4 Days Downstream Siem Reap Phnom Penh on Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise: Get up early to see this amazing water park as it breaks down. The setting is ideal for our morning Tai Chi lesson today. The restaurant offers a breakfast buffet.
Table of Contents
Day 1: Siem Reap – Tonle River
Activities: Explore the Tonle Sap, embark on a cruise, and take advantage of the onboard amenities.
High Water Program: Siem Reap – Tonle River
At our Siem Reap welcome lounge, we meet in the morning. As our crew greets you and gathers your information for the boarding, relax with a drink.
We said adieu to the famous Ankor scenery before traveling a short distance to the Tonle Lake dock. We move to our lovely ship via a local boat, and the crew extends a warm greeting to you as you board. Your fascinating voyage on the Mighty Mekong may start as you check into your ready cabins while the ship is at sea.
While the boat slowly crosses Tonle Lake, you have lunch on board. Only during high water season is it possible to traverse the lake (approx. from End-July to Mid-November). While the boat travels over, let your mind wander and your spirit float.
Following lunch, one of our knowledgeable tour guides will give a lecture on the “Geography of the Mekong and Tonle Sap.” We provide high tea in the open bar in the afternoon. Enjoy your day at sea, unwind on your balcony, or treat yourself to a spa treatment before supper.
In the Tonle River, the boat is moored. You are welcome to attend our nightly movie screening, which features a number of vintage films.
Low Water Program: Siem Reap – Kampong Cham
At our Siem Reap welcome lounge, we meet in the morning. As our crew greets you and gathers your information for the boarding, relax with a drink.
We next say goodbye to the famous Ankor sight and proceed by road south to the town of Kampong Cham, where our ship is waiting for us (the transfers takes about 4,5 hours, snacks and water are provided during the trip).
When you arrive, our staff extends a warm greeting and helps you check into your ready-made cabins. The restaurant offers a lunch buffet. Take some time to recover and familiarize yourself with all the ship’s amenities.
We take a bus to a nearby school in the afternoon to learn more about the education of the next generation of Cambodians (the project is funded by an NGO). These kids are always eager to demonstrate their musical and artistic talents, and they will beam at you when you applaud them. We will get the opportunity to observe a bamboo bridge that links the mainland to an island since it is low tide. Every year as the water level lowers, local communities rebuild the bridge.
We get back to the boat. Prior to the restaurant serving supper, have some alone time. You are welcome to attend our nightly movie screening, which features a number of vintage films.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman cruise
Day 2: Kampong Chhnang – Kampong Tralach – Kampong Cham
Activities: Arrive in Kampong Chhnang, take in the scenery, tour the area’s wetlands and floating villages, and then travel to Kampong Tralach.
High Water Program: Kampong Chhnang – Kamp. Tralach – Kampong Cham
Get up early to see this amazing water park as it breaks down. The setting is ideal for our morning Tai Chi lesson today. The restaurant offers a breakfast buffet.
We are now in Kampong Chhnang, or the “water world,” where everything is perched on sticks above water-rich ground. The most intriguing element of the Cambodian cruise is this.
To go to the coast, we board a nearby boat. We go by minibus to a neighboring rural community where we do a walking tour. The production of palm sugar and Khmer-style ceramics are two of the local specialties that our guides highlight. You should most definitely bring some home. We see the nearby marshes and floating towns before heading back to the boat.
When everyone is back on board, lunch is served while the boat makes its leisurely way down the Tonle River into Kampong Tralach. On board, a monks’ blessing ritual will provide good vibes and prayers for everyone’s health and happiness.
We arrive to Kampong Tralach by gliding over lush patches of this jungle-like area. Children waving raucously as they bring their animals for a wash in the winding river. By taking a native ox cart trip, you may live to experience all of this life, which is so very different from ours.
When we get back on board, we continue to sail downstream, crossing the Tonle River and Mekong’s confluence. Dinner is served in the dining room after we moor in the middle of the river.
Low Water Program: Kampong Cham – Oknha Tey – Kampong Chhnang
You will get in shape for the day every morning during our Tai Chi lesson on the sun terrace. Served in the dining room is breakfast.
