Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise : Saigon – Siem Reap 8 Days

Day 1: Saigon – My Tho – Cai Be
Activities:Travel to My Tho, cruise along the Mekong, enjoy the sunset, hit Tan Phong

We welcome our guests in the morning at our Saigon welcome lounge. Relax with a second coffee while our staff collects your details. We bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon and travel 70 kilometers south overland towards My Tho to embark on our vessel. After checking into your luxurious floating “home,” the sailing on this major Asian waterway begins.

A lunch buffet is served in the restaurant as the vessel steadily glides upstream. As twilight bathes the Mekong Delta in a golden haze, take the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers and join in our official welcome with canapés and prosecco.

During dinner, the ship will likely reach Tan Phong Island area near Cai Be, where we anchor midstream. This is your first glimpse of the bustling area where we will begin our Mekong adventure on land tomorrow. Join us for some late-night entertainment in the evening cinema, featuring interesting classic movies or thrilling documentaries.
Meals:Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise

Day 2: Cai Be – Binh Thanh Island – Tan Chau
Activities:Observe the production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine and coconut candies in Cai be, visit a local family and their fruit garden offering us various kind of tropical fruits to taste, stunning landscapes along the Mekong, cruise to Tan Chau

Wake early to embrace the stunning dawn scenery, a time when the Delta’s inhabitants have already been active for hours. Energize yourself with our daily morning Tai Chi class before indulging in a lavish breakfast buffet. By local boat, we gain access to the secluded island of Tan Phong, a small island situated in the midst of one of the expansive Mekong River tributaries flowing toward the nearby sea.

Default Morning Excursion (any ship): During a visit to a workshop in the town of Cai Be, we’ll have the opportunity to observe the production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine and coconut candies. This is a very interesting manual process involving manual labour and special production technics. After the workshop we are heading to Tan Phong Island, a smaller island in the middle of the vast Mekong. We are visiting a local family and their fruit garden offering us various kind of tropical fruits to taste. A buggy ride through the island let us have a glimpse of the local day to day life as it unfolds. We stop at another family’s house. They are specialized in weaving of water hyacinth plants into artistic crafts by hand.

OPTIONAL MORNING EXCURSION:
Culinary (Ship ‘Jayavarman’ only): Via tender we head towards Tan Phong Island to visit a workshop where we can see skilled workers weaving dried water hyacinths into artistic crafts. We explore some parts of the local island life during a 15-minute motorized buggy ride along small pathways, eventually stopping at a house of a local family to visit their orchard. Get to know various kind of fruits the Mekong Delta has to offer and engage in an interactive cooking experience with the local family preparing some local dishes together.

Relax and enjoy some time on your private balcony or at the bar as we continue our voyage upstream. In the afternoon, we arrive at the Sa Dec region and anchor near one of the larger islands in the Mekong known as Binh Thanh.

Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): This island is home to several communities that sustain themselves by cultivating water hyacinths. Strolling through the village, you’ll gain profound insights into local life and witness the complete traditional mat-making process. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to meet a local elderly couple who have spent their entire lives on this island. They enjoy engaging in conversations with foreign visitors.

Before dinner, join us in the lounge for a presentation about life on the Mekong Delta as the ship sails toward our mooring spot for the night in Tan Chau.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise

Day 3: Tan Chau – Phnom Penh
Activities:Discover around Tan Chau, observe workshops, street vendors, shops and the intriguing day-to-day activities of the locals, visit a Cao Dai Temple, get to the border for Phnom Penh, enjoy the boat, reach to Phnom Penh

After our morning Tai Chi session and a delightful breakfast, we embark on an exploration of this area, renowned primarily for its aquaculture.
Default Morning Excursion (any ship): Upon disembarking, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant town life of Tan Chau by boarding “xelois” (the Vietnamese word for rickshaws). Your personal xeloi driver leisurely navigates through a network of streets, allowing you to observe workshops, street vendors, shops, and the intriguing day-to-day activities of the locals. Our journey takes us to the local market, where we mingle with residents as they go about their morning shopping routines. Continuing on, we visit a Cao Dai temple and meet with one of the priests, who enlightens us about the unique beliefs and spirit of Cao Dai. Our final destination is a fish farm that has been operated for many years by a local family, who make their livelihood from this distinctive business. Here, we gain insight into the essential knowledge required to manage such a unique enterprise in this region.

OPTIONAL MORNING EXCURSION:
Culinary (Ship ‘Jayavarman’ only): Once on-shore, we walk five minutes to the nearby market. Join our guide in selecting and buying fresh ingredients for the upcoming cooking session. We take cyclos for a charming ride through town to the local Cao Dai temple. During a quick visit you get to know some insight into this particular religion as well as the special dietary practices of Cao Dai followers. We head to the temple kitchen for an hands-on cooking class, preparing special dietary dishes in an interactive and culturally enriching experience together with the local kitchen team.

Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): Continuing our journey, we ascend the river for the remainder of the day, crossing into Cambodia and heading towards Phnom Penh. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. It’s time to embrace the soothing rhythm of this river and fully immerse yourself in the “cruise mode.” You can opt for a spa treatment, relax on the sun deck, or unwind on your private balcony. As we pass under the bridge, the captain always has an interesting story to share about “his” river. Additionally, our kitchen team invites you to participate in a culinary workshop where you can learn about popular Vietnamese and Cambodian dishes. The boat docks at Phnom Penh, either mid-stream or at the pier.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise

Day 4: Phnom Penh
Activities:City tour around Phnom Penh, sight-seeing, visit Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, S21 prison, enjoy an engaging expert lecture in the lounge or a classic Apsara dance performance

Welcome to Phnom Penh, a city once renowned as the “Paris of the East.” Despite its rapid development, it has retained much of its rustic charm and elegance. Phnom Penh is a remarkable city with a history and culture that spans centuries, still palpable at every street corner.

Our full-day sightseeing tour begins right after breakfast, allowing us to explore the city’s highlights. We’ll start with a cyclo ride, meandering through the town and then visit historic places such as the palace and the silver pagoda. Our journey takes us to the “S21” prison, a poignant and dark chapter in Cambodia’s history during the Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. Afterward, we’ll pause for a delightful lunch in town before continuing to visit one of the country’s most famous history museums, “Sosoro,” and concluding the tour with a leisurely stroll through the city’s French quarter, including the iconic and aptly named monument of Wat Phnom.

In the evening, we invite you to an engaging expert lecture in the lounge. To cap off this eventful day, we’ll indulge in a delightful open-air barbecue and gala dinner accompanied by a classic Apsara dance performance. Afterward, feel free to explore the city at night, savouring Phnom Penh’s vibrant nightlife or taking in the lively river promenade.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise

Day 5: Phnom Penh – Kampong Tralach – Kampong Laeang
Activities:Towards the small Angkor Ban village, famous for it ́s unspoiled community and beautiful, traditional house, travel by road to pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey, witness a blessing ceremony

LOW WATER: Phnom Penh – Kampong Tralach Kampong Laeang –Mid River (Tonle Sap Morring)
Before the sun peeks over the horizon, the cruiser sets sail, entering the Tonle River. The Tonle River is a natural wonder of Cambodia, and the scenery on both sides of the river is a true gem.

Default Morning Excursion (any ship): This morning, we’ll enjoy an exciting excursion to discover another part of rural Cambodian, Kampong Tralach countryside. Our ox-pulled cart will transport us along the riverside and down winding back roads, flanked by picturesque rice paddies, until we arrive at a small village. Here, we will have the opportunity to learn about the local NGO school and library project. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the nearby ancient 300-year-old temple and Buddha shrine.

OPTIONAL MORNING EXCURSION:
As we sail upstream, lunch is served, and our crew showcases afterwards various traditional Khmer fashions worn by locals during special occasions.
Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): We arrive at Kampong Laeang, situated just across from the famous pottery town of Kampong Chhnang. Once ashore, we embark on tuk-tuks to travel the heart of rural Cambodian life. During this excursion, we’ll explore various locals, discover the art of pottery making, and visit a charming pre-Angkorian temple. From a vantage point, we can enjoy panoramic views of the vast floodplains and lush rice fields (seasonal).
OPTIONAL AFTERNOON EXCURSION:
Culinary (Ship ‘Jayavarman’ only): The culinary themed excursion offers in addition to the default cultural excursion the possibility to participate in a cooking demonstration. Get to know how to prepare together the quite famous snack called “Nom Kruak” which is a kind of cake made from white or brown rice. Originally cooked only one side only, the Khmer invented Nom Kruak and cooked it on both sides. This dish is a tasty pre-dinner snack often consumed by locals.
Once back onboard, enjoy a relaxing poolside sundowner cocktail hour with dance tunes before dinner and an evening cinema. We begin our journey downstream, sailing towards Tonle Sap where we will anchor for the night.
Dining: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

HIGH WATER: Phnom Penh – Angkor Ban – Kampong Cham (Mekong) – Prek Bangkong

We are leaving Phnom Penh early to make our way to Angkor Ban. The morning Tai Chi session sets the mood for the day as we begin our tour of Angkor Ban.
Default Morning Excursion (any ship): This place includes a monastery with a delightful local village behind it. You’ll have the chance to meet monks during their morning class and engage in friendly conversations with the villagers. As we meander through the village, we’ll get as close as possible to the local way of life, collecting wonderful memories of Cambodia’s rustic lifestyle. This village is truly a gem to explore offering photographic and touching moments whilst interacting with the local community.

