Downstream Siem Reap Cruise Trip to Saigon by RV Jayavarman

Day 1: Siem Reap Cruise Trip to Kampong Chhnang (lunch/dinner)

“Water world”

The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambodia, giving love and life to this nation. The Tonle Sap 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.

At 12 pm (noon), we gather at the meeting point followed by a quick transfer to the boutique ship. The ever-smiling crew welcomes us with unbridled warmth. A refreshing welcome drink awaits us followed by a sumptuous lunch on the ship. Then, it is a lazy afternoon as the ship glides along the water. Dinner at Dining Hall. Enjoy a spectacular experience on the sun deck as we bathe in the glow of the moon and the radiance of the stars. The ship then moors overnight on the RV Jayavarman Cruise in The Great Lake.

Day 2: Kampong Chhnang Cruising Tour to Kampong Cham (breakfast/lunch/dinner)

“Cambodia’s province and the wetlands”

The day in fact everyday – starts with an invigorating Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck, just as the sun begins its slow rise. Coffee and tea awaits the early bird. Before dawn, the ship sets sail across the Tonle Sap Lake- the most prominent feature on the map of Cambodia – a huge dumbbell-shaped body of water stretching across the northwest section of Cambodia. As the ship is about to exit the lake, we see spectacular marshlands floating along the riverbanks of Kampong Chhnang province.

The afternoon cruise continues with a languid meander along the Tonle Sap, which narrows through leafy swaths of the Southeast Asian jungle. Here, the river is very narrow and we are greeted by kids waving enthusiastically at us from the banks.

Follow a short bus trip to the see the Khmer-styled pottery at the Aundaung Russey village. We then embark on a truly marvelous motorboat excursion from Kampong Chhnang to see the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region before reaching Kampong Cham in the evening.Further down the river we take part in an ox cart rally before being introduced to the Heritage Line pro bono literacy project. (www.cambodialiteracyproject.com)

Overnight in The RV Jayavarman Cruise in Kampong Cham.

Day 3: Kampong Cham Cruise Trip to Wat Hanchey (breakfast/lunch/dinner)

“Monks and hilltops”

We will wake up in the small hours of the morning, truly energized to embark on a land journey to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Travelers either take a motor-taxi or climb the 291 steps to the top. Located at the top of a hill overlooking the river, it offers one of the most breath-taking views in Cambodia.

Built in the 8th century, this ancient structure, together with a bigger and newer addition underscores the superb architecture of the Chenla Empire that predates the mighty Angkor temple complex. We even get to engage in light banter with some of the monks in the area. We will return to the ship to witness a blessing ceremony performed by orange-clad local monks.

When the tide allows, we will enjoy a surprise sojourn in our zodiacs (inflatable boats) to the nearby bank to swim in the tea-colored Mekong river, an experience that will, no doubt, dominate dinner conversations in the weeks to come.

We will then cruise towards Kampong Cham to visit Wat Nokor, a wat built within the ruins of an ancient temple that holds a timeless story. On the way back to the ship, we will visit an orphanage. Along the way, we will have to maneuver a 2-kilometer rickety bamboo bridge. Our sense of balance lies in the balance! Overnight on the Jayavarman Cruise.

Day 4: Phnom Penh (breakfast/lunch/dinner)

“Pearl of the East”

Phnom Penh was once the Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. After breakfast, we will be captivated by a comprehensive lecture on Cambodia’s modern history. This will be followed by a city tour of this dynamic, historical capital city of Cambodia that has managed to preserve huge slices of its French colonial allure. Sightseeing in the morning will include visiting the dazzling white and gold edifice of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, and witnessing exceptionally beautiful Khmer craft at the National Museum.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the Genocide museum and the Killing Field in town. Be prepared to be heart wrenched by this stark reminder of the genocide that transpired during Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime.

We go back to the ship after our museum visit. A variety of cocktails will be served followed by a traditional Apsara dance performance onboard. Experience the brilliance and richness of this culture, the soothing sounds of traditional music, the calming scent of incense sticks and a barbeque on the sundeck. It is indeed a truly marvelous experience, dining in the open with the stars and the moon as our companions. Overnight on the RV Jayavarman Cruise in Phnom Penh.

