Luxury Mekong and Temple Discovery Cruise

This morning, cruise through the bustling Cho Gao Canal, one of the major arterial canals of Vietnam connecting Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll be fascinated watching the heavy commercial traffic navigate this important waterway, where upwards of 1,800 vessels transit each day.

Once on the Mekong River this afternoon, visit the Tan My Floating community and Thoi Binh hamlet in Ben Tre. Board an electric buggy through local plantations to visit a mushroom farm, a fruit farm with sampling and a honey farm with local sweets. Later, return to the ship and cruise onwards to Sa Dec.

Board your sampan once again to explore Sa Dec and it’s the lively wet market, where you can meet the sellers and marvel at their wares, including live fish, frogs and even snakes. This two-hour exploration will take you deep into the local life. You can also see the grand home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, a Chinese merchant who inspired Marguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant. Your expert guide will reveal the secrets behind this passionate tale of tragic love.

After your morning exploration, head back to the ship for lunch whilst cruising to Tân Châu. Relax and soak in the beauty of the scenery, visit the on-board library, learn about upcoming ports, or head to the Scenic Spirit lounge to unwind with fellow guests over a glass of wine. After arriving off Tan Chau, sit down for a special show by a lion dance troupe of local performers.

Perhaps start the day with some exercise in the on-board gym, an early morning Tai Chi class or relax your muscles in the sauna. Then set off to discover the areas surrounding Tân Châu with Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Scenic Freechoice:
Choose a tranquil sampan journey through the lush waterways of Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, home to more than 100 species of waterbirds (July to December)

Insight into traditional life on Evergreen Island, meeting local farmers before riding a xe loi bicycle rickshaw through Tân Châu and discovering the beliefs behind its colourful Cao Dai temple

An exploration of Chau Doc, visiting the ornate Tay An temple at the foot of Sam Mountain before boarding a sampan to discover Vinh Te Canal and daily life along the riverfront.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital, sits at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers. It was a hub for both the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. On its walkable riverfront, lined with parks, restaurants and bars, are the ornate Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, displaying artifacts from around the country. At the city’s heart is the massive, art deco Central Market.

Welcome to Cambodia. Scenic Spirit will arrive in the capital, Phnom Penh, early this morning. After breakfast, it will be time to head out and explore Phnom Penh.

Scenic Freechoice:
Choose to journey to the troubled Killing Fields and take a tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed inside a former prison, itself a former school. These sites are a sobering reminder of the terrors unleashed by the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s.

Passionate foodies may choose a hands-on cooking class. Take a trip to the bustling market with a local chef to purchase your ingredients, then head back to the kitchen to cook your own lunch, testing out the styles and flavours of Cambodian cuisine.

Alternatively, travel by remork, a local style of tuk tuk, to explore the French architecture and history of Phnom Penh. Finish the tour with shopping at the Central Market, famed for its unique Art Deco design and bright yellow façade.

Return to Scenic Spirit for lunch and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Scenic Sunset Drinks
Later this evening, revel in our Phnom Penh by City Lights tour. You’ll get to witness the nightlife of the capital before stopping at a local rum distillery for your exclusive Scenic Sundowners experience, including a private tour and tasting.

Begin the day sailing to Kampong Tralach.  Here, board an Ox Cart ride to a local temple before driving to the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong. Experience the life of the monks and nuns who reside at the peaceful monastery, and, if you are lucky, you may be able to partake in one of the many festivals and traditional rituals often held here.

After returning to the ship, sail back past Phnom Penh to discover the opulence of Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace and the famous Silver Pagoda within. Set on the riverfront, this dazzling palace was built in the 1860s and still serves as the official residence of the King of Cambodia.  

Scenic Sunset Drinks
Before departing, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation, followed by a Scenic Sundowner cocktail reception on the Sun Deck as Scenic Spirit sets sail toward Silk Island.

This morning, you will explore the island of Oknha Tey, dedicated to the art of silk weaving. Travel by traditional tuk tuk to the farm, meet the workers and learn about silk production. Return to Scenic Spirit for lunch and some free time. This could be the perfect opportunity to enjoy a swim in the pool with a refreshing cocktail.

