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The Lost Civilization – Unique Cruise from Siem Reap to Saigon on Luxury Jayavarman - 8 days 7 nights

Inspired by the serenity and artistry associated with this great Khmer monarch, The Jayavarman’s design was also influenced by the French cruise liner Normandie, which launched in 1935. Traveling between Saigon and Phnom Penh, the Jayavarman marries the art deco charm of 1930’s France with the romance of Indochine. 
Measuring 57.8 meters from bow to stern, the Jayavarman holds 27 elegantly decorated cabins. Thanks to its intricate woodcarvings, Khmer bas-reliefs and Vietnamese lacquer paintings, this impressive cruise ship resembles a floating art gallery. Wherever they look, guests are reminded of the local arts and culture.
With three-and-a-half decks the Jayavarman is as spacious as it is beautiful. Guests can admire Khmer artifacts in the Henry Mouhot Lounge, mingle in the Club 1930 Bar, dine in the elegant Indochine Dining Hall, and recharge with spa treatments in the Apsara Spa. A Jacuzzi is located on the top sundeck, which offers spectacular views of the passing delta. 

Available Itinerary

Day 1: Siem Reap – Kampong Chhnang

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 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 is 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.
 
Including lunch and dinner.
 
The ship moors overnight in the river or on the lake. 

Day 2: Kampong Chhnang

The day – in fact everyday – starts with an invigorating Tai Chi lesson on 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 Lake. As the ship is about to exit the lake, we see spectacular marshlands floating along the river banks of Kampong Chhnang province.
 
The afternoon cruise continues with a languid meander along the Tonle River, 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 marvellous 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”.
 
Including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
 
Overnight in Kampong Cham.

Day 3: Kampong Cham – Wat Hanchey

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 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 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. When the tide allows, we will enjoy a surprise sojourn in our zodiacs (inflatable boats) to the nearby bank to swim in the teacoloured 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 which 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!
 
Including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
 
Overnight midstream near Phnom Penh. 

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, 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 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 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 on board. 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 marvellous experience, dining in the open with the stars and the moon as our companions.
 
Including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
 
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 5: Phnom Penh – Chau Doc (Border Crossing)

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.
 
Including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
 
The ship moors midstream overnight. 

Day 6: Chau Doc- Sa Dec

Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. We begin our day with a hearty breakfast at the 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 market 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 and canals.
 
We will cross a monkey bridge and see chili, corn and beetle nut plantations amongst other 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.
 
Including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
 
Overnight in Sa Dec. 

Day 7: Sa Dec – Cai Be – My Tho

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 fibre 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.
 
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.
 
Including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
 
Overnight in My Tho. 

Day 8: My Tho – Ho Chi Minh City

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 8.30h and we join the transfer to the madding crowd of Saigon.
 
Drop off will be at the meeting point in Saigon. 

TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES:
  • Visa to Vietnam (must be obtained in advance)
  • Visa to Cambodia
  • 7 night package on Jayavarman Cruise (join-in cruise/ private deluxe cabin)
  • Port tax
  • Private transfer from your hotel to the meeting point of Heritage Line in Siem Reap
  • Private transfer from the meeting point of Heritage Line to your hotel in Saigon
  • Private air-conditioned transportation from Siem Reap town to the pier and from Mekong to Saigon by shuttle bus arranged by Heritage Line
  • Regional English speaking guides for private transfers
TOUR PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
  • Visa to Vietnam and Cambodia
  • Accommodation in Saigon and Siem Reap
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary and drinks during meals
  • Drinks / water at included lunches and dinners
  • Overweight luggage
  • Travel & Trip insurance
  • Other expenses which are not clearly mentioned in inclusive services

Booking

The Lost Civilization – Unique Cruise from Siem Reap to Saigon on Luxury Jayavarman

Package price: USD 3,604 per person



: USD 7,208



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