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Unveil the Sacred Journey

Embark on a Transformative Retreat

Join us for an unforgettable experience where every day unfolds new wonders and personal growth opportunities. Discover the essence of magnificence through immersive activities, serene landscapes, and individual enhancement...click here to learn more

As a prelude to this mindful cruise, admire the magnificent temples of Angkor. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 400 km² sacred complex holds priceless treasures such as the sanctuary of Ta Prohm, embraced by lichen and strangling fig trees, Bayon with its serene four-faced Buddhas, the Terrace of the Elephants, once the scene of royal parades, and above all Angkor Wat, the crown jewel and spiritual heart of the site.

We are thrilled to present our latest program, designed to weave together exploration, Buddhist cultural immersion, contemplative practices, and gentle activities for a memorable cruising experience on-board the Toum Tiou II. Our charming vessel offers personalized service in an intimate environment, ideal for small groups seeking an authentic Mekong River journey that blends outer discovery with inner reflection.

Our itinerary includes a range of experiences: guided meditation sessions, biking, kayaking, sampan rides, and walking tours that bring you closer to the spiritual life of the Mekong River, including visits to monastic villages and climbing the sacred Udong Hill. Moreover, we’ll take you on a motor & rowing boat tour of the serene Tra Su Forest, where you’ll witness incredible flora and fauna alongside peaceful shrines nestled within this natural sanctuary.

Experience the perfect balance of Buddhist-inspired immersion, mindful personal development, and light adventure, while embracing the authentic charm of the Mekong River. With an emphasis on personalized service, spiritual exploration, and a touch of adventure, our program promises an unforgettable retreat and makes a perfect match for the Toum Tiou II.

Explore the Retreat Schedule

The Sacred Journey is meticulously designed to offer a blend of relaxation and exploration. Each day is crafted to provide unique experiences, from tranquil meditation sessions to adventurous excursions, ensuring a holistic journey of self-discovery and cultural immersion.

A GLIMPSE INTO YOUR JOURNEY

Our retreat schedule is a tapestry of enriching activities, including guided temple visits, cultural encounters, and mindfulness workshops. Each day is an opportunity to deepen your practice of awareness and compassion, making every moment meaningful, restorative, and transformative.

Experience an authentic and dynamic journey in an intimate group as you navigate the sacred Mekong River and the Cho Gao canal. The excursions include meaningful highlights: uncover the hidden treasures of the Mekong by bike, kayak, sampan, or on foot. Explore historic cities such as Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City. Visit serene pagodas and engage with locals to gain insight into their mindful way of life in Sa Dec and Cai Be. Witness a pottery wheel demonstration and join a cooking class to fully immerse yourself in the region’s living traditions. Ascend the sacred Oudong Hill for breathtaking views and a glimpse of ancient monasteries. A favorite experience is Saigon after dark, where you can enjoy the vibrant energy of the city and connect with its people.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Each day of this transformational retreat includes a rich blend of personal growth programs, engaging discussions, and immersive sessions. To explore more details of these offerings, simply click the orange plus sign. Below, you’ll find the daily highlights of these unforgettable adventures.

Day 1 - Siem Reap is best known as the gateway to the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor, with the iconic Angkor Wat standing as a breathtaking centerpiece.

Your journey unfolds in harmony with your arrival time. If your flight touches down between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., here’s what awaits: Begin with a mindful lunch at the hotel, followed by a serene boat journey across the sacred waters of Tonlé Lake, where you’ll experience the quiet grace of floating villages and the simplicity of daily life. Later, we’ll wander through the vibrant Angkor Night Market, alive with energy and color. To complete the day, we’ll share a nourishing dinner in the city before resting peacefully in the calm refuge of a four-star hotel.

Day 2 - This morning, we begin our exploration of the sacred Angkor temples, a timeless sanctuary that embodies the devotion, wisdom, and awakening spirit at the heart of Cambodia’s Buddhist heritage.

This morning, we journey to the serene Ta Prohm, where ancient ruins rest in the silent embrace of towering tree roots, reminding us of impermanence and nature’s wisdom. We continue to the majestic Angkor Thom, walking mindfully among the iconic faces of Bayon Temple and pausing to reflect on the intricate carvings of the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.

After a nourishing lunch in the city, we’ll visit Senteurs d’Angkor, a delightful workshop where the artistry of silk, carvings, spices, and natural creations reflects the spirit of mindful craft. Our day concludes with the vibrant Phare Cambodian Circus, a celebration of resilience and joy, before returning to the hotel for evening rest and renewal.

