Jayavarman Mekong: Saigon – Siem Reap

Bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon as we travel 70 kilometers south by land to My Tho to embark your boutique Ship. We will be served refreshing drinks and light lunch as the Ship steadily glides along the Mekong. We will bathe in the fading sunset on the balcony followed by a briefing at the lounge. Later, a welcome dinner awaits us.
When approaching Cai Be, the Ship drops anchor midstream. Light lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are included. Overnight in Cai Be.

Tai Chi lesson on the Sundeck.
Visit Cai Be’s boisterous and colorful floating market on a traditional sampan (a flat bottomed traditional Vietnamese wooden boat).
The cruise will halt intermittently to allow us to observe how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies, rice pop, rice wine and coconut candies are made, enjoy local life along the canals on the way back to the Ship for lunch.
In the afternoon, we cruise to Sa Dec. Upon arrival, we embark a traditional sampan to tour Binh Thanh Island to visit an untouchable village.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. The Ship will moor midstream overnight near Tan Chau.

Brace yourself for a short excursion in Tan Chau, a pleasant town near the Cambodian border with sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community.
Firstly, the journey takes you to the “evergreen” islands where you will be thrilled to learn the life of the locals.
We stop to visit a fish farm located in the Tan Chau canal.
You continue by boat to Tan Chau pier, disembark here and stroll around this colorful local market with lots of regional products.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight we anchor midstream near Phnom Penh.

Sightseeing in the morning will include the Killing Field outside town.
Visit the Genocide Museum, see the dazzling white and gold edifice of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, and witness exceptionally beautiful Khmer craft at the National Museum. We go back to the Ship by “cyclo” – traditional vehicle after our museum visit.
The evening starts with a comprehensive lecture on Cambodia’s modern history.
BBQ dinner is served right after the lecture.
Apsara dance performance.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

We will depart before the break of dawn from Phnom Penh with a stop at the little known Silk island community. We will then return to the Ship and pass by the Mekong’s tranquil villages, exhilarating river life and sun-hardened fishermen on their shift boats.
We will tour the rural Angkor Ban village where time stand still. We are transported back a hundred years into an era unaffected by modernity. The houses here are truly rustic, made by hand and without any concrete. But most of all, we feel overwhelmed by the unbridled warmth of the villagers.
Travelers can take part in the daily activities of the villagers to experience village life first hand. Then, we are back to the Ship to cruise towards Kampong Cham.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Kampong Cham

We will wake up in the early 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 303 steps to the top.
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. Lunch on board.
We will then cruise towards Kampong Cham to visit Wat Nokor, a Wat built within the ruins of an ancient temple which holds a timeless story. Visit OBT project of Heritage Line and organization for Basic Training.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Kampong Cham.

We approach Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “Water World” where everything is on stilts balanced on water rich soil– it’s an awesome sight whilst practicing Tai Chi on the deck.
Here we take a minivan to see the Khmer-styled pottery at the Aundaung Russey village. Then, it is back to the river for an adventurous motorboat excursion to the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region. The village has no electricity and has around 600 inhabitants.
We then return to the Ship for lunch while cruising the narrow and meandering Tonle Sap River.
In the evening, a sumptuous spread will be served. And for the big entertainment – bring along your dance shoes and learn to jiggle the Cambodian way with our staff doubling up as dance instructors

The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambodia, giving love and life to this nation.
Enjoy the stillness of the water and the quiet tranquility on the way to Siem Reap. The water level varies a great deal according to the time of the year and the amount of rainfall recorded. Thus, minor changes to the itinerary may occur during different seasons.
Our Heritage Line cruise liner comes to an end as we reach this city of the fabled Angkor temple complex. We bid farewell to the cruise as our journey comes to an end. But the memories and the friendships made on board linger on for a lot longer.
We will cross the Tonle Lake at dawn and at 09:00am, we will disembark at the Siem Reap Port for onward coach transfer to the drop off point in town.

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 lakes in the world and is a home to an incredible variety of birds, including rare – and endangered – feathered life.

At noon, we gather at the meeting point followed by a transfer to the boutique Ship. The ever-smiling crew welcomes us with unbridled warmth. A refreshing welcome drink awaits us followed by a buffet lunch on the Ship.

Then, it is a relaxing afternoon as the Ship glides along the water. Dinner is served 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.

Lunch and dinner are included. The Ship will anchor midstream on the Tonle Sap river.

Everyday, our journey will start with an invigorating Tai Chi lesson at the sun deck just as the sun
begins its slow rise. Coffee and tea awaits the early bird. Before dawn, the Ship sets sail across the Tonle River, we see spectacular marshlands floating along the river banks of the Kampong
Chhnang province.

The afternoon cruise continues with a languid meander along the Tonle Sap River. Here, the river
is so narrow that we can be greeted by kids waving enthusiastically at us from the banks.

Follow a short bus trip to the see the Khmer-styled pottery. We then embark 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 in the afternoon before being introduced to the Heritage Line pro bono “literacy project”.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Kampong Cham

We will wake up in the early morning after an overnight cruising, truly energized to embark on a land journey to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Travelers can either take a motor-taxi or climb 303 steps to the top. Located at the top of a hill overlooking the river, the temple 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 which 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. We will then cruise towards Kampong Cham to visit Wat Nokor, a Wat built within the ruins of an ancient temple which holds a timeless story. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight midstream near Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh was once the Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. Sightseeing in the morning will include the Killing Field. Be prepared to be heart wrenched by this stark reminder of the genocide that transpired during Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge
regime, then visit S21 Genocide Museum.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the dazzling white and gold edifice of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, and witnessing exceptionally beautiful Khmer craft at the National Museum.

