Mekong Cruise Downstream (Mekong Jewel)

Description

Explore the cultural beauty of Cambodia and Vietnam on our 7 nights river cruise.

Trip Name

Mekong Cruise Downstream (Mekong Jewel)

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: River Cruise Ship Length: 80m Passenger Capacity: 68 Built: 2019 The Mekong Jewel redefines elegance and luxury for the sophisticated traveller with 34 indulgent suites and onboard facilities that set new standards in all aspects of elite river voyages combined with the 360-degree experience of panoramic views. Onboard facilities Our unique and spacious amenities feature a unique sundeck with jet pool and panoramic sky lounge, a choice of cosmopolitan dining experiences, an extensive library, elegant lounge area and a full fitness centre with spa. Restaurant, Bar and Lounge Dine in the Emerald Dining Room or the more casual al fresco restaurant with glass curtains for breezier days. Both offer a gourmet selection of chef’s signature dishes from the region as well as western alternatives. Sundeck and Sky bar An invitation to go with the flow, reclining in shaded comfort with your choice of freshly squeezed fruit on the glorious Sun Deck with a backdrop of serene unfolding landscape. Or rejuvenate your senses swimming against the flow in our underwater current Emerald Pool. As evening falls gravitate to the extravagant open-air Sapphire Sky Lounge where contemporary design blends with tropical paradise and personalised cocktails. Library and lounge Enjoy tales of ancient Indochina from our excellent selection of books in the Opal Library or share today’s stories with new friends in the charming climate-controlled Lounge. Spa and Fitness While sailing to the next destination, work out in the state-of-the art gym or simply enjoy a rejuvenating treatment at the Cochinchine Spa or infra-red sauna. There is also a hair salon and nailbar to complete your pampering session.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 SIEM REAP KAMPONG CHAM SUN DECK

In the morning guests transfer from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham, Cambodia to embark the luxurious Mekong Navigator. As your downstream journey commences towards Kampong Cham, experience our cordial hospitality on the Sun Deck at a welcome reception and introduction to our friendly and professional crew. In the evening a Cambodian themed dinner served in Le Marche Dining Room offers a cultural and innovative introduction to native cuisine. Overnight docked at Wat Hanchet riverbank.

Day 2 - Day 2 WAT HANCHEY KAMPONG CHAM WAT NOKOR BACHEY

A glimpse of rural life in Cambodia with a visit to a secondary school serving eight surrounding districts. After a tour of the school there will be an interesting Question and Answer session with the principal and his students. Guests then walk up the hill to the Wat Hanchey a thriving religious complex of both Hindu and Buddhist temples with breath-taking panoramic views over the Mekong. There is the option to receive a traditional Buddhist Water Blessing from the monastery’s resident monks. There are many outstanding stupas, temples, pagodas and statues worth exploring, including the ancient stupa of Wat Hanchey and the Chenla-era brick sanctuary. Guests then enjoy a drive through the city of Kampong Cham known for its French colonial buildings, up into the hills of Phnom Pros (man hill) and the smaller contrasting Phnom Srei (woman hill), the incredible Stupa, the 10-metre long reclining Buddha, and the 13-metre tall preaching Buddha. This excursion ends with a visit to the 12th century Angkorian-period complex of Wat Nokor Bachey, built at the gateway to Kampong Cham and the largest temple complex of the province. Built of sandstone and laterite, its main features are several original statues of Buddha, lions, dragons and devils as well as sandstone inscriptions. Return to the ship and set sail for Angkor Ban to dock at the riverbank overnight.

Day 3 - Day 3 ANGKOR BAN LOCAL FAMILY VISIT MONASTERY

A wonderful excursion to rural and charming Angkor Ban with its stilted houses and grazing Brahim cows seeking the shade of a banana tree. Guests feel a sense of timelessness here, witnessing the rhythm of rural life. A visit is made to the home of a local family who discuss their lifestyle, then onto the local school to join children in their classroom and glimpse a typical school day. A leisurely stroll through the village back to the ship offers an opportunity to take photos of this place that time forgot. This walking route includes a brief stop at the local monastery. Our dedicated guide offers a presentation on Cambodian Geography. Sail downstream to Phnom Penh where the ship docks in port overnight.

