Jayavarman: The Lost Civilization

Siem Reap – Tonle River – Kampong Chhnang – Kampong Cham – Okhna Tey – Phnom Penh – Tan Chau – Sa Dec – Cai Be – My Tho – Saigon

Day 1: Siem Reap - Tonle River
We gather in the morning at our welcome lounge in Siem Reap. Relax with a drink as our staff collects your details for the boarding.
We bid farewell to the iconic sight of Angkor and travel a short distance to the pier at Tonle Lake. By local boat we transfer to our beautiful ship. While you check in to your prepared staterooms the ship sets sail and your fascinating journey on the Mighty Mekong can begin.
You have lunch on board while the vessel gently glides over Tonle Lake. The lake can only be crossed during high water season (approx. from August to mid-November). Let your soul float and your eyes wander while the boat makes its way across.
In the afternoon we serve a high tea at the bar. Enjoy your cruising day on board, relax on your balcony or relish a spa treatment before dinner.
Before dinner our expert guide offers a presentation about the "Geography of the Mekong and Tonle Sap".
The boat moors in the Tonle River. You can join our evening cinema session (offered every night) featuring selected classic movies.

Day 2: Kampong Chhnang - Kamp. Tralach - Kampong Cham
Wake up early to witness the spectacular scenery at the break of down. Our morning Tai Chi class has the perfect backdrop today. Breakfast buffet is served in the dining hall.
We are at Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s "water world", where everything is on sticks balanced on water rich soil. Perhaps this is the most fascinating cruise locale in Cambodia.
We take a local boat to the shore. With mini buses we head to a rural village nearby and go on a walking tour. Our guides introduce the village specialities – Khmer style pottery and the making of palm sugar. Definitely you should bring some home. Before returning to the boat we explore the local floating villages and wetlands of the region.
Back on board lunch is served while the cruise continues with a languid meander along the Tonle River towards Kampong Tralach. A Monks’ blessing ceremony on board delivers spirits and wishes for health and prosperity for all.
Gliding through leafy swaths of this jungle-like landscape we reach Kampong Tralach. Cacophonous children wave enthusiastically while bringing their livestock for a bath in the meandering river. We will stop at the “Green School” which is supported in part by Heritage Line. Travel to see all this life - which is so much different than ours - by a local ox cart ride.
Back on board we sail downstream, passing the confluence of Tonle and Mekong Rivers. The boat cruises overnight and you can enjoy dinner in the dining hall.

Day 3: Kampong Cham - Okhna Tey - Phnom Penh
After a sumptuous breakfast we stay on board to understand more about the education of the young Cambodian generation (NGO project). The children join us on board, always excited to show their skills in music and art. Be sure to be bathed in smiles upon your applause.
We leave the boat around 09:30am to arrive at the enchanting pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey (7th century). This small complex sits on a hill top right on the shore with breath-taking views on the Mekong.
After some refreshment back on the ship we serve lunch. During the afternoon our staff is keen to show you the va- riety of traditional Khmer fashion. Watch the riverbank life along the Mekong during our high tea as the ship proceeds to its next stop.
We arrive at the Island of Koh Oknha Tey. This spot in the middle of the Mekong owns its fame for the manufacturing of high class silk products. By tuk tuk we explore the island with its workshops and learn how silk is processed from its source, provided by little silkworms, to a final top quality product made of original Cambodian silk.
After some additional cruising time the boat arrives and docks at the pier of Phnom Penh. Feel free to have your first exploration by yourself after dinner. Stroll along the river promenade and watch the locals chit-chatting, selling odds and ends or have a drink in one of the numerous bars (kindly inform our crew once you are leaving the ship on your own).

Day 4: Phnom Penh
Welcome to Phnom Penh - the once called Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. It is an amazing town to bespeak centuries of incredible history and culture which can still be felt at many street corners.
After breakfast we bid farewell to our passengers of the Serenity Cruise (3-nights).
We start with a full sight-seeing tour right after breakfast. By bus we visit the Killing Fields at the outskirts of the city and after the centrally located prison “S21”. Both historic sites display the sad and cruel chapter of Khmer history when once the Khmer Rouge ruled the country with terror and suppression. Those places have not changed much since the horrific time back in the early seventies and so it can be heart wrenching. There is the alternative to explore the city during the morning by your own pace individually before re-joining the group.
Lunch we take in a nice restaurant in town. Our exploration of Phnom Penh focuses afterwards on the fascinating cultural heritage of Phnom Penh. The golden edifice of the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda and the exceptional Khmer crafts at the National Museum are the afternoon highlights. The day trip ends with a “cyclo” ride back to the ship through the bustling streets of downtown Phnom Penh.
Take some rest in your spacious cabin or join other fellow passengers at the bar for some refreshing drinks before our captivating evening activities start.
Early evening a barbecue dinner on the sun deck commences. The dinner is accompanied by an Apsara dance performance. You have to witness the brilliance and richness of this dance along with the soothing sounds of traditional music.
As the evening unwinds enjoy your supper with a good glass of wine and marvel at the skyline of Phnom Penh and the calming flow of the Tonle River.

