MCC8: Siemreap - Phnompenh 3 days by Toum Tiou boat

The Toum Tiou measures 38 meters long and 7 meters wide in the middle. It has 10 rooms in all (3.3m x 2.5m), 4 on the main deck and 6 on the upper deck, each air-conditioned and with a bathroom (2.5m x 1.4m) including toilet, shower and sink. The water on board is taken from the river, passed through a powerful filtration system and chlorinated in the final step of the treatment.
In order to make the best possible use of the common areas from the standpoint of both size and variety we have installed a library-reading room on the lower deck. There is also a covered space at the front of the middle deck, a restaurant to the rear anda half-covered sundeck on top.

Built in the traditional style, the Toum Tiou was christened in 2002 on the river at Phnom Penh, the first Cambodian cruise boat with international standard accommodation.
Fully-paneled in wood, with charm and comfort in mind, we designed it in keeping with the local style. Modestly sized and with the safety of a steel hull, its low draft makes possible an access to the smallest and remotest of villages. With the tasteful decoration of a bygone era, the Toum Tiou has 10 cozy double cabins with private shower, a large lounge area, a panoramic viewing space to the front, a half-covered bar-restaurant to the rear and a roof patio. Air conditioning, hi-fi system and library are provided.
The captain, ship hands, hostesses, cooks and purser are discreet and inconspicuous in the performance of their duties.

Toum Tiou 2 has 14 cozy cabins following the colonial style of her mother, Toum Tiou. Each cabin is built with noble wood in an elegant style, has its own A/C, hot water shower, security safe and a large window for spectacular view of the nature. Public areas like a panoramic, open restaurant which is matchless on the River and a spacious sun deck also add to be facilities of the boat. Toum Tiou 2’s kitchen is famous for its variety of Asian food and smiley cooks. Toum Tiou 2’s equipment also contains a powerful filtration/chlorination system for water safety. Laundry service is also available onboard.
During cruises TTII offers full board with Asian/Western food, daily excursions, free coffee and tea and uniterrapted sailing with spectacular view of the Mekong nature.

19:30 Welcome drink and info meeting about cruise, crew introduction.
Welcome dinner. Overnight on boat.
** From March it might not be possible to visit Floating village depending on the water level.
At the end of the low water period (around end of March to June), the water level may not allow the speedboat to cross the lake. In this case, passengers will be transferred by our convenience from/to Siem Reap by land or river way. (~5-6 hour).
 
Day 2: Kampong Chnang – Kampong Tralach ( B, L, D )
07:00 After breakfast, local boats come to the Toum Tiou II and pick passengers up for the visit of floating village. 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 the boat through the network of canals that cross this little town.
10:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou II. Lunch on boat on the way to Kampong Chnang.
14:00 Arrival at Kampong Chnang. Visit the village and its environment.
Located some 90 kilometers 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.
18:00 Passengers re-embark the boat, Toum Tiou II leaves Kampong Chnang to kampong Tralach. The boat drops anchor close to the village.
19:00 Dinner and overnight on boat.
 
Day 3: Kampong Tralach - Kôh Chen / Oudong – Phnom Penh ( B, L )
07:00 Breakfast during navigation, departure for 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 for Wat Tani Pagoda in the province of Kampot.
10:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou II. Lunch on boat on the way to Kôh Chen.
14:00 Visit of Kôh Chen, small village of which the 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, are the ruins of Anthareu temple.
16:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou II.
18:00 Arrival to Phnom Penh.