Meandering along the Mekong and Temple Discovery Cruise

Welcome to Vietnam and step foot into a world of luxury starting with your air-conditioned airport transfer en-route to the Caravelle Hotel Saigon, located downtown in the heart of HCMC. Meet your Tour Director at12:00 to run through an overview of your upcoming trip and drop off your luggage and passport. Then headto a local restaurant for lunch with your group of eager travellers ready to explore the mysteries of the MekongRiver.
A coach will transfer you to My Tho where the breathtaking Scenic Spirit awaits. Start with a cocktail receptionhosted by your Cruise Director. Take a stroll around the decks to orientate yourself as to where all theamenities are. After your welcome dinner, settling into your private suite does not mean you settle for service.At any time, your dedicated personal butler is free to swing by with a nightcap and delivery of your preferredpillows. A calm 4-hour sail brings you to halt off Cai Be where the ship will anchor overnight.
Please book your flight to arrive into Ho Chi Minh City prior to 08:00 AM.

Start the day with a full gourmet breakfast – complete with champagne – before heading out to explore CaiBe.
Scenic Freechoice:
Choose to travel via sampan to Tan Phong, a small island located near Cai Be town thatis rich in alluvial soil suitable for tropical fruit orchards all year round. With a total area of more than 1,000hectares, surrounded by silted sandbanks, canals and a mild temperature, Tan Phong has long been afriendly destination for eco-tourism. On arrival, try a hands-on experience at a workshop specialised inweaving water hyacinth into artistic crafts. Board a motorised buggy for a ride through endless fruit orchards,stopping to enjoy the tropical fruits and interact with a farm owner. Reboard the sampan and cruise to Cái Bètown to discover the local cottage industry where families make rice-paper and sweets from pop-corn, pop-rice and coconut.
Alternatively take a sampan from the Scenic Spirit to savour a delicious afternoon tea at the Le Longanier, aFrench colonial house restaurant, where staff will welcome you with tea, coffee and a range of local fruit andsnacks for your tasting. You can dive into a local experience with a band playing music and performingtraditional Vietnamese songs.
If you would prefer to enjoy the comforts of your ship, our highly skilled bar team is ready to welcome you to ahands-on cocktail/mocktail making class featuring fresh local ingredients.
After your morning activity, head back to the ship for lunch whilst sailing to Sa Dec. Relax and soak in thebeauty of the scenery, visit the on-board library to read up on future ports, or head to the Scenic Spirit loungeto unwind with fellow guests over a glass of wine.

Board your sampan once again to explore the lively wet market where you can meet the sellers and marvel attheir wares, including live fish, frogs and even snakes. This two-hour exploration will take you deep into thelocal lifestyle. You can also see the grand home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, a Chinese merchant who inspiredMarguerite Duras’ novel L’Amant. Your expert guide will reveal the secrets behind this passionate taleof tragic love.
After returning to the ship, you will have time to take an evening dip in the pool overlooking the Mekong as thesun sets. Before dinner, experience a fantastically themed dinner on board the Spirit along with a lion danceperformed by locals on the expansive Sundeck. The ship will set sail after your arrival back on board forthe 6-hour journey to Tan Chau.

You may want to start with some exercise in the on-board gym, try stretching at the early morning yoga classor relax in the sauna. Then set off to discover the areas surrounding Tan Chau.
Scenic Freechoice:
You could leave the city life behind at Tra Su Bird Sanctuary in Tra Su Forest. Travel bysampan through endless tranquil waterways, flanked by mangroves and lush greenery. This eco reservespans 850 hectares and is an ecological haven for fauna and flora, home to more than 100 species ofwaterbirds.
Or experience a traditional way of life on Evergreen Island, joining local farmers for a morning of discovery.Back in Tan Chau, ride in a xe loi, a three-wheeled bicycle rickshaw that was introduced by the French in the19th century and is a common form of transportation in rural Vietnam. Visit the recently renovated, brightlycoloured Cao Dai temple. Caodaism is a new religion, established in 1926 in the southern Vietnamese city ofTây Ninh, and brings together beliefs and practices from Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Confucianism.Here, you will learn more about the mix of ideas that form the basis of this fascinating religion.
For your third choice, board a speedboat to visit Chau Doc, a major city in the Mekong Delta, and Tay Antemple. Set at the foot of Sam Mountain, this elaborate temple is a mixture of Indian and Islamic architecture.Afterwards, board another sampan to visit Vinh Te canal and view life along the riverfront of Chau Doc, beforestopping at a family-operated fish farm on your way back to Scenic Spirit.
After lunch upon your arrival back on board, enjoy sailing to the Vietnamese and Cambodian border. Somedown time is a great way to relax and what better way to do that than heading to the Wellness Centre orBeauty Salon for a bit of pampering.