Day 5: Phnom Penh - Border Crossing - Tan Chau
After you have enjoyed your breakfast we gather at the lounge for a great lecture.
After breakfast we bid farewell to our passengers of the Serenity Cruise (4-nights). At 8 o’clock we welcome our passengers of the Pearl of the Orient Cruise (3-nights).
The lounge is set up for a captivating lecture about Cambodian modern history, held by a professor of the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Definitely among the highlights of this cruise is to receive knowledge first hand as our lecturer has studied the subject extensively and personally.
The whole afternoon is at your own arrangements. This is the cruise part when even the last passenger will turn into cruise mode and hopefully experience the therapeutic influence this mighty river radiates. It is time for massages, time for sun bed relaxations, time for private balcony kick-backs - it’s time to merge with the river.
Some may like to visit the bridge - the captain always has a story to share about “his” river. Float into a state of mild bliss, but be- fore totally drifting away do not forget lunchtime around noon.
A culinary class if offered in the afternoon to sharpen your knowledge and skills of the local cuisine. There may be an afternoon snooze kicking in. Our high tea with coffee and snacks might work against it if you like to.
We reach the border and arrive finally in Vietnam. From here it is just a short way to Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced border town close-by with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. We moor near the city with views of the riverside.
Dinner is served and afterwards you can join our evening cinema with another selected classic movie.

Day 6: Tan Chau - My An Hung - Sa Dec
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 for an excursion around Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced town near the Cambodian border with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. Once arrived on-shore we hop on “xelois” to explore Tan Chau. A xeloi is a local vehicle which is still used as a taxi in this region. We slowly move around the streets to see all the workshops, houses and domiciles. Get to feel the laid- back vibes of this place.
We stop at the colorful local market near one of the ancient temples. This is the best time to interact with the vendors of this friendly town to make your own bargain experience. We board our local boats and cruise along floating houses to finally reach a floating fish farm. This region is the source of fish production to be sold all over the world and we can see closely how fish farming works.
Back on board you may like to pamper yourself with some spa treatments or take a dip in our pool on the sun deck before lunch time. Our expert guides offer a presentation on the “Life on the Mekong Delta” as the ship continues to My An Hung near Sa Dec province. Before we arrive mingle and share some stories.
We will set off for the My An Hung Village. In the village we receive wonderful insights into the private household of a local family. We are allowed to visit their vegetable garden and access the seasonal vegetable fields via crossing a monkey bridge. We are invited after to their house for a Vietnamese tea tasting. Vietnamese tea is often bitter and locals sweeten it with honey. The honey produced by the family is a delicacy in this region. We are the offered fruits, juicy, fresh, and right from the tree. A local artist group performs a typical traditional dragon dance while we munch on those natural “vitamins bombs”.
As the sun sets and the light bathes everything golden we settle on a riverbank with cocktails to recap the day.
Back on our ship we cruise down the Mekong. Refresh yourself and get ready for dinner. The ship moors mid-river around Sa Dec.

Day 7: Binh Thanh Island - Cai Be - My Tho
During breakfast time we arrive at the island of Binh Thanh. We embark a local boat and head towards Binh Thanh Island. This island is one of the larger ones in the vast stream of the Mekong. Some communities have settled here and make their living by growing water hyazinths.
We visit exclusively one of those untouched areas. By wandering through the village we get a deep understanding of the native life. But moreover, we can follow the whole process of mat making. You can even try yourself the weaving which is still done manually. We will meet also an old local couple who share with us their story on this island and they are happy for any chit-chat with you.
Back on board lunch is served and you have some time afterwards for yourself in your preferred cruise mode.
In the early afternoon we arrive in Cai Be. Cai Be is a charming small town, famous for its Catholic French church and manufacturing of traditional crafts and food products. The floating market of Cai Be is getting smaller every year, since trading on the water is shifting more and more into modern central markets. We can still see some boat to boat trading of local goods, such as fruits and agricultural products.
Our guide explains the particulars of this long lasting dealing culture. Each boat has a special marker to let buyers know what goods they are selling. We go on-shore to visit a workshop where we learn about and observe how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies and rice wine is manufactured. Cai Be and its surrounding areas are covered by palm trees and hence the region is also famous for the production of coconut candies. The city is criss-crossed by and many water canals. With our local boat we continue to cruise through the lush and green canal network and can observe farmers working in the fields.
As the sun sets, our crew invites you to a farewell event. Before your dinner enjoy some dance and music together with the crew. The ships moors at My Tho in the evening.

Day 8: My Tho - Saigon
Enjoy your last breakfast aboard our floating sanctuary.
We will disembark the ship after the breakfast and take a bus transfer from My Tho to the drop off point in Saigon. It is only around 70 kilometers on the highway. You arrive in Saigon by mid-morning.
We hope that you enjoyed this fascinating river just as our crew does every single time. Moreover we wish that you will take plenty of memories and friendships along with you that will linger with your stories of this amazing river - the Mighty Mekong.

