HTML clipboard
Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Saigon are the key destinations that we use to
offer you trips into lands of disconcerting beauty, with an incomparable
historical heritage and legendary traditions.
See the Toum Tiou Cruiser
Route 1: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh
|
Day 1: Siem Reap - Kampong Chhnang |
(L, D) |
07:00 Meeting in front of FCC hotel in Siem Reap. Transfer by local tour agent
for Phnom Krom boat-pier. Transfer form the pier by local boat to the Toum Tiou.
08:00 Check-in at the boat docked near Phnom Krom in Siem Reap. Passengers
embark, security briefing. Departure for a relaxing half day by crossing the
Tonlé Sap Lake. Lunch onboard.
15:30 Arrival at Kampong Luong. Local boats are coming along the Toum Tiou and
picking passengers for the visit. Almost totally overlooked by tourists because
of its remoteness and difficult access, the village is completely
self-sufficient. A floating school, factories to make ice for fish preservation,
church, pagoda, service stations, pigsty, stores, boat or television repair
shops, video club, karaoke bar, police station... everything is on the water.
All trades are represented and everybody from children to grandparents goes by
boat through the network of canals that cross this little town.
18:00 Passengers re-embark. The Toum Tiou stays overnight under the protection
of the flooded forest. Welcome drink and info meeting about cruise, crew
introduction. Welcome dinner. Overnight onboard.
|
Day 2: Kampong Tralach - Phnom Penh |
(B, L, D) |
07:00 Departure of the Toum Tiou early in the morning. Sail to Kampong Chnang by
passing near Chnok Tru, the first big village after the River meets the Great
Lake of Tonlé Sap. Breakfast during navigation.
09:00 Arrival to Kampong Chnang. Located some 56 miles from Phnom Penh, the town
of Kampong Chnang is one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap. Fish
farming is also widely practiced in the area. The area is famous for its pottery
ware, unchanged in style for centuries, which is produced in sufficient
quantities to supply the entire country. And not to be overlooked are the
products of the Thnot tree (sugar palm – a real national symbol) that abounds in
the area: a mellow tasting, caramel-colored sugar sold in large cakes and palm
wine.
11:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou. Lunch on board on the way to Kampong
Tralach. Arrive at Kampong Tralach to visit its wonderful Vihara belonging to
Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To get to it, we cross Kampong Tralach Krom
village along a small road perpendicular to the river, crossing some gorgeous
stretches of emerald rice paddy as we leave the river behind. The Vihara dates
back to early last century. It was probably built on an older site, as indicated
by the latérite foundations, and is home to some outstanding mural paintings.
These, however, are starting to suffer from weathering. They remain one of the
last survivors of cultural destruction that continues unabated due to widespread
indifference. Standing by itself in the middle of rice fields, it is a modest
pagoda that receives very few visitors. Its isolation may well be its undoing,
as was the case last May for Wat Tani Pagoda in the province of Kampot.
17:30 Passengers re-embark. The Toum Tiou drops anchor few miles away. Farewell
cocktail (1 glass of local liquor or juice) with Master of Ship & Cruise
Manager. Captain’s farewell dinner (Enriched menu + 1 glass of wine). Overnight
on board
07:00 Departure of the Toum Tiou early in the morning. Sail to Kôh Chen (Chinese
Island)
08:30 Arrival to Kôh Chen, small village of whose inhabitants specialize in
silver and copper smiting. They make ornamental items, including delicately
engraved tropical fruits, used in traditional ceremonies at the pagoda or for
marriages. The distant hills of Cambodia's old capital, Oudong, and its royal
stupas can be seen a few kilometers away from the ferry. At the top of the hill,
the ruins of Anthareu temple.
11:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou. Lunch on board on the way to Phnom
Penh. Arrive in Phnom Penh. Tour ends.
------
