Cambodia & Mekong Uncovered

Fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital.

Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the

day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Explore Phnom Penh, a European-feeling city

of airy boulevards and colonial villas. Though

it is still scarred by the events of the 1970s,

the city has been renewed with energy and

optimism. Enjoy a guided tour of the city,

stopping to visit the magnificent Royal Palace,

Silver Pagoda and National Museum. Visit

the city’s chief landmark, the temple of Wat

Phnom, before an afternoon at leisure.

This morning, learn about Cambodia’s tragic

past under the Khmer Rouge regime with

visits to the Tuol Sleng Museum and the

Killing Fields. Return to Phnom Penh in the

afternoon, with time to explore further.

Journey to Battambang, Cambodia’s lesser known

city. With a population of less than

120,000, Battambang is a laid-back city

nestled on a bend of the Sangkae River. Set in

some of the country’s most beautiful

landscapes, Battambang is also home to

Cambodia’s grandest colonial architecture.

This morning, explore a traditional local house

for a glimpse of rural life. Head out of town to

the 12th-century Banan Temple and admire

the breathtaking hilltop views. Pause to

witness a local phenomenon – hundreds of

thousands of bats erupting from the hillside as

dusk falls over the countryside.

Travel west to Siem Reap, arriving in the

afternoon. Enjoy time at leisure before dinner.

This evening, enjoy a rollicking performance by

the graduates of the Phare Cambodian Circus.

This NGO organisation transforms the lives of

disadvantaged local youths, providing them

with a formal education and vocational training

in the performing arts.

The Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses over 1,000 temples, all the remains of different capitals of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Our tuk-tuk tour begins from the old city of Angkor Thom as we pass through the magnificent South Gate flanked by 54 gods and demons. At Angkor Thom’s centre is the enigmatic Bayon, a breathtaking temple of innumerable sculptural decorations. Also admire the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm before the rest of the day is dedicated to Angkor Wat, the most magnificent and best preserved of all of Angkor’s treasures. Later, take a leisurely boat ride on the moat of Angkor Thom and view hidden elements of the old Khmer water systems.

Join a traditional Cambodian cooking class

at an organic farm, learning about the flavours

that go into Khmer cuisine. This afternoon,

enjoy a tour of some of Cambodia’s social

enterprises dedicated to fostering positive

change, learning about the impact of their

remarkable work on local communities.

Head out of Siem Reap to enjoy an immersive

countryside experience. Visit a number of

farms and local villages part of the Trei Nhoar

Community and discover the true essence of

Cambodia, witnessing a more traditional way

of life, untouched by modernity, as you gain

insights into daily life of the rural Khmer

population. Enjoy a home-cooked meal with

the locals and return to Siem Reap in the

late afternoon.

This morning, transfer to Kampong Cham to

embark on your next adventure – a three-night

cruise on our premium small ship, the Victoria

Mekong. Begin your cruise with a complimentary

cocktail on deck, watching the sun set.

Explore the laid-back village of Angkor Banwith its wooden stilt houses. This afternoon, take a tuk-tuk to Silk Island to learn about the process of silk weaving from worm to loom.

Enjoy a walking tour of Koh Chen village, where

you'll meet a local copper and silversmith, before

continuing to the country’s former capital, Oudong.

Arrive in Phnom Penh and end

the afternoon in style with a signature cocktail at

Raffles Hotel Le Royal before returning to the ship.

Disembark the Victoria Mekong and depart

Phnom Penh, heading for the coastal town of

Kampot, stopping en route at a pepper farm to

learn about the famous Kampot pepper.

Enjoy a walking tour of Kampot, a charming

town characterised by its colonial architecture.

Visit Kampong Tach Cave, with its

breathtaking limestone formations. Continue

to Trapeang Sangke, a community-based

initiative dedicated to preserving mangroves in

the area, and enjoy a boat trip through the

vast mangrove forests.

Return by road to Cambodia’s capital. This

evening, admire modern Phnom Penh as you sip

a cocktail at a local sky bar, and consider how

this reinvigorated capital is moving forward.

Board your flight home, arriving the same or

the following day.