Jayavarman

Pearl of the Orient Downstream Cruise - Phnom Penh to Saigon (4 Days)

The Jayavarman is a boutique hotel-style river cruise ship - the first of its kind in Indochina. Designed with both French colonial and Indochina influences, she has 27 spacious staterooms and suites furnished to a high standard of luxury, as well as a generous 800 square metres of public space, making her one of the most comfortable boats for cruising along the waterways of the Mekong Delta.

Info

Embark

Meet at designated meeting place in Phnom Penh, for a transfer to the ship. Please note timings will vary between High and Low water seasons and will therefore be advised two weeks before departure.

Day 1: Phnom Penh - Border Crossing - Tan Chau

Board the Jayavarman in the early morning. After breakfast gather at the lounge for a great lecture about Cambodian modern history, held by a professor of the Royal University of Phnom Penh. In the afternoon, you have the opportunity to relax on the Sun Deck, get a massage in the Spa, or take part in a Vietnamese cooking class. By early evening the cruise reaches the border with Vietnam. Be warned that border formalities can take some time, and the ship moors midstream for the night. Dinner is served on board.

Day 2: Tan Chau - My An Hung - Sa Dec

After breakfast enjoy a tour around Tan Chau by “xeloi”, a local vehicle which is still used as a taxi in this region. Slowly move around the streets to see all the workshops, houses and domiciles. Get to feel the laid-back vibes of this place. Call at the colourful local market near one of the ancient temples. Board a local boat and cruise past floating houses and finally reach a floating fish farm. Spend the afternoon at leisure. It is time for massages, for relaxation on the sun beds, for private balcony kick-backs - it’s the time to merge with the river. Set off for the My An Hung Village. In the village receive wonderful insights into the private household of a local family. Return to the ship for dinner as the ship moors in Sa Dec. You are allowed to visit their vegetable garden and access the seasonal vegetable fields via crossing a monkey bridge. You are also invited to their house for a Vietnamese tea tasting

Day 3: Binh Thanh Island - Cai Be - My Tho

In the morning, board a local sampan to tour Binh Thanh Island and its man-made canals. Here you can observe the villagers as they grow and process water hyacinths into natural fibre floor mats and baskets. Lunch will be served on the ship as you cruise to Cai Be. In the afternoon you can visit the town’s colourful floating market, where traders gather to ply their wares. Take a languid ride around the evergreen islands along the Mekong River, stopping to see how rice pasta, rice cookies and coconut candies are made. In the early evening, return to the ship for a tranquil cruise towards My Tho. Later there will be a wonderful farewell party on the ship.

Day 4: My Tho - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

After breakfast on board, disembark the ship 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 will arrive in Saigon by mid-morning.

Disembark

Disembark the ship in Ho Chi Munh City. Time and point of disembarkation from the ship depend on the water levels and will therefore be advised two weeks before departure

Includes

3 Nights' accommodation on the Jayavarman
Transfer between the ship and the city centre in Saigon
Full board
Mineral water, coffee and tea available all day long
Sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
Phnom Penh port taxes (shown separately on the website and charged when you make your booking)