SIEM REAP TO PHNOM PENH ON THE AQUA MEKONG

Day 1 Aqua Mekong, Cambodia

This morning, transfer from Siem Reap to the banks of Tonle Sap Lake where you board the Aqua Mekong and check in to your air-conditioned Design Suite. Your sailing begins on the Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia's largest expanse of freshwater. Millions of Cambodians rely on these waters for their livelihood and, indeed, many live in boat dwellings on the lake. Birdlife also makes the Tonle Sap its home and you may spot blue-tailed bee-eaters or pied kingfishers as you sail along.

After a gourmet lunch on board, take to a skiff to visit the lakeside village of Kampong Khleang, inaccessible by road for a significant part of the year. The village houses sit on wooden stilts high above the lake in dry months but just skirting its surface in the wet season. Whilst you will see the occasional TV aerial and local people using mobile telephones, the way of life here has actually changed very little for centuries, working paddy fields for rice and the waters of the lake for fish.

Overnight: Aqua Mekong

Day 2 Tonle Sap Lake - Moat Kla

After breakfast, continue from Kampong Khleang to Moat Kla, a secluded fishing village in Tonle Sap's south-eastern reaches, where you will be able to meet and converse with the local residents via a translator. The people who inhabit this area arrived long before the formalities of international boundaries and are mainly Vietnamese of descent. Whilst such communities are very isolated and a world away from where you may call home, you will spot floating 'convenience stores' selling everything from fishing equipment to beer and vegetables. This afternoon you will visit the village's Buddhist temple for a special blessing ceremony. The temple is home to just four Buddhist monks.

Overnight: Aqua Mekong

Day 3 Tonle Sap Lake - Chnok Tru - Kampong Chhnang

Explore remote villages around the Tonle Sap Lake, designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1997. In Chhnok Tru, we "slide" into an ice factory and learn from locals what it's like to live in a town where schools, churches, pagodas, and even the karaoke bar and police station all float. We continue learning about Khmer riverside life in Kampong Chhnang, the 'Port of Pottery' so called because archaeological findings here date to the 6th century.

Overnight: Aqua Mekong

Day 4 Tonle Sap and Mekong River - Koh Chen - Koh Oknha Tey

This morning, we visit Koh Chen, a silversmith village known for its fine craftsmanship. Keep an eye out for their famous silver bowls, regularly chosen by Cambodia's king as gifts for visiting dignitaries. In the afternoon, we set off for the Mekong's 'silk islands' where renowned weavers allow us to wander freely, admiring their intricate craftsmanship. Biking is optional for those who wish to explore deeper into the island.

Overnight: Aqua Mekong

Day 5 Mekong River - Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is a capital in transition. Art Deco buildings, Buddhist temples, French colonial villas and vintage cyclos recall an older world, whilst the 21st century introduces modern cars, boutique hotels, chic stores and high rise skyscrapers. After disembarking the MV Aqua Mekong, join a motorized tuk tuk to explore some of the city's most important sites including the Royal Palace and the National Museum of Cambodia. Your sailing ends at Phnom Penh.