SIEM RIEP - SAIGON ON RV MEKONG NAVIGATOR CRUISE

This morning guests transfer from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham, Cambodia. Upon arrival, embark the Mekong Navigator and enjoy a Welcome Reception on the Sun Deck as we begin our journey. Following the informative Welcome Briefing and meeting with our friendly crew, a Cambodian theme dinner is served in the Le Marché Dining Room.
(Welcome Reception/Theme Dinner)

This morning, guests visit a local, secondary school, which serves eight surrounding district. Following a tour of the school and an interesting Q&A opportunity with the principal and students, guests walk up the hill to the Wat Hanchey, to receive a traditional Buddhist Water Blessing from the monastery and the amazing views of the Mekong River valley, guests return to the ship for lunch.
Following lunch, guests enjoy a drive through the city of Kampong Cham to visit the hills of Phnom Lros (man hill) and Phnom Srei (woman hill), the incredible Stupa, the 10-meter long reclining Buddha, and the 13-meter tall preaching Buddha. Today’s final visit is to the 12th century, Angkorian-period complex of Wat Nokor Bacey, which features several original statues of Buddha and stone inscriptions. We then return to the ship and begin sailing downstream. Overnight in RV Mekong Navigator Cruise.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Guests enjoy a full day of sailing up the scenic Tonle Sap River. This very narrow winding river provides a rare up-close glimpse of rural river life in Cambodia. After lunch, guests board a private excursion boat and experience a panoramic cruise of the floating villages at Kampong Chhang. Here we observe the very friendly locals living, working, and even shopping on the river. We return to the ship and set sail while enjoying the beautiful sunset and local children on the riverbanks bidding us farewell as we continue oue journey down the Mekong.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

After breakfast on board this morning, guests meet their cyclo driver for an exciting morning city tour of Phnom Penh. You are gently transported by your driver along the riverfront to the Royal Palace complex. Here guests enjoy a leisurely walk through the grounds viewing Throne Hall and Moonlight Pavilion, before visiting the famous Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and Maitreya Buddha encrusted with more than 9,000 diamonds. Guests return to their cyclos for the short ride to the National Museum ending the morning with a comprehensive tour of the many Angkorian-preiod artifacts excavated at the Angkor Temple complex at Siem Reap.
Guests will enjoy a free afternoon on Phnom Penh with a variety of optional excursions which to pick from, or simply enjoy their time independently shopping or at one of the many wonderful restaurants and pubs nearby.
Before dinner, children entertain guests on our Sun Deck with a cultural performance including Apsara, Cambodia’s national dance as well local traditional folk dances.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Apsara Show)

This morning, guests learn more about the darkest days of Cambodian history. After a scenic 45-minute drive from the ship is the Choeung Ek killing fields, where will walk through the fields, visit the small museum during the Khmer Rouge regime. Before returning to the ship, guests will also tour Toul Sleng (also known as S-21), the former school that was converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge.
Guests enjoy one last free afternoon in Phnom Penh, before we set sail this evening to the border of Cambodia & Vietnam.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Following clearing formalities crossing the border, guests witness a fascinating change in the architecture along the riverfront as they are now in Vietnam. After lunch, guests board beautiful sampans for a panoramic cruise of Chau Doc harbor with its traditional Vietnamese floating market. After visiting the mail town of Chau Doc and the colorful Tay An Pagoda, guests continue their panoramic tour aboard sampans to visit a local family’s fish farm. Here we will learn about various types of fish being caught and farm-raised in this region and the importance of this industry to Vietnam’s economy.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Following breakfast this morning, we board sampans to navigate the narrow canals of the Mekong. Guests observe daily routines of the villagers enroute to the historic town as Sa Dec. we stop en-route at a local brick factory where guests can view the complete process of brick-making by local men and women utilizing clay form the Mekong River.
We continue to the town as Sa Dec, where a short visit will be made to the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who inspires Marguerite Duras’ novel, L’Amant (The Lover) as well as a fascinating walk through the town’s market experiencing the sights and smells of the colorful fresh produce, meat, live fish and seafood being sold.
After returning to the ship for lunch, guests enjoy an afternoon cruise to Cai Be. We pass the city’s beautiful French Gothic Cathedral then tour the historic An Kiet House with its beautiful surrounding gardens. Following we board our sampans to visit a traditional rice factory where workers produce rice paper, rice wine, popped rice, and many varieties of traditional candies.
We then set sail towards My Tho enjoying a Reception and elegant Vietnamese theme dinner as we bid farewell to the magnificent Mekong.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Farewell Dinner/ cultural show)

Following breakfast guests disembark the vessel and transfer to Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam.