Itinerary
- Day 1
Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho
Your journey starts in Ho Chi Minh City where you'll meet your guide at the airport. From there, you'll head to My Tho and board the RV Lotus, a boutique river ship. After settling into your cabin, the ship cruises to Cai Be where you'll spend the night. This evening features a welcome dinner on board, giving you a chance to meet the crew and other travelers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to My Tho
- Boarding RV Lotus
Landmarks/POIs Cai Be - Day 2
Cai Be to Sa Dec
Start early with a tender boat ride through Cai Be to see how locals live and work on the river. You'll visit Cai Be Church, the tallest in the Mekong Delta, then check out rice paper and coconut candy manufacturers. Lunch happens while the ship cruises toward Sa Dec. In the afternoon, take a guided walk through Sa Dec's markets and tour the former home of Huynh Thuy Le, which inspired the novel 'The Lover'. Later, there's an optional spa treatment available. Dinner and evening entertainment happen in the Saigon Lounge.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board while cruising to Sa Dec), Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Tender boat exploration of Cai Be
- Visit to Cai Be Church
- Rice paper manufacturer visit
- Coconut candy manufacturer visit
- Guided tour of Sa Dec
- Visit to Huynh Thuy Le's home
- River cruise to Sa Dec
Optional Activities
- Spa treatment on board
Landmarks/POIs Cai Be Church Sa Dec Huynh Thuy Le's home - Day 3
Sa Dec to Tan Chau
This morning, board a small boat to explore narrow tributaries around Tan Chau, then take a rickshaw through town and see a rattan weaving workshop. After lunch, head by small boat to Evergreen Island to watch traditional Vietnamese farming with water buffalo. The afternoon brings you back to the ship as it approaches the Cambodian border. You'll participate in onboard activities and presentations while border formalities happen, then cross into Cambodia.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Small boat journey along tributaries
- Rickshaw tour
- Rattan weaving workshop visit
- Evergreen Island boat excursion
- Cruise toward Cambodian border
Landmarks/POIs Tan Chau Evergreen Island - Day 4
Phnom Penh
Today focuses on Cambodia's history during the Khmer Rouge period. You'll visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields to see the glass Memorial Stupa honoring victims. After lunch on the ship, explore the Royal Palace with its white and gold architecture, then tour the Silver Pagoda on the palace grounds. The afternoon is yours to wander local markets for souvenirs, try regional foods like fried tarantula, or relax on board.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum visit
- Killing Fields visit
- Memorial Stupa visit
- Royal Palace visit
- Silver Pagoda visit
Optional Activities
- Local market exploration for souvenirs
- Tasting of local delicacy (fried tarantula)
Landmarks/POIs Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Killing Fields Memorial Stupa Royal Palace Silver Pagoda - Day 5
Phnom Penh to Oudong
In the morning, drive to Oudong, Cambodia's former royal capital from the 17th to 19th centuries. You'll participate in a traditional Buddhist blessing ceremony with resident monks at a local monastery. On the way back to Phnom Penh, walk through Koh Chen village known for copper work and visit small family workshops. The afternoon is free to rest or join optional activities like a hands-on cooking class, cyclo tour, or tuk tuk exploration of Phnom Penh.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Road excursion to Oudong
- Buddhist blessing ceremony (Insider Experience)
- Koh Chen village walk
- Family copper workshop visits
Optional Activities
- Hands-On Cooking Workshop—select local market ingredients and learn authentic Khmer dishes
- Phnom Penh by Cyclo—explore Independence Square, Royal Palace, cafes, boutiques, markets, and pagodas
- Phnom Penh by Tuk Tuk—discover Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh Post Office, U.S. Embassy, Raffles Hotel, Royal Railway Station, Pasteur Street, Central Market, Phsar Tapang, Independence Monument, statue of King Norodom Sihanouk, NagaWorld, and Sisowath Quay
Landmarks/POIs Oudong Koh Chen Independence Square Wat Phnom Central Market Independence Monument - Day 6
Phnom Penh to Oknha Tey
Get up early as the ship heads to Oknha Tey, also called Silk Island for its centuries of silk production. You'll travel by tuk tuk past rice fields to see rural life, then walk among stilt houses watching local women work at traditional wooden looms making Khmer fabrics. Back on the ship for lunch, you'll sail toward Angkor Ban. The afternoon gives you time to swim in the pool, read on the Sun Deck, or just enjoy the river views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Tuk tuk tour past rice fields
- Stilt house exploration
- Silk weaving workshop visit
- River cruise to Angkor Ban
Landmarks/POIs Oknha Tey Angkor Ban - Day 7
Angkor Ban to Kampong Cham
After breakfast, take a guided walk through Angkor Ban, known as the 'Lucky Village' and one of the few communities that survived the Khmer Rouge era. You'll see traditional stilted houses and a Khmer pagoda while learning about local history. Following lunch on board, the ship reaches Kampong Cham, where you can take a tuk tuk tour of Koh Pen agricultural island. This evening features a farewell dinner on the ship where you can share memories with fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner (Farewell Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Guided walk of Angkor Ban
- Traditional stilted house viewing
- Khmer-style pagoda visit
- Tuk tuk tour of Koh Pen (Insider Experience)
Landmarks/POIs Angkor Ban Khmer-style pagoda Koh Pen Kampong Cham - Day 8
Kampong Cham to Siem Reap
Have breakfast on board in Kampong Cham before disembarking. From there, you'll transfer to Siem Reap and head to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap
Landmarks/POIs Kampong Cham Siem Reap