Day 3 - After visiting the crown jewel of Khmer civilization, enjoy a scenic journey through the heart of Cambodia—passing lush rice paddies, stilted villages, and tranquil countryside landscapes that reflect the simplicity of mindful living. As we near Koh Chen, the horizon opens to riverside charm, with glimpses of serene pagodas nestled among graceful palm trees, quietly reminding us of devotion and impermanence.

We’ll visit Angkor Wat, the crown jewel of Khmer architecture and a living symbol of spiritual devotion (modest attire required: covered shoulders and long pants or skirt). After a mindful lunch at the hotel, we’ll transfer by coach to our cruise boat in Koh Chen (5–6 hours). Once aboard, settle into your cabin, meet the crew over a welcome cocktail, and share dinner together as we begin our peaceful river journey. Overnight on board.

Day 4 - Koh Chen is a peaceful riverside village renowned for its skilled silversmiths, who craft intricate ceremonial objects offered to pagodas and used in sacred rituals. Its gentle atmosphere and timeless way of life open a window into Cambodia’s living heritage of devotion and mindful artistry.

Sail to Kampong Chhnang and enjoy a mindful lunch on board. Explore one of the largest fishing ports on Tonle Sap Lake, where the rhythms of water and life flow in harmony, supported by a network of fish farms. This region is renowned for its traditional pottery, where ancestral techniques blend with present creativity—aptly, Chhnang means “pot,” a vessel symbolic of both offering and renewal. We’ll taste local specialties before returning to the boat and continuing our peaceful journey to Kampong Tralach. Optional: For those wishing more movement, a riverside cycling excursion to the pottery village is available. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 5 - Oudong, the former royal capital of Cambodia, is a serene hilltop sanctuary adorned with ancient stupas and expansive views of the surrounding countryside. Steeped in Buddhist devotion, it remains a place of reflection and spiritual significance.

This morning, we journey to Oudong, Cambodia’s former royal capital for over 250 years and an enduring center of Buddhist devotion. We’ll visit the serene Vipassana Dhura Pagoda, a place of meditation and monastic training, before climbing Oudong Hill, where ancient stupas stand as symbols of awakening and impermanence, overlooking vast rice fields and the Tonlé Sap.

After a mindful lunch on board, we’ll continue to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu, its murals illuminating the Buddha’s teachings amid emerald rice fields. Guests may choose to return to the ship by bicycle, pedaling gently through the tranquil countryside. As we sail toward Phnom Penh, we’ll be blessed with a traditional Khmer dance and music performance, before sharing dinner and resting overnight on board.

Day 6 - Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s vibrant capital, is a dynamic blend of old and new—where glittering royal palaces and sacred pagodas radiate timeless devotion beside bustling markets, French colonial architecture, and a rapidly modernizing skyline. Rich in history, Buddhist tradition, and everyday charm, it offers a compelling glimpse into the spiritual and cultural heart of Cambodia.

After breakfast on board, we’ll visit Phnom Penh’s iconic Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, home to sacred Buddhist treasures, followed by the National Museum. In the afternoon, hop aboard a tuk-tuk for a lively tour that includes the Art Deco Central Market, bustling with local goods and flavors. Wander hidden alleyways to glimpse daily life—locals sipping coffee, playing chess, and preparing street food. We’ll continue to Wat Phnom, the city’s spiritual heart and a place of quiet devotion, then stroll through the French Quarter, where colonial architecture tells the story of a bygone era. Return on board for dinner and begin our journey toward Vietnam. Night on board.

Day 7 - Chau Doc is a lively riverside town near the Cambodia-Vietnam border, known for its cultural diversity, bustling floating markets, and thriving fish farming traditions. Blending Cham, Khmer, and Vietnamese influences, it reveals a living tapestry of faith, devotion, and daily life along the Mekong.

Breakfast on board as we arrive at the Vinh Xuong border for customs clearance before continuing to Chau Doc, a vibrant town on the Cambodia-Vietnam border known for its fishing traditions and aquaculture. From there, we’ll journey to the lush Tra Su Forest, gliding mindfully through its serene waterways by small local boats, embraced by rich biodiversity and tranquil beauty. After lunch back on board, we’ll ride the cable car to the summit of Sam Mountain, where sweeping views inspire reflection. At the top, we’ll visit the revered Ba Chua Xu Temple, a sacred site of devotion, before returning to the ship. We then sail on to Sa Dec, with dinner and overnight on board.

