8 Days Upstream Saigon Siem Reap on Heritage Line Jahan Cruise: You enjoy your supper as the ship approaches Cai Be. It is a lovely town known for producing traditional crafts and foods as well as its Catholic French church. We get a thorough insight of local culture by ambling about the hamlet. In addition, the entire mat-making process is visible.
Table of Contents
Day 1: Saigon – My Tho – Cai Be
Activities: Visit My Tho, take a Mekong boat, take in the sunset, and then go to Cai Be
At our welcome lounge in Saigon, we meet up before noon. As our team greets you and gathers your information for boarding, relax with a drink. In order to board your luxurious floating house for the next trip over the Mighty Mekong, we bid Saigon goodbye and drive 70 kilometers south by land to My Tho.
Following a kind greeting from our staff, you check into your immaculate cabins. A wonderful journey down the Mekong River starts as soon as the ship sets sail. As the boat gently travels upstream to the nighttime location, a lunch buffet is offered in the restaurant. Learn all there is to know about the ship’s amenities. It’s time to merge with one of Asia’s biggest streams at this moment.
You may take it easy in the afternoon on your own balcony or join us for tea at the outdoor bar as the Mekong Delta is enveloped in a golden haze at dusk. You enjoy your supper as the ship approaches Cai Be. It is a lovely town known for producing traditional crafts and foods as well as its Catholic French church. Since more and more trade is moving to the contemporary central markets, the Cai Be floating market is shrinking yearly.
For supper and overnight mooring, we drop an anchor midstream close to Cai Be. Following dinner, a selection of classic films are shown in our lounge theater (every night).
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
Day 2: Cai Be – Sa Dec – Tan Chau
Activities: Discover the floating market, the breathtaking Mekong scenery, and take a cruise to Tan Chau.
We provide our visitors with a stimulating Tai Chi lesson on the sun terrace every morning. Start your day like many locals in Asia do by waking up to the sun’s soft radiance. A delectable breakfast buffet is provided to start off your ideal first day of exploring in the Mekong Delta.
You go to Cai Be on our morning trip. There is still some boat-to-boat commerce going on for local items including fruits and agricultural supplies. The unique characteristics of this enduring commercial tradition will be covered by our guide. Each boat has a distinctive marking that informs customers of the things it is offering for sale. Water canals intersect the rural settlement of Cai Be. We travel ashore to a factory where we can see how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies, and rice wine are made. Due to the abundance of palm trees in Cai Be and the surrounding areas, the area is renowned for producing coconut candies. We keep exploring the network of canals with our neighborhood boat while keeping an eye on the farmers at work in the fields.
Lunch is provided once you board again. Then, you can take advantage of some alone time to either relax with a cup of authentic Vietnamese coffee at the bar or just observe life as it floats by along the riverbanks.
We arrive in the Sa Dec region in the late afternoon. We board a customary local boat and travel to Binh Thanh Island. One of the largest islands in the enormous Mekong River is this one. Here, a few communities have made their home and rely on water hyacinth farming for their livelihood. We only go to one of those uninhabited places. We get a thorough insight of local culture by ambling about the hamlet. In addition, the entire mat-making process is visible. You can attempt weaving manually, which is still done. We’ll also run into an elderly local couple who will tell us about their experiences on the island. They welcome the opportunity to speak with you.
When you get back on board, you might want to treat yourself to a spa treatment or swim in the pool on the sun deck. As the ship makes its way to Tan Chau, which is close to the Cambodian border, our knowledgeable guide gives a presentation on “Life on the Mekong Delta.” Midstream, we anchor.
After dinner is served, you can attend our nightly movie screening, which features a selection of old films.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
Day 3: Tan Chau – Phnom Penh
Activities:
Explore the area near Tan Chau, take a journey to the quay, stop by floating villages and catfish farms, cross the border into Phnom Penh, and then enjoy the boat ride there.
Welcome to the Vietnamese fish sanctuary. Start your day off well with a substantial breakfast in the dining hall or the seclusion of your balcony.
Prepare for a leisurely tour to Tan Chau, a charming town with sizable Chinese, Kinh, and Khmer populations. When we get on land, we board the “xelois” to tour Tan Chau. In this area, a native car known as a “xeloi” is still utilized as a taxi. To visit all the businesses, homes, and abodes, we leisurely circle the streets. Experience the relaxed atmosphere of this location. Near one of the town’s temples, we pause at the vibrant neighborhood market. The greatest time to try haggling with the merchants in this welcoming town is right now. We take our neighborhood boat and go past floating residences till we arrive at a floating fish farm. A fish production that is marketed all over the globe originates in this area. Here, the process of fish farming is explained in great detail.
