Highlights
- Confluence of Mekong and Yangzi
- Lively riverside scenes
- Colourful floating markets
- Sampan cruise
- Floating fish farms and villages
Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh - My Tho - Jayavarman Cruise
At midday your guide will meet you at your hotel. Leaving the hustle and bustle of Saigon behind you are transferred 70km south-west to My Tho on the upper Mekong river where the vessel awaits. Enjoy a cocktail reception at the Funnel Bar and Lounge followed by a Welcome Dinner on the Sun Deck. Drop anchor just outside of My Tho for the night (D).
Jayavarman (Deluxe Cabin)
Day 2 - Cai Be - Sa Dec - Chau Doc
Start the day with an invigorating tai-chi lesson on the sundeck at dawn. Touring begins with a visit to Cai Be's bustling, colourful floating market on board a traditional sampan. During the peaceful ride, enjoy the breathtaking landscapes along the river rustic life on the Mekong Delta.
The cruise will stop intermittently with time to observe how rice paste, rice cookies and coconut candies are made, along with the Longan fruit drying process. After touring the canals, head to an ancient house surrounded by fruit orchards and back to the ship for lunch.
In the afternoon cruise to Sa Dec where guests travel on a traditional sampan to 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. Return to the ship for a tranquil evening cruise towards Chau Doc. The Ship will moor midstream overnight (B,L,D).
Jayavarman (Deluxe Cabin)
Day 3 - Chau Doc - Border Crossing
Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. First up a short excursion in Chau Doc, a pleasant town near the Cambodian border with sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer communities. Visit the colourful local market near an ancient temple followed by a trip to the quay, where a boat excursion to the floating villages and rustic catfish farms is organised. See basa fish being fed by hand followed by a shore excursion to the local Cham Muslim community village.
By mid-afternoon, the cruiser makes its way to the border heading for Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. It is an opportune time to relax on board, sharpen your culinary skills with a hands-on cooking class or tour the ship with the Cruise Director (B,L,D).
Jayavarman (Deluxe Cabin)
Day 4 - 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. After breakfast, there is a captivating lecture on Cambodia's modern history followed by a city tour of this dynamic, historical capital which 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 exceptionally beautiful Khmer craft at the National Museum.
After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Genocide museum and the Killing Field in town, a heart wrenching reminder of the genocide that occurred during Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime.
Return to the ship for cocktails and a traditional Apsara dance performance (B,L,D).
Jayavarman (Deluxe Cabin)
Day 5 - Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham
Depart Phnom Penh before daybreak and stop at the little known Chong Koh silk weaving village. Continue on past tranquil Mekong villages, exhilarating river life and sun-hardened fishermen on their make shift boats.
A tour is included of the rural Angkor Ban village where time has stood still. The houses are rustic, made by hand and without any concrete. But most of all, it is the unbridled warmth of the villagers which is overwhelming. Guests can take part in the daily activities of the villagers to experience village life first hand. Then return to the ship to cruise towards Kampong Cham (B,L,D).
Jayavarman (Deluxe Cabin)
Day 6 - Kampong Cham - Wat Hanchey
Wake in the small hours of the morning for a land journey to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Travellers 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 breathtaking 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. There is even an opportunity to engage in light banter with some of the monks in the area. Return to the ship to witness a blessing ceremony performed by orange-clad local monks.
When the tide allows, there is a surprise sojourn in the Zodiacs (inflatable boats) to the nearby beach to swim in the tea-coloured Mekong river, an experience that will, no doubt, dominate dinner conversations in the weeks to come.
The cruise continues towards Kampong Cham to visit Wat Nokor, a wat built within the ruins of an ancient temple. On the way back to the ship, guests visit an orphanage and manoeuvre a 2km rickety bamboo bridge balance (B,L,D).
Jayavarman (Deluxe Cabin)
Day 7 - Kampong Cham - Kampong Chhnang
Before the sun peeks over the horizon, the cruiser sets sail towards Kampong Chhnang on the Tonle Sap River - an amazingly narrow river - which glides through leafy swaths of the south-east Asian jungle. Cacophonous children greet the boat waving enthusiastically as they bring their livestock for a bath in the meandering Tonle Sap River. Kampong Chhnang is Cambodia's "waterworld" where everything is on stilts balanced on rich water rich soil. A motorboat excursion to the landing is followed by a short bus trip to see the Khmer-styled pottery at the Aundaung Russey village. Then, it is back to the river for a motorboat excursion to the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms of the region.
Return to the ship and cruise the narrow and meandering Tonle Sap. The water levels here rise and drop considerably throughout the year which dictates the itinerary schedule.
High Water Programme (approx. August-mid December)
The vessel cruises this afternoon along the narrow and meandering Tonle Sap (B,L,D).
Low Water Programme (approx. mid December- August/September)
On arrival at Kampong Tralach, disembark to a traditional ox cart rally before being introduced to the Heritage Line "literacy project". This is the day to truly experience rural Khmer life.
This evening a sumptious spread will be served before a chance to participate in some Cambodian dancing (B,L,D).
Jayavarman (Deluxe Cabin)
Day 8 - Tonle Sap - Siem Riep
This great lake dominates Cambodia and is the largest freshwater lake in Asia with abundant birdlife. This lake is so wide that its shores cannot be seen from the middle of the lake. 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.
The cruise comes to an end as the ship reaches Siem Reap, home to the fabled Angkor temple complex (B).
High Water Programme (approx. August-mid December)
Cross Tonle Sap Lake at dawn and disembark at the Siem Reap Port for onward coach transfer to the drop off point in town.
Low Water Programme (approx. mid December- August/September)
Cruise in the early morning to Prek K'dam for disembarkation. Walk through the silversmith village of Koh Chen where the entire community of villagers are involved in making various silver items for sale before boarding a coach for transfer to the drop off point. Stop briefly at Skon, known as Spiderville for its fried spiders, a delicacy in this country and arrive in Siem Reap early afternoon.
OR Low Water Programme (approx. mid December- August/September)
Cruise early morning to Prek K'dam for disembarkation. Board a coach which delivers guests to FCC Angkor drop off point. A packed lunch and refreshments will be available along the way with a short break at the spider town of Skon. Arrive in Siem Reap early afternoon.
Jayavarman
Step onboard this boutique French colonial style river cruiser for a journey through the tranquil waterways of the Mekong Delta. She plays host to just 54 guests in comfortable staterooms with floor to ceiling panoramic sliding glass doors and private French balcony. Fresh white walls and timber floors, Oriental murals and an en suite bathroom complete the onboard amenities. There's Tai Chi on board too and nightly sundowners in the lounge.
A&K Special Inclusions
Road transportation by private air-conditioned chauffeur drive, complete with bottled water and cool towels - Cruise accommodation - All meals - Entrance fees - Phnom Penh port taxes - Cambodia visa.
Pricing
As a guide, this 8 day suggested journey in Vietnam will cost from $2,740 per person based on two adults sharing and is subject to availability.
If the price goes down after you book, we will refund the difference - guaranteed
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