OPTIONAL MORNING EXCURSION:
Culinary (Ship ‘Jayavarman’ only): Today, the culinary themed excursion is offering a nice highlight. In addition to the visit of the Angkor Ban village (see default excursion) the group is going to visit the house of Mr B. who used to work years ago as a young chef aboard the ship Jayavarman. When he got married, he moved to his wife’s home village. Together with his “mom-in-law” and the “chef” in the household (his wife), we prepare and cook a century old soup recipe called “Samlor Korko”. The soup is kind of a fish soup made with many vegetables, spices, herbs, roasted rice, accompanied with a duck egg omelette.

As we continue to sail upstream and prior to lunchtime, our crew showcases afterwards various traditional Khmer fashions worn by locals during special occasions.

Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): We are in the vast Mekong River at the town of Kampong Cham which is an important trade and transportation hub but it still maintains scattered small hamlets around the outskirts where the community’s rhythm blends with the skilled hands of artisans. For instance, in Cheung Krok, locals craft various handmade items, whether it’s food, fashion, or other everyday goods. The nearby Bamboo bridge, which is erected seasonally, serves as more than just a passageway; it’s a gateway to the past.
Once back onboard, the ship turns arounds sailing down the Mekong River again to reach our overnight mooring place Prek Bangkong later in the evening.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise

Day 6: Prek Bangkong – Angkor Ban
Activities:Discover another part of rural Cambodian Kampong Tralach countryside, have a chance to learn about the local Ngo school and library project, visit the nearby ancient 300 years old temple and Buddha shrine, observe and learn abut this intricate silk production process, visit the heritage house of H.E. Sam-El

LOW WATER: Kampong Tralach (Tonle River) – Prek Bangkong – Angkor Ban (Mekong River) (B, L, D)
Default Morning Excursion (any ship): Start the day with a walking tour through Kampong Luang (Royalism words), the renowned “Silver Smith Village,” where the artistry of copper, silver, and bronze crafting comes to life. Led by an expert guide, you’ll witness the delicate transformation of raw materials into stunning handcrafted souvenirs.
As you continue your journey, visit the serene Wat Prang, the Royal Buddhist Temple, where the bones of the “King Father” of Cambodia, are enshrined. This sacred site offers a moment of reflection on the king’s legacy, intertwining both history and spirituality. While there, engage with the monks and laymen, learning about their daily lives, rituals, and personal stories.
No optional morning excursion available
Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): At the confluence of the Tonle and Mekong Rivers lies the small village of Prek Bangkong, known for its silk weaving community. This village was also the former residence of the Royal family before they moved to the Royal Palace. However, the real stars in this area today are the silk weavers, artisans who craft silk from the very beginning. We will have the opportunity to closely observe and learn about this intricate silk production process. We conclude this excursion by visiting the heritage house of H.E. Sam-El, once a famous architect for the royal family.
OPTIONAL AFTERNOON EXCURSION:
The rest of the day is spent sailing up the Mekong to our overnight location. Enjoy a relaxing poolside sundowner cocktail hour with dance tunes before dinner and an evening cinema.

Dining: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

HIGH WATER: Prek Bangkong – Kampong Tralach – Kampong Laeang (Tonle) (B, L, D)
Early birds are welcome to join the daily Tai Chi on the open deck again.

Default Morning Excursion (any ship):At the confluence of the Tonle and Mekong Rivers lies the small village of Prek Bangkong, known for its silk weaving community. This village was also the former residence of the Royal family before they moved to the Royal Palace. However, the real stars in this area today are the silk weavers, artisans who craft silk from the very beginning. We will have the opportunity to closely observe and learn about this intricate silk production process. We conclude this excursion by visiting the heritage house of H.E. Sam-El, once a famous architect for the royal family.

As we continue to sail upstream into the Tonle River and prior to lunchtime, our guide offers a presentation about the geography of the Mekong and the Tonle Rivers.

Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship):In the afternoon, we enjoy an exciting excursion to discover another part of rural Cambodian Kampong Tralach countryside. Our ox-pulled cart will transport us along the riverside and down winding back roads, flanked by picturesque rice paddies, until we arrive at a small village. Here, we will have the opportunity to learn about a local NGO school and library project. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the nearby ancient 300-year-old temple and Buddha shrine.
Join a happy hour time at the bar whilst we sail into the sunset. We moor later near Kampong Laeang. After dinner, the nightly cinema has another classic film on display.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise

Day 7: Angkor Ban – Kampong Cham – Steung Trang
Activities:have a chance to meet monks during their morning and engage in friendly converstations with the villagers, explore offering photographic and touching moments whilst interacting with the local community.

