Meandering Along The Mekong And Temple Discovery Cruise – 9 Night Cruise 13 Days

Start your day with a sumptuous champagne breakfast before choosing from one of the Scenic Freechoice activities. You can opt for a sampan ride through a floating market, experiencing local life as you visit Cai Be and explore local cottage industries or a French colonial house, or a traditional Vietnamese home. Alternatively, enjoy a delightful morning tea at Le Longanier, a French colonial-style restaurant, where you’ll be greeted with tea, coffee, and a selection of local fruits and snacks, accompanied by traditional Vietnamese music. If you prefer to stay aboard the luxurious Scenic Spirit, join our expert bar team for a hands-on cocktail/mocktail-making class featuring fresh local ingredients and beloved drinks from the Scenic Spirit menu. After your morning adventure, return to the ship for lunch as we sail toward Sa Dec. For a peaceful respite, relax in the Scenic Spirit library with some background reading on each port and upcoming activities, or unwind in the Scenic Spirit lounge with a glass of wine.

This morning, reboard your sampan for an immersive visit to the bustling wet market in Sa Dec, where you'll encounter a variety of live animals including fish, frogs, and even snakes. This 2-hour adventure offers an in-depth look at local life. You'll also have the chance to tour the home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the inspiration behind Marguerite Duras's novel L’Amant, with an engaging narrative from your knowledgeable guide. After returning to the ship, enjoy some relaxation time with an evening swim in the pool, which offers stunning views of the Mekong River at sunset. The ship will then embark on a 6-hour voyage to Tan Chau.

Start your day with a workout in the onboard gym, join a morning yoga session, or unwind in the sauna before choosing from a range of Scenic Freechoice activities in the Tan Chau area.

Freechoice Options:

1. Tra Su Bird Sanctuary: Escape city life with a visit to Tra Su Forest, where you’ll glide through serene waterways surrounded by mangroves and lush vegetation. This 850-hectare eco-reserve is a sanctuary for over 100 species of water birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

2. Evergreen Island: If you prefer a different kind of wilderness experience, head to Evergreen Island. Discover the local farming community, marvel at the scenic Monkey Bridge, and explore traditional orchards and homes.

3. Xe Loi Ride and Silk Workshop: In Tan Chau, take a ride in a Xe Loi, a traditional Vietnamese vehicle, to a silk workshop. Learn about the intricate silk dyeing process that produces a highly sought-after export, especially prized in Paris.

4. Chau Doc Excursion: Alternatively, board a speedboat to Chau Doc, a key Mekong Delta city. After arriving, visit Tay An Temple, notable for its Indian and Islamic architectural influences at the base of Sam Mountain. Continue with a sampan ride along Vinh Te Canal to observe riverfront life, visit a family-run fish farm, and return to the Scenic Spirit.

After lunch on board, enjoy a scenic sail to the Vietnamese-Cambodian border. Relax with some downtime at the Wellness Centre or Beauty Salon before a themed dinner on the ship, complete with a traditional lion dance performed by locals.

This morning is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You might choose to participate in an onboard demonstration, find peace in the library or observation lounge, or relax on your private balcony as we sail upstream from the Vietnamese border to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital.

Enrich: Later in the evening, immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife of Phnom Penh with our City Lights tour. This excursion provides a glimpse into the city's evening atmosphere, concluding with an exclusive tour and tasting at a local distillery.

After breakfast, you'll set off to explore Phnom Penh.

Freechoice: You have three options for the day. The first option is a visit to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Prison. This sobering experience provides insight into the horrors of the Khmer Rouge era, offering a profound understanding of Cambodia's history. After this visit, you can return to the Scenic Spirit for lunch.

Alternatively, if you have a culinary interest, you can join a cooking class. Begin with a market tour accompanied by a local chef to select your ingredients, then return to the kitchen to prepare and enjoy a traditional Cambodian meal.

The third choice takes you on a tour via Remok, a local form of Tuk Tuk, where you’ll explore Phnom Penh’s French colonial architecture and historical sites. Conclude your tour with a stop at the uniquely designed Central Market for some shopping. Before heading back to the Scenic Spirit, enjoy lunch at a local NGO-supported restaurant that helps street kids gain experience in the hospitality industry.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Board the bus for a brief drive to Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia. Here, you’ll have the chance to observe the daily lives of monks and nuns at the monastery and, if you’re fortunate, witness one of the local festivals or customs often celebrated here.

In the afternoon, return to Phnom Penh for a visit to the Royal Palace and the renowned Silver Pagoda, an essential highlight of the city. If your wardrobe needs refreshing, take advantage of the complimentary laundry services to prepare an outfit for an elegant evening. Enjoy a cocktail reception on the sundeck, where you can take in the dazzling city lights of Phnom Penh as the ship departs for Oknha Tey, also known as Silk Island.

