Spiritual Cambodia and the Mekong

Embark on the luxury Mekong Serenity for a seven-night Mekong River cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia. Experience a Buddhist blessing, visit Phnom Penh and discover charming islands and riverside towns. Explore Siem Reap and World Heritage Angkor Archaeological Park, watching the sun rise at Angkor Wat.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City, My Tho, Embark Ship, Cai Be

On arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, receive Fast track Service before being met and transferred to a centrally located hotel for ship registration formalities. Journey to My Tho and embark your ship. Set sail from My Tho and soak in the scenery during your cruise towards Cai Be. Tonight, a Vietnamese welcome dinner awaits, showcasing the diverse flavours from the region. 

Signature Experience – VIP Fast Track Service

Start your holiday as soon as possible when you receive Fast Track Service for a seamless arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Be whisked through immigration and customs, before meeting your APT representative, who will transfer you to your accommodation. 

Day 2: Cai Be, Sa Dec, Tan Chau

Board your traditional sampan for your first excursion on the banks of the Mekong. Step ashore to visit Cai Be Catholic Church and the colourful port area filled with crumbling colonial buildings and flowering gardens. Built in the Roman architectural style, the bell tower, with its set of four bells cast in France in 1931, is the tallest of all the churches in the Mekong Delta. Afterwards, you’ll visit rice paper and coconut candy manufacturers and learn how these Vietnamese staples are made. 

Head back to the ship to refresh before sitting down to savour a delicious lunch whilst continuing to cruise to the quaint town of Sa Dec. Upon arrival, explore Sa Dec by foot and meet some of the sellers at the colourful market. Continue to where French writer Marguerite Duras met her Vietnamese-Chinese lover, Huynh Thuy Le. Tour his former home and learn the story behind Duras’ best-selling novel, The Lover. After, visit a traditional Cao Dai temple. Watch visitors and pilgrims come and go and appreciate the beauty of the colourful building. Dinner is served as you cruise towards Tan Chau. 

Day 3: Tan Chau, Evergreen Island, Border Crossing, Phnom Penh

Transfer to a small boat to cruise the tiny tributaries around the town of Tan Chau. Pass a floating fish farm, then step ashore for a fun rickshaw tour and a visit to a local silk and rattan weaving workshop. Later, step back in time as you experience authentic rural Mekong life on a nearby Evergreen Island. The remainder of today is yours to relax on board and soak up views of the Mekong. Upon entering Cambodia, you’ll cruise towards its enthralling capital, Phnom Penh.

Day 4: Phnom Penh

Enjoy your Freedom of Choice activity then spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. You may wish to head ashore and explore more of Phnom Penh independently or simply relax on board.

Freedom of Choice – Killing Fields and Genocide Museum 

On this sombre excursion, learn about a confronting part of Cambodian history duringwith a sobering visit to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. 

Freedom of Choice – Cyclo Ride 

Explore Phnom Penh by what was the most popular form of transportation throughout Southeast Asia in the 1960s, the cyclo. Weave past some of the city’s most iconic sites. 

Freedom of Choice – Visit the National Museum 

Accompanied by your private museum guide, discover the most important pieces within the National Museum of Cambodia. The collection includes the world’s finest display of Khmer sculptures, art and relics. 

Freedom of Choice – Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda 

Discover Cambodia’s Royal Palace, the official residence of the King. Completed in 1870, the palace is a fine example of Khmer architecture with elements of French influence. The palace also houses the Silver Pagoda. 

Freedom of Choice – Craft Brewery Tour 

off on an adventure to two microbreweries, beginning with a visit to Hops Brewery, the city’s most popular. Enjoy a craft beer tasting and learn about the brewing process before continuing to Himawari Microbrewery.

Day 5: Phnom Penh, Oudong, Koh Chen, Oknha Tey

Today, journey to historic Oudong, which was Cambodia’s fascinating royal capital from 1618 until 1866. During your time here, you’ll enjoy a Signature Experience. On the way back to Phnom Penh, take a leisurely stroll through the village of Koh Chen and visit some home workshops that manufacture copperware. Later, your ship glides along the lush banks of the Mekong to Oknha Tey, which is renowned for its silk manufacturing traditions, preserved over centuries. Stroll among the stilt houses and gain an insight into the traditional silk weaving process. Watch as the village women create the beautiful Khmer fabrics from their wooden looms. Return to your river ship to relax before enjoying delicious onboard dining tonight. 

Signature Experience – Buddhist Blessing Ceremony 

Take part in a traditional Buddhist blessing ceremony for good luck, health and safe journey, with resident monks at a monastery in Oudong. 

Day 6: Oknha Tey, Angkor Ban, Wat Hanchey

Sail to Angkor Ban, where you'll disembark and enjoy a captivating walking discovery of this historic village. Remarkably, Angkor Ban stands as one of the rare Cambodian villages that remained unscathed during the tumultuous Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. Here, people still live in traditional wooden homes and keep ancient cultural traditions alive. This afternoon, your ship continues sailing upstream to Wat Hanchey. 

Day 7: Wat Hanchey, Kampong Cham, Koh Pen

If you are feeling active this morning, set out on a walk to the hilltop pagoda of Wat Hanchey. From here, enjoy views over the Mekong, making it well worth the climb. You’ll find many temples, pagodas and stupas, some dating back to the 8th century. Lunch is back on board, before taking your Signature Experience. On your ship this evening, toast the end of your cruise during a final farewell dinner. 

Signature Experience – Tuk Tuk Tour of Koh Pen 

Journey by local tuk tuk around a riverside village and gain an insight into village life. Travel along the shaded lanes, past stilted houses and see a varying range of crops growing.