Saigon – My Tho – Cai Be – Sa Dec – Tan Chau – Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham – Kampong Chhnang – Tonle Lake – Siem Reap

Day 1: Saigon – My Tho – Cai Be
We gather before noontime at our welcome lounge in Saigon. Lean back with a drink as our staff welcomes you and collects your details for the boarding.
We bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon and travel 70 kilometers south overland to My Tho to embark your luxury floating home for your coming journey along the Might Mekong.
Upon boarding our crew warmly welcomes you and you check in to your prepared staterooms. The ship set sail and your fasctinating journey of exploring the Mekong can begin. Lunch buffet is served in the restaurant while the vessel steadily glides upstream to reach the overnight spot. Make yourself familiar with all the ship facilities. Now it is time to become one with one of the largest streams in Asia.
The afternoon allows you pastime at your private balcony or join our tea time at the open air bar as the twilight bathes the land of Mekong Delta into a golden haze.
During the time you savor your dinner the ship reaches Cai Be. Cai Be is a charming small town, famous for its Catholic French church and manufacturing of traditional crafts and food products. The floating market of Cai Be is getting smaller every year, since trading on the water is shifting more and more into modern central markets.
We drop anchor mid-stream and overnight near Cai Be.

Day 2: Cai Be – Sa Dec – Tan Chau
Everyday, we offer to our guests an invigorating Tai Chi class on the sun deck. Set in your day like many local people do around Asia just as the sun begins its gentle glow.
A sumptuous buffet breakfast is the perfect start in your first exploration day in the Mekong Delta.
The morning tour takes you Cai Be. Cai Be still hosts a small floating market for boat to boat trading of local goods such as fruits and agricultural products. Our guide explains the particularities of this long lasting dealing cutlture. Each boat has a special marker to let buyers know what goods they are selling.
Cai Be is a rustic town criss-crossed by and many water canals. We go on-shore to visit a workshop where we learn about and observe how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies or rice wine is manufactured. Cai Be and its surrounding areas are covered by palmtrees and hence the region is also famous for the production of coconut candies. With our local boat we continue to cruise through the lush and green canel network and can observe farmers working in the fields.
Back on board lunch is served and you have some time for yourself afterwards to either enjoy a true Vietnamese coffee at the bar or simply watch the life on the riverbanks floating by.
In the afternoon, we reach the area of Sa Dec. We embark a traditional sampan and tour towards Binh Thanh Island. This island is one of the larger ones in the vast stream of the Mekong. Some communities have settled here and make their living by growing water hyazinths. We visit exclusively one of those untouched areas. By wandering through the village we get a deep understanding of the native life. But moreover we can follow the whole process of ratt making. You can even try yourself the weaving which is still done manually. We will meet also an old local people who shares with us their story on this island and they are happy for any chit-chat with you.
Back on board you may like to pamper yourself with a spa treatment or take a dip in our pool on the sun deck. Our expert guides offer a presentation on the “Life on the Mekong Delta” as the ship continues sailing to Tan Chau-the boarder town to Cambodia. We moor mid-stream near Tan Chau.
Dinner is served and afterwards you can join our evening cinema session (offered every night) featuring selected classic movies.

Day 3: Tan Chau – Border crossing – Phnom Penh
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 for an excursion around Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced town near the Cambodian border with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. Once arrived on-shore we hop on "xelois" to explore Tan Chau. A xelaoi is a local vehicle which is still used as taxi in this region. We slowly move around the streets to see all the workshops, houses and domiciles. Get to feel the laid back vibes of this place. We stop at the colorful local market near one of the ancient temples. This is the best time you can interact with the vendors of this friendly town to make your own bargain experience. We board our local boats and cruise along floating houses to finally reach a floating fish farm. This region is the source of fish production to be sold all over the world and we can see closely how fish farmings works.
Back on board our “home” we sail towards the Vietnamese-Cambodian border. Get ready for a fascinating and leisurely cruise through the deep Cambodia countryside towards Phnom Penh.
The whole afternoon is at your own arrangements. This is the cruise part when even the last passenger will turn into cruise mode and hopefully experience the therapeutical influence this mighty river radiates. It is time for massages, time for sun bed relaxations, time for private balcony kick-backs - forsooth the time to merge with the river.
A culinary class if offered during the afternoon to sharpen your knowledge and skills on the local cuisine. Some may like to do a flying visit at the bridge - the captain always has a story to share about “his” river. "The Highway Blues" beckons as we float into a state of mild bliss and before you totally drift away join our afternoon high tea for some treats.
Dinner is served before we arrive in the capital of Cambodia around 8 o’clock. The boat docks at the pier of Phnom Penh. You are free to go for your first exploration by yourself. Stroll along the river promenade and watch the locals chit-chating, selling odds and ends or have a drink in one of the numerous bars (kindly inform our crew once you are leaving the ship on your own).