Day 5: Phnom Penh Cruise Trip to  border crossing (breakfast/lunch/dinner)

The Highway Blues

The cruise liner then sets sail for a lazy day of cruising along the main Mekong Channel. As this is an international shipping route, you will witness large commercial ships plying this route. Later, in the afternoon, we set off to the Vietnamese border for the requisite cross border paperwork.

As the process tends to take some time, we bask in the glow of the afternoon sun on the Sun Deck, pamper ourselves silly at the Spa, or sharpen our culinary skills with the Heritage Line’s Cambodian and Vietnamese cuisine cooking class. The ship moors midstream overnight.

Day 6: Chau Doc Cruise Tour to Sa Dec (breakfast/lunch/dinner)

“Circus of fish”

Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. We begin our day with a hearty breakfast at the Indochine Dining Hall or in the quiet sanctuary of your balcony. We will brace ourselves for a short excursion in Chau Doc, a pleasant town near the Cambodian border with sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer communities. We will also visit the colorful local market near an ancient temple. This is followed by a trip to the quay, where we will be feted to a boat excursion to the floating villages and rustic catfish farms.

We will certainly enjoy watching schools of basa fish being fed by hand. Then, it is back to the ship for a lunch. In the mid afternoon, we will set off for My An Hung Village. Passengers walk to the family house through the vegetable garden to see the boat building yard, canals. We will cross a monkey bridge and see chili, corn and beetle nut plantations amongst other vegetable fields. Then gather at the familys house to taste tea with honey with local delicacies and fruits before back to the ship to set off for Sa Dec.

In the late afternoon, we will set off for Sa Dec. Overnight on The Jayavarman Cruise.

Day 7: Sa Dec Cruise Trip to Cai Be – My Tho (breakfast/lunch/dinner)

“Vietnamese inventiveness”

In the morning, we embark a traditional sampan (a flat bottmed tranditional Vietnamese wooden boat) to tour Binh Thanh Island and its man-made canals. Here, every villager is involved in the process of growing and processing water hyacinths into natural fibre floor mats and rattan baskets.

After lunch onboard, the ship arrives in Cai Be. The tour starts with a visit to Cai Be’s boisterous and colorful floating market where traders gather in a cacophonous congregation. During the languid ride, we discover breathtaking landscapes along the river and quaff the rustic life on the Mekong Delta. The evergreen islands along the Mekong River remain unknown to many people.

The cruise will halt intermittenly to allow us to observe how rice paste, rice cookies and coconut candies are made, along with the Longan fruit drying process. After touring the canals, we head to an ancient house surrounded by fruit orchards before heading to the ship for dinner. We then board the ship for a tranquil evening cruise towards My Tho. A wonderful farewell party awaits us on the terrace deck. Overnight on the Jayavarman Cruise.

Day 8: My Tho Cruise Tour to Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast)

“Good morning Saigon”

Our cruise on the magnificent cruiser ends as the ship winds its way to My Tho, approximately 70km south of Saigon on the upper Mekong River in Vietnam. We bid farewell to the cruise as our journey comes to a close. However, the memories – and the friendships made on board – linger on for a lot longer.

We disembark at around 8:30 am and we join the transfer to madding crowd of Saigon. Drop off will be at the meeting point in Saigon.

• Note: Although it is our intention to operate the itinerary as detailed proposal, we will do our utmost to stick to the set itinerary, however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. It may be necessary to make some changes because of climatic conditions, alterations to cruise schedules or other operational factors.

Inclusions:

• Entrance fees Transportation Tour guide services (English speaking) Taxes, fuel, pilots, port dues,

• All Meals on boat – full board welcome and farewell diner, mineral water, coffee and tea during breakfast

• Transfers in Saigon and Siem Reap from/to the meeting point to/from embarkation/disembarkation point or vice verse are included Inclusions for Jayavarman Signature Staterooms: Complimentary room service (non premium spirits/house wine), mini bar, balcony breakfast, book gift (a Journey on the Jayavarman), 1 bottle of Prosecco sparkling wine and fruit basket.

Exclusions:

• Phnom Penh port taxes per passenger of US$ 65 levied by the Cambodian Port authority.

• Gratuities (US$ 5.00 passenger/day are recommended)