Day 4 - Day 4 PHNOM PENH ROYAL PALACE NATIONAL MUSEUM

Breakfast is taken on board before guests are greeted by their appointed cyclo driver for an enchanting tour of the best sites in Phnom Penh. Guests are expertly pedalled along the riverfront to the Royal Palace which is the official residence of the King of Cambodia. Comprising several buildings, the main palace is an important symbol of the Kingdom set in beautifully manicured gardens. Guests stroll through the grounds to see the Throne Hall and Moonlight Pavilion, the famous Silver Pagoda, home of Cambodia’s Emerald Buddha and Maitreya Buddha encrusted with more than 9,000 diamonds. The city tour continues by cyclo to the National Museum, Cambodia’s largest museum of cultural history with one of the world’s largest collections of Khmer art and ceramics as well as Angkorian artifacts. In the afternoon, guests are free to further explore Phnom Penh on a variety of optional excursions. Alternatively, guests can opt to go shopping or sample the city’s vibrant restaurants and bars. Pre-dinner cultural entertainment is provided on the Sun Deck as guests enjoy a performance by local children of Aspara, the Khmer national dance and other traditional folk dances. Docked overnight at Phnom Penh.

Day 5 - Day 5 CHOEUNG EK BUDDHIST MEMORIAL TUOL SLENG GENOCIDE MUSEUM

Guests will today learn more about the darkest days of Cambodian history and the harrowing loss and sadness that haunts its people. A 45-minute drive through countryside are the Choeung Ek killing fields where more than one million people were killed and buried in mass grave sites by the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979. Walk through the fields, visit the small museum and buddhist memorial stupa and learn more about the atrocities committed during the Pol Pot’s regime. Before returning to the ship there is a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S-21), a former school that was converted to the main prison and torture headquarters of the Khmer Rouge. A regional cooking class is offered in the afternoon and in the evening, there is a very entertaining traditional shadow puppet show. The ship is anchored mid-river overnight.

Day 6 - Day 6 HONG NGU VILLAGE CAO DAI TEMPLE PHNOM PENH

Following clearing formalities and border crossing into Vietnam to Tan Chau, guests observe a fascinating transformation in the riverfront architecture. Guests are invited to a talk about “Vietnam Past and Present”. After an elegant buffet lunch of exotic flavours, visit the local island village of Hong Ngu in the Mekong Delta, close to the Vietnam-Cambodia border. Here, a large number of traditional Khmer scarves are woven in many village homes and exported to Cambodia. Guests have the opportunity to observe the weaving process passed down many generations. Some villagers are also embroidery artists and display their art for visitors to enjoy. The inhabitants of this rural area have only recently become familiar with western travellers and always offer a friendly welcome. Before returning to the ship guests visit the local temple dedicated to a unique religion founded in the surrounding area Hoa Hao. An exciting culinary evening is in store as the team demonstrate the traditional art of Vietnamese and Cambodian cooking while the ship is anchored mid-river at Sa Dec overnight.

Day 7 - Day 7 AN KIET HOUSE SA DEC TOWN MARKET

After breakfast the English-speaking guide will accompany you from Sa Dec port on traditional sampans to navigate the tapestry of Mekong canals, giving guests the opportunity to observe traditional village life before arriving at the historic town of Sa Dec. A visit to the local brick factory is an interesting stop to observe the ancient process of local brick-making using clay sourced from the Mekong River. A visit to Sa Dec would not be complete without a visit to the former home of Mr. Hyun Thuy Le, who was the inspiration for Marguerite Duras’ famous novel, L’Amant (The Lover). Guests return to the ship on foot through the town’s central market which is a bustling, extraordinary and colourful experience. After returning to the ship guests enjoy lunch during the afternoon cruise to Cai Be where the English-speaking guide will accompany you on the narrow waterways by sampan, past the city’s beautiful French gothic cathedral followed by a tour of the historic An Kiet House set amid beautifully maintained gardens. Back onboard the sampans, it’s a short paddle through the canals to reach a traditional rice factory where industrious artisans produce rice paper, rice wine, popped rice and a variety of traditional sweets. As the ship sets sail for My Tho, there will be a farewell reception before dinner, hosted in Le Marche Salon followed by native Vietnamese themed cuisine. The ship remains in My Tho port overnight.

Day 8 - Day 8 DISEMBARKATION

Following breakfast guests are invited to disembark for transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Day 9 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Ancient temples of Angkor Wat
The spectacular Royal Palace in Phnom Penh
A water blessing by the monks of Wat Arang and the French architecture of the Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City