Luxuriate at Shinta Mani Wild, an extraordinary Cambodian resort surrounded by national parks, where you can indulge in the most outlandish jungle exploits, all the while accompanied by your personal adventure butler.
Special Note: Guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.
Guests must be in good physical condition in order to participate. This program is not wheelchair accessible.
DAY 1 – May 23, 2023
Disembark the ship in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, meet your driver and transfer by road to Shinta Mani Wild.
Lunch and dinner are included.
Rest of the day is free at leisure or you can talk to your butler for more activities.
Situated on more than 800 acres in a vast river valley on the border of the Cardamom National Forest, Shinta Mani Wild is an extraordinary, environmentally friendly resort dedicated to fulfilling each guest’s sense of adventure. You will stay in one of 15 luxury private tents along the riverbank.
Your jungle adventure begins from the moment you arrive! You will climb Eastern Tower’s 98 steps, don zip line equipment, clip into a double cable for extra safety, and after a safety briefing, fly… at upwards of 50 kmph for 400 meters, over the Butterfly tent and the first crossing of the Tmor Rung River to land at the West Tower.
Then fly in the face of Raging Big Sister Falls before landing at the Landing Zone Bar where you’ll be handed a gin and tonic. Note: For guests who would prefer not to zip line in, your driver will bring you directly to the Landing Zone Bar as well as all the luggage.
An adventure butler will see to your every need, from unpacking and packing your luggage to satisfying even the most whimsical requests, if possible. The butler will also accompany you on every adventure so nothing will be left to chance.
Dining, all of which is included at Shinta Mani Wild, is just as magnificent. Consequently, each meal is completely different from any other and an adventure itself.
Between meals at the resort, you will spend your time pursuing the adventures that sound most appealing.
The options include:
JUNGLE TREKKING
The resort borders the 4.5-million-acre Southern Cardamom National Park, so the opportunities for trekking into the jungle are endless. Opt for anything from an easy walk on a riverside trail to full-day slog into the Cardamom interior. Your adventure butler will happily guide you on the adventure of your choosing. (1-8 hours)
FOREST FORAGING
Discover and taste Cambodia’s natural larder in the company of our camp sous chef and expert forager Bong Van Det. He will lead the way through the forest while describing the found ingredients and offering tastes of them. Chef Van Det will be grateful for your help in filling his basket with delicacies for the foraged tasting dinner that follows. (1-2 hours)
MOUNTAIN BIKING
There are mountain biking opportunities for riders of all skill levels. Looking for a virgin run on a forest single track or perhaps a less arduous ride through a Khmer village? Or maybe a drive from camp to the Kirirom Reservoir for a challenging uphill ride and an exhilarating downhill sprint is more your speed. (1-4 hours)
KAYAKING
The Cardamom rainforest has some of the highest annual rainfall in Southeast Asia, which creates a massive system of rivers and estuaries that are ideal for flat-water kayaking. The best opportunities for bird watching are along these barely used water routes, where the rare encounter with a fisherman will be a surprise and a delight. (2.5 hours)
A WILD PHOTO SHOOT
Our adventure butlers will show you some of our favorite photo and video locations, where you might sip a glass of champagne under a waterfall, race downhill on a zipline, drive a Jeep through the forest or hang out with a wildlife alliance ranger. You can become the stars and let us take the photos for you to share on social media.
EXPEDITION BOAT
Our luxury, custom-built expedition boats are perfect for exploring the backwaters of the upper Srey Ambel Estuary and the connecting waterways. Early risers will enjoy a sunrise breakfast on board or on a secluded beach. If you prefer a later expedition, you can opt for a sunset cruise. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, you can ride a bicycle through the jungle to and from the expedition boat.
WILDLIFE ALLIANCE RANGERS ANTI-POACHING PATROL
If you share our passion for protecting the environment, feel free to join the Wildlife Alliance rangers and motorcycle through the forest on an anti-poaching patrol. Funded by Shinta Mani Wild, the camp’s ranger station enables the non-profit Wildlife Alliance to carry out vital conservation work, including protecting animals from poaching, removing snares, protecting the national park from encroachment and preventing illegal logging. (2-5 hours)
WILD COCKTAILS
Have you ever wanted to learn the best way to build, stir, muddle or shake up a cocktail? If so, our mixologist Bong Ae will show you the fine art of perfecting classic cocktails such as a Negroni. Or create your own cocktail and infuse it with whatever flavors you wish.
WELLNESS
Indulge in pampering treatments at Khmer Tonics, our spa nestled amid giant rocks in the forest. As an alternate to the spa treatment rooms, you may enjoy a river-stone foot massage while soaking in a waterfall pool or indulge in a treatment on the balcony of your private tent with the river rushing below. All treatments are complimentary.