We go back to the Ship by “cyclo” – traditional vehicles after our museum visit. Take a rest on your cabin balcony or the lounge and get prepared for an exciting evening event. The evening starts with a variety of cocktails served on the sun deck, BBQ dinner is serving right after that. Take a seat and enjoy the following Apsara dance performance. 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 sun deck. It is
indeed a truly marvelous experience, dining in the open air.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Start new day with Tai Chi at the sun deck with fresh tea and coffee, be ready to serve. After breakfast, we will be captivated by a comprehensive lecture on Cambodia’s modern history. 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. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. The Ship anchors midstream overnight in Tan Chau.

Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. We begin our day with a hearty breakfast at the Dining Hall or at your private balcony. We will brace ourselves for a short excursion in Tan Chau, a pleasant town near the Cambodian border with sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer communities. We will start the trip by a traditional vehicle called “ xeloi” to local market and get to a local boat to visit fish farm and back to the Ship (or opposite). Here you will see the daily life of Vietnamese people in Mekong. Lunch on board. In the afternoon, we will set off for My An Hung Village. Passengers walk to the family house through the vegetable garden. We will cross a monkey bridge and see seasonal vegetable fields. Then gather at the family’s 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. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Sa Dec

In the morning, we embark a traditional sampan (a flat bottomed traditional 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 fiber floor mats and rattan baskets. After lunch on board, 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 intermittently to allow us to observe how rice paste, rice cookies and coconut candies are made, along with the Longan fruit drying process. We then board the Ship for a tranquil evening cruise towards My Tho. A wonderful farewell party awaits us on the terrace deck. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in My Tho.

Our magnificent cruiser 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 an end. But the memories and the friendships made on board linger on for a lot longer. We disembark at around 08:30am and we join the transfer to the busy crowd of Saigon. Drop off will be at the meeting point in Saigon. Breakfast is included

At 8:00am, we gather at the meeting point and join a transfer to Kampong Cham on the Mekong River. We get to munch on snacks along the journey. In the early afternoon, we will embark the Ship in Kampong Cham followed by a welcome drink. Cruise to Angkor Ban. Enjoy performance of the school boys & girls from OBT- a project of Heritage Line and organization for Basic Training.

Later that evening, we meet and greet our fellow passengers, our brothers-in-arms in our soon-to-be matchless experience at a briefing at the Lounge. This is followed by a welcome dinner at the Dining Hall.

Lunch box and dinner are included. Overnight in Angkor Ban

Everyday, your journey starts with an invigorating Tai Chi lesson on the sun deck, just as the sun begins its gentle glow. Coffee and tea awaits the early bird. After the Taichi, you will be truly energized to embark on a land journey to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Travelers can either take a motor-taxi or climb 303 steps to the top. Located at the top of a hill overlooking the river, the temple 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 which 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. Lunch on board. In the afternoon, we will depart for a little known Silk Weaving Village. We will then return to the Ship and will cruise past the Mekong’s tranquil villages, exhilarating river life and sun-hardened fishermen on their fish boats. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Kampong Cham

Kampong Chhnang is a busy rural port town with bustling markets and boisterous children who wave and greet us as we arrive on the Ship. Here we take a van along the paddy fields to visit the Khmer-styled pottery at the Aundaung Russey village. Then, it is back to the river bank for an adventurous excursion to the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region. We then return to the Ship for lunch whilst cruising the narrow and meandering Tonle River. The afternoon cruise continues with a languid meander along the Tonle River to Kampong Tralach, 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. Experience the ox cart, visit Heritage Line –Linblad National Geographic library project. Dinner awaits us at the Dining Hall while the Ship cruises to Phnom Penh. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight midstream near Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh was once the Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. Sightseeing in the morning will include 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. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the Genocide Museum 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. We go back to the Ship by “cyclo” – traditional vehicle after our museum visit. Take a rest on your cabin balcony or the lounge and get prepared for an exciting evening event. The evening starts with a variety of cocktails served on the sun deck, BBQ dinner is serving right after that. Take a seat and enjoy the Apsara dance performance. 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 sun deck. It is indeed a truly marvelous experience, dining in the open with the moon and the stars as our companions. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Phnom Penh

Start new day with Tai Chi at the sun deck with fresh tea and coffee, be ready to serve. After breakfast, we will be captivated by a comprehensive lecture on Cambodia’s modern history. 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. Lunch will be served on boat. 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. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. The Ship moors midstream overnight in Tan Chau. * Note: Cruising to Tan Chau is depending on water condition

Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at the Dining Hall or in the quiet sanctuary of your balcony. Brace yourself on local vehicles called “xeloi” to explore Tan Chau, a pleasant town near the Cambodian border. 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 trip to the quay, where we will be feted to a boat excursion to the floating fish farm. Then, we will be 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 and canals. We will cross a monkey bridge and see seasonal vegetable fields. Then gather at the family’s 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. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Sa Dec.

In the morning, we embark a traditional sampan (a flat bottomed traditional Vietnamese wooden boat) to tour Binh Thanh Island to visit an untouchable village. Here, every villager is involved in the process of making rattan mat & interact with the old local people. After lunch on board, 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 cruise will halt intermittently to allow us to observe how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies, rice pop, rice wine and coconut candies are made, enjoy local life along the canals on the way 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 cruise. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in My Tho

Our magnificent cruiser 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. But the memories and the friendships made on board linger on for a lot longer. We disembark at around 08:30am and we join the transfer to the madding crowd of Saigon. Drop off will be at the meeting point in Saigon. Breakfast is included.