The Mekong in a different way - Between adventure and must-seesites (port-to-port cruise)

Start the day with a tasty breakfast onboard before your Ho Chi Minh tour. Take a short downtown drive to the city. Walking tour commences and stop for some photographs at notable sites like Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Municipal Post Office, City Square and the Opera house all of which were heavily influenced by French colonialism in the 19th century. Experience the vibrancy of this city by foot and explore the city's green space enjoying the beautyof nature in the middle of this dynamic city. Discover 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 you will proceed to the War Museum to learn more about the history of Vietnam 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 you will kick off with a local boat pick-up that will take you on a boat cruise to Thoi Son Island where you will have the opportunity to explore the daily lives of the local people and enjoy seasonal fruits. You will also take a Sampan ride along the scenic canals for a closer look at the Mekong Delta and its unique features. Later go biking on your own and explore the village to see firsthand 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 lunch is served whilst cruising. Arrival at Cai Be and take 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 watch a live local music performance.

Next is 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 authenticity of the Mekong River.

Ship leaves Cai Be for Sa Dec. Dinner during cruising and night on board.

Breakfast on board followed by a local boat pick-up for a short panoramic tour of Sa Dec, including a visit to the Trung Vuong primary school (will close on Saturday, Sunday, holiday and New Year) where you will get a chance to learn more about the local education system. Afterward, take a promenade at Sa Dec market on the riverbank. (Local market will be closed on Lunar New Year) where you can experience local commerce. 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 Doc has developed around fishing and fish farming. You'll board a small boat to visit a village belonging to the Cham minority. Bamboo fish dryers are installed one meter above the surface of the water. The booming town center still boasts colonial-style houses in the lively and colorful market square. As always, these lively neighborhoods, beyond their strong smells, offer wonderful photo opportunities. Return to the boat for lunch. Continuation to the Vinh Xuong border. Arrival at Vinh Xuong border. Customs clearance and entry formalities into Cambodia. Set sail for Pnom Penh, which you will reach in the evening. Dinner on board, overnight at anchor.

Breakfast on board followed by a tour of the fabulous Royal Palace, one of the most impressive examples of Cambodian architecture, and its Silver Pagoda. Onward to visit the National Museum.

In the afternoon take a 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 firsthand. Known as "Phsar Thmei" locally the market is a bustling hub for clothing, food and souvenir shopping.

After exploring the market, 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 was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river. From there, take 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 you get back on board, you will be entertained by an Apsara dance show. Dinner and overnight on board, in the port of Phnom Penh. Free evening.

Breakfast on board. The ship then departs to Udong, Cambodia's former capital. Dock at Koh Chen and transfer by van to Udong. On arrival, first visit the colorful Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Center 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.

After returning on board, start cruising towards Kampong Tralach. Lunch on board. Visit the beautiful Vihara at the Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To access the pagoda, you need to cross the village of Kampong Tralach in ox carts, moving along a small road that runs perpendicular to the river in the middle of magnificent rice fields. You are then offered to return to the ship by taking a mountain biking experience through the stunning countryside to witness the beauty of the rice fields surrounding the area before returning to the ship.

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." There will be an opportunity to taste 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.

Tonight there will be a farewell dinner and spend the night on board.

Breakfast 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.

Please do not book your flight before 3:00 p.m.

(1) Or similar, meeting points will be confirmed in your travel document.

• Your cruise in the cabin category of your choice

• Transfer of the boat to downtown Siem Reap on Day 9

• All meals

• Onboard drinks included (except for drinks from our special lists)

• Visits and excursions mentioned in the program

• The services of an english-speaking local tour guides

• Travel assistance and repatriation insurance

• Tips: To ensure our customers a more pleasant stay, we have included 35€ per passenger for tips which will be entirely paid to the personnel from the countries to be visited and 45€ per passenger for crew members. This amount was determined while taking into consideration the local customs and etiquette.

• International flights and their taxes
• Transfers not mentioned in the program
• Cambodian and Vietnamese visas
• Cancellation and baggage insurance
• Drinks on board from our special lists
• Drinks other than those mentioned

• These cruises and tours are not recommended for persons with reduced mobility as there are no lifts on board the ships.
• Low waters can happen at any time during the year. The time frames are given as examples, but are dependent on the quality of rainfall.
• The banks of the river you will cruise on can be steep and slippery depending on the water level.
• The itinerary, stopovers, and excursions can be modified by the cruise company and their on-site representatives if needed. The captain of the ship is the sole authority who can modify the ship itinerary for safety or navigational reasons.