Day 4: Phnom Penh
Welome to Phnom Penh the once called Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. It is an amazing town to bespeak centuries of incredible history and culture which can still be felt at many street corners.
After breakfast we bid farewell to our passenger of the Pearl of the Orient Cruise (3-nights).
At the same time we welcome around 8 o’clock our passengers of the Serenity Cruise (4-nights).
We start with a full sight-seeing tour right after breakfast. By bus we visit the Killing Fields at the outskirts of the city and after the centrally located prison "S21". Both historic sites display the sad and cruel chapter of Khmer history when once the Khmer Rouge ruled the country with terror and supression. Those places have merely changed much since the horrific time back in the early seventies and so it can be heart wrenching. There is the alternative to explore the city during the morning by your own pace individually before re-joining the group.
Lunch we take in a nice restaurant in town. Our exploration of Phnom Penh focuses afterwards on the fascinating cultural heritage of Phnom Penh. The golden edifice of the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda and the exceptional Khmer crafts at the National Museum are the afternoon highlights. The day trip ends with a “cyclo” ride back to the ship through the bustling streets of downtown Phnom Penh.
Take some rest in your spacious cabin or join other fellow passengers at the bar for some refreshing drinks before our capturing evening activities start:
It begins with a variety of cocktails served on the sun deck or at the open bar. We move to the lounge which is set up for a captivating lecture about Cambodian mordern history, held by a professor of the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Definitely among the highlights of this cruise to receive knowledge out of first hand as our lecturer had a private relation to the former King of Cambodia and many other high ranking politician.
After the lecture a feast of barbecue dinner on the sun deck commences. The dinner is accompanied by an Apsara dance performance. You have to witness the brilliance and richness of this dance along with the soothing sounds of traditional music.
As the evening unwinds enjoy your supper with a good glass of wine and marvel at the skyline of Phnom Penh and the calming flow of the Tonle River.

Day 5: Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham (Mekong)
We depart before the break of dawn from Phnom Penh towards the small Angkor Ban village up the Mekong River. Wake up to the gentle cruise motion and get ready for breakfast in the dining room.
The Angkor Ban village is famous for it´s unspoiled community and beautiful, traditional houses. It feels like being transported back a hundred years into an era unaffected by modernity. Villagers characterize an unbridled warmth.
Back on board our staff is keen to show you the variety of traditional Khmer fashion. Lunch is served after this performance.
We cruise further up the Mekong to visit a local school to understand more about the education of the young Cambodian generation (the project is funded by an NGO). Those children here are always excited to show their skills in music and art and will bath you in smiles upon your applause. We continue the travel by road to the enchanting pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey (7th century). This small complex sits on a hill top right on the shore with breath-taking views on the Mekong. Another temple on the way is the tiny, colorful monastery of Wat Nokor. Here we might get the chance to engage in a light banter with some of the monks living in the area.
Relax back on board until dinner is served. The boat moors mid-river near Kampong Cham.

Day 6: Kampong Cham (Mekong) – Kampong Chhnang (Tonle)
We sail downstream the Mekong during breakfast time and stop at the Island of Koh Oknha Tey. This spot in the middle of the Mekong owns its fame for the manufacturing of high class silk products.
By tuk tuk we explore the island with its workshops and learn how silk is processed from its source, provided by little silkworms, to a final top quality product made of original Cambodian silk.
Before lunch our expert guides offer a presentation about “Geography of the Mekong and Tonle Sap”.
After lunch a Monks’ blessing ceremony on board will deliver spirits and wishes for our health and prosperity for all.
The cruiser continues its journey, passing the confluence of Mekong and Tonle River towards Kampong Tralach. Gliding through leafy swaths of this jungle-like landscape we reach Kampong Tralach. Cacophonous children waive enthusiastically while bringing their livestock for a bath in the meandering river. Live to see all this life - which is so much different than ours - by a local ox cart ride.
The boat find its anchor spot later in the Tonle River near Kampong Chhnang allowing you to observe the interesting and close-by life on shore until dinner is served in the restaurant.

Day 7: Kampong Chhnang – Tonle Lake
Wake up early to witness this spectacular water-world in the break of down. Our moring Tai Chi class has the perfect backdrop today. Breakfast buffet is served in the restaurant.
We are now at Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “water world”, where everything is on sticks balanced on water rich soil. This is the most fascinating cruise part in Cambodia.
We take a local boat to the shore. With mini buses we head to a rural village nearby and go on a walking tour. Our guides introduce the village specialities – Khmer style pottery and the making of palm sugar. Definitely you should bring home some. Before returning to the boat we explore the local floating villages and wetlands of the region.
Back on board lunch is served as your floating sanctuary cruises gently along the narrow and meandering Tonle, towards the Great Tonle Lake. The river opens up to a vast “sea” - known as the biggest fresh water lake in Asia. This lake can only be crossed during high water season (approx. from end-July to mid-November). Let your soul float and your eyes wander while the boat makes its way towards Siem Reap.
In the afternoon we serve a high tea at the bar and as the sun sets, our crew invites for a farewell event. Enjoy your dinner and some dance and music afterwards together with the crew.
The boat moors mid-like near Siem Reap.

Day 8: Siem Reap
The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambodia, giving love and life to millions of people. It has more fishes than any other lake in the world and is home to an incredible variety of birds, including rare – and endangered – feathered life.
Our Heritage Line cruise comes to an end. We prepare to disembark the ship and take a local boat to the shore, passing a vast floating community.
Around 09:00 o’clock, we arrive at the Siem Reap pier and bring you with a short transfer to the drop off point in the city center.
We hope that you enjoyed this fascinating river same as our crew does every single time. Moreover we wish that you will take plenty of memories and friendships along with you that will linger with your stories of this amazing river - the Mighty Mekong.