After lunch, you will visit Angkor Ban, a small settlement where time stands still. Explore its historic wooden houses, which date back over 100 years and survived the destruction of the Khmer Rouge. Back on board, learn the many ways to wear a krama, the traditional Cambodian scarf, as you cruise towards Kampong Cham.

Today you can meet the novice monks at Wat Hanchey, an ancient hilltop pagoda and monastery overlooking the Mekong. Walk (or drive) to the top and soak in some of the most spectacular elevated views of the cruise. 

Scenic Enrich
On an exclusive Scenic Enrich experience, partake in an alms ceremony, which contributes to the daily meal of the resident monks before receiving a traditional blessing from a monk and learning how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda. 

Scenic Freechoice:
Choose an exploration of local legends and history at Phnom Pros, a mountaintop pagoda with a poignant Khmer Rouge past, followed by Wat Nokor Bachey, where a newer temple sits within an Angkorian-era complex.

Or explore Kampong Cham’s heritage and industry, passing French colonial shop houses and the Central Market before visiting a rubber plantation and a betel nut-growing village.

Alternatively, gain a glimpse of rural Cambodian life at Koh Pen Village, crossing to Bamboo Island by bridge or ferry before travelling by local remork to learn about its farming community.

Back on board, you will have time to relax and admire the sunset over the Cambodian skyline before your engaging farewell dinner with the crew. 

After disembarkation this morning your journey moves to Siem Reap via Kampong Thom and the ancient Angkorian bridge at Kampong Kdei, with a stop at a traditional stone cutters’ village along the way. Check in to the historic Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap for a three-night Scenic Special Stay. This iconic 1930s Art Deco property has been a favourite of royalty and celebrities for almost a century.

Later tonight, enjoy premium seating at the colourful Cambodian Circus, Phare. This visually captivating show is more than just a circus; it’s a valuable social enterprise that provides training and employment to underprivileged youth.

The second day of your Siem Reap exploration starts with a delicious champagne buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Scenic Freechoice:
As part of Scenic’s Freechoice you have multiple options to choose from.

Choose to explore the 10th century Banteay Srei Temple and the Landmine Museum

Visit Senteurs d’Angkor workshop to produce your own souvenir with local artisans or undertake a village walk through Ta Brak Village.

Alternatively, cruise on Tonlé Sap Lake (July to February)

Visit the Angkor Wildlife Aquarium and learn all about the Mekong ecosystem with a special behind-the-scenes tour where you can see animal care in action, participate in feeding sessions, and even meet some park stars up close.

Lastly choose Free and Easy at Raffles and indulge in a one-hour spa treatment at the elegant Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, followed by a leisurely lunch in its refined surrounds.

Later this afternoon explore Angkor Wat itself, the largest religious monument in the world.  Originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. An afternoon visit provides the perfect light for those idealic pictures of this colossal structure. After the day of adventure, tonight is free to shop away at the night markets of Siem Reap or venture to Pub Street, both in walking distance or a short tuk tuk ride from your hotel.

Scenic Enrich
Begin the day with an early morning Scenic Enrich, marvel at the sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Wat before moving to a special location near a temple for a scrumptious champagne breakfast with food prepared by a Scenic sponsored, NGO supported local bakery school.

After breakfast, visit the atmospheric, jungle covered Ta Prohm Temple, before stopping at Angkor Thom and the multi-faced Bayon Temple. Fortunately, you have the remainder of the afternoon to discover more of the Siem Reap markets or relax at your luxury hotel after your early morning start.

Scenic Enrich
The final Scenic Enrich is truly a special and exclusive one, one that is best experienced first-hand to fully appreciate it’s scale. Your tour directors and Scenic team will leave you in awe as you enter a private magical gala themed dinner at Prasat Kravan, a small 10th-century temple consisting of five reddish brick towers on a common terrace.  Including free flow drinks and a show featuring Apsara dancers in front of the candle lit temple ruins, this evening brings a most incredible end to what is a remarkable trip.

It is time to bid farewell to your fellow travellers and Scenic team as you get ready to depart Cambodia for your homeland or extended travels. Transfer to the airport and leave with a full camera and stunning memories to treasure.

Rivers and waterways are subject to variations in water levels. While every effort is made to adhere to the planned itinerary, changes in river conditions, ad hoc local government regulations or local festivities may require journey modifications. These will be made based on the advice of local authorities or for safety reasons. Hotels are indicative and are subject to change.