5 Days Upstream Phnom Penh Siem Reap on RV Bassac Pandaw Cruise: Morning at leisure in Phnom Penh’s café culture and numerous chic boutiques. After lunch, sail up the Tonle River to Koh Nghe Tei (Silk Island) to learn about the entire silk production process, from silkworms to weavers.
Table of Contents
Day 1: Phnom Penh
Activities: Afternoon embarkation followed by an afternoon of relaxation.
Between 12.30 and 13.30, passengers may board the ship. The remainder of the day is spent at leisure. Overnight at the Phnom Penh city harbor with its vibrant bars and restaurants.
Meals: Dinner
Overnight: RV Bassac Pandaw Cruise
Day 2: Silk Island
Activities: Visiting Silk island
Morning at leisure in Phnom Penh’s café culture and numerous chic boutiques. After lunch, sail up the Tonle River to Koh Nghe Tei (Silk Island) to learn about the entire silk production process, from silkworms to weavers. We visit silk manufacturers and can purchase their exquisite silk scarves and other fabrics. This village is the epicenter of the ancient martial art of L’bokator, which roughly translates to “lion-pounding.” It is one of the oldest combat techniques in Cambodia and is believed to date back to the Angkorian empire.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: RV Bassac Pandaw Cruise
Day 3: Tonle Sap – Ou Dong – Prek Kdam
Activities: Continue sailing up the Tonle River to Prek Kdam, and then proceed by bus to Oudong, the historic capital of Cambodia.
Continue sailing up the Tonle River to Prek Kdam, then take a bus to Oudong, the historic capital of Cambodia. We pause on route to meditate at the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre before driving through the historic capital. Our ship is rejoined at Kompong Trollach. After lunch, we go by ox-cart to tour towns, marketplaces, and temples along riverbanks. Evening drinks are served around a rural fire pit, where we will be joined by villagers eager to demonstrate their traditional dance and educate us on the enchanting Khmer culture.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: RV Bassac Pandaw Cruise
Day 4: Kamphon Chhnang – Tonle Sap
Activities: Explore floating villages and marketplaces
A pleasure of every Mekong cruise is navigating the intricate network of narrow canals as we reach the Tonle Sap. We depart on country boats from Kampong Chhnang to tour floating communities and marketplaces, witnessing fisheries and aquatic agriculture. Back on land at Kampong Chhnang, we can see the towering stilt homes by walking down the riverside.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: RV Bassac Pandaw Cruise
Day 5: Kampong Chhnang – Siem Reap
Activities: Leave the cruise ship
From Kampong Chhnang, disembark and drive by bus through breathtakingly beautiful scenery to Siem Reap, next to Angkor Wat.
Meals: Breakfast