Siem Reap – Kampong Cham – Okhna Tey – Kampong Chhnang – Kamp. Tralach – Phnom Penh – Tan Chau – Sa Dec – Cai Be – My Tho – Saigon

Day 1: Siem Reap - Kampong Cham
We gather in the morning at our welcome lounge in Siem Reap. Relax with a drink as our staff collects your details for the boarding. Then, we bid farewell to the iconic sight of Angkor and travel over land south to the town of Kampong Cham where our ship awaits us. The transfer takes about 4.5 hours, snacks and water are provided during the trip.
Upon arrival you check in to your prepared staterooms. A lunch buffet is served in the dining hall. Make yourself familiar with all the ship’s facilities and take some rest.
In the afternoon we learn more about the education of the young Cambodian generation (NGO project). The children join us on board, always excited to show their skills in music and art. Be sure to be bathed in smiles upon your applause.
After the performance, we leave the ship by bus for an after- noon excursion. As it is low water season we have the chance to see a bamboo bridge which connects the mainland with an island. Local communities re-build the bridge every year when water levels drop. We continue by a land journey to the enchanting pre Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey (7th century). This small complex sits on a hill top on the shore with breath-taking view of the Mekong.
When we return to the ship, enjoy some private time until dinner is served in the dining hall. Our lounge cinema features selected classic movies (every night).

Day 2: Kampong Cham - Oknha Tey - Kampong Chhnang
Every morning our Tai Chi class on the sun deck will bring you in form for the day. Breakfast is served in the dining hall.
The ship sails towards the small Angkor Ban village up the Mekong River. The Angkor Ban village is famous for its un- spoiled community and beautiful, traditional houses.
It feels like being transported back a hundred years into an era unaffected by modernity. Villagers characterize an unbridled warmth. Back on board a Monks’ blessing ceremony on board will deliver spirits and wishes for health and prosperity for all.
Enjoy your lunch as we set sail downstream on the Mekong. In the afternoon a high tea is offered and our staff is keen to show you the variety of traditional Khmer fashion.
We arrive at the Island of Koh Oknha Tey. This spot in the middle of the Mekong owns its fame for the manufacturing of high class silk products. By tuk tuk we explore the island with its workshops and learn how silk is processed from its source, provided by little silkworms, to a final top quality product made of original Cambodian silk.
After some additional cruising time, passing the the confluence of Mekong and Tonle Rivers, the boat anchors mid-river near Kampong Chhnang.
Have a drink before dinner and marvel at the amazing marshlands of this beautiful area.

Day 3: Kampong Chhnang - Kamp. Tralach - Phnom Penh
Wake up early to witness this spectacular scenery at the break of down. Our morning Tai Chi class has the perfect backdrop today. Breakfast buffet is served in the dining hall. We are now at Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “water world”, where everything is on sticks balanced on water rich soil.
We take a local boat to the shore. With mini buses we head to a rural village nearby and go on a walking tour. Our guides introduce the village specialities – Khmer style pottery and the making of palm sugar. Definitely you should bring some home. Before returning to the boat we explore the local floating villages and wetlands of the region.
Back on board lunch is served while the cruise continues with a languid meander along the Tonle River towards Kampong Tralach. Gliding through leafy swaths of this jungle-like landscape we reach Kampong Tralach. Cacophonous children wave enthusiastically while bringing their livestock for a bath in the meandering river. We will stop at the “Green School” which is supported in part by Heritage Line. Travel to see all this life - which is so much different than ours - by a local ox cart ride.
After some additional cruising time the boat arrives at the pier of Phnom Penh. Feel free to have your first exploration by yourself after dinner. Stroll along the river promenade and watch the locals chit-chatting, selling odds and ends or have a drink in one of the numerous bars (kindly inform our crew once you are leaving the ship on your own).

Day 4: Phnom Penh
Welcome to Phnom Penh - the once called Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. It is an amazing town to bespeak centuries of incredible history and culture which can still be felt at many street corners.
After breakfast we bid farewell to our passengers of the Serenity Cruise (3-nights).
We start with a full sight-seeing tour right after breakfast. By bus we visit the Killing Fields at the outskirts of the city and after the centrally located prison “S21”. Both historic sites display the sad and cruel chapter of Khmer history when once the Khmer Rouge ruled the country with terror and suppression. Those places have not changed much since the horrific time back in the early seventies and so it can be heart wrenching. There is the alternative to explore the city during the morning by your own pace individually before re-joining the group.
Lunch we take in a nice restaurant in town. Our exploration of Phnom Penh focuses afterwards on the fascinating cultural heritage of Phnom Penh. The golden edifice of the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda and the exceptional Khmer crafts at the National Museum are the afternoon highlights. The day trip ends with a “cyclo” ride back to the ship through the bustling streets of downtown Phnom Penh.
Take some rest in your spacious cabin or join other fellow passengers at the bar for some refreshing drinks before our captivating evening activities start.
Early evening a barbecue dinner on the sun deck commences. The dinner is accompanied by an Apsara dance performance. You have to witness the brilliance and richness of this dance along with the soothing sounds of traditional music.
As the evening unwinds enjoy your supper with a good glass of wine and marvel at the skyline of Phnom Penh and the calming flow of the Tonle River.

