Explorer Cruise: Phnom Penh > Siem Reap

Welcome aboard Aqua Mekong, and step into your floating sanctuary where floor-to-ceiling windows reveal panoramic riverscapes. Unwind in the privacy of your design suite—whether from the comfort of your California King bed, private terrace, or daybed—as the Mekong quietly unveils its magic. Together we celebrate the onward journey towards the heart of this mighty river with a Khmer Apsara performance, an indigenous tradition memorialized on the temple walls of Angkor Wat.​

In the morning, we visit Phat Sandai, a remote village where schools, churches, and even the police station float along the riverbank. Learn about the locals' unique way of life and efforts to conserve biodiversity in the area. For a truly immersive experience, kayak past floating houses and cool off in the shaded canopy of aquatic trees. After a cooking demonstration followed by lunch, we set off by skiff to Phnom Neang Kangrey, before continuing to a handicraft village by tuk-tuk. Alternatively, guests may opt for a hike through shaded forest trails or cycle through the scenic countryside to the Phnom Touk Meas biodiversity area.​

On this river of time, we admire dexterous Khmer artisans dyeing and weaving kroma, the ubiquitous fabric no Khmer lives without. Explore the riverbank on two wheels if you wish, past Buddhist temples and thatch houses perched on spindly wooden stilts while white oxen wade just offshore. After lunch, we board our marine-grade aluminum skiffs and head towards the tamarind shores of Preah Prosop—a remote village that has remained largely unchanged for generations. We end the day with a kayak along the Mekong and sundowners by the riverbank.​

We introduce guests to the vibrant Cambodian capital by motorized tuk-tuk, with stops at the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum of Cambodia, home to the world’s largest collection of Khmer art. For those wanting a different perspective of the city, visit the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide, or explore the Sosoro Museum of Money and Economy together with the serene Wat Phnom hill.​Guests wishing to continue their Cambodian journey to Siem Reap and the ancient lost city of Angkor Wat enjoy a complimentary flight extension, including a shared transfer to Phnom Penh Airport.​