Enchanting Mekong and Siem Reap

Sous Sdei and welcome to Cambodia. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for your included three-night stay in Siem Reap. In the evening, you’ll meet your Cambodian tour director to learn more about the days ahead.

Today, start with a visit to Angkor Thom, not a single temple such as the historic sites it neighbours, but rather one of the most remarkable royal cities of the Angkor Period and an architectural wonder. As the last capital of the Khmer Empire, it was a fortified city, home to priests, officials of the palace, military and buildings for administering the kingdom. Afterwards, visit the sacred Temple of Ta Prohm. In an incredible standoff between human creation and nature, the jungle's root systems have reclaimed this spiritual location now enshrouded in wild vegetation. The backdrop to many Hollywood scenes, the incredible Ta Prohm is both a cinematic and contemplative location. This afternoon is free time to visit the markets or try a DiscoverMORE tour.

This evening as part of your EmeraldPLUS programme, attend Phare, The Cambodian Circus, where a combination of acrobatics, music and dance tell a uniquely Cambodian story.

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Phare Cambodian Circus performance.

Included Excursion
Visit to Angkor Thom

Included Excursion
Visit to Ta Prohm Temple

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Siem Reap Countryside by Vespa (extra expense)

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Evening – Sunset Drinks Gondola Boat at Bayon (extra expense)

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Evening - Cambodian Street Food Discovery Tour (extra expense)

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Evening – Local Fare at Phare Circus (extra expense)

Rise early and witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat. Afterwards walk through this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site known for its elaborate decorations and intricate carvings throughout. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Siem Reap, or join a DiscoverMORE excursion. Later, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy an immersive evening dinner at Satcha Handicraft Centre, accompanied by an Apsara dance performance.

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Apsara dance performance and dinner show

Included Excursion
Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat

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Banteay Srei Temple and APOPO (extra expense)

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Tonlé Sap and Lotus Workshop (extra expense, operating Aug-Feb only)

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Khmer Cooking Class (extra expense)

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Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop (extra expense)

Today, leave Siem Reap and venture to the town of Rokar Koang to embark your Emerald Cruises award-winning Star-Ship. En route, stop in Kampong Kdei and see the impressive Angkor Bridge, before having lunch at a local restaurant. On arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your captain and crew. Later, set sail up the Tonle River, past Phnom Penh at night to Kampong Tralach whilst enjoying your first dinner on board with your fellow guests.

Begin the day with an Ox Cart ride in Kampong Tralach to a local temple before driving to Oudong. Oudong was Cambodia’s former royal capital until it relocated to Phnom Penh in 1866. In Oudong Monastery’s main temple, receive a traditional Buddhist blessing from the resident monks, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience.

Return to Emerald Harmony and sail to Phnom Penh. Spend the afternoon at leisure, either experiencing one of our DiscoverMORE excursions, visiting the Central Market, or relaxing on board. After dinner, as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy Phnom Penh by night on a remork (local Tuk-Tuk) tour.

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A traditional Buddhist Monk blessing

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Phnom Penh by night on a remork (Tuk-Tuk) tour

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A silk farm tour at Koh Oknha Tei (extra expense)

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Craft Beer Adventure by remork (extra expense)

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Samai Distillery (extra expense)

This morning, learn more about the Khmer Rouge and the darkest days of Cambodia’s history. A short drive will take you to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek, where you’ll be able to stroll through the fields, visit the memorial and understand more about the country’s sombre chapter. Afterwards, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (known as ‘S-21’), a former school converted to the Khmer Rouge’s main prison and torture headquarters. Back on board, savour a Cambodian Street Fair lunch, before visiting the majestic Royal Palace, with its French-inspired gardens. This evening, for your EmeraldPLUS experience, enjoy a cultural performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation, before sailing for the border.

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Cultural Performance by the Cambodian Student and Children’s Organisation

Included Excursion
Killing Fields at Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Included Excursion
A visit to the Royal Palace

Today, you’ll cross the border into Vietnam and sail on to Tan Chau. Relax on board, or join our DiscoverMORE excursion to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, before returning for a late lunch on board.

This afternoon, embark on a sampan to Evergreen Island for a stroll through a local village, revealing the lives of the local farming community. Reboard your sampan to travel back to Tan Chau and as part of our EmeraldPLUS, programme, visit the recently renovated Cao Dai temple. The religion of Cao Dai is a syncretic, monotheistic religion established in southern Vietnam in the city of Tây Ninh in 1926. Here, you will learn more about the mix of ideas that form the basis of this fascinating religion. Afterwards ride in a Xe Loi (local form of cyclo) from the temple back to your sampan before returning to Emerald Harmony where, later this evening as part of our EmeraldPLUS, programme, you’ll be delighted by a traditional Lion Dance performance on board.

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A visit to a local Cao Dai Temple and Xe Loi ride

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A Lion Dance performance on board

Included Excursion
A visit to Evergreen Island

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A visit to Tra Su Bird Sanctuary (extra expense)