LOW WATER: Angkor Ban – Kampong Cham – Steung Trang (B, L, D)
The morning Tai Chi session sets the mood for the day as we begin our tour of Angkor Ban.
Default Morning Excursion (any ship):This place includes a monastery with a delightful local village behind it. You’ll have the chance to meet monks during their morning class and engage in friendly conversations with the villagers. As we meander through the village, we’ll get as close as possible to the local way of life, collecting wonderful memories of Cambodia’s rustic lifestyle. This village is truly a gem to explore offering photographic and touching moments whilst interacting with the local community.

OPTIONAL MORNING EXCURSION:

Culinary (Ship ‘Jayavarman’ only): Today, the culinary themed excursion is offering a nice highlight. In addition to the visit of the Angkor Ban village (see default excursion) the group is going to visit the house of Mr B. who used to work years ago as a young chef aboard the ship Jayavarman. When he got married, he moved to his wife’s home village. Together with his “mom-in-law” and the “chef” in the household (his wife), we prepare and cook a century old soup recipe called “Samlor Korko”. The soup is kind of a fish soup made with many vegetables, spices, herbs, roasted rice, accompanied with a duck egg omelette.

We sail to Kampong Cham during lunchtime.

Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): Kampong Cham is an important trade and transportation hub, but it still maintains scattered small hamlets around the outskirts where the community’s rhythm blends with the skilled hands of artisans. For instance, in Cheung Krok, locals craft various handmade items, whether it’s food, fashion, or other everyday goods. The nearby Bamboo bridge, which is erected seasonally, serves as more than just a passageway; it’s a gateway to the past.

Afterward, the ship makes its final journey, mooring mid-river near Steung Trang with some farewell and party vibes along the way.

HIGH WATER: Kampong Laeang – Tonle Lake (B, L, D)
Default Morning Excursion (any ship): We are in the midst of the vast Tonle region, one of Cambodia’s amazing ecosystems. We will discover Kampong Laeang this morning, situated just across from the famous pottery town of Kampong Chhnang. Once ashore, we embark on tuk-tuks to travel the heart of rural Cambodian life. During this excursion, we’ll explore various locals, discover the art of pottery making, and visit a charming pre-Angkorian temple. From a vantage point, we can enjoy panoramic views of the vast floodplains and lush rice fields (seasonal).

OPTIONAL MORNING EXCURSION:
Culinary (Ship ‘Jayavarman’ only): The culinary themed excursion offers in addition to the default cultural excursion the possibility to participate in a cooking demonstration. Get to know how to prepare together the quite famous snack called “Nom Kruak” which is a kind of cake made from white or brown rice. Originally cooked only one side only, the Khmer invented Nom Kruak and cooked it on both sides. This dish is a tasty pre-dinner snack often consumed by locals.

Back on board, the ship enters now the vast Tonle Lake. During the whole afternoon, accompanied by some onboard entertainment, you can enjoy the ocean-like views until we reach our mooring spot mid-lake at the doorstep of Siem Reap. We end this day of sailing with a farewell dinner and party vibes.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise

Day 8: Tonle Sap – Siem Reap
Activities:Have breakfast, enjoy the cruise, back to Siem Reap

LOW WATER: Steung Trang – Siem Reap (B)
Enjoy your final breakfast aboard our floating sanctuary. We disembark the ship and transfer by bus to Siem Reap, which takes approximately 4 hours. To keep you entertained during the journey, our guides will share interesting insights about Cambodia and the region we pass through. We hope you’ve enjoyed this captivating river cruise as much as our crew does every single time. Take the enchanting memories and friendships with you and share the stories of this amazing river – the Mighty Mekong.

You will arrive in Siem Reap in the early afternoon.

HIGH WATER: Tonle Lake – Siem Reap (B)
Enjoy your last breakfast on board our floating sanctuary.

The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambodia, giving love and life to millions of people. This rich ecosystem and UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve has more fish than any other lake in the world and is home to an incredible variety of birds, including rare and endangered feathered life.

Here, our Heritage Line cruise comes to an end this morning. We prepare to disembark the ship and take a local boat to the shore, passing a vast floating community. We arrive at the Siem Reap pier and bring you to the drop off point in the city centre.

We hope you enjoyed this fascinating river cruise, just as our crew does every single time. Moreover, take the enchanting memories and friendships along with you and share the stories of this amazing river – the Mighty Mekong.
Dinning: Breakfast.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
The culinary tours are complimentary and do not need to be booked in advance. The guests can choose on the ground whether they like to join cultural default tour or the food outing, both to be conducted as group tours.

The culinary tours depend on the number of clients booked on board. If very little choose this option, the tour will be not operated. Minimum: 6pax

High Water program will be applied for departure dates from August to late Oct. Other departure dates are applied Low Water program. However, the water level can be changed at the last minutes and this is out of our control. We will inform you about the program some days prior to departure date.
Meals: Breakfast