Day 8: Kampong Cham, Disembark Ship, Siem Reap

Bid farewell to the crew and disembark the Mekong Serenity early at Kampong Cham. Travel to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat, passing through picturesque countryside and remote villages where you can observe rural life. On arrival at your hotel, enjoy a light lunch and some relaxation time before your Signature Experiences.

Signature Experience – Local Charity Visit 

Visit ODA, Opportunities of Development through Art, a OneTomorrow partner. ODA provides free English education and an introduction to computer skills to children living in Siem Reap’s remote villages, with the aim to improve future employment opportunities. 

Signature Experience – VIP Circus Show and Backstage Visit 

Be welcomed backstage at Phare Circus to meet some of the performers and witness a mesmerising performance from your VIP seats. Combining captivating acrobatics, theatre and storytelling, this unforgettable spectacle showcases the country's rich culture and talent. 

Day 9: Siem Reap

Wake early this morning to witness sunrise at the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. As the sun rises, soak up the atmosphere as you marvel at this ancient wonder. After the sun has risen, delve into the history and significance of this sacred site with a guided tour inside the vast temple complex and the sprawling grounds before returning to the hotel for a late breakfast.

Continue your exploration of the World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park with a visit to Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital of the Khmer Empire. Built during the heyday of the Empire in the 12th century, this is an extraordinary complex of Hindu and Buddhist monuments. Head to the intriguing Bayon temple, with its carved stone smiling faces of gods, goddesses and other mythological beings. Visit the Terrace of Elephants, which used to be the base for the king’s grand audience hall, and the Terrace of the Leper King, which housed the royal crematory.

Journey to Ta Prohm, known for the thick jungle of fig trees and vines that have enveloped the structure, creating a feeling akin to stepping into a lost world. Ta Prohm is commonly referred to as the 'Tomb Raider Temple' due to it being used as a location in the blockbuster 2001 film ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’, which starred Angelina Jolie. The temple offers a captivating glimpse into the past and is a testament to a bygone era. Tonight, enjoy your Freedom of Choice dinner.

Signature Experience – Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Visit Angkor Archaeological Park to witness a spectacular sunrise at the magnificent Angkor Wat. Observe the iconic temple complex shimmer in the reflective ponds in front of this World Heritage-listed monument, while brilliant shades of orange and pink light up the sky.

Freedom of Choice – Sokkhak River Restaurant

Feast on a fusion of classic French recipes and modern Khmer dishes in beautifully landscaped gardens overlooking the river. At Sokkhak River Restaurant, the chefs add a modern twist to Cambodian classics.

Freedom of Choice – Mouhot’s Dream

Sit down to dinner at Mouhot’s Dream in the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort. Set beside the tranquil Sala Lake, the restaurant pays homage to renowned French explorer Henri Mouhot.

Freedom of Choice – Malis

Be treated to a delightful ambience in a stunning garden setting overlooking the Siem Reap River. Offering exquisite Cambodian cuisine, Malis restaurant has created a menu of traditional dishes adapted to the present.

Freedom of Choice – Butterfly Pea

Dine in an intimate traditional Khmer house, one of the few remaining in Siem Reap. Dining is also available in the tropical garden. Delight in authentic Cambodia cuisine mixed with Thai and Chinese influences.

Freedom of Choice – Fellini

Savour authentic Italian

Day 10: Siem Reap

Explore Siem Reap your way today. Tonight, your Signature Experience awaits. Set amid a stunning garden this promises to be an enchanting and memorable evening. 

Signature Experience – Gallery Visit with Khmer Dinner and Apsara Performance 

Treat yourself to a private visit to Theam's Gallery and discover this talented Cambodian artist known for his unique sculptures, paintings, and intricate crafts. Indulge in a tantalising five-course Khmer dinner, while enjoying a traditional Apsara dance performance accompanied by live musicians. 

Freedom of Choice – Tuk Tuk Ride to Senteurs d’Angkor 

Perhaps enjoy an exciting tuk tuk ride to the Senteurs d’Angkor workshop, a handicraft centre where you can observe the artisans in their workshops and gain an appreciation for their ancient crafts. Discover how they integrate contemporary designs inspired by Khmer know-how.

Freedom of Choice – Quad Bike Adventure 

Embark on an exhilarating quad biking experience in the Cambodian countryside outside Siem Reap. Venture along quiet off-road tracks, see rice fields, forgotten temples and local communities. 

Freedom of Choice – Bicycle Tour 

Journey to the countryside villages next to Siem Reap. Surrounded by rice paddies and ancient ponds, you’ll cycle along quiet back trails to experience local rural life at its most picturesque. Observe daily farming activities. 

Freedom of Choice – Horse and Cart Ride 

Climb aboard a hand-made horse cart and set off on an authentic journey into the heart of rural Cambodia. Travel off the beaten path, navigating a variety of terrain through the beautiful countryside. 

Freedom of Choice – Khmer Cooking Class 

Travel to a market and meet your Khmer chef, then continue to Lum Orng, Cambodia’s first farm-to-table restaurant, famed for its New Mekong cuisine, to prepare a selection of dishes to taste.  

Freedom of Choice – Siem Reap Shopping Adventure 

Explore Siem Reap’s vibrant arts and crafts scene, starting at the Angkor Handicraft Association. This Fair-Trade Village is home to a wide variety of artisans who produce handmade goods using traditional techniques. 

Freedom of Choice – Khmer Massage  

Let your cares melt away and be rejuvenated by the healing powers of traditional Khmer massage. This oil free 60-minute massage uses firm acupressure and muscular stretching to rebalance your energy.

Day 11: Depart Siem Reap

Farewell Siem Reap after breakfast this morning, as you transfer to Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport for your onward flight.