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 g g R Wat Hanchey R Wat Hanchey i i v v e e r 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 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 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 g g R Wat Hanchey R Wat Hanchey i i v v e e r directly to your room. r directly to your room. Kampong Cham Kampong Cham 2 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 2 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.