7 Days Raffles Hotels Phnom Penh Siem Reap on Heritage Line Jayavarman Cruise: City tour around Phnom Penh, sightseeing, visit Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, see Khmer craft, visit Genocide museum and Killing Field, enjoy Cambodian culture with many activities on deck. By bus, we go to the Killing Fields, which are outside the city, and then to the “S21” prison, which is in the middle of the city.
Table of Contents
Day 1: Phnom Penh
Activities: When you get to Phnom Penh, take it easy at Raffles Le Royal.
Greetings from Phnom Penh!
When you get to Phnom Penh International Airport, our guide will take you to Raffles Le Royal to check in. You have the whole day to explore Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
Overnight: Raffles Hotel Le Royal
Day 2: Phnom Penh
Activities:
City tour around Phnom Penh, sightseeing, visit Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, see Khmer craft, visit Genocide museum and Killing Field, enjoy Cambodian culture with many activities on deck.
Welcome to Phnom Penh, which was once known as the “Paris of the East.” Even though it has grown quickly, it has kept a lot of its rustic elegance and charm. It’s a great town with a lot of amazing history and culture that you can still feel on many street corners.
After breakfast, we start with a full sightseeing tour. By bus, we go to the Killing Fields, which are outside the city, and then to the “S21” prison, which is in the middle of the city. Both sites show the sad and cruel part of Khmer history when the Khmer Rouge terrorized and oppressed the people of the country. Since that terrible time in the early 1970s, those places have changed a lot, which can be heartbreaking. You can also choose to explore the city on your own in the morning before meeting back up with the group.
We eat lunch at a nice place in town. The next part of our trip to Phnom Penh is all about the city’s fascinating cultural history. The best parts of the afternoon are the golden building of the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda and the beautiful Khmer crafts at the National Museum. The day trip ends with a ride on a “cyclo” through the busy streets of downtown Phnom Penh back to the ship.
Take a nap in your roomy cabin or grab a drink at the bar with other passengers before our exciting evening activities begin:
It starts with a variety of cocktails served on the sun deck or at the open bar. We move to the lounge, where a professor from the Royal University of Phnom Penh is giving an interesting talk about modern Cambodian history. One of the best parts of this cruise was getting first-hand information from our lecturer, who knew the former King of Cambodia and many other high-ranking politicians.
After the talk, a big barbecue dinner is served on the sun deck. During the dinner, there is an Apsara dance show. You have to see this dance and listen to the traditional music to fully understand how beautiful and rich it is.
As night falls, enjoy your dinner with a good glass of wine and look at Phnom Penh’s skyline and the peaceful flow of the Tonle River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman cruise
Day 3: Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham
Activities: Join the trip to Angkor Ban hamlet, participate in the people’ everyday activities, then sail to Kampong Cham.
High Water: Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham (Mekong)
We leave Phnom Penh before sunrise and go up the Mekong River to the little Angkor Ban settlement. Prepare for breakfast in the dining area while the ship’s gentle motion wakes you up.
The town of Angkor Ban is renowned for its pristine community and ancient architecture. It seems as though one has been transported back a century to a period untouched by civilization. Villagers exemplify uninhibited warmth.
Back on board, our crew is eager to demonstrate the diversity of traditional Khmer clothes. After the show, lunch is provided.
Further up the Mekong, we visit a small school to learn more about the education of Cambodia’s younger generation (the project is funded by an NGO). These youngsters are always eager to demonstrate their musical and artistic abilities, and they will be ecstatic to get your appreciation. The vehicle trip continues to the magnificent pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey (7th century). This modest complex is situated on a hilltop directly on the Mekong’s bank and offers breathtaking views of the river. Wat Nokor, a small, colorful monastery, is another temple along the path. Here, we may have the opportunity to engage in light conversation with the local monks.
Unwind till supper is served on board. The boat moors in the middle of the river near Kampong Cham.
Low Water: Phnom Penh – Kampong Chhnang (Tonle)
Before the sun rises over the horizon, the cruiser sets sail towards Kampong Tralach on the Tonle River, which is an incredibly tiny river. We approach Kampong Tralach by skimming over lush sections of this jungle-like environment. Breakfast is given before we dock and go on our first exploration of the Tonle.
Children waving joyfully as they bathe their animals in the winding River are waving as we approach the beach by local boat. A journey in a native ox cart will allow you to view everything of this life, which is so different from ours.
Back on board, our crew is eager to demonstrate the diversity of traditional Khmer clothes. After the show, lunch is provided.
The ferry navigates the narrow and winding Tonle River in the direction of Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “water world,” where everything is balanced on sticks above water-rich soil. This is the most intriguing portion of the cruise in Cambodia.
Back on land in Kampong Chhnang, we board minibuses bound for a neighboring rural community and go on a walking tour. Our guides explain the local specialties of Khmer-style ceramics and palm sugar production. You should definitely bring some home. Before returning to the boat, we tour the region’s floating communities and marshes.
Unwind till supper is served on board. The boat is moored in the middle of the Tonle River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman cruise
Day 4: Kampong Cham – Kampong Chhnang
Activities: Admire the scenery en route to Kampong Tralach as you explore the island’s workshops and learn how silk is processed from its origin.
High Water: Kampong Cham (Mekong) – Kampong Chhnang (Tonle)
We cruise downstream the Mekong at breakfast time and halt at the Island of Koh Oknha Tey. This area in the heart of the Mekong holds its famous for the creation of top quality silk items.
By tuk tuk we visit the island with its workshops and discover how silk is processed from its source, given by small silkworms, to a final high quality product made of genuine Cambodian silk.
Before lunch, our knowledgeable guides give “Geography of the Mekong and Tonle Sap.”
After lunch a Monks’ blessing ritual on board will give spirits and wishes for our health and success for everybody.
The cruiser continues its voyage, reaching the confluence of Mekong and Tonle River towards Kampong Tralach. Gliding over green swathes of this jungle-like environment we approach Kampong Tralach. Cacophonous youngsters waive cheerfully while bringing their cattle for a wash in the winding river. Live to witness all this life – which is so much different from ours – by a local ox cart trip.
The boat locate its anchor point later in the Tonle River near Kampong Chhnang enabling you to witness the intriguing and close-by life on land until supper is served in the restaurant.
Low Water: Tonle River – Kampong Cham (Mekong)
During breakfast in the early morning, we cruise from the lower Tonle River towards the Mekong, reaching their junction at Phnom Penh. The island of Koh Oknha Tey is reached. This location in the midst of the Mekong is renowned for its production of luxurious silk items.
By tuk-tuk, we visit the island’s workshops and discover how silk is processed from its beginning, given by tiny silkworms, to a finished product of superior quality manufactured from authentic Cambodian silk.
Before lunch, our knowledgeable guides give “Geography of the Mekong and Tonle Sap.” After lunch, a Monks’ blessing ritual on board will give spirits and well-wishes for everyone’s health and success.
The ship travels up the Mekong River towards the little Angkor Ban settlement. The town of Angkor Ban is renowned for its pristine community and ancient architecture. It seems as though one has been transported back a century to a period untouched by civilization. Villagers exemplify uninhibited warmth.
After that, there will be a party with cocktails and refreshments on a flat riverside.
Until supper is served, we continue to cruise for a bit. The boat finds a place to spend the night on the riverside in Kampong Cham.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman cruise
Day 5: Kampong Chhnang
Activities: Sail to Kampong Chhnang and investigate the region’s floating villages and wetlands en route to the Great Tonle Lake.
High Water: Kampong Chhnang – Tonle Lake
Wake up early to watch the dawning of this amazing aquatic wonderland. Today’s morning Tai Chi session offers the ideal setting. Buffet breakfast is offered in
The dining establishment.
We are now in Kampong Chhnang, the “water world” of Cambodia, where everything is supported on sticks on water-rich soil. This is the most intriguing portion of the cruise in Cambodia.
We board a native boat to reach the beach. We take minibuses to a neighbouring rural community for a walking tour. Our guides explain the local specialties of Khmer-style ceramics and palm sugar production. You should definitely bring some home. Before returning to the boat, we tour the region’s floating communities and marshes.
Back on board, lunch is served while your floating sanctuary floats through the narrow and winding Tonle toward the Great Tonle Lake. The river empties into Asia’s largest freshwater lake, which is a massive “sea.” This lake may only be traversed during periods of high water (approx. from End-July to Mid-November). While the boat makes its journey towards Siem Reap, let your mind and spirit to roam.
Afternoon high tea is served in the bar, and as the sun sets, our staff hosts a goodbye ceremony. Enjoy your meal, followed by some dancing and music with the staff.
The boat moors mid-like near Siem Reap.
Low Water: Kampong Cham (Mekong)
After breakfast, we will take a bus to Wat Hanchey, a beautiful pre-Angkorian temple (7th century). This modest complex is situated on a hilltop directly on the Mekong’s bank and offers breathtaking views of the river.
We return to the vessel for lunch and leisure time. Wat Nokor, a small, vibrant monastery, is another temple along the road. Here, we may have the opportunity to engage in light conversation with the local monks.
In the afternoon, we will travel to the modest, colorful monastery of Wat Nokor for another excursion. Here, we may have the opportunity to engage in light conversation with the local monks. As it is the dry season, we will get the opportunity to see a bamboo bridge connecting the mainland to an island. When the water level lowers annually, the community rebuilds the bridge.
We continue our trip by visiting a local school to learn more about the education of the Cambodian youth (the project is funded by an NGO). These youngsters are always eager to demonstrate their musical and artistic abilities, and they will be ecstatic to get your appreciation.
As the sun sets, our team hosts a goodbye celebration. Enjoy your meal, followed by some dancing and music with the staff.
The boat moors at the Kampong Cham riverbed.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jayavarman cruise
Day 6: Tonle Sap – Siem Reap
Activities: Check out cruise, check in Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
High Water: Tone Lake – Siem Reap
The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambodia, providing millions of people with love and life. It contains more fish than any other lake in the world and is home to a vast array of birds, including rare and endangered species.
Our Heritage Line voyage comes to an end. We are preparing to depart and will take a native boat to the beach, passing a big floating town along the way.
We arrive at the Siem Reap dock at around 09:00 and transport you to the city center through a brief shuttle.
We hope you liked this intriguing river as much as our team always does. In addition, we hope that you will leave with an abundance of experiences and friendships that will live forever in your tales of this incredible river – the Mighty Mekong.
Low Water: Kampong Cham (Mekong) – Siem Reap
Savor your last meal on our floating retreat. After you have checked out, you will exit the cruise and be transferred to Siem Reap by bus.
We leave at around 8.30 a.m. (the transfers takes about 4,5 hours, snacks are provided during the trip). You arrive in early afternoon at Siem Reap.
We hope you liked this intriguing river as much as our team always does. In addition, we hope that you will leave with an abundance of experiences and friendships that will live forever in your tales of this incredible river – the Mighty Mekong.
At Siem Reap’s drop-off location, our driver will accompany you to the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor for check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
Day 7: Siem Reap
Activities: Transfer from the hotel to Siem Reap airport for your departing flight.
You will spend time resting in your hotel or seeing Siem Reap before going directly to Siem Reap airport for your trip. The conclusion of an unforgettable adventure!
Meals: Breakfast
