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One of the many highlights when sailing along the cruises Mekong River is a visit to one of the most popular cultural attractions in Asia, Angkor Wat. This ancient Cambodian site is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the ruins include some of the most significant historical artefacts from Southeast Asia.
During your time here, visit the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey where you will come across a dizzying array of temples and pagodas.
The Cruises Mekong River is one of the longest and most significant rivers in the world. Starting from the mountains of Tibet, it flows down through six different geographic regions in China and the Southeastern countries of Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. Facilitating major irrigation projects, trade and international relations on the way, the Mekong is known as “the Danube of Asia”.One of the most charming and popular ways to traverse the great waters about the Ton Le Sap Lake is via a traditional sampan or houseboat. This 20 x 4 meter longboat is usually made of the local “sao” wood (a variant of oak) and is an authentic and integral part of the people who have made their living around and about these waters for generations. The vessels contain comfortable and well-ventilated rooms with facilities for sleeping and dining, as well as their own kitchen and bathroom. They can house up to 30 people at a time, including a five person crew of captain, mechanic, cook, sailor and guide.
The passengers of these river cruises have a rare vantage perspective of the country as they take in the passing montage of golden-green paddy fields, valleys and mountains all fed by the palm-lined waters of the mighty river. A pageantry of rural villages of stilted homesteads with shrimp drying on hammocks can be seen and accessed during these boat tours, where unique handicrafts can be purchased as souvenirs.
Of course, the primary attraction of the river cruises are the temple visits such as the brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan and Ta Prohm in its exotic jungle embrace. The largest and best-preserved temple, the Angkor Wat, is indubitably the main draw, breathtaking with its ornate five tiers mirrored in the moat against the rose hues of the dawn and dusk. From the delicate wonder of Banteay Srei to a pilgrimage to Phnom Penh as well as visits to the floating markets and white-sanded islands dotting the river, a cruise on Mekong river yields a vista of unforgettable sights and sounds.
The best part about backpacking in this side of Cambodia is you get to see the Mekong River tours, which is home to the very rare Irrawaddy dolphins. These dolphins are slowly becoming endangered. In fact, there are about 66 and 86 remaining dolphins in the upper area of the Mekong River.
Laid Back Getaway
When sailing along the Dnieper River in Ukraine, there’s the opportunity to look around palaces, monasteries, museums and other historical attractions. Kiev, Yalta and Odessa are just some of the cities you’ll visit in Ukraine.Kiev is Ukraine’s vibrant capital and is one of the oldest cities in Europe.
Other highlights include the Three Gorges region of the legendary Yangtze and the engineering genius that is the Three Gorges Dam. And, many river cruises visit Xian, home of the famous Terracotta Warriors.
An increasingly popular destination when it comes to river cruises, the Mekong River leads the way to many enchanting attractions including the Royal Palace in the elegant French colonial capital of Phnom Penh in Cambodia; the incredible Angkor Wat complex near Siem Reap; and the floating markets of the Mekong delta tours.
There’s also the opportunity to experience the charm of Hanoi’s old city and the dynamic Ho Chi Minh City – formerly Saigon.
