The Lost Civilisation - 8 Days

Day 1: Siem Reap - Kampong Cham ''Waterworld''

In the morning guests join a transfer to Kampong Cham on the Mekong River, arriving in the early afternoon to embark the ship, greeted by a welcome drink. Later that evening there is a meet-and-greet session, followed by a welcome dinner at the Dining Hall.

Day 2: Kampong Cham - Wat Hanchey ''Monks and Hilltops''

In the small hours of the morning, travellers either take a motor-taxi, or climb the 291 steps to the tops of the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Located at the top of a hill overlooking the river, this temple offers one of the most breath-taking views in Cambodia. Guests then return to the ship to witness a blessing ceremony performed by local monks, before cruising towards Kampong Cham to visit Wat Nokor, built within the ruins of an ancient temple. On the way back, there is a visit to a local orphanage, along the way traversing a 2-kilometer bamboo bridge.

Day 3: Kampong Chhnang ''Cambodia's Province and The Wetlands''

Kampong Chhnang is a busy rural port town with bustling markets and boisterous children who wave and greet as the ship arrives. From here guests 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 at the mouth of the river. The afternoon cruise continues along the Tonle River towards Prek K'dam where guests will take a walk through the silversmith village of Koh Chen. Dinner is served in the Dining Hall as the ship cruises to Phnom Penh.

Day 4: Phnom Penh ''Pearl of the East''

This morning features a comprehensive lecture on Cambodia's modern history, followed by a city tour of this dynamic, historical capital city of Cambodia, including visits to the dazzling white and gold edifice of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and viewing the exceptionally beautiful Khmer craft at the National Museum. After lunch there is a confronting visit to the Genocide museum and the Killing Field in town, followed by a return to the ship for a rest in preparation for the exciting evening event, encompassing cocktails on the sundeck, followed by an Aspara dance performance and barbeque dinner.

Day 5: Phnom Penh - Chau Doc (Border Crossing) ''The Highway Blues''

This morning, the cruise liner sets sail for a lazy day of cruising along the main Mekong Channel. Later in the afternoon, the ship reaches the Vietnamese border. As the requisite cross border paperwork tends to take some time, guests are free to bask in the glow of the afternoon sun on the sun deck, pamper themselves at the Spa, or sharpen their culinary skills with the Heritage Line's Cambodian and Vietnamese cuisine cooking class.

Day 6: Chau Doc - Sa Dec ''Circus of Fish''

Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. The day begins with a short excursion in Chau Doc, a pleasant town near the Cambodian border, with sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer communities. You will visit the colourful local market, followed by a boat excursion to the floating market and rustic catfish farms, before heading back to the ship for lunch. In the mid afternoon, it is off for My An Hung Village, where you will walk to a family house to see the boat building yard and canals. Crossing a monkey bridge, guests will see chilli, corn and beetle nut plantations, followed by a gathering at the family's house to taste tea and honey with local delicacies and fruits.

Day 7: Sa Dec - Cai Be - My Tho ''Vietnamese Inventiveness''

In the morning, guests embark a traditional sampan to tour Binh Thanh Island and its man-made canals. Here, every villager is involved in the process of growing and processing water hyacinths into natural fibre floor mats and rattan baskets. After returning to the ship for lunch, you will arrive in Cai Be, where the tour starts with a visit to the boisterous and colourful floating market. The cruise will then halt intermittently to allow guests to observe how rice paste, rice cookies and coconut candies are made, along with the longan fruit drying process. In the afternoon, you will visit an ancient house surrounded by fruit orchards, before heading back to the ship for dinner. Cruising towards My Tho in the evening, guests will enjoy a wonderful farewell party. Day 8: My Tho - Ho Chi Minh City ''Good Morning Saigon''

The morning breaks with the ship winding its way to My Tho, approximately 70 kilometres south of Saigon on the upper Mekong River. Here, guests bid farewell to the cruise, disembarking at around 8.30am to join the transfer to the hustle and bustle of Saigon.

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