Day 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive at the airport in Ho Chi Minh and transfer to your hotel, settle into city life with a refreshment on the rooftop bar – one of the best spots to overlook Saigons glittering skyline.
Overnight: Hotel Des Arts (2 nights)
Day 2
Ho Chi Minh
This morning a driver will collect you and take you to a jetty in the city centre to take the 90-minute speedboat journey to the Cu Chi tunnels on a half day tour. Return to your hotel this afternoon and enjoy some free time.
Day 3
Embark the Mekong Navigator
Enjoy a free morning at leisure, this afternoon you’ll be collected for a scenic drive to the port of My Tho to embark the luxurious Mekong Navigator and settle into your elegant and spacious suite. Experience a warm welcome on the Sun Deck with an introduction to the friendly and professional crew. This evening, enjoy a themed dinner offering a cultural and innovative introduction to Vietnamese cuisine.
Day 4
Cai Be
Sail to Cai Be and take a guided tour on the tapestry of waterways by sampan, pass through a colourful collection of local boats and characterful stilted houses. Stop off at Ba Duc House, a traditional Vietnamese home and garden before taking a short paddle through the canals reaching a traditional rice factory. Lunch will be served onboard while you sail upstream through tranquil riverine scenery towards Sa Dec, observing traditional life as you go. On arrival, visit the former home of Mr. yunh Thuy Le (the inspiration for famous novel Marguerite Duras), and a Chinese temple where you will be welcomed by traditional Chinese Lion Dances. Walk back to the ship through the towns bustling markets and board the ship for the evening.
Day 5
Cu Lao Gieng/ Long Khanha Island
This morning you will take a traditional sampan from the ship to the charming island of Cu Lao Gieng – this is where hundreds of Sampans and rowing boats are made daily. Continue by Sampan to the local island village of Hong Ngu in the Mekong Delta and observe the traditional Khmer scarves being woven, the local people of this rural area have only recently seen travelers arrive here and always offer a warm welcome.
Day 6
Border crossing/ cruise to Phnom Penh
Today cross the border and relax onboard with a drink on the sundeck, in the lounge, library or take a treatment in La Vie Spa. Arrive late this evening in Phnom Penh and see the fascinating transformation in riverfront architecture before enjoying exciting cultural activities on board.
Day 7
Phnom Penh
Today you will learn more about the harrowing history of Cambodia at the Choeung Ek Killing fields where over a million people were killed and buried in mass grave sites during the Khmer Rouge regime. In the afternoon guests have the opportunity to take a coach accompanied by their local guide from the port to the central market to explore the shopping and dining options. Pre-dinner cultural entertainment is provided on the sun deck with traditional Khmer dancing.
Day 8
Phnom Penh
Enjoy breakfast onboard before joining you tuk tuk driver at the pier for an enchanting tour of Phnom Penh highlights. Stroll through the grounds to see the Throne Hall and Moonlight Pavilion, the famous Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and Maitreya Buddha encrusted with more than 9,000 diamonds.
The city tour continues by Tuk Tuk to the National Museum, Cambodia’s largest museum of cultural history with one of the world’s largest collections of Khmer art and ceramics as well as Angkorian artifacts, excavated at the Angkor Temple complex in Siem Reap and further afield in Cambodia. In the afternoon, further explore Phnom Penh on a variety of optional excursions at a small cost. Alternatively, opt to go shopping or sample the city’s vibrant restaurants and bars.
Day 9
Angkor Ban/ Wat Hanchey/ Kampong Cham
This morning you’ll visit the rural and charming village of Angkor Ban, with its stilted houses, there is a feeling of timelessness here, witnessing the slow rhythm of rural life. In the afternoon take a walk up the hill to Wat Hanchey a thriving religious complex pf Hindu and Buddhist temples with breath-taking panoramic views over the Mekong. You have the option to receive a traditional Buddhist water blessing from the monastery’s resident monks. Tonight, there will be a gathering on the sundeck for a Cambodian farewell dinner in Le Marche dining room.
Day 10
Disembarkation
Following breakfast, the crew will bid farewell as you disembark and transfer to Siem Reap from Kampong Cham. Stop off for lunch en route and arrive early afternoon for your Siem Reap stay.
Overnight: Belmond La Residence D’Angkor
Days 11-12
Siem Reap
Visit the world heritage site and largest religious monument in the world at Angkor Wat. Combining rich history with the modern love for glamorous hotels and divine food, Siem Reap is popular for good reason.
Overnight: Belmond La Residence D’Angkor
Day 13
Departure day
Transfer to the airport for your onwards flight.
