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A one time oppurtunity to utilize the high waters of the month of September to sail to the farthest reaches of the Cambodian Mekong, home to the unique, fresh water dolphins of Kratie!

Please note: the itinerary is reversed on the August 20, September 03, 17.

Itinerary

On arrival to Cambodia’s capital, transfer to your hotel. Depending on time of arrival dinner or a snack will be provided.

After breakfast, disembark the ship and depart on a full day tour of Cambodia’s capital. First enjoy a city sightseeing tour that will include the National Museum and the Royal Palace. After a break for lunch visit the Tuol Sleng Museum, the infamous S-21 prison and place of torture and death for thousands of innocent Cambodians at the hands of the Khmer Rouge regime, made world famous by the movie “The Killing Fields”. This evening, enjoy a special welcome dinner at a popular local Cambodian restaurant followed by a wild “tuk-tuk” ride down the city’s vibrant cornice. The ride will end at the renowned Foreign Correspondents Club where you can stay and enjoy a drink on your own or return to your hotel.

EMBARKATION – SET SAIL 10 AM

After breakfast, transfer to the port to board your floating hotel. Set sail. After check-in meet the Cruise Manager for an information meeting then explore your ship and enjoy magnificent views as you sail past the unspoiled coutnry side. Enjoy your first lunch on board. The afternoon is at leisure to sit back and relax while mingling with other cruise passengers, enjoying the passing vista’s or participating in an informal talk about Cambodia’s past and present held by your Cruise Manager. A welcome cocktail prior to dinner will introduce you to the captain and crew. After dinner watch a movie or the stars in the open skies above!

After breakfast, disembark for a tour of Kampong Cham and then continue on to the Angkorian temple of Nokor Bachey and the ruins of a pagoda on top of Phnom Pros Hill, (“the Man’s hill”), located in front of Phnom Srey (“the Woman’s hill”). Feed the monkeys! Return to the ship for lunch and sail on towards Kratie. This afternoon our Chef will hold a hands on cooking lesson where he will share with you the key secrets of one of Cambodia’s finest, traditional dishes. Dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

After breakfast as you sail on, enjoy a documentary about the natural resources of Cambodia. Arrive in Kratie around 11:00 and take a short walking tour of the nearby market place. Return to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon visit the pagoda of Wat Roka Kandal and then its time for some “fun in the sun” as you try to catch a picture of the unique fresh water Irrawaddy dolphins. Return to the ship for dinner and sail on toward Wat Hanchey. Overnight at anchor.

Arrival to Wat Hanchey around 10 am followed by a walking tour of this pre-Angkorian temple Return to the ship for lunch as you continue sailing. This afternoon sit back and enjoy the passing vistas and participate in an informal discussion about Cambodia past and present, held by our guide and/or Cruise Manager. Arrive to Phum Thmei around 16:00 and take a walking tour of this authentic riverside village where you will have your first chance to experience rural Cambodian life. Return to the ship for dinner and continue sailing. Overnight at anchor. (B, L, D)

Our first stop will be to tour Kampong Tralach and visit its wonderful Vihara belonging to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To get to it, you will pass through Kampong Tralach Krom village along a small road perpendicular to the river, crossing some gorgeous stretches of emerald rice paddy as we leave the river behind. The Vihara dates back to early last century. It was probably built on an older site, as indicated by the latérite foundations, and is home to some outstanding mural paintings. Return to the ship for lunch and continue sailing. In the afternoon arrive to Koh Chen a small village renowned for its copper and silverware atrisans. Your walking tour will bring you itno their homes where you can watch them produce works of art using ancient tools. Return to the ship and sail on towards Kampong Chnang.

After breakfast, depart via moni-buses on your tour of this major fishing port and largest produce of pottary in the whole country. You will visit the pottary factory and then proceed to a small Palm Sugar plantation where the locals will show you the art of making palm suga and – palm wine! On your return to town enjoy a short walk through the local market prior to boarding the ship. Lunch as you sail on. In the afternoon a special treat – a unique tour of Chnok Tru the largest floating village in the world! Your small boats will take you through this amazing town all of it on water! Homes, shops, schools and even a Cathedral! Then return to your ship in time to freshen up prior to your farwell cocktail and final dinner on board.

DISEMBARK

Enjoy a leisurely morning as you sail across the vast Tonle Sap lake! Take in the views, enjoy a final drink with your fellow passengers, pay your bills and pack up! After a light lunch, you will arrive to Siem Reap port from where a 45 minute bus ride will take you to your hotel for the start of your next adventure (arrival 14:30). Upon check-in formalities, depart on your introdustion tour of this tourist mecca! Your tour will include a stop at the renowned Artists D’ Angkor where you will be able to view and purchase outstanding hand made works of art made on the premises. Your day will end with a walk through the infamous Pub Street and dinner at a popular local restaurant in the heart of the city. The, you can return to your hotel or explore the bustling local night market and return at your leisure via an inezpensive tuk-tuk ride.

The day is devoted to an in-depth exploration of the fascinating “Lost City of Angkor”. Once the capital of the ancient Khmer empire, which ruled the area from the 9th to the 13th century, the city and its fascinating temples were slowly covered by jungle until the city was lost to civilization. The temples were rediscovered at the end of the 19th century, the jungle was cleared over the next 70 years to reveal the “8th Wonder of the World” – the ancient Temples of Angkor Wat – today a UNESCO Heritage sight. Your morning tour will take you to explore the south gates of Angkor Thom, Bayan, Baphoun Temple, Elephant Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. A break for lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is reserved for a visit to Ta Phrom and the magnificent main Temples of Angkor Wat! End the day with dinner at a another popular local restaurant. (B, L, D)

A full free day to enjoy this exotic city at your own pace! Take an optional excursion to visit the Silk farm, the Alligator farm, the Old Market or simply laze by your hotel pool soaking up the sun and the memories! For those flying out late this evening the room is paid for.

After a final breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home

Notes