Day 1: Phnom Penh
“Pearl of the East”
Board The Jayavarman at 7:30am. Around 8:30am, embark on a city tour in this dynamic, historical capital of Cambodia which has retained its French colonial charm. Sightseeing in the morning will include the dazzling white and gold architecture of the Royal Palace, outstanding displays of Khmer crafts at the National Museum and the temple on a hill - Wat Phnom. After lunch in a local restaurant, examine the painful, heart wrenching reminders of Cambodia’s ugly past under the Khmer Rouge regime with an excursion to the infamous “Killing Fields”; the former detention, torture and execution centers during the Cambodian civil war. Introduction and onsite lecture by a local history professor. Thereafter, to ease the nerves a variety of cocktails will be at your disposal, followed by Cambodia’s traditional Apsara dance performance. Experience the brilliance and richness of the culture, the soothing sounds of traditional music, the calming scent of incense sticks and a delicious Khmer food buffet.
Day 2: Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham
“Monks and hilltops”
Depart before the break of dawn from Phnom Penh with a stop at the little known Chong Koh silk weaving village for a leisure walk. We cruise past the Mekong’s tranquil villages and mind blowing river life with scores of fishermen on duty. Visit Wat Nokor, a wat built within the ruins of an ancient temple that holds a timeless story. Then, travel to the Cheung Kok Ecotourism Village, a small village developed with support from Assistance Médiation Internationale (AMICA). Travellers can visit the village and take part in activities to experience village life. Profits from tourism go towards re-investment into long-term projects.
Day 3: Kampong Cham - Wat Hanchey
“Cambodia’s province and the wetlands”
Wake up in the wee hours of the morning, truly energized to embark on a journey upriver to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Located at the top of a hill overlooking the river, it offers some of the best views in Cambodia. Dating from the 8th century, these ancient structures do justice to the architecture of the Chenla Empire which predated the glories of the mighty Angkor. Enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding well organized rice paddy plains, as well as a travellers blessing performed by the local monks.
Day 4: Kampong Cham - Kampong Chhnang - Tonle Sap
“Waterworld”
Before the sun rises, The Jayavarman sets sail to Kampong Chhnang via Prek K’dam along the meandering Tonle Sap River, which narrows through leafy swaths of the South East Asian jungle. Take a walk through Kampong Louang, one of the last silversmith villages, to see the entire community involved in making various silver items to sell. Get back aboard The Jayavarman to eat lunch while cruising towards Kampong Chhnang. After lunch, take a motorboat excursion from Kampong Chhnang to see the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region. Make a stop at a Heritage Line sponsored floating school to interact with the children and teach them some English! This is the day to truly experience rural Khmer life. In the evening, a mouth watering Farewell Dinner will be served on the Sun Deck.
Day 5: Tonle Sap - Siem Reap
This great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150 km in length. The birdlife is profuse and from the middle of the lake one cannot even see the shores. Witness stillness and tranquillity on the way to Siem Reap. The water level varies a great deal according to the time of the year and the amount of rainfall recorded. Thus, changes may occur for the different seasons.
High Water Program (approx. between July and December): Cross the Tonle Sap Lake at dawn and 11:00 disembark at Siem Reap Port for onward coach transfer to the hotel by 12:00 pm.
Low Water Program (approx. between December and June): Cruise early morning to Prek K’dam where you will disembark Jayavarman after breakfast. Board a coach at 9:00am which will take you to see a pre-Angorian temple on your way to Siem Reap. A packed lunch and refreshments will be available along the way. Arrive in Siem Reap early afternoon.
Life Aboard
Start your day on the Mekong with Thai Chi lessons on the Sun Deck. Or bathe in the rays of dawn shining through your balcony as you lay in bed. A journey full of reverberating sights, colors and sounds awaits you. Whether it is a refreshing sundowner drink at the lounge or a pampering time at the "Apsara" beauty salon, this is a time for reflection and relaxation. When night falls, dancers perform and dinner is served. The ship changes hue at night and the staff emerge the following morning in their exquisite Cambodian traditional outfit.
Cruise Features
Built: 2009
Vessels Registry:Vietnam
Type of Vessel:River and sea going vessel (20 nautical miles)
Length:58 m
Beam:11 m
Draft:1.6 m
Decks:4 - Main Deck, Upper Deck, Terrace Deck, Sun Deck
Gross tonnage:700 tons
Cruising speed:10 nautical knots
Electricity:220 volts
Engines:2 Mitsubishi 500 HP Marine Engines
Generator:2 x 180 KVA Cummins and 1 x 65 KVA Cummins (encapsulated for noise reduction)
Water:Reverse osmosis and UV water treatment plant
Safety:Radio Comm., Radar, GPS, PA system, satellite phone, life jackets, life rafts, fire hydrants, flares and signals; fire extinguishers, and smoke detectors in each cabin.
Crew:40 (Cambodian hotel staff, Vietnamese crew)
Hull design:Charming replica of the famous 1930s cruise liner "Normandie"
Exterior Design:French colonial / art nouveau
Interior Design:Indochine style / French colonial style with Khmer artifacts
Accommodation: Up to 65 guests
Cabins 2 Suites / 11 Deluxe Staterooms / 14 Superior Staterooms
Cabin Features See Deck Plan
Cabins
Superior State Room: Located on the Main Deck with a balcony, ensuring light to the cabin all day long. Each Superior Stateroom is individually decorated.
Deluxe State Room: Located on the Upper Deck with a balcony. Each Deluxe Stateroom is decorated in a unique Indochine way.
Royal Junior Suite "Bao Dai": Located on the Upper Deck, with its own balcony. The Royal Junior Suite is expansively elegant and designed to perfection. Fusing traditional Vietnamese / French colonial style interior design.
Royal Junior Suite "Khmer": Located as well on the Upper Deck, with its own balcony. This Royal Junior Suite has its own unique identity and character. Experience that home away from home satisfaction.
Club 1930 Funnel Lounge & Bar: Enjoy our locally brewed drinks and cocktails, while listening to original, soul soothing music. "Club 1930": Spacious, airy, while exhibiting pure luxury and timeless decor.
Sun Deck: Unwind and relieve yourself from worldly tensions, by getting a classic Vietnamese massage, as you gaze at the stars, while the South Eastern sun rays create warmth and comfort around you.
Apsara Spa: Located on the Main Deck, "Apsara" Beauty and Wellness Spa is all about giving you an upscale South Asian experience, entirely dedicated to your well being.
That Exquisite feeling is guaranteed.
Ports of Call
From the well known to the rarely visited our ports of call include:
Saigon: Multifaceted city, traditional and modern has retained the joie de vivre that makes it so charming and attractive
Cai Be: Bustling floating market with a Catholic Cathedral backdrop
Chau Doc: Deep in the Mekong delta, experience Vietnam's fish farmings capital by boat and cyclo.
Phnom Penh: Explore the "Pearl of Asia" famous for its charm, historical treasures & striking Royal Khmer and French Colonial architecture
Kampong Cham: Rarely visited provincial capital, encounter monks in saffron robes, pagodas & stunning hilltop temples
Siem Reap: Home of the World's largest city in the 13th century and its greatest Temple - Angkor Wat, our final destinations