Lower Mekong | 7-Night | Siem Reap-Saigon

JOURNEY THE LOWER MEKONG

CAMBODIA VIETNAM

THE LOST CIVILISATION siem reap - saigon 7 NIGHTS THE MIGHTY MEKONG cambodia vietnam

The mighty Mekong - a mysterious body of water flowing through six countries in Asia. Giving love and life to millions, it 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. the lost civilization the lost civilization siem reap - saigon [downstream] siem reap - saigon [downstream]

8 days - 7 nights 8 days - 7 nights

The most popular and complete Mekong cruise combines The most popular and complete Mekong cruise combines opulent world heritage sites in Vietnam and Cambodia opulent world heritage sites in Vietnam and Cambodia inlcuding places rarely visited. inlcuding places rarely visited.

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 o town of Kampong Cham, where the ship awaits us Transfer o glance back, we bid farewell to the iconic sights of n n

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Angkor and travel a short distance to the shore of r (approximately 4.5 hrs transfer time including rest stop) 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 n your luxurious “home” for the next several days. When l guides share interesting insights about Cambodia and l 1 e e Kampong Chhnang Kampong Chhnang R R i i v v e e moving into your staterooms, your first inclination may Kampong Tralach r the region we journey through. Kampong Cham is an Kampong Tralach r Koh Oknha Tey Koh Oknha Tey be to step on your balcony to watch the ship set sail on Phnom Penh important trade and transportation hub. The highway 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 Bridge) was built here in 2001. When moving into your Tan Chau Binh Saigon Binh Saigon generally this shallow lake can only be crossed during Thanh Thanh Island staterooms upon boarding, your first inclination might Island high water season, which is approximately from August My An Hung Cai Be 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. the lost civilization the lost civilization siem reap - saigon [downstream] siem reap - saigon [downstream]

8 days - 7 nights 8 days - 7 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 Tonle Lake k o buffet awaits, or if you prefer, we can serve breakfast o buffet awaits, or if you prefer, we can serve breakfast n n

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directly to your room. r directly to your room. 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 l e e Kampong Chhnang Kampong Chhnang R R i i “water world”, where everything is balanced on sticks v destination. The village is famous for its unspoiled v e e Kampong Tralach r Kampong Tralach r in water-rich soil. It is perhaps the most fascinating Koh Oknha Tey community and beautiful, traditional houses. It feels Koh Oknha Tey 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 Back on board, a monks’ blessing ceremony delivers Tan Chau Binh Saigon Binh Saigon pottery and the process of making of palm sugar from Thanh Thanh Island spirits and wishes for health and prosperity for us all. Island the Cambodian “skor t’not” palm tree. My An Hung Cai Be My An Hung Cai Be My Tho While we sail downstream, afternoon tea is offered My Tho at the bar. Our staff is keen to show you a variety of We drive back to the shore where our local boat starts an exploration of nearby floating villages and traditional Khmer fashion the local people still wear on special occasions. Conversely, the ubiquitous the surrounding wetlands. Although we are still in the heartland of Cambodia, the residents of these Cambodian scarf, the Krama, is a garment worn by people of all ages and walks of life. This multi- floating villages are actually of Vietnamese descent who were expelled by the Khmer Rouge and soon functional attire is worn not just around the neck, but also as a bandanna, facemask, belt, swimwear, returned after the ruling party was overthrown in 1979. No longer having land to settle on, they have TODAY’S DINING TODAY’S DINING and even as a hammock to carry children. since lived “on the water”. Back on board and with lunch ready in the restaurant, the vessel continues Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner cruising languidly along the Tonle River towards Kampong Tralach. This part of the Tonle River is 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 fame to manufacturing high-class silk products. We DAILY INSIGHT A monks’ blessing ceremony delivers spirits and 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 wishes for health and prosperity for all of us whilst 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 the boat glides through leafy swaths of this jungle-like right, such as Wat Phnom, the National Museum, and your left, such as the Royal Palace, the National witnessing the curious process of making silk, starting landscape. We reach Kampong Tralach, where laughing the Royal Palace just before the vessels makes a sharp Museum, and the city’s tallest religious structure, Wat 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 children wave enthusiastically at our arrival. We are in spinning and weaving the fibres into high-quality from the Mekong River onto the Tonle River. the middle of Cambodia’s countryside where – surprise Cambodian silk. – traditional ox carts are still a common means of transportation. Our ox-powered vehicle takes us on After some additional cruising time, we pass the a journey along the riverside and through back roads confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Rivers, and the lined with rice-paddy fields until we arrive at a tiny boat anchors near Kampong Chhnang for the night 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 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. the lost civilization the lost civilization siem reap - saigon [downstream] siem reap - saigon [downstream]

8 days - 7 nights 8 days - 7 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 Tonle Lake k skills in music and dance. The Organization for Basic o cruising spot in Cambodia. We take a local boat to the o n n