Day 8 -Sa Dec is a charming riverside town in the Mekong Delta, known for its vibrant markets, colonial-era architecture, and tranquil canals that invite mindful reflection. Steeped in history and literary fame, it is also home to the former residence of Huynh Thuy Lê, immortalized in Marguerite Duras’s novel The Lover, alongside pagodas that echo the region’s enduring Buddhist spirit.

After breakfast on board, we’ll take a local boat for a panoramic tour of Sa Dec, including a mindful walk through the lively riverbank market. This charming, authentic town is home to colonial-era architecture and sacred sites where Buddhist devotion quietly endures, as well as the former residence of Huynh Thuy Lê, inspiration for The Lover by Marguerite Duras.

We then cruise to Cai Be, known for its lush landscapes and timeless spiritual traditions. A local boat takes us to a craft village and vibrant fruit orchards, where we’ll enjoy fresh tropical fruits, hot tea, and traditional music that echoes with the joy of community. Later, we’ll join a hands-on cooking class, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, choose between kayaking along the calm waterways or biking through the countryside—each an opportunity for mindful presence and reflection on the interconnection of life in the Mekong Delta. The ship departs for My Tho with dinner and overnight on board.

Day 9 -My Tho is a lively gateway to the Mekong Delta, known for its maze of canals, lush orchards, and floating markets. This riverside city offers an authentic taste of delta life, where tradition, mindful living, and the flow of water embody the Buddhist spirit of harmony and interconnection.

In My Tho, we’ll begin the day with a local boat ride to Thoi Son Island, where we’ll immerse ourselves in the simple rhythms of daily life and share fresh seasonal fruits in a spirit of gratitude. A peaceful sampan ride through the narrow, palm-lined canals offers an intimate view of the Mekong Delta’s serene beauty, inviting moments of mindfulness along the way. Later, we’ll bike through the village, exploring vibrant orchards and connecting with locals whose warmth and traditions reflect the quiet heart of Buddhist compassion.

Day 10 - Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is a vibrant metropolis where historic charm meets modern energy. From its French colonial architecture to its bustling markets and thriving café culture, the city offers a dynamic glimpse into Vietnam’s past, present, and future, while its pagodas and temples reflect the enduring presence of Buddhist devotion amid the bustle of daily life.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast on board before heading into the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. A short drive brings us downtown, where we’ll begin a walking tour with photo stops at iconic landmarks such as the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, City Square, and the Opera House—all showcasing the elegance of 19th-century French colonial architecture. Stroll through vibrant streets and green spaces, soaking in the dynamic energy of the city, and pause to savor a mindful cup of Vietnam’s world-renowned coffee at a local café. Return to the ship for lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll immerse ourselves in the cultural richness of Chinatown, explore daily life among bustling streets, and visit the 300-year-old Giac Lam Pagoda—Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest and a living sanctuary of Buddhist devotion. We’ll also enjoy a short walk through the colorful Flower Market and Binh Tay Market, where offerings of fresh produce and handmade goods reflect the spirit of generosity and community. Return to the ship for a festive farewell cocktail and dinner on board. Overnight in port.

Day 11 - Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest and most dynamic metropolis, where ancient pagodas, colonial-era landmarks, and sleek skyscrapers coexist in a vibrant flow of impermanence. Known for its rich history, lively street life, and renowned cuisine, the city offers an unforgettable immersion into the spirit of modern Vietnam, while its temples and traditions reflect the timeless presence of Buddhist devotion.

Enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking. We’ll then proceed to the War Museum to learn more about the history of Vietnam, reflecting on both suffering and resilience through a lens of compassion and understanding. Afterward, we’ll transfer to a local restaurant for lunch.

We’ll bid you farewell at approximately 2:00 p.m., carrying with us the spirit of mindfulness from the journey. Please do not book your flight before 5:00 p.m.

Join Us on a Retreat of Mindfulness and Awakening

Embark on a transformative experience with Global Journeys. Our Sacred Journey retreat weaves together cultural discovery and inner awakening. Whether you’re seeking adventure or stillness, each moment of the itinerary is designed to nurture mindfulness, connection, and renewal. Sign up today to secure your spot, or reach out to us for more details. Don’t miss this opportunity to walk a path that empowers both your travels and your spirit.