Day 5: Phnom Penh - Border Crossing - Tan Chau
After you have enjoyed your breakfast we gather at the lounge for a great lecture.
After breakfast we bid farewell to our passengers of the Serenity Cruise (4-nights). At 8 o’clock we welcome our passengers of the Pearl of the Orient Cruise (3-nights).
The lounge is set up for a captivating lecture about Cambodian modern history, held by a professor of the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Definitely among the highlights of this cruise is to receive knowledge first hand as our lecturer has studied the subject extensively and personally.
The whole afternoon is at your own arrangements. This is the cruise part when even the last passenger will turn into cruise mode and hopefully experience the therapeutic influence this mighty river radiates. It is time for massages, time for sun bed relaxations, time for private balcony kick-backs - it’s time to merge with the river.
Some may like to visit the bridge - the captain always has a story to share about “his” river. Float into a state of mild bliss, but be- fore totally drifting away do not forget lunchtime around noon.
A culinary class if offered in the afternoon to sharpen your knowledge and skills of the local cuisine. There may be an afternoon snooze kicking in. Our high tea with coffee and snacks might work against it if you like to.
We reach the border and arrive finally in Vietnam. From here it is just a short way to Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced border town close-by with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. We moor near the city with views of the riverside.
Dinner is served and afterwards you can join our evening cinema with another selected classic movie.

Day 6: Tan Chau - My An Hung - Sa Dec
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 for an excursion around Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced town near the Cambodian border with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. Once arrived on-shore we hop on “xelois” to explore Tan Chau. A xeloi is a local vehicle which is still used as a taxi in this region. We slowly move around the streets to see all the workshops, houses and domiciles. Get to feel the laid- back vibes of this place.
We stop at the colorful local market near one of the ancient temples. This is the best time to interact with the vendors of this friendly town to make your own bargain experience. We board our local boats and cruise along floating houses to finally reach a floating fish farm. This region is the source of fish production to be sold all over the world and we can see closely how fish farming works.
Back on board you may like to pamper yourself with some spa treatments or take a dip in our pool on the sun deck before lunch time. Our expert guides offer a presentation on the “Life on the Mekong Delta” as the ship continues to My An Hung near Sa Dec province. Before we arrive mingle and share some stories.
We will set off for the My An Hung Village. In the village we receive wonderful insights into the private household of a local family. We are allowed to visit their vegetable garden and accees the seasonal vegetable fields via crossing a monkey bridge. We are invited after to their house for a Vietnamese tea tasting. Vietnamese tea is often bitter and locals sweeten it with honey. The honey produced by the family is a delicacy in this region. We are the offered fruits, juicy, fresh, and right from the tree. A local artist group performs a typical traditional dragon dance while we munch on those natural “vitamins bombs”.
As the sun sets and the light bathes everything golden we settle on a riverbank with cocktails to recap the day.
Back on our ship we cruise down the Mekong. Refresh yourself and get ready for dinner. The ship moors mid-river around Sa Dec.

Day 7: Binh Thanh Island - Cai Be - My Tho
During breakfast time we arrive at the island of Binh Thanh. We embark a local boat and head towards Binh Thanh Island. This island is one of the larger ones in the vast stream of the Mekong. Some communities have settled here and make their living by growing water hyazinths.
We visit exclusively one of those untouched areas. By wandering through the village we get a deep understanding of the native life. But moreover, we can follow the whole process of mat making. You can even try yourself the weaving which is still done manually. We will meet also an old local couple who share with us their story on this island and they are happy for any chit-chat with you.
Back on board lunch is served and you have some time afterwards for yourself in your preferred cruise mode.
In the early afternoon we arrive in Cai Be. Cai Be is a charming small town, famous for its Catholic French church and manufacturing of traditional crafts and food products. The floating market of Cai Be is getting smaller every year, since trading on the water is shifting more and more into modern central markets. We can still see some boat to boat trading of local goods, such as fruits and agricultural products.
Our guide explains the particulars of this long lasting dealing culture. Each boat has a special marker to let buyers know what goods they are selling. We go on-shore to visit a workshop where we learn about and observe how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies and rice wine is manufactured. Cai Be and its surrounding areas are covered by palm trees and hence the region is also famous for the production of coconut candies. The city is criss-crossed by and many water canals. With our local boat we continue to cruise through the lush and green canal network and can observe farmers working in the fields.
As the sun sets, our crew invites you to a farewell event. Before your dinner enjoy some dance and music together with the crew. The ships moors at My Tho in the evening.

Day 8: My Tho - Saigon
Enjoy your last breakfast aboard our floating sanctuary.
We will disembark the ship after the breakfast and take a bus transfer from My Tho to the drop off point in Saigon. It is only around 70 kilometers on the highway. You arrive in Saigon by mid-morning.
We hope that you enjoyed this fascinating river just as our crew does every single time. Moreover we wish that you will take plenty of memories and friendships along with you that will linger with your stories of this amazing river - the Mighty Mekong.

