Serenity Cruise Phnom Penh - Siem Reap 5 days to explore the daily lives of the local in Cambodia along the Mekong river on Luxury Jayavarman Cruise in Mekong River
Day 1: Phnom Penh
Welome to Phnom Penh - once called the