Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise : Siem Reap – Phnom Penh 5 Days

Day 1: Siem Reap – Kampong Cham – Angkor Ban
Activities:Explore the so called high-land of the Kampong Cham

High Water: Siem Reap – Tonle River

We greet our guests in the morning at our welcome lounge in Siem Reap. Kick back with a second coffee this morning before we depart on a short bus ride to the pier. we bid farewell to the iconic sights of Angkor and travel a short distance to the shore of Tonle Lake. A local boat brings you to the vessel and your luxurious “home” for the next several days.

As you have lunch, the vessel gently glides over Tonle Lake: the Tonle Sap (Sap means Lake in the Cambodian language) varies from 2,500 sqkm (965 sqmi) in size and 160 km (99 mi) in length during the dry season to an astonishing area of 16,000 sqkm (6,000 sqmi) and length of 250 km (160 mi) in the wet season. Let your soul float while the boat makes its way across the lake During an afternoon tea time you can get to know other travellers. Enjoy our time on the decks or get pampered by our therapists at the Spa.

Before dinner, our expert guide holds a presentation about the geography of the Mekong River and Tonle Lake. If you are in the mood, join in for the nightly cinema in the lounge before retiring to your room.

Dining: Lunch, Dinner.

Low Water: Siem Reap – Kampong Cham

Upon boarding, our crew will extend a warm welcome, guiding you to your staterooms and providing a briefing on the cabin’s facilities. After spending some time to settle in and explore the vessel, a welcome lunch buffet awaits, followed by a safety and welcome briefing in the lobby by our cruise director.

Default Morning Excursion (any ship): We leave the ship for a first excursion in the afternoon. By bus we explore the so called high-land of the 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.

Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): As the sun sets, we are back on board sailing with the flow of the Mekong River towards Angkor Ban for the overnight mooring. Meet a bit closer with your fellow travellers during a welcome event at the bar with canapés and prosecco with the Mekong shores providing a perfect backdrop to it. After dinner, we are opening the evening cinema, featuring either an intriguing classic movie or a captivating documentary.

Meals:Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise

Day 2: Kampong Laeang – Kampong Tralach – Kampong Cham

Activities:Admire the scenery, head to a rural village, explore the local floating villages, reach to Kampong Tralach

High Water:

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 aboard Heritage line Jayavarman adding a nice and enchanting local encounter to prepare together quite a famous snack. The “Nom Kruak”. “Nom” is a kind of cake made from white or brown rice. Originally cooked only one side only, the Khmer invented Nom Krok and cooked it on both sides, making it like a ball. Nom Krok is also a spiritual dish offered to ghosts during some festivals as food. But above all it is a very tasty pre-dinner snack often consumer by locals.
Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): Once the ship stopped, we enjoy an exciting excursion to discover another part of rural Cambodian 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.
We are sailing into the early evening offering some onboard entertainment with a fashion show. As we have to make some distance, the ship will sail overnight into the Mekong River.

Dining: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Low Water:

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.

Distance: 10 km / Duration: approx. 120 min / Terrain: flat on concrete path

We are boarding our luxury ship again sailing now downstream again towards Phnom Penh. Before we arrive at Cambodia’s capital, we halt at a small silk weaving community.

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.

The rest of the day is a joyful sailing, passing the skyline of Phnom Penh and heading into the small Tonle River northbound. Enjoy your multi-course menu and the nightly entertaining evening cinema offered afterwards. We moor midstream in the Tonle river.

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

Day 3: Kampong Cham – Angkor Ban – Prek Bangkong – Phnom Penh
Activities:Cruise to Tonle region, travel the heart of rural Cambodian life, learn about a local NGO school and library project

High Water:

As you wake this morning, the scenery has changed completely.

Default Morning 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 Kok, 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.

By bus we continue to Angkor Ban. 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 are boarding our luxury ship again sailing now downstream again towards Phnom Penh. Before we arrive at Cambodia’s capital, we halting at a small silk weaving community.

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.

OPTIONAL AFTERNOON EXCURSION:

Just a short distance of sailing and we arrive in Phnom Penh, where the ship is mooring mid-stream with views on the city opposite.

Dining: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Low Water:

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 aboard Heritage line Jayavarman adding a nice and enchanting local encounter to prepare together quite a famous snack. The “Nom Kruak”. “Nom” is a kind of cake made from white or brown rice. Originally cooked only one side only, the Khmer invented Nom Krok and cooked it on both sides, making it like a ball. Nom Krok is also a spiritual dish offered to ghosts during some festivals as food. But above all it is a very tasty pre-dinner snack often consumer by locals.

Distance: 17 km / Duration: approx. 90 min / Terrain: flat on concrete path

Back on the ship with lunch enjoyed and spectacular views on the Tonle River we sail south to Kampong Tralach. An afternoon tea is served at the bar before we continue with the afternoon excursion.

Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): Once the ship stopped, we enjoy an exciting excursion to discover another part of rural Cambodian 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.

We sail some more miles down the Tonle river before reaching Phnom Penh where we moor our ship mid-stream with views on the skyline of this vibrant city.

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

Day 4: Phnom Penh
Activities:City tour around Phnom Penh, sight-seeing, visit Silver Pagoda, witness Khmer craft

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
Activities:Have breakfast, check out

Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home before disembarking the ship. 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.

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
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise