5 Days Upstream Phnom Penh Siem Reap on Heritage Line Jahan Cruise: Leave for the silk-weaving village of Chong Koh, continue on the cruise to Angkor Ban, participate in village life there, and then continue on the cruise to Kampong Cham. The boat heads for Kampong Tralach in the incredibly tiny Tonle River just as the sun begins to rise. We approach Kampong Tralach by gently floating over lush patches of this jungle-like environment. Before we moor and prepare for our first Tonle discovery, breakfast is provided.
Table of Contents
Day 1: Phnom Penh
Activities: Tour the city of Phnom Penh, view the sights, travel to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, see Khmer crafts, go to the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields, and take part in a variety of activities to experience Cambodian culture.
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 rich history and culture of this town, which spans centuries, can still be sensed at many of its street corners.
After breakfast, our full sightseeing trip begins. By bus, we travel to the city’s Killing Fields and then the “S21” jail, which is conveniently situated. Both historical sites depict the tragic and horrific period in Khmer history when the Khmer Rouge terrorized and suppressed the population. It might be heartbreaking since such sites have barely altered since the terrible time in the early 1970s. An alternative would be to independently tour the city in the morning before rejoining the group.
We eat lunch at a beautiful restaurant in the city. The remarkable cultural legacy of Phnom Penh is thus the main focus of our exploration of the city. Highlights of the day include the magnificent Khmer crafts at the National Museum and the golden Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda. The day tour concludes with a “cyclo” ride through the busy streets of downtown Phnom Penh returning to the ship.
Before our engaging evening events begin, relax in your roomy cabin or join other travelers at the bar for some refreshing drinks.
It starts with a selection of beverages offered at the open bar or on the sun terrace. We go to the lounge, where a professor from the Royal University of Phnom Penh is preparing a fascinating presentation about modern history in Cambodia. Given that our speaker had a personal connection to the previous King of Cambodia and many other high-ranking politicians, learning first-hand information was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our voyage.
Following the talk, a BBQ feast is served on the sun terrace. An Apsara dance performance takes place before supper. You must see this dance to appreciate its richness and brightness, as well as the calming effects of traditional music.
Enjoy your dinner and a nice bottle of wine as the evening winds down while taking in Phnom Penh’s skyline and the tranquil Tonle River’s flow.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
Day 2: Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham
Activities:
Leave for the silk-weaving village of Chong Koh, continue on the cruise to Angkor Ban, participate in village life there, and then continue on the cruise to Kampong Cham.
High Water: Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham (Mekong)
We leave Phnom Penh early dawn in search of the little Angkor Ban settlement up the Mekong River. Prepare for breakfast in the dining room as you awaken to the soothing rhythm of the boat.
The picturesque, traditional homes and pristine neighborhood make the Angkor Ban hamlet famous. It has the impression of taking place in an age unspoiled by modernity, one hundred years in the past. Villagers are known for their unrestrained kindness.
Our team is eager to demonstrate the range of traditional Khmer clothing once you’re back on board. After this performance, lunch is provided.
We continue our trip up the Mekong and stop at 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 continue on the route to the beautiful Wat Hanchey pre-Angkorian temple (7th century). With breathtaking views of the Mekong, this modest complex is perched on a hill just a short distance from the water. The little, colorful mon-astery of Wat Nokor is another temple that may be found nearby. Here, we could get the opportunity to joke about with some of the local monks.
Until supper is served, unwind once more on board. Amid the river, close to Kampong Cham, the boat moors.
Low Water: Phnom Penh – Kampong Chhnang (Tonle)
The boat heads for Kampong Tralach in the incredibly tiny Tonle River just as the sun begins to rise. We approach Kampong Tralach by gently floating over lush patches of this jungle-like environment. Before we moor and prepare for our first Tonle discovery, breakfast is provided.
When we arrive at the shore in a local boat, cacophonous kids wave joyously as they bring their animals to the flowing River for a bath. By taking a local ox cart trip, you may live to witness all this life, which is really different from ours.
Our team is eager to demonstrate the range of traditional Khmer clothing once you’re back on board. After this performance, lunch is provided.
In Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “water world,” where everything is on sticks balanced on water-rich soil, the ship travels through the winding, narrow Tonle River. The most intriguing element of the Cambodian cruise is this.
Returning to Kampong Chhnang, we board minibuses and travel to a neighboring rural community for 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.
Until supper is served, unwind once more on board. Midway down the Tonle, the boat moors.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
Day 3: Kampong Cham – Kampong Chhnang
Activities: Admire the beauty as you explore the island’s workshops and see how silk is made from its origins all the way to Kampong Tralach.
High Water: Kampong Cham (Mekong) – Kampong Chhnang (Tonle)
After breakfast, we set sail on the Mekong and make a stop at the island of Koh Oknha Tey. 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.
Our knowledgeable tour guides provide a presentation on the “Geography of the Mekong and Tonle Sap” before lunch.
After lunch, spirits and wishes for everyone’s health and success will be sent out on board during a monks’ blessing ritual.
As the cruiser heads into Kampong Tralach, it passes the Mekong and Tonle River’s confluence. 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.
Before supper is served at the restaurant, you may view the fascinating and nearby life on land as the boat finds its anchor site in the Tonle River close to Kampong Chhnang.
Low Water: Tonle River – Kampong Cham (Mekong)
We cruise from the lower Tonle River to the Mekong for breakfast in the early morning, passing where the two rivers meet in Phnom Penh. 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.
Our knowledgeable tour guides provide a presentation on the “Geography of the Mekong and Tonle Sap” before lunch. After lunch, spirits and wishes for everyone’s health and success will be sent out on board during a monks’ blessing ritual.
The boat heads up the Mekong River toward the little Angkor Ban town. The picturesque, traditional homes and pristine neighborhood make the Angkor Ban hamlet famous. It has the impression of taking place in an age unspoiled by modernity, one hundred years in the past. Villagers are known for their unrestrained kindness.
After that, it’s time for a fun party with drinks and cocktails on a level riverbank.
Until supper is served, we continue to cruise. The boat stops at Kampong Cham’s riverside for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
Day 4: Kampong Chhnang – Tonle Sap
Activities: Sail to Kampong Chhnang, explore the surrounding wetlands and floating villages, and then head for the Great Tonle Lake.
High Water: Kampong Chhnang – Tonle Lake
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 currently in Kampong Chhnang, or the “water world,” where everything is perched on sticks over 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 nearby 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.
Lunch is served once you get back on board as your floating sanctuary makes its way toward the Great Tonle Lake along the narrow and winding Tonle. The river widens to reveal a huge “sea” that is actually the largest freshwater lake in Asia. One may only cross this lake during the high water season (approx. from End-July to Mid-November). As the boat travels toward Siem Reap, let your mind roam and your soul float.
Afternoon high tea is served at the bar, and as the sun is setting, our crew extends an invitation to a farewell celebration. Enjoy your meal, followed by some dancing and music with the staff.
Amid water, the boat moors close to Siem Reap.
Low Water: Kampong Cham (Mekong)
We are traveling by bus to the fascinating pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey after breakfast (7th century). With breathtaking views of the Mekong, this modest complex is perched on a hill just a short distance from the water.
After lunch, we head back to the ship to unwind. The modest, vibrant monastery of Wat Nokor is another temple that is nearby. Here, we could get the opportunity to joke about with some of the local monks.
We go on another excursion in the afternoon and travel to the little, flamboyant Wat Nokor monastery. Here, we could get the opportunity to joke about with some of the local monks. We will get the opportunity to observe a bamboo bridge that links the mainland to an island because it is low tide. Every year as the water level drops, local communities rebuild the bridge.
We continue on our tour and stop at 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.
Our staff welcomes you to a goodbye celebration as the sun sets. Enjoy your meal, followed by some dancing and music with the staff.
At Kampong Cham’s riverside, the boat moors.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
Day 5: Tonle Sap – Siem Reap
Activities: Discover Siem Reap city, take a boat, and explore the Tonle Sap
High Water: Tone Lake – Siem Reap
Millions of people receive their love and existence from the Tonle Sap (The Great Lake), which flows through the heart of Cambodia. It is home to an incredible variety of birds, including rare and endangered species, and has more fish than any other lake in the world.
The voyage on the Heritage Line comes to an end. As we are ready to leave the ship and board a local boat to get to the beach, we pass a sizable floating settlement.
We arrive at the Siem Reap pier around 9:00 a.m. and transport you quickly to the drop-off location in the heart of the city.
As our team does every time, we hope you liked this wonderful river. Additionally, we hope that you will leave with many happy memories and new friendships to go along with your tales of this incredible river, the Mighty Mekong.
Kampong Cham (Mekong) to Siem Reap at Low Water
On our floating sanctuary, enjoy your final breakfast. Once you have checked out, we will disembark the ship and take a bus to the Siem Reap drop-off location.
We leave around 8:00 a.m. Early in the afternoon, you reach Siem Reap.
As our team does every time, we hope you liked this wonderful river. Additionally, we hope that you will leave with many happy memories and new friendships to go along with your tales of this incredible river, the Mighty Mekong.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
