Tonle Sap Lake is the heart of Cambodia. It is filled with more fish than any other lake, and surrounded by vast numbers of rare birds. 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. We will start our journey in either high water or low water.

High water program (approx. between October and middle of December)

At 12:30 PM gather at the meeting point and transfer to The Jayavarman, where the crew is looking forward to embracing our guests. Welcome cocktail and lunch on the cruise liner

Welcome dinner on the Sun Deck. Mooring and overnight on the lake.

Including Lunch, Dinner.

Low water program (approx. between middle of December and September)

At 8 AM, gather at the meeting point and transfer by coach to Prek K'Dam on the Tonle Sap River. Enjoy snacks and cold drinks on the way with a brief stop at at the spider town of Skon.

Embarkation in Prek K'Dam and welcome cocktail early afternoon. The Jayavarman sets sail upstream towards Kampong Chhnang and the great Tonle Sap Lake. We wind our way through the jungle and as the river narrows, it makes you feel at peace with yourself and the community. Later that evening meet your fellow passengers on board for briefing at the Henry Mouhot Lounge and Welcome Dinner at Indochine Dining Hall.

Including Lunch box, Dinner.

High water program

Before the sun rises, The Jayavarman sets sail to cross the Tonle Sap Lake. As the ship is about to exit the lake, the marshlands exhibit spectacular scenery along the river banks of Kampong Chhnang province. We take a truly wonderful motorboat excursion from Kampong Chhnang to see the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region. Further down the river we take part in an ox cart rally before being introduced to the Heritage Line pro bono "literacy project".
(www.cambodialiteracyproject.com)

The afternoon cruise will follow the meandering Tonle Sap River, which narrows through leafy swaths of the South East Asian Jungle touching Phnom Penh.

Including Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Low water program

Kampong Chhnang is a busy rural port town with bustling markets and lots of children to greet us on our way around. We will take a wonderful motor boat excursion into the wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of birdlife may be seen and of considerable interest are the great fish traps, some half a kilometer long, which net a huge tonnage of fish after each monsoon as the fish migrate from the falling lake into the Tonle Sap River. Further down the river we take part in an ox cart rally before being introduced to the Heritage Line pro bono "literacy project".
(www.cambodialiteracyproject.com)

The afternoon cruise will follow the meandering Tonle Sap River, which narrows through leafy swaths of the South East Asian Jungle.

Including Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

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 travelers blessing performed by the local monks.

After lunch and a short cruise downstream we drop anchor at the shores of Kampong Cham. Visit Wat Nokor, a wat built within the ruins of an ancient temple that holds a timeless story. Back on board The Jayavarman sets sail towards the capital Phnom Penh.

Including Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Get up early in the morning to witness a truly indescribable scene while approaching Phnom Penh's river promenade. After breakfast, 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 and the Silver Pagoda, outstanding displays of Khmer crafts at the National Museum.

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 the infamous "Killing Fields" and the grim Toul Sleng or S21 the former detention, torture and execution center during the Cambodian civil war.

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.

Including Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

The Jayavarman then casts off for a day of cruising the main Mekong Channel. This is pretty much an international shipping route. Psyche yourself up for Pre-K Touch, a lively jungle village. After that, visit well laid out fruit orchards.

Late afternoon we set off to the Vietnamese border for the usual formalities, which in this part of the world takes a bit of time. During the afternoon cruise, take the time to relax on the Sun Deck, get a massage in the Spa, or take part in Heritage Line's Vietnamese cooking class.

The ship moors midstream overnight.

Including Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Welcome to the circus of fish. Brace yourself for a short excursion around the town. After that you will have a short walk to visit the local market then the Temple nearby. Go back to the quay, you will start a boat excursion to the exciting floating villages and catfish farms witnessing masses of basa fish being fed, hand in hand with a shore excursion to the village of the local Muslim Cham community.

By late-afternoon, The Jayavarman casts off, heading towards Cai Be.

Including Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today's tour starts with the visit of Cai Be's colorful floating market on board a traditional sampan, the "Cai Be Princess". During a lovely sampan cruise, discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong Delta rural life. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people. Further stops will allow you to see how rice paste, rice cookies and coconut candies, are made, along with the Longan fruit drying process. After touring the canals, head to the Ba Duc ancient house for a cup of tea.

Lunch will await you at Le Longanier, a superb Indochinese villa located in a lush tropical garden by the river, surrounded by fruit orchards. Board the Jayavarman for a relaxing evening cruise with a Farewell party while heading towards My Tho.

Including Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Your cruise with The Jayavarman comes to a close as the ship winds its way to My Tho which is located 70km South of Saigon on the upper Mekong river in Vietnam.

Disembark at around 9:00am and continue your journey in the buzzing city of Saigon.

Including Breakfast.