Saigon to Siem Reap Discovery Program

Enjoy a tasty breakfast onboard before our Ho Chi Minh City tour. Take a short down town drive to the city. Walking tour commences and stop for some photographs at notable siteslike Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Municipal Post Office, City Squareand the Opera house all of which were heavily influenced by French colonialism in the 19th century. Enjoy the vibrancy of this city by foot and explore the city's green space enjoying the beauty of nature in the middle of this dynamic city. Experience the local coffee scene - Vietnam is famous for producing high-quality coffee and coffee shops are a common sight in the downtown.Transfer back to ship for lunch.

After lunch we will then proceed to the War Museum to learn more about the history ofVietnam before returning to the ship.

Ship leaves Saigon for My Tho and dinner on board. Night on board.

Breakfast on board and cruise the magnificent Chao Gao canal, where you will experience the lively and vibrant canal full of ships activity, yet still feel close to the life on shore. A must see part of the cruise and that we're the only cruise line offering this unique passage. Arrival in My Tho.

In My Tho we will kick off with a local boat pick-up that will take us on a boat cruise to Thoi Son Island where we will have the opportunity to explore the daily lives of the local people and enjoy seasonal fruits. We will also take a Sampan ride along the scenic canals for a closer look at the Mekong Delta and its unique features. Later we will go biking on our own and explore the village to see first hand how the local people live and to admire the magnificent fruit orchards in the area. This is the perfect chance to connect with the locals and witness their way of life.

Back to ship. Ship leaves for Cai Be and we will enjoy lunch whilst cruising. Arrival at Cai Be.Start Cai Be with a local boat trip to cruise along the Mekong River. Disembark to visit the craft village where you can witness how the local products are made.

Continue cruising on the boat. Get off at the fruit orchards comprising of many kinds of fruits such as: jack-fruit, durian, guava, rambutan, longan etc... Drink hot tea, eat fresh fruits and enjoy a live local music performance.

We will then enjoy a kayaking adventure. Don't worry if you are a first-time paddler, it is not difficult. This is a unique experience in the Mekong Delta providing a unique aquatic perspective of the surrounding natural beauty. Then there is the opportunity to explore the countryside by mountain bike providing another view of the local scenery. Whichever of the activities you do, you will get a distinctive glimpse into the beauty and authenti city of the Mekong River. Ship leaves Cai Be for Sa Dec. Dinner during cruising and night on board.

Breakfast on board. Local boat pick-up for a short panoramic tour of Sa Dec, stroll around the local market along the River bank. This small city of 30,000 inhabitants is fascinating in its unspoiled authenticity and undisturbed by tourists. It provides a glimpse of the delta where a few colonial houses still remain, including the "Chinaman's house" (from Duras' novel "The Lover", also made into a movie). This is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy the charming river surroundings.

Ship leaves Sa Dec for Chau Doc, lunch and dinner on board during cruising.

Breakfast on board. Located on the border between Cambodia and Vietnam, the prosperous town of Chau Dochas developed around fishing and fish farming. We'll transfer to Tra Su Forest. We'll experience this beautiful forest with small local boats, where you can witness this incredible and diverse flora and fauna. We’ll then board a cable car and embark on an unforgettable journey to Sam Mountain. You will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views as the ride unfolds. Upon the summit of Sam Mountain, we will embrace spectacular views. We will pay a visit to the Ba Chua Xu Temple before heading back to the ship for lunch. Continuation to the Vinh Xuong border. Customs clearance and entry formalities into Cambodia. Set sail for Phnom Penh, which you will reach in the evening. Dinner on board, overnight at anchor.

Breakfast on board. We will enjoy a tour of the fabulous Royal Palace, one of the mostimpressive examples of Cambodian architecture, and its Silver Pagoda. Onward to visit the National Museum. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the area by "tuk-tuk," for an authentic and immersive experience like no other. Visit the beautifully renovated Art Deco Central Market and experience the local shopping scene first hand. Known as "Phsar Thmei" locally the market is a bustling hub for clothing, food and souvenir shopping.

After exploring the market, we will stroll through the city"s off-the-beaten-path alleyways, where you will have a chance to engage with the locals and see how they live their daily lives in the city. Observe and experience the locals enjoying their coffee while playing Cambodian style chess and see the local food in its most authentic form, learning about the way of live in this vibrant city.

Continue your visit to the city's namesake, Wat Phnom. Founded in 1373, the pagoda wasbuilt to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river. From there, we will enjoy a short walk to the French Quarter, where you will get a glimpse of the city's colonial era while admiring the beautiful architecture. The area boasts a number of Belle Époque and Art Deco houses and public buildings dating from the French Protectorate (1863-1953).

As we get back on board, we will enjoy an Apsara dance show. Dinner and overnight onboard, in the port of Phnom Penh. Free evening.

Breakfast on board.

The ship departs to Kampong Tralach. We will visit the beautiful Vihara at the Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To get there, we'll cross the village of Kampong Tralach on boarda local tuk-tuk for even more authenti city. On the way back to the boat, you can choose between a tuk-tuk or a bicycle ride through the countryside, with breathtaking views of the rice paddies before returning to the ship for lunch.

We’ll continue to Udong by van, Cambodia's former capital. On arrival, first we visit the colorful Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Centre where you will hear about the school of Vipassana or Insight Meditation. After that walk up the steps to the various temples and the three large stupas where the ashes of three former kings are preserved. You will be rewarded by wonderful views of the plains below.

Set sail to Kampong Chhnang and dinner and night on board.

Breakfast on board.Visit Kampong Chhnang, one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonle Sap Lake. Here they also have many fish farms. The region is also known for its traditional pottery combining ancient knowledge with modern techniques - Chhnang itself means "pot." We will enjoy a tasting of regional products before returning on board.

Option: For those seeking more activity, there will be an option at Kampong Chhnang to cycle alongside the riverside and then to the pottery village to explore this area. Return to the ship, lunch on board whilst cruising to Koh Chen.

We will have a farewell dinner and spend the night on board.

After breakfast, passengers will be transferred by air-conditioned coach from Koh Chen to the hotel Lotus Blanc (1) in Siem Reap (5-6 hours bus ride). Drop off at the meeting point. End of our journey around 12:30 p.m.

Please do not book your flight before 3:30 p.m.