Amadara Cruise – Riches of the Mekong

A local motorboat takes you into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of Tonle Sap River. Enjoy the stunning variety of bird life here as well as tranquil floating villages and its busy market. Be treated to an authentic experience, an ox cart ride through a local village. Afterwards, you’ll take a motor coach to Oudong, situated on a picturesque hillside.

Oudong was Cambodia’s former royal capital from 17th century until 1866; today, Oudong is a place of pilgrimage for Cambodians. While here, you’ll visit one of Cambodia’s largest monasteries, where you’ll be treated to a memorable Buddhist blessing ceremony. Your ship departs for Oknhatey Village and moors midstream.

Koh Oknhatey or Silk Land, “located on the lush bank of the Mekong river, is known for its rich tradition in silk weaving. You will go to Oknhatey, where you will be visit a local elementary school and observe the traditional silk weaving of handicrafts.

Later, your ship depart for Phnom Penh, the vibrant colorful capital of Cambodia. Experience Phnom Penh via Tuk Tuk ride and be enchanted by the city’s French Colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards set amidst monumental Angkorian architecture.

During the evening on board, enjoy a typical Khmer folk performance presented by local children.

You will have a choice of excursion this morning. Visit Cambodia’s infamous Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng S21 concentration camp (Genocide Museum) just outside the city.

Or if you prefer to stay in Phnom Penh, you can visit the bustling-yellow central market. After lunch on board, you will explore the highlights of the city, followed by the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, which has an outstanding collection of Khmer crafts. After returning to the ship, enjoy Khmer folk dancing performed by local children in the Saigon Lounge.

Spend the day cruising the Mekong River as your ship crossed the border into Vietnam.

Enjoy a visit to Tan Chau, a small Mekong River town unspoiled by tourism. You will have the opportunity to take a traditional “Xe-Loi” (trishaw) ride around the town, with stops at silk-making and rattan mat workshops, followed by a boat ride through the narrow channels of the Mekong river to “Evergreen Island.”

Alternatively, simply take the boat ride to Evergreen Island and return to Tan Chau, where you will visit a rattan mat workshop.

Later in the day, cruise to Sa Dec.

Once a shore in Sa Dec, tour the town where French writer Marguerite Duras spent many years in her youth. Visit a colorful local market and the 19th century house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, Duras’ Chinese paramour.

Later, board a motor coach for Xeo Quyt , once used as a based during the French and US war and now and important ecological site. You will have an opportunity to visit candy and rice paper making workshops and the historic Kiet Old house. Cap the day off with a festive Farewell Dinner on board.

Your cruise comes to an end as the ship docks at My Tho port.