Saigon – My Tho – Cai Be – Tan Chau – Phnom Penh – Kampong Chhnang – Tonle River – Kampong Cham – Siem Reap

Day 1: Saigon - My Tho - Cai Be
We gather before noontime at our welcome lounge in Saigon. Lean back with a drink as our staff welcomes you and collects your details for boarding. We bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon and travel 70 kilometers south overland to My Tho to embark on your luxury floating home for your coming journey along the Mighty Mekong.
Upon boarding our crew warmly welcomes you and you check in to your prepared staterooms. The ship sets sail and your fascinating journey of exploring the Mekong can begin. Lunch buffet is served in the restaurant while the vessel steadily glides upstream to reach the overnight spot. Make yourself familiar with all the ship facilities. Now it is time to become one with one of the largest streams in Asia.
The afternoon allows you to pass the time at your private balcony or join our tea time at the open air bar as the twilight bathes the land of the Mekong Delta into a golden haze on.
During the time you savor your dinner the ship reaches Cai Be. Cai Be is a charming small town, famous for its Catholic French church and manufacturing of traditional crafts and food products. The floating market of Cai Be is getting smaller every year, since trading on the water is shifting more and more into modern central markets.
We drop anchor mid-stream near Cai Be for dinner and overnight. After dinner our lounge cinema features selected classic movies (every night).

Day 2: Cai Be - Sa Dec - Tan Chau
Each morning, we offer our guests an invigorating Tai Chi class on the sun deck. Start your day like many local people do around Asia just as the sun begins its gentle glow. A sumptuous buffet breakfast is the perfect start of your first exploration day in the Mekong Delta.
The morning tour takes you to Cai Be. We can still see some boat to boat trading of local goods such as fruits and agricultural products. Our guide explains the particularities of this long lasting dealing culture. Each boat has a special marker to let buyers know what goods they are selling.
Cai Be is a rustic town criss-crossed by many water canals. We go on-shore to visit a workshop where we learn about and observe how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies and rice wine is manufactured. Cai Be and its surrounding areas are covered by palm trees and hence the region is also famous for the production of coconut candies. With our local boat we continue to cruise through the lush and green canal network and can observe farmers working in the fields.
Back on board lunch is served and you have some time for yourself afterwards to either enjoy a true Vietnamese coffee at the bar or simply watch the life on the riverbanks floating by.
In the afternoon, we reach the area of Sa Dec. We embark a traditional local boat and head towards Binh Thanh Island. This island is one of the larger ones in the vast stream of the Mekong. Some communities have settled here and make their living by growing water hyazinths. We visit exclusively, one of those untouched areas. By wandering through the village we get a deep understanding of the native life. But moreover we can follow the whole process of mat making. You can even try the weaving yourself, which is still done manually. We will meet also an elderly local couple who shares with us their story on this island and they are happy to engage in conversation with you.
Back on board you may like to pamper yourself with a spa treatment or take a dip in our pool on the sun deck. Our expert guide offers a presentation on the “Life on the Mekong Delta” as the ship continues sailing to Tan Chau - the border town to Cambodia. We moor mid-stream near Tan Chau.
Dinner is served and afterwards you can join our evening cinema session (offered every night) featuring selected classic movies

Day 3: Tan Chau - Border crossing - Phnom Penh
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 for an excursion around Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced town near the Cambodian border with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. Once on-shore we hop on “xelois” to explore Tan Chau. A xeloi is a local vehicle which is still used as a taxi in this region. We slowly move around the streets to see all the workshops, houses and domiciles. Get to feel the laid-back vibes of this place. We stop at the colorful local market near one of the ancient temples. This is the best time to interact with the vendors of this friendly town to practice your bargaining skills. We board our local boat and cruise past floating houses to finally reach a floating fish farm. This region is the source of fish production to be sold all over the world and we can see closely how fish farming works.
Back on board our “home” we sail towards the Vietnamese-Cambodian border. Get ready for a fascinating and leisurely cruise through the deep Cambodia countryside towards Phnom Penh.
The whole afternoon is at your own arrangements. This is the part of the cruise when even the last passenger will turn into cruise mode and hopefully experience the therapeutic influence this mighty river radiates. It is time for massages, time for sun bed relaxation, time for private balcony kick-backs - it’s the time to merge with the river.
A culinary class is offered during the afternoon to sharpen your knowledge and skills on the local cuisine. Some may like to visit the bridge - the captain always has a story to share about “his” river. You may float into a state of mild bliss but before you totally drift away join our afternoon high tea for some treats.
Dinner is served before we arrive in the capital of Cambodia around seven o’clock. The boat docks at the pier of Phnom Penh. You are free to go for your first exploration by yourself. Stroll along the river promenade and watch the locals chit-chatting, selling odds and ends or have a drink in one of the numerous bars (kindly inform our crew once you are leaving the ship on your own).