We go by land this morning to the beautiful Wat Hanchey pre-Angkorian temple (7th century). This compact building offers breathtaking views of the Mekong from its hilltop location near the beach. The modest, vibrant monastery of Wat Nokor is another temple along our journey. Here, we could get the opportunity to joke about with some of the local monks.
We get ready for lunch when we get back to our floating residence before setting out on the Mekong. Our team is eager to demonstrate the range of traditional Khmer clothing to you during the afternoon high tea that is provided.
We reach the Koh Oknha Tey Island. This location in the Mekong River’s center is well known for producing high-end silk goods. By tuk tuk, we travel the island’s workshops and discover how silk is produced, from the tiny silkworms that serve as its source to the final, premium product made of genuine Cambodian silk.
The boat anchors in the middle of the river close to Kampong Chhnang after continuing to cruise for a while and reaching the point where the Mekong and Tonle Rivers merge.
Before dinner, have a drink while admiring the wonderful marshes of this lovely locale.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman cruise
Day 3: Kampong Cham – Koh Oknha Tey – Phnom Penh
Activities: Visit the pre-Angkorian temple Wat Hanchey, take in a blessing ceremony, observe Mekong riverside life, tour the island’s workshops, discover how silk is made from the ground up, etc.
High Water Program: Kampong Cham – Okhna Tey – Phnom Penh
After a delicious breakfast, we take a bus to a nearby school to learn more about the education of the next generation of Cambodians (the project is funded by an NGO). These kids are always eager to demonstrate their musical and artistic talents, and they will beam at you when you applaud them. We go farther on the road till we reach the beautiful pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey (7th century). With breathtaking views of the Mekong, this modest complex is perched on a hill just a short distance from the water.
We offer lunch back aboard the ship after a little period of relaxation. Our team is eager to demonstrate the range of traditional Khmer clothing to you in the afternoon. As the cruise makes its way to its next destination, have high tea while seeing the Mekong’s riverside inhabitants.
We reach the Koh Oknha Tey Island. This location in the Mekong River’s center is well known for producing high-end silk goods. By tuk tuk, we travel the island’s workshops and discover how silk is produced, from the tiny silkworms that serve as its source to the final, premium product made of genuine Cambodian silk.
The boat comes and docks at the Phnom Penh port after even more cruise time. After supper, feel free to go on your first solo adventure. Drink at one of the many pubs or stroll along the river promenade and see the residents chatting and selling trinkets (kindly inform our crew once you are leaving the ship on your own).
Low Water Program: Kampong Chhnang – Kamp. Tralach – Phnom Penh
Get up early to see this amazing water park as it breaks down. The setting is ideal for our morning Tai Chi lesson today. The restaurant offers a breakfast buffet. We are now in Kampong Chhnang, or the “water world,” where everything is perched on sticks above water-rich ground.
To go to the coast, we board a nearby boat. We go by minibus to a neighboring rural community where we do a walking tour. The production of palm sugar and Khmer-style ceramics are two of the local specialties that our guides highlight. You should most definitely bring some home. We see the nearby marshes and floating towns before heading back to the boat.
When everyone is back on board, lunch is served while the boat makes its leisurely way down the Tonle River into Kampong Tralach. On board, a monks’ blessing ritual will provide good vibes and prayers for everyone’s health and happiness.
We arrive to Kampong Tralach by gliding over lush patches of this jungle-like area. Children waving raucously as they bring their animals for a wash in the winding river. By taking a native ox cart trip, you may live to experience all of this life, which is so very different from ours.
The boat arrives at the Phnom Penh dock after some more cruise time. After supper, feel free to go on your first solo adventure. Drink at one of the many pubs or stroll along the river promenade and see the residents chatting and selling trinkets (kindly inform our crew once you are leaving the ship on your own).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman cruise
Day 4: Phnom Penh
Activities: Have breakfast, check out
Welcome to Phnom Penh, once known as the Eastern Paris. It has kept much of its rustic elegance and charm despite its fast expansion. The great history and culture of this town, which can still be sensed at many street corners, spans centuries.
After breakfast, we said goodbye to our Serenity Cruise companion (3-nights)