This morning, we set out to explore Oknha Tey Island, renowned for its silk weaving traditions. Travel by tuk-tuk to a local farm to discover the intricacies of silk production. After returning to the Scenic Spirit for lunch, you’ll have some leisure time to relax. Beat the heat of Southeast Asia by enjoying a refreshing cocktail and taking a dip in the pool.

Following lunch, we sail to Angkor Ban, where you can explore historic rural wooden houses that survived the Khmer Rouge era and visit a school where English is taught to local students after their regular classes. Once back on board, we continue our journey to Kampong Cham. Here, you have the option to engage in local culture by learning how to make and wear the traditional Cambodian scarf.

Meet the novice monks at Wat Hanchey, an ancient pagoda and monastery perched on a hilltop. Whether you choose to walk or drive to the top, you'll be rewarded with some of the most stunning elevated views of the cruise.

Enrich: Receive a blessing from a monk and learn the traditional Buddhist prayers in the pagoda. Participate in a ceremony that contributes to the daily meal of the resident monks.

Back in Kampong Cham, your afternoon offers several Scenic Freechoice options to delve into the area's history and industries:

Freechoice: The first option takes you to explore local folklore at Phnom Pros (Man Hill) and Wat Nokor. Phnom Pros, which has historical ties to local legends and was once a Killing Field during the Khmer Rouge era, now features a Buddha garden and a troop of local monkeys. Wat Nokor Bachey is a fascinating blend of ancient Angkorian architecture with a newer temple built inside it. This enriching tour lasts under 2 hours, leaving the rest of your day free to explore or enjoy the luxurious amenities on the Scenic Spirit.

Alternatively, immerse yourself in Kampong Cham’s history and industry. Drive past traditional shop houses, French colonial remnants, and the bustling Central Market. Visit a French-established rubber plantation and see how raw rubber is processed at a factory, then explore a village known for its betel nut cultivation, a staple in Cambodian culture. Your third option is to visit a local village where residents are educated by a French NGO on self-sustainability, waste management, and recycling.

Back on board, relax and enjoy the beautiful Cambodian sunset before joining the crew for a memorable farewell dinner.

Today, we travel to Siem Reap with stops at Kampong Thom and the Angkorian bridge in Kampong Kdei. Siem Reap is a city where ancient and traditional architecture seamlessly blends with modern developments. Your hotel, a luxurious retreat, will be your historical haven for the next three nights. This elegantly appointed accommodation features a blend of French-inspired design and local decor, complemented by exceptional service and amenities fit for royalty.

Enrich: Experience the vibrant Cambodian Phare Circus with your VIP premium reserved seats. The performance is more than just a circus; it's a mesmerizing display of theatre, music, dance, and modern circus arts that narrates uniquely Cambodian tales—spanning historical, folk, and contemporary themes.

Your second day in Siem Reap begins with a delightful champagne buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Freechoice: Scenic’s Freechoice offers several exciting options. You can explore the Banteay Srei Temples and visit the Landmine Museum, or admire exquisite handicrafts made by disadvantaged rural artisans, including lacquerware, silk fabrics, and intricate sculptures. If you prefer water activities, consider a boat ride on Tonle Sap Lake (seasonal), a stunning UNESCO biosphere reserve where you can immerse yourself in the unique lifestyle of a floating village. Alternatively, take a tethered balloon ride for an aerial view of Siem Reap’s blend of traditional and modern landscapes, capturing breathtaking photographs of the skyline and Angkor Wat below.

In the afternoon, visit Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. Originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu during the Khmer Empire, it was gradually converted into a Buddhist temple by the late 12th century. The afternoon light is perfect for capturing stunning images of this grand structure.

After a day of exploration, you have the evening free to shop at Siem Reap’s night markets or head to Pub Street, both of which are within walking distance or a short tuk-tuk ride from your hotel.

Start your day early with a Scenic Enrich experience as you witness the breathtaking sunrise over Angkor Wat. Next, head to a special spot near a temple for a delightful champagne breakfast, prepared by a local bakery school supported by Scenic and an NGO. After breakfast, explore the enchanting Ta Prohm Temple, enveloped by jungle, followed by a visit to Angkor Thom and the captivating Bayon Temple with its iconic multi-faced towers. You’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore the vibrant markets of Siem Reap or unwind at your luxurious hotel after an early start.

It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers and the Scenic team as you prepare to leave Cambodia for your home or continued adventures. Head to the airport with a camera full of unforgettable photos and cherished memories. Please note that this itinerary serves as a guide and may be adjusted due to operational factors, such as water levels. Changes to the cruising schedule and itinerary may occur, and hotel accommodations are subject to change.