There can be no tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong. Indeed there can be no more striking a cultural contrast as that between the bustling Vietnam delta and the tranquility of Cambodia. We pass from the vibrant French colonial port of Saigon, now called Ho Chi Minh City, through the vast Delta so rich in human life and endeavour, to travel along the main channel into the rich countryside of Cambodia.

Day 1: Siem Reap / Kampong Cham (L,D)
Passengers will transfer by coach from the Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor to Kampong Cham. A packed lunch will be provided on the coach and we will stop at Kampong Thom along the way.

Day 2: Kampong Cham Area (B,L,D)
Passengers will visit the hilltop temple of Wat Hanchey in the morning. In the afternoon, travel by bus to visit the Twin Holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey (Man and Woman Hill). Continuation to the ecotourism village of Choeungkok supported by the Frech-Cambodian NGO Amica and the Pandaw-supported Kampong Cham orphanage.

Day 3: Tonle River / Kampong Chhnang (B,L,D)
Excursion up the Tonle River to Kampong Chhnang by either coach or the ship depending on water levels. In Kampong Chhnang passengers will take a wonderful motor boat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here many fishtraps may be seen.

Day 4: Phnom Penh (B,L,D)
Passengers will visit Phnom Penh and will be provided with their own private cyclo*. The Cyclo Centre Phnom Penh which provides the cyclos is a charity that provides basic welfare and medical services to cyclo drivers (www.cyclo.org.uk).
In the afternoon, optional excursion (by coach) to the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge's grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention centre. This tour is included in the cost of your cruise but must be requested at the time of booking in the comments box.

Day 5: Cruising the Mekong / Border Crossing (B,L,D)
We spend the day cruising in the main Mekong channel, an international shipping route. We stop at Prek Touch, a jungle village, to visit fruit orchards, and then set off for the Vietnamese border for the usual formalities.

Day 6: Chau Doc / Cu Lao Gien (B,L,D)
Visit a Cham tribal village, a cat fish farm, and enjoy a trishaw ride round Chau Doc. In the afternoon, visit Cu Lao Gien island and a Catholic monastery called "La Providence" built in 1875 by the French nuns of "Saint Paul de Chatres".

Day 7: Sa Dec / Cai Be (B,L,D)
In the morning passengers will take an exciting Sampan boat excursion to Cai Be via Vinh Long along canals and backwaters. Passengers will visit Sa Dec and see the local market and the ancient house of Mr, Huyn Thuy Le, the 'lover' of Marguerite Duras, a famous French novelist. At Cai Be, we will cruise through its colourful floating market which takes place daily in front of the catholic church.

Day 8: My Tho / Saigon (B)
Early morning sail from Cai Be for My Tho, where passengers disembark in the early morning for a coach transfer to Hotel Sofitel Plaza Saigon. Arrive at the hotel late morning.
 

Cruise Includes

• Entrance fees, English speaking guide onboard,
• Main meals,
• Locally made soft and alcoholic beverages,
• Jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes, mineral water.
• Transfer from the ship to the meeting point in Siem Reap at the end of the voyage.

 Cruise Excludes

• International flights,
• Port dues, laundry,
• All visa costs,
• Imported beverages