We return to our “house” and go towards the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. Prepare for an interesting and relaxing journey through the remote countryside of Cambodia as you travel toward Phnom Penh.
You make your own plans for the whole afternoon. Even the last passenger will now put the vehicle into cruise control and enjoy the relaxing effects that this powerful river emits. It’s time to rest on the sun decks, get a massage, and unwind on your own private balcony. It’s time to become one with the river.
In the afternoon, you may take a cooking lesson to improve your understanding of regional food. Some people may like going to the bridge since the captain usually has a quick anecdote to tell about “his” river. Float into a light blissful mood and join us for our afternoon High Tea for delicious delicacies before you completely lose yourself in relaxation.
Before we reach the capital of Cambodia, dinner is provided. In about seven o’clock, the boat arrives at Phnom Penh’s port. You are free to go out on your first solo excursion. Take a stroll along the river promenade and see the residents mingling and selling trinkets, or have a drink at one of the many pubs (kindly inform our crew once you are leaving the ship on your own).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
Day 4: 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. It’s a fantastic town with a rich history and culture that are still felt on many street corners.
We said goodbye to our Pearl of the Orient Cruise guests after breakfast (3-nights).
At the same time, we extend a warm greeting to all of our Serenity Cruise guests (4-nights).
After breakfast, our full sightseeing trip begins. We go by bus to the Killing Fields outside of the city and then to the S21 jail, which is conveniently situated. The tragic and horrible period of Khmer history when the Khmer Rouge governed the nation with fear and repression is shown in these historical sites. It might be sad to see how little has changed in some regions since that horrible period in the early 1970s. Alternately, spend the morning by yourself in the city before rejoining the group.
We’ll have lunch at a classy establishment in the city. Our investigation of Phnom Penh’s intriguing cultural legacy is still ongoing. 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:
We go to the lounge, where a lecturer from the Royal University of Phnom Penh will be giving a lecture on contemporary history in Cambodia. Receiving education firsthand is undoubtedly one of the highlights of this voyage since our instructor has personally and thoroughly researched the topic.
Following the presentation, a BBQ supper party is started on the sun deck. 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 bottle of wine as the evening winds down while gazing over Phnom Penh’s cityscape and the tranquil Tonle River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
Day 5: Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham
Activities: Travel by road to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey, where you may see a blessing ritual, and then head toward the little Angkor Ban town, which is renowned for its untouched neighborhood and lovely, traditional homes.
High Water: Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham (Mekong)
We set off from Phnom Penh before dawn in search of the Mekong River town of Angkor Ban. Prepare for breakfast in the dining room while the smooth motion of the boat lulls you to sleep. The Angkor Ban hamlet is well-known for its pristine neighborhood and exquisite traditional homes. It gives the impression of going back in time to a time that was unspoiled by modernity, maybe a hundred years. Once you’re back on board, our team is eager to demonstrate a range of traditional Khmer attire. Lunch is then provided. We continue our Mekong voyage to visit a nearby school and learn more about the education of the next generation of Cambodians (NGO project). The kids here are always eager to demonstrate their musical and artistic talents, and your praise will make them grin even more. 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 modest, vibrant monastery of Wat Nokor is another temple that is nearby. We could get a chance to have a little friendly banter with some of the local monks here. You may unwind after you’re back on board until supper is served. Amid the river, close to Kampong Cham, the boat moors.
Low Water: Phnom Penh – Kampong Chhnang (Tonle)
The cruiser departs from Kampong Tralach on the very 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 anchor and prepare for our first Tonle discovery, breakfast is provided.
By the time our little boat reaches the coast, excitedly waving children are bringing their cattle to the shore to have a bath in the winding river. We’ll make a stop at the Heritage Line-supported “Green School.” Take a native ox cart trip to see all the river life, which is quite different from ours. Once you’re back on board, our team is eager to demonstrate a range of traditional Khmer attire. Lunch is then provided.
In Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “water world,” where everything is on sticks and balanced on water-rich soil, the ship travels down the winding Tonle River. It’s perhaps the most interesting sailing location in Cambodia.
We take minibuses to a neighboring rural area for a walking tour after returning to Kampong Chhnang. Our guides present you to the local specialities, like palm sugar production and ceramics made in the Khmer manner. We see the local 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 6: Kampong Cham – Kampong Chhnang
Activities: Visit Koh Oknha Tey Island, travel around it in a Tuk-tuk, discover how silk is produced from its source by tiny silkworms, etc.
