Aqua Mekong Explorer Cruise 5 days: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

Afternoon & Evening

Start at the Phnom Penh Passenger and Tourist Terminal TS1 for your check-in around 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM for your luxurious 5-day Aqua Mekong Explorer trip.

Welcome aboard Aqua Mekong and settle into your elegant floating sanctuary, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the ever-changing Mekong landscapes. Relax in the comfort of your spacious suite, complete with a California King bed, private terrace, and cozy daybed as the journey begins along this legendary river.

In the evening, celebrate the start of the voyage with a traditional Khmer Apsara performance, a graceful cultural dance immortalized on the walls of Angkor Wat.

Morning

In Koh Chen village, we observe skilled craftsmen creating exquisite silverware that is highly prized by the Khmer monarchy. 

Our next destination is Udong, which served as the royal capital between the 17th and 19th centuries. Here, we learn about the demanding Vipassana Dhura, a meditation center dedicated to a distinctive form of Buddhism. 

Afternoon

• From March to August

Later in the day, we take a leisurely stroll through Kampong Prasat to get a firsthand look at the lives of the locals and their relationship with the river.

• From December to February

After lunch, we set out by skiff to visit the traditional potters and palm sugar makers of Andong Russei. You can explore the countryside by mountain bike or tuk-tuk, passing through scenic rice paddies and watching local climbers scale towering palm trees overhead.

• From March to August

During the cooler hours, we embark on a trip to the lush countryside, Andong Russei, to observe traditional potters and palm-sugar producers.

You can either choose to explore while riding mountain bikes or be chauffeured by tuk-tuks. Cycle through scenic rice paddies and watch local climbers skillfully scale the towering palm trees overhead.

After a cooking demonstration and lunch onboard, guests can continue exploring the countryside by bicycle, try local fishing activities, or visit the floating village of Kampong Tralach by skiff.

The day concludes with kayaking along the Tonlé Sap and sunset sundowners by the pool.

• From December to February

We visit Phat Sandai, a remote floating village where schools, churches, and even the police station drift along the riverbank. Discover the locals’ unique way of life and their efforts to preserve the region’s biodiversity, with the option to kayak past floating houses beneath the shaded canopy of aquatic trees.

After a cooking demonstration and lunch onboard, we continue by skiff to Phnom Neang Kangrey before visiting a local handicraft village by tuk-tuk.

Alternatively, guests can choose to hike through forest trails or cycle through the countryside to the Phnom Touk Meas Biodiversity Area.

Morning

Along this timeless stretch of the Mekong, observe skilled Khmer artisans dyeing and weaving traditional kroma scarves, an essential part of Cambodian daily life.

For those who desire, there is the option to explore the riverbank on bicycles, passing by serene Buddhist temples and charming thatch houses standing on slender wooden stilts, while graceful white oxen wade in the waters nearby. 

Afternoon

Let's board marine-grade aluminum skiffs and make our way towards the tamarind shores of Preah Prosop, a remote village that has remained largely unchanged for generations.

We end the day with sundowners by the riverbank and a kayak trip along the Mekong.

Morning

Discover the vibrant capital of Phnom Penh by motorized tuk-tuk, with visits to iconic landmarks including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and National Museum of Cambodia, which houses the world's largest collection of exquisite Khmer art.

You may also choose to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, National Museum of Cambodia, Sosoro Museum, the peaceful Wat Phnom, or the bustling Russian Market.

As we approach the end of the 4-night journey, we bid farewell to our valued guests, who will be disembarking in Phnom Penh Passenger and Tourist Terminal TS1 around 11:00 AM.

Guests continuing their Cambodia journey to Siem Reap and the ancient temples of Angkor Wat can enjoy a flight extension, including a shared transfer to Phnom Penh Airport.