Day 4: Phnom Penh
Welcome to Phnom Penh - once called the Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. It is an amazing town to bespeak centuries of incredible history and culture which can still be felt at many street corners.
After breakfast we bid farewell to our passengers of the Pearl of the Orient Cruise (3-nights).
At the same time we welcome our passengers of the Serenity Cruise (4-nights).
We start with a full sight-seeing tour right after breakfast. By bus we visit the Killing Fields at the outskirts of the city and after, the centrally located prison “S21”. Both historic sites display the sad and cruel chapter of Khmer history when once the Khmer Rouge ruled the country with terror and suppression. Those places have not changed much since the horrific time back in the early seventies and so it can be heart wrenching. There is the alternative to explore the city during the morning by your own pace individually before re-joining the group.
Lunch will be taken at a nice restaurant in town. Our exploration of Phnom Penh focuses afterwards on the fascinating cultural heritage of Phnom Penh. The golden edifice of the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda and the exceptional Khmer crafts at the National Museum are the afternoon highlights. The day trip ends with a “cyclo” ride back to the ship through the bustling streets of downtown Phnom Penh.
Take some rest in your spacious cabin or join other fellow passengers at the bar for some refreshing drinks before our captivating evening activities start:
We move to the lounge which is set up for a captivating lecture about Cambodian modern history, held by a professor of the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Definitely among the highlights of this cruise is to receive knowledge first hand as our lecturer has studied the subject extensively and personally.
After the lecture a barbecue dinner feast on the sun deck commences. The dinner is accompanied by an Apsara dance performance. You have to witness the brilliance and richness of this dance along with the soothing sounds of traditional music.
As the evening unwinds enjoy your supper with a glass of wine and marvel at the skyline of Phnom Penh and the calming flow of the Tonle River.

Day 5: Phnom Penh – Kampong Chhnang (Tonle)
Before the sun peeks over the horizon, the cruiser sets sail towards Kampong Tralach on the Tonle River – an amazingly narrow river. Gently gliding through leafy swaths of this jungle-like landscape we reach Kampong Tralach. Breakfast is served before we moor and get ready for our first Tonle discovery.
We reach the shore by local boat and cacophonous children wave enthusiastically while bringing their livestock for a bath in the meandering river. We will stop at the “Green School” which is supported in part by Heritage Line. Travel to see all this life, which is so much different than ours - by a local ox cart ride. Back on board our staff is keen to show you a variety of traditional Khmer fashion. Lunch is served after this performance.
The ship cruises along the narrow and meandering Tonle River towards Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “water world”, where everything is on sticks balanced on water-rich soil. This is perhaps the most fascinating cruise locale in Cambodia.
Back on land in Kampong Chhnang we take mini buses heading to a rural village nearby and go on a walking tour. Our guides introduce the village specialties – Khmer style pottery and the making of palm sugar. Before returning to the boat we explore the local floating villages and wetlands of the region.
Relax back on board until dinner is served. The boat moors mid-river in the Tonle area.

Day 6: Tonle River - Kampong Cham (Mekong)
In the early morning during breakfast we sail from the lower Tonle River towards the Mekong passing their confluence at Phnom Penh. We arrive at the island of Koh Oknha Tey. This spot in the middle of the Mekong owns its fame for the manufacturing of high class silk products.
By tuk tuk we explore the island with its workshops and learn how silk is processed from its source, provided by little silkworms, to a final top quality product made of original Cambodian silk.
Before lunch our expert guides offer a presentation about “Geography of the Mekong and Tonle Sap”. Afterwards a Monks’ blessing ceremony on board delivers spirits and wishes for our health and prosperity for all.
The ship sails towards the small Angkor Ban village up in the Mekong River. The Angkor Ban village is famous for its unspoiled community and beautiful, traditional houses. It feels like being transported back a hundred years into an era unaffected by modernity. Villagers characterize an unbridled warmth. Afterwards it is the time for some fun during a cocktail party on a flat riverbank.
We continue cruising for a while until dinner is served. The boat finds its overnight spot at the riverbank of Kampong Cham.

Day 7: Kampong Cham (Mekong)
After breakfast we are going by bus to visit the enchanting pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey, built in the 7th century. This small complex sits on a hill top right on the shore with breath taking views of the Mekong.
We return to the ship for lunch and some relaxation.
In the afternoon we head for another outing and drive to the tiny, colorful monastery of Wat Nokor. Here we might get the chance to engage in light banter with some of the monks living in the area. As it is low water season we can see a bamboo bridge which connects the mainland with the island. Local communities re-build the bridge every year when water levels drop.
We continue our journey and visit a local school to understand more about the education of the young Cambodian generation (NGO project). The children here are always excited to show their skills in music and art and will bathe you in smiles upon your applause.
As the sun sets, our crew invites for a farewell event. Before dinner enjoy some dancing and music together with the crew. The boat moors at the riverbank of Kampong Cham.

Day 8: Kampong Cham (Mekong) - Siem Reap
Enjoy your last breakfast on board our floating sanctuary. We disembark the ship after you have checked out for a transfer by bus to the drop off point in Siem Reap.
The transfer takes about 4.5 hours. Snacks are provided during the trip. You arrive in Siem Reap in the early afternoon.
We hope that you enjoyed this fascinating river just as our crew does every single time. Moreover we wish that you will take plenty of memories and friendships along with you that will linger with your stories of this amazing river - the Mighty Mekong.