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Training (OBT) provides a free, supplemental education r shore and hop on a mini bus to reach a quite unique, 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 n Shower the young performers with applause and in l our guide reveals the village’s specialties – Khmer l e e Kampong Chhnang Kampong Chhnang R R i i v v e e return, you are bestowed upon with the most genuine Kampong Tralach r style pottery and the process of making of palm sugar Kampong Tralach r Koh Oknha Tey Koh Oknha Tey and happy Cambodian smiles. With smiles on our Phnom Penh from the Cambodian “skor t’not” palm tree. 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 complex is now a Buddhist temple, a testament to the Tan Chau Tan Chau Binh Saigon Binh Saigon Thanh heartland of Cambodia, the residents of these floating Thanh country’s past and present religious beliefs. This small Island Island My An Hung Cai Be villages are actually of Vietnamese descent who were My An Hung Cai Be 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 the lost civilization siem reap - saigon [downstream]

8 days - 7 nights

The most popular and complete Mekong cruise combines opulent world heritage sites in Vietnam and Cambodia inlcuding places rarely visited.

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

centuries of incredible history and culture which can Siem Reap M e k Tonle Lake o still be felt at many street corners. n

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e r We start with a full sight-seeing tour right after Kampong Cham breakfast. By bus, we visit the Killing Fields outside the T Angkor Ban o n l e Kampong Chhnang R i city and afterwards the centrally located prison “S21”. v e Kampong Tralach r Both historic sites display a sad chapter of the country’s Koh Oknha Tey history when the Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia with Phnom Penh VIETNAM terror and oppression. Those places have not changed much since this horrific time back in the early seventies CAMBODIA and it can be quite heart-breaking. Alternatively, you Tan Chau Binh Saigon may explore the city on your own in the morning Thanh Island before re-joining the group. We have a lunch at a well- My An Hung Cai Be My Tho 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 DAILY INSIGHT barbecue dinner feast. The dinner is accompanied by Learning the Cambodian Apsara dance is quite difficult a classic Apsara dance performance along with other to master. Girls must begin training at a very young age to gain the flexibility needed to gracefully move their folklore dances. hands and feet, appearing to be floating on the clouds. Central to this dance are the hand gestures, with each As the evening unwinds, enjoy your supper with a of the over 1,500 finger movements narrating a story. good glass of wine and marvel at the skyline of Phnom Penh and the calming flow of the Tonle River. the lost civilization siem reap - saigon [downstream]

8 days - 7 nights

The most popular and complete Mekong cruise combines opulent world heritage sites in Vietnam and Cambodia inlcuding places rarely visited.

day five

he lounge is set up for an eye- and ear-catching TODAY’S ROUTE lecture about modern Cambodian history, Phnom Penh - Border Crossing - Tan Chau T held by our friend and local expert, Mr. Jean- Michel, professor from the Royal University of Phnom

Penh. He has studied the subject extensively and is Siem Reap M e k Tonle Lake o more than happy to share his first-hand knowledge n

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and surprising insights. The lecture takes about one r Kampong Cham hour before we set sail southbound towards the

T Angkor Ban o n l Vietnamese border. The rest of the morning and the e Kampong Chhnang R i v e whole afternoon is at your own disposal. From here, Kampong Tralach r Koh Oknha Tey even the last passenger turns on their cruise mode and Phnom Penh hopefully experiences the relaxing cadence this mighty VIETNAM river emanates. The afternoon is perfect for massages, relaxation on a terrace deck sunbed or private balcony CAMBODIA kick-backs. Conjure up a spell to merge with the river Tan Chau Binh Saigon Thanh Island and float into a state of mild bliss. My An Hung Cai Be My Tho You also may like to visit the bridge, as the captain always has a little story to share about “his” river. Or, if you are curious to learn more about Khmer gastronomy, join a culinary workshop to sharpen your knowledge about local cuisine. TODAY’S DINING As you sip drinks and nibble on treats during afternoon tea, we approach the border and finally arrive in Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Vietnam. From here it is just a short distance to Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced border town with a DAILY INSIGHT sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. We Do you wonder why boats sail in the middle of the moor near the city with views on the riverbanks. river downstream and near the shoreline upstream? If so – see the captain, who is more than happy to enlighten you the lost civilization siem reap - saigon [downstream]

8 days - 7 nights

The most popular and complete Mekong cruise combines opulent world heritage sites in Vietnam and Cambodia inlcuding places rarely visited.

day six

elcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. TODAY’S ROUTE arrived on-shore, we hop on “xelois” to see Tan Chau - My An Hung - Sa Dec W Tan Chau’s vibrant town-life. A “xeloi” is a local vehicle which is still used as a taxi in this area.

Your personal xeloi driver slowly navigates through the Siem Reap M e k Tonle Lake o streets to observe all the workshops, houses and shops n

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while feeling the laid-back vibe of this place. We stop r Kampong Cham at the colourful, local market near one of the town’s

T Angkor Ban o n l temples. This is a great opportunity to interact with e Kampong Chhnang R i v e the vendors of this friendly town and try your hand at Kampong Tralach r Koh Oknha Tey bargaining with them. To see what Tan Chau is famous Phnom Penh for, we board local boats and head to a floating fish VIETNAM farm. You are about to get an exclusive look into the world’s largest inland aquaculture industry. Each of the CAMBODIA floating structures has netting hanging down into the Tan Chau Binh Saigon Thanh water to enclose the fish, which are raised and fed on a Island Cai Be My An Hung daily basis. The region’s specialties are tilapia and the My Tho Basa catfish, or Pangasius, which is unique to the Mekong River basin and rapidly gaining popularity on the international seafood market.

