River Orchid

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)! Your journey will begin in the late morning, where you will be transferred to My Tho to board your cruise. Settle into your cabin and prepare for a breathtaking 8 day adventure to Siem Reap, home of the mysterious Angkor temples.Enjoy a few hours of scenic sailing before taking a luxurious sampan cruise through Cai Be. Here, you will be given a tour of the historic An Kiet House, a former imperial residence, and its beautiful gardens. Visit the incredible vibrant Cai Be Floating market, one of the largest in the Mekong Delta. Next, take a short walk to a local establishment where workers make everything from rice paper and rice wine to coconut candy. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a special Welcome Reception on board the ship.

Today’s sampan cruise through Sa Dec’s narrow canals is the perfect opportunity to observe locals going about their daily routines. You’ll visit a local factory where bricks and tiles are made with clay from the Mekong River. Here, you’ll also learn how rice husks from the rice processing facility next door are used to fuel the brick factory’s kilns that fill the Sa Dec landscape—just one example of the Vietnamese people’s remarkable ingenuity. Return to your luxurious sampan and sail past bustling markets into the center of town for a tour of the former home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, made famous by his connection to best-selling French novelist, Marguerite Duras. After lunch onboard, we’ll sail to the island of Cu Lao Gien to tour one of the oldest Cathedrals in Southern Vietnam. The rest of the evening is yours to relax on board.

In the Mekong Delta, residents live, work, and even shop on the water. Today, you’ll be immersed in local life touring the lively Chau Doc harbor, full of traditional Vietnamese floating markets and homes. You’ll see many locals paddling their sampans from boat to boat, bartering and socializing with the harbor’s many vendors. Then you’ll visit a floating fish farm to learn about this important local industry and have the chance to feed the thousands of tilapia and other fish. Later, board a shuttle to visit the base of Sam Mountain, one of the holiest sites in southern Vietnam where an estimated 8 to 10 million Vietnamese visit each year as part of an annual pilgrimage.

Today is your day to explore Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s bustling and industrious capital city. First, you will visit the Killing Fields. It is impossible to remain unmoved when visiting this tragically historical area. Next, you’ll take a trip to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school transformed by the Khmer Rouge into a torture and interrogation center. The fear, sadness, and disbelief conveyed in many prisoners’ mug shots will touch you, while the brave defiance displayed by others will remind you of the braveness and power of the human spirit.Following your powerful morning excursion, you’ll take an afternoon cyclo (cycle rickshaw), tour of Phnom Penh’s wide boulevards and French-infused architecture. After a visit to the impressive Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, you’ll tour the National Museum, which features a grand collection of artifacts from the Angkor Wat Temple Complex.

Today, you’ll cruise along the Tonlé Sap River to the city of Kampong Chhnang. We will stop for a walking tour of Kampong Chhnang, a bustling riverfront community supported by the local fish trade.You’ll then re-board your ship for a sunset cruise down the majestic Mekong River.

Chong Koh is a small riverside village famous for its silk and cotton weaving. As you walk along the village’s main road, you will see looms under nearly every home and women offering beautifully crafted scarves and tablecloths. Pop into a villager’s home to learn about how fruits and vegetables are used by the locals to treat illness. Afterward, you’ll visit the village school to observe and interact with school children. Don’t be surprised if your arrival is greeted by squeals of delight—the children love visitors, and love to practice their English.Later, you’ll sail to the very rural village of Angkor Ban. Enjoy a walking tour of this charming horse-and-cart hamlet, visiting traditional Khmer homes and talking with monks at the local Buddhist monastery.

This morning, you will arrive at Wat Hanchey, a beautifully situated temple complex with incredible views overlooking the Mekong. Take your time enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and marvel at the quality of the 7th-century artifacts and then enjoy a traditional water-blessing by the local monks.You’ll visit the twin holy hilltops of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey (Man Hill and Woman Hill) in Kampong Cham, both of which are topped by multiple temples and swinging monkeys. You’ll then descend to the base of the hills to view the massive gilded statues of Buddha. Afterward, you’ll travel to Nokor Bachey Temple, built during the same period as Angkor Wat. This temple boasts a wealth of intricate wall carvings and several ancient Buddha statues.Tonight, enjoy a Royal Cambodian themed dinner.

Enjoy your final breakfast on board and say goodbye to your crew as we approach Siem Reap, home of the world famous Angkor temples. We will arrive in Siem Reap in the early morning where we will leave you to continue your onward journey.

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