disembarking the ship this Phnom Penh - Border Crossing - Tan Chau E morning. We hope that you liked this fascinating river cruise along the Might Mekong and the Tonle Siem Reap M e Tonle Lake k River in the heart of Cambodia. Please take along with o n

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you enchanting memoirs and friendship and share the r Kampong Cham stories of this amazing river. Heritage Line and our

T Angkor Ban o n crew wishes you a wonderful onward journey and we l e Kampong Chhnang R i v e looking forward to see you back on board with us. Kampong Tralach r Koh Oknha Tey

Phnom Penh VIETNAM

CAMBODIA

Tan Chau Binh Saigon Thanh Island My An Hung Cai Be My Tho

TODAY’S DINING

Breakfast

DAILY INSIGHT

Do you wonder why boats sail in the middle of the river downstream and near the shoreline upstream? If so – see the captain, who is more than happy to enlighten you [email protected] www.heritage-line.com