Back on board and before lunch is served, you may TODAY’S DINING take a dip in the pool. After the meal, our expert Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner guides offer a presentation about life in the Mekong Delta as the ship continues to My An Hung near Sa DAILY INSIGHT Dec province. My An Hung Village is a wonderful example of a real local village in the Mekong Delta. A typical fish farm in Tan Chau can grow around 45 Time stands still here and we receive wonderful tonnes of fish at once and is harvested every 8-10 months. The cost to feed one batch of fish over this insights into the private household of a local family period can exceed $30,000 USD. and visit the seasonal vegetable fields to see what they are currently cultivating. We are invited to their house for a Vietnamese tea tasting. Vietnamese tea is often bitter, so locals sweeten it with honey, a regional delicacy also produced by our hosts. The family then presents a huge variety of fruits growing in the delta, freshly cut from the tree. And as an artist group performs a traditional, artistic dragon dance, we snack on these “vitamins bombs”.

The sun sets and the light now bathes everything in a golden hue. The surrounding natural beauty is a perfect backdrop for a riverbank gathering with cocktails and dancing with the crew in this remote, secluded location. the lost civilization siem reap - saigon [downstream]

8 days - 7 nights

The most popular and complete Mekong cruise combines opulent world heritage sites in Vietnam and Cambodia inlcuding places rarely visited.

day seven

his morning the vessel arrives at one of the TODAY’S ROUTE larger islands in the vast stream of the Mekong, T Binh Thanh Island. Several communities have Binh Thanh Island - Cai Be - My Tho settled here and make their living by growing water

hyacinths. Siem Reap M e k Tonle Lake o

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We exclusively visit one of these untouched areas. i

e r By wandering through the village, we get a deep Kampong Cham understanding of native life. One of the local artisans, T Angkor Ban o n l e Kampong Chhnang R i for example, demonstrates the entire process of v e Kampong Tralach r traditional mat making. You can try weaving yourself. Koh Oknha Tey We also meet a local elderly couple who share their Phnom Penh VIETNAM story of living on this island. They are always happy to chit-chat with our guests. Back on the ship lunch is CAMBODIA served and we sail towards Cai Be. Cai Be is a charming Tan Chau Binh Saigon town which is famous for its Catholic French church Thanh Island Cai Be and the manufacturing of traditional crafts and food My An Hung My Tho products. The once enormous floating market of Cai Be gets smaller year by year since trading on the water is continually shifting towards modern markets. However, you can still see boat-to-boat trading of local goods, such as fruits and agricultural products and imagine what this must have looked like on a larger scale. We learn from our guide about the long-lasting trading culture and how TODAY’S DINING each boat has a special marker to let buyers know what goods they are selling. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

By local boat, we sail along the green canal network and watch the farmers working in the fields. A visit DAILY INSIGHT ashore of a workshop shows us the manufacturing The purple water hyacinth flowers around Binh Thanh of rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies and rice wine. Island are edible, while the fibres from the stem are Cai Be’s surrounding areas are covered by palm assembled to create a wide variety of products such as trees, which is why the region is also famous for the fish traps, bags, hats, shoes, vases, and paper. production of coconut candy.

Back on board our crew invites you to a farewell event and to enjoy some cheerful moments before dinner, including music and Cambodian dancing together with the team. Savour your final dinner aboard and relive the week’s adventures in your mind’s eye with a glass of wine at the open bar. the lost civilization siem reap - saigon [downstream]

8 days - 7 nights

The most popular and complete Mekong cruise combines opulent world heritage sites in Vietnam and Cambodia inlcuding places rarely visited.

day eight

njoy your last breakfast aboard your floating TODAY’S ROUTE home before disembarking the ship this My Tho - Saigon E morning. By bus we transfer you to Saigon Center, which is around 70km away from My Thao.

We hope that you liked this fascinating river cruise Siem Reap M e k Tonle Lake o along the Might Mekong, as much as our crew does n

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every time. Please take along with you enchanting r Kampong Cham memoirs and friendship and share the stories of this

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

CAMBODIA

Tan Chau Binh Saigon Thanh r fe Island s Cai Be n My An Hung a r

T My Tho

TODAY’S DINING

Breakfast

DAILY INSIGHT

Travellers are often confused about the name of Vietnam’s largest city and financial center. While it was called Saigon before the city fell to the north in 1975, the official name used on maps today is Ho Chi Minh City. Both designations today are completely interchangeable, however, and no offense is taken by the locals with whichever name you use.

All mentioned times are approximate. Although it is our intention to operate the proposed itinerary as outlined above, we cannot be held responsible for any changes of the program and activities that might be necessary due to operational factors. [email protected] www.heritage-line.com