After clearing the border crossing procedure, the morning is at your leisure. Attend an on-boarddemonstration, enjoy some solitude in the library and observation lounge, or soak in the scenery from yourprivate balcony whilst sailing upstream from the Vietnamese border to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
Even the most developing countries have a standard of luxury and opulence. You can experience this thisafternoon after arriving in Phnom Penh at the Royal Palace with the famous Silver Pagoda within, on yourincluded visit to this must-see attraction.
Scenic Sunset Drinks
Later this evening, revel in our Phnom Penh by City Lights tour. You’ll get to witness the nightlife of the capitalbefore stopping at a local rum distillery for your exclusive Scenic Sunset Drinks experience, including aprivate tour and tasting.

After breakfast, it will be time to head out and explore the city.
Scenic Freechoice:
You can choose to journey to the infamous Killing Fields and take a tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum,housed inside a former prison. These sites are a sobering reminder of the terrors unleashed by the KhmerRouge regime in the 1970s. This moving tour will give you a deeper insight into the tumultuous history ofCambodia and the resilience of its people.
Passionate foodies may like to choose a hands-on cooking class. Take a trip to the bustling market with alocal chef to purchase your ingredients, then head back to the kitchen to cook your own lunch, testing out thestyles and flavours of Cambodian cuisine.
Alternatively, travel by remok, a local style of tuk tuk, to explore the French architecture and history of PhnomPenh. Finish the tour with shopping at the Central Market, famed for its unique Art Deco design and brightyellow façade.
At the conclusion of your tour, return to Scenic Spirit for lunch. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.Later this evening before dinner enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’sOrganisation.

Board a bus this morning for the short drive to the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong. Here, experience thelife of the monks and nuns who reside at the peaceful monastery. If you are lucky, you may be able to partakein one of the many festivals and traditional rituals often held here.
Return to Scenic Spirit for lunch before setting sail towards Oknha Tey, dedicated to the art of silk weaving.Travel by tuk tuk to the farm and learn about the process of silk production.
Scenic Sunset Drinks
Get an outfit ready for an evening of style with a Sundowner cocktail reception on the sundeck against thebackdrop of Phnom Penh’s stunning scenery as the ships departs to Angkor Ban.

With travelling throughout South-East Asia comes the heat and what better way to cool downthan socialising with a fresh cocktail and dipping your toes in the pool during your morning sail towardsAngkor Ban. Learn the many ways to wear a krama, the traditional Cambodian scarf.
After lunch, you will call at Angkor Ban, a small settlement where time stands still. Explore its historic woodenhouses, which date back over 100 years and survived the destruction of the Khmer Rouge. You can also visita local school that teaches English to the students alongside their regular lessons. Back on board, learn themany ways to wear a krama, the traditional Cambodian scarf, as the ship sails towards Kampong Cham andWat Hanchey.

Meet the novice monks at Wat Hanchey, an ancient hilltop pagoda and monastery. Walk (or drive) to the topand soak in some of the best elevated views of the cruise.
Scenic Enrich
Receive a traditional blessing from a monk and learn how to pray in a Buddhist pagoda before partaking in analms ceremony, which contributes to the daily meal of the resident monks.
Sail back to Kampong Cham.
Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon, explore Kampong Cham and its surrounds. Choose to learn about local folklore at PhnomPros, a mountaintop pagoda that has long been part of a traditional legend. Tragically, in more modern times,the site was used as a Killing Field by the Khmer Rouge. The temple now features a Buddha Garden and ishome to a local troop of monkeys. Afterwards, visit Wat Nokor Bachey, a unique architectural experiment thatblends an Angkorian era temple with a new temple built inside it.
Alternatively, explore Kampong Cham’s history and industry with a drive past shop houses, remnants of theFrench colonial era, and the large Central market. Visit a local rubber plantation established by the Frenchbefore stopping at a village known for growing betel nut, an important part of Cambodian culture.
Your third option today is a visit to Kho Penh Village. Located on Pen (Bamboo) Island, it’s only accessible bylocal remork after crossing by bamboo bridge or ferry from Kampong Cham. This remote village gives you afascinating insight into the simple, rural lifestyle of farmers in Cambodia.
Back on board you will have time to relax and overlook the gorgeous sunset of the Cambodian skyline beforeyour engaging farewell dinner with the crew.

