DAY 1: SIEM REAP - KAMPONG CHHNANG
The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambodia, giving love and life to this nation. The Tonle Sap has more fish than any other lake in the world and is home to an incredible variety of birds, including rare - and endangered - feathered life. The water level rises and drops considerably throughout the year. Thus, our journey begins in high or low water.
High water program (approx. between August and December)
At 12:30 pm, we gather at the meeting point followed by a quick transfer to the mighty boutique ship. The ever-smiling crew welcomes us with unbridled warmth. A refreshing welcome drink awaits us followed by a sumptuous lunch on the ship.
Then, it is a lazy afternoon as the ship glides along the water. Dinner is at Indochine Dining Hall. Enjoy a spectacular experience on the sun-deck as we bathe in the glow of the moon and the radiance of the stars.
The ship then moors overnight on The Great Lake.
Including Lunch, Dinner.
Low water program (approx. between December and August)
At 8:00 am, we gather at the meeting point and followed by a transfer by coach to Prek K'Dam on the Tonle Sap River. We get to munch on snacks and enjoy cold drinks along the journey. We stop briefly at Skon, known as Spiderville for its fried spiders, a delicacy in this country.
We will embark the Ship in Prek K'Dam followed by a welcome drink. The Ship then sets sail upstream towards Kampong Chhnang.
We wind our way through the river, you feel at one with nature, a measured peace with the environment and the community.
Later that evening, we meet and greet our fellow passengers, our brothers-in-arms in our soon-to-be matchless experience at a briefing at the Henry Mouhot Lounge. This is followed by a welcome dinner at the Indochine Dining Hall.
Including Lunch box, Dinner.
DAY 2: TONLE SAP - KAMPONG CHHNANG - KAMPONG CHAM
High water program
The day - in fact everyday - starts with an invigorating Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck, just as the sun begins its slow rise. Coffee and tea awaits the early bird. Before dawn, The Ship sets sail across the Tonle Sap Lake. As the ship is about to exit the lake, we see spectacular marshlands floating along the river banks of Kampong Chhnang province.
The afternoon cruise continues with a languid meander along the Tonle Sap, which narrows through leafy swaths of the Southeast Asian jungle. Here, the river is very narrow and we are greeted by kids waving enthusiastically at us from the banks.
Follow a short bus trip to the see the Khmer-styled pottery at the Aundaung Russey village. We then embark on a truly marvelous motorboat excursion from Kampong Chhnang to see the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region before reaching Kampong Cham in the evening. Further down the river we take part in an ox cart rally before being introduced to the Heritage Line pro bono 'literacy project'. (www.cambodialiteracyproject.com) Including Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Low water program
Kampong Chhnang is a busy rural port town with bustling markets and boisterous children who wave and greet us as we arrive on ship. We will take a short bus trip to see the Khmer-styled pottery at the Aundaung Russey village. Followed by a rugged motor boat excursion into the wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Of considerable interest are the great fish traps, some half a kilometer long, which net a gargantuan amount of fish after each monsoon rain as the trawl migrate from the falling lake to the Tonle Sap.
The afternoon cruise continue with a languid meander along the Tonle Sap, which narrows through leafy swaths of the Southeast Asian jungle. Here, the river is very narrow and we are greeted by kids waving enthusiastically at us from the banks.
Further down the river we take part in an ox cart rally before being introduced to the Heritage Line pro bono 'literacy project'. (www.cambodialiteracyproject.com)
Dinner awaits at Indochine Dining Hall while the Ship cruises through Phnom Penh to reach Kampong Cham late in the evening.
Including Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 3: KAMPONG CHAM - WAT HANCHEY
We will wake up in the small hours of the morning, truly energized to embark on a land journey to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Travelers either take a motor-taxi or climb the 291 steps to the top. Located at the top of a hill overlooking the river, it offers one of the most breath-taking views in Cambodia. Built in the 8th century, this ancient structure, together with a bigger and newer addition underscores the superb architecture of the Chenla Empire which predates the mighty Angkor temple complex. We even get to engage in light banter with some of the monks in the area. We will return to the ship to witness a blessing ceremony performed by orange-clad local monks.
When the tide allows, we will enjoy a surprise sojourn in our zodiacs (inflatable boats) to the nearby bank to swim in the tea-coloured Mekong river, an experience that will, no doubt, dominate dinner conversations in the weeks to come.
We will then cruise towards Kampong Cham to visit Wat Nokor, a wat built within the ruins of an ancient temple which holds a timeless story. On the way back to the ship, we will visit an orphanage. Along the way, we will have to maneuver a 2-kilometer rickety bamboo bridge. Our sense of balance lies in the balance!
Including Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 4: PHNOM PENH
Phnom Penh was once the Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. After breakfast, we will be captivated by a comprehensive lecture on Cambodia's modern history. This will be followed by a city tour of this dynamic, historical capital city of Cambodia which has managed to preserve huge slices of its French colonial allure. Sightseeing in the morning will include visiting the dazzling white and gold edifice of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, and witnessing exceptionally beautiful Khmer craft at the National Museum.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the Genocide museum and the Killing Field in town. Be prepared to be heart wrenched by this stark reminder of the genocide that transpired during Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime.
We go back to the ship after our museum visit. A variety of cocktails will be served followed by a traditional Apsara dance performance onboard.. Experience the brilliance and richness of this culture, the soothing sounds of traditional music, the calming scent of incense sticks and a barbeque on the sundeck. It is indeed a truly marvelous experience, dining in the open with the stars and the moon as our companions.
Including Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 5: PHNOM PENH - BORDER CROSSING
Your journey with The Your floating sanctuary will then cruise has come to an end, but will not be forgotten. Disembark after breakfast and head into the city of Phnom Penh to further discover its culture and history.
Including Breakfast.
Notes: Although it is our intention to operate the itinerary as detailed proposal, we will do our utmost to stick to the set itinerary, however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. It may be necessary to make some changes as a result of climatic conditions, alterations to cruise schedules or other operational factors.