Note: where time permits, guests may be able to choose more than one activity during the day. Activities are reserved with the Adventure Butlers once guests are on site.
DAY 2 – May 24, 2023
Spend your day taking part in one or more of the available activities.
All meals are included.
DAY 3 – May 25, 2023
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before settling any incidental charges that you may have incurred and checking out. A local driver will accompany you on the transfer from the resort to the Phnom Penh Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the pier to re-embark the ship.
Guests are required to have a multiple entry Vietnamese Visa prior to embarking the ship which will need to be valid for this program (arrival into Vietnam via the Ho Chi Minh Airport) as well as the other Vietnamese ports on the cruise itinerary. Visa costs are not included in this program.
Land Program Step by Step
The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations, which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed. Final itineraries with the up-to-date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
DAY 1
10:00am Disembark in Sihanoukville. You are met at the pier
10:00am Transfer from the port to Shinta Mani Wild
12:30pm Arrive at the resort – lunch is included
2:00pm Official check in time at the resort
Meet your butler and set up your activities
Overnight at the Shinta Mani Wild
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the resort followed by your activity option
TBA Lunch at the resort
TBA Dinner at the resort
Overnight at the Shinta Mani Wild
DAY 3
7:00am Breakfast at the resort
8:00am Check out
8:20am Transfer to the Phnom Penh Airport
11:40am Arrive at Phnom Penh Airport and check in for a flight to Saigon
1:50pm Flight to Saigon (flight details TBA and subject to change)
2:55pm Arrival to Saigon Airport & proceed through Immigration
4:00pm Transfer to the ship
5:00pm Approximate arrival at the ship in Ho Chi Minh City
Expected Weather
The average mid-day temperatures can hover to upper 30s C (85-90 F), especially in inland areas like Cardamom Mountains. It is less breezy at this time of year the sun can be quite intense and the air becomes hazier with the rising humidity.
What to Bring
Dress comfortably and casually. Please observe local dress codes and avoid uncovered shoulders, shorts or revealing clothing. Bring a hat or head covering for sun protection and don’t forget sunscreen, a bathing suit, sunglasses and insect repellent for sunrise and sunset hours. It is also a good idea to bring tissues or wet wipes. Wear flat comfortable walking shoes not sandals, open-toed shoes or flip-flops. Shoes and hats should be removed when visiting religious sites.
Local Currency
The local currency is the Cambodian Riel, but guests are encouraged to bring US dollars as they are commonly accepted in Cambodia. Bring smaller denominations to prevent ending up with an excess of local change that you will not be able to re-exchange back home.
Electricity
Rooms are equipped with 220-volt, two-pin US-style electrical outlets. Bring an adaptor kit for electronic devices.
Luggage
Light luggage is most suited for this 2-night trip. The airline(s) allow a maximum of one checked suitcase (20 kg or 44 lbs.) and one small carry-on. Additional pieces will be in excess, and guests must pay the corresponding fees to the airline(s).
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has its own regulations)
1. Guests must obtain a doctor’s certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have an attached picture of the equipment with its description/specifications, especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type).
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via the Reservations Team at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which the cruise line nor our local ground operator can be responsible for.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A passport that is valid at least 6 months after travel is required.
Guests are required to have a multiple entry Vietnamese Visa prior to embarking the ship which will need to be valid for this program (arrival into Vietnam via the Ho Chi Minh Airport) as well as the other Vietnamese ports on the cruise itinerary. Visa costs are not included in this program.
Guests should also have in advance of sailing a valid Cambodian visa for the ships arrival into Sihanoukville.
Visa fees are not included in the cost of this program.
VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program, otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time or incorrect names on flight tickets will result in denial of travel or ticket re-purchase and guests will be responsible for any fees incurred.
Aircraft type (subject to change)
Boeing 737-800
Hotel
Bensley Collection - Shinta Mani Wild
Prey Praseth Village, Ou Bak Rothed Commune, Kampong Seila District, Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia
Phone: +855 34 900 150
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program includes for guests
•2 nights at Bensley Collection – Shinta Mani Wild (Wild Tent accommodations)
•All meals and beverages
•Round-trip private transfers
•Personal adventure butler
•Welcome beverage and welcome amenities
•All private excursions and activities
•Pop up sunset drinks in different locations
•Unpacking on arrival and packing before departure
•Spa treatments
•Pocket Wi-Fi device to use in vehicles
•Wi-Fi around the camp
•Complimentary laundry service (no dry cleaning)
•In-tent bar replenished daily
•Economy class flight per the itinerary
Program excludes for guests
•Additional touring and meals not mentioned in above itinerary
•Gratuities for drivers and guides
•Hotel incidentals
•Excess or overweight luggage fees
•Multiple entry Vietnam Visa which is required for the program and the cruise
•Cambodian Visa
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.