Today we journey to Siem Reap via stops at Kampong Tom and the Angkorian bridge in Kampong Kdei. SiemReap is a split in time with ancient and traditional architecture weaved between the modern developments.Step back in time at your hotel, a definition of luxury and your historical home for the next three nights in SiemReap. This brilliantly appointed accommodation is styled with a mix of French inspired architecture, localinterior furnishings, the attentive staff provide a service beyond expectations, and brilliant amenities fit forroyalty.
This evening head to the colourful Cambodian Phare Circus where your VIP premium reserved seating awaitsyou. Beautifully dressed performers style a stunning show that is more than just a circus. The performers usetheatre, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern.

The second day of your Siem Reap exploration starts with a delicious champagne buffet breakfast at thehotel.
Scenic Freechoice:
As part of Scenic’s Freechoice you have multiple options to choose from. Explore the 10th-century BanteaySrei Temple, a temple commonly referred to as the Ladies Temple because of its pinkish sandstone anddedication to the Hindu god Shiva. Afterwards visit the Landmine Museum, founded in 1997 with the aim tomake the country safe through the removal of mines.
On another option visit Senteurs d'Angkor workshop to try your hand at producing your own local souvenir.Through different hands-on workstations, discover how the artisans make by hand soap with coconutoil, natural cosmetics, subtly scented balms, aromatic candles and local spices in traditional ways.
Alternatively, if you have enjoyed being on the water, sail on Tonle Sap Lake (July to February), a picturesqueUNESCO biosphere reserve and dive deep into discovery when visiting and experiencing the life of a floatingvillage.
Or take flight in a tethered balloon to discover the aerial beauties of the combination between traditional andmodern Siem Reap. Enjoy the fresh air and take some remarkable photographs of the skyline as you lift intothe skies of Siem Reap overlooking Angkor Wat below before visiting a Lotus Flower workshop.
Later this afternoon explore Angkor Wat itself, the largest religious monument in the world. Originallyconstructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, it was graduallytransformed into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century. An afternoon visit provides theperfect light for those idealic pictures of this colossal structure. After the day of adventure, tonight is free toshop away at the night markets of Siem Reap or venture to Pub Street, both in walking distance or a short tuktuk ride from your hotel.

Scenic Enrich
Begin the day with an early morning Scenic Enrich, marvel at the sunrise over the magnificent Angkor Watbefore moving to a special location near a temple for a scrumptious champagne breakfast with food preparedby a Scenic sponsored, NGO supported local bakery school.
After breakfast, visit the atmospheric, jungle covered Ta Prohm Temple, before stopping at Angkor Thom andthe multi-faced Bayon Temple. Fortunately, you have the remainder of the afternoon to discover more of theSiem Reap markets or relax at your luxury hotel after your early morning start.
Scenic Enrich
The final Scenic Enrich is truly a special and exclusive one, one that is best experienced first-hand to fullyappreciate it’s scale. Your tour directors and Scenic team will leave you in awe as you enter a private magicalgala themed dinner at Prasat Kravan, a small 10th-century temple consisting of five reddish brick towers on acommon terrace. Including free flow drinks and a show featuring Apsara dancers in front of the candle littemple ruins, this evening brings a most incredible end to what is a remarkable trip.

It is time to bid farewell to your fellow travellers and Scenic team as you get ready to depart Cambodia foryour homeland or extended travels. Transfer to the airport and leave with a full camera and stunningmemories to treasure.
This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water.Disruptions to cruising and alteration to itinerary arrangements may occur. Hotels are indicative and aresubject to change.

Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.