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 lesserknown 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 Ban with its wooden stilt houses. Sail to Wat Hanchey and head up the hill to see its 7th-century temple with panoramic views over the Mekong. 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 Trach 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.

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.