High Water: Kampong Cham (Mekong) – Kampong Chhnang (Tonle)
We stop at Koh Oknha Tey Island while traveling downstream on the Mekong. 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 give a presentation on the “Geography of the Mekong and Tonle Sap” before lunch. Following that, a monks’ blessing ceremony aboard the ship sends good vibes and wishes for everyone’s health and prosperity.
As it heads towards Kampong Tralach, the ship passes the intersection of the Mekong and Tonle Rivers. We arrive at Kampong Tralach by gliding through leafy patches of this jungle-like landscape. Children waving raucously as they bring their animals for a bath in the meandering river. We’ll make a stop at the Heritage Line-supported “Green School.” Take a ride in a local ox cart to observe this life, which is incredibly different from ours.
Before dinner is served in the dining room, you can observe the nearby river life as the boat finds its anchor spot 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. Koh Oknha Tey Island is where we end up. 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 lecture on the “Geography of the Mekong and Tonle Sap” before lunch. Following that, a monks’ blessing ritual aboard the ship sends good vibes and prayers for everyone’s health and happiness. The boat heads up the Mekong River toward the little Angkor Ban town. The Angkor Ban hamlet is well-known for its pristine neighborhood and exquisite traditional homes. It gives the impression of going back in time to a time that was unspoiled by modernity, maybe a hundred years. Villagers are known for their unrestrained kindness. Following that, it’s time for some entertainment at a cocktail party by the river. 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 7: Kampong Chhnang – Tonle Lake
Activities: Sail to Kampong Chhnang, take in the landscape, and then explore the surrounding marshes and floating towns before arriving at the Great Tonle Lake.
High Water: Kampong Chhnang – Tonle Lake
Get up early to take in the breathtaking surroundings at first light. Today’s setting is ideal for our Tai Chi lesson in the morning. Served in the dining room is breakfast. We have arrived to Kampong Chhnang, the “water world” of Cambodia, where everything is perched on sticks above water-rich ground. This is perhaps the most interesting place to cruise in Cambodia.
To go to the coast, we board a nearby boat. We go by minibus to a neighboring rural community for a walking tour. Our guides present you to the local specialities, like palm sugar production and ceramics made in the Khmer manner. You should definitely bring some home. We see the nearby marshes and floating towns before heading back to the boat.
As your floating sanctuary softly floats down the constrained Tonle River toward the Great Tonle Sap Lake, lunch is served back on board. The largest freshwater lake in Asia may be seen as the river opens out to a wide “sea.” 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 spirit float.
Afternoon High Tea is served in the bar, and as the sun is setting, our staff extends an invitation to their departure celebration. Before supper is served, have some fun with the team dancing and listening to music. Amid a lake not far from Siem Reap, the boat moors.
Low Water: Kampong Cham (Mekong)
We go by bus to the fascinating pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey, which was constructed in the 7th century, after breakfast. With breathtaking views of the Mekong, this modest complex is perched on a hillside just steps from the water. After lunch, we go back to the ship for some downtime.
We go to the modest, vibrant monastery of Wat Nokor in the late afternoon. Here we could get an opportunity to have a friendly conversation with some of the local monks. We can see a bamboo bridge that links the mainland to the island since it is low tide. Every year as the water levels recede, the neighborhood rebuilds 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 (NGO project). The kids here are always eager to demonstrate their musical and artistic talents, and your praise will make them grin even more. Our staff welcomes you to a goodbye celebration as the sun sets. Before supper is served, have some fun with the team dancing and listening to music.
The boat moors at Kampong Cham’s riverside.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Heritage Line Jahan Cruise
Day 8: Tonle Sap – Siem Reap
Activities: Discover Siem Reap city, take a cruise, and explore the Tonle Sap
High Water: Tonle 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 a staggering variety of birds, including rare and endangered birdlife, and has more fish than any other lake in the world. The voyage on the Heritage Line comes to an end.
As we get ready to leave the ship and board a local boat to travel to the shore, we pass a sizable floating community. We pick you up at the city center drop-off location at around nine o’clock from the Siem Reap pier.
As our crew does every time, we hope you enjoyed this fascinating river. Take plenty of friendships and memories with you as well so that they can live on through the stories you tell about this incredible river, the Mighty Mekong.
Low Water: Kampong Cham (Mekong) – Siem Reap
On our floating sanctuary, take pleasure in your final breakfast. We disembark the ship and take a bus to the Siem Reap drop-off location. It takes the transfer about 4.5 hours. During the journey, snacks are provided. You will get there in the early afternoon in Siem Reap.
As our team does every time, we hope you liked this wonderful river. Take lots of friendships and memories with you as well so that they might live on via the tales you tell about this incredible river, the Mighty Mekong.
