Day 1: Siem Reap to Kampong Chhnang
The first day begins with a hotel pickup in Siem Reap around 9 AM. Before heading to the boat, you stop at Kampong Phluk, a floating village on Tonle Sap Lake. It’s a lively place in the morning, with families going about their daily routines in houses built high on wooden stilts. You’ll step off to see the village school, peek inside a temple, and even visit some small local restaurants. Lunch is served at a nearby eatery before the journey continues with a scenic drive to Kampong Chhnang. The ride takes about three and a half hours, passing through rural villages, rice fields, and stretches of countryside that give you a sense of everyday Cambodian life. Along the way, there’s a memorable stop at an ancient bridge in Kampong Thom, a quiet but beautiful reminder of the country’s past. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Kampong Chhnang, ready to settle onto your river cruise.

Day 2: Kampong Chhnang to Koh Chen
After breakfast, you hop onto a smaller boat to explore a local pottery village. It’s fascinating to watch artisans shape clay the same way their ancestors did, using techniques that have been handed down for generations. From there, tuk-tuks carry you into the countryside, where the views stretch out into endless rice fields dotted with tall sugar palms—perfect for anyone who loves photography. Back on the boat, lunch is served while you cruise onward to Kampong Tralach. An ox-cart ride then takes you down dusty paths to a rural temple, offering a glimpse into village traditions and daily life. Later in the afternoon, the ship continues to Koh Chen, a small riverside village where silversmiths and copper workers create beautiful hand-crafted pieces. Watching them at work is a highlight of the day. As evening falls, you can head up to the ship’s deck for the kind of Mekong sunset that makes you pause and just take it all in.

Day 3: Koh Chen to Phnom Penh
The final day starts with a bit of a challenge—a climb of 509 steps up to Oudong Temple. Once Cambodia’s royal capital, this hilltop site is surrounded by historic stupas and tombs. The climb may be a little tiring, but the view from the top, with sweeping landscapes all around, makes it more than worthwhile. Afterward, you return to the ship for lunch as it cruises the last stretch toward Phnom Penh. By early afternoon, the journey comes to an end as you arrive in the capital around 2 PM. With evening flights recommended, you still have time to enjoy Phnom Penh’s energy, explore its riverside, or simply reflect on the trip before saying goodbye.

This cruise is more than just a way to get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh—it’s a chance to experience Cambodia in a way that feels authentic and unhurried. From floating villages and countryside roads to ancient temples and riverside sunsets, it’s a journey that leaves you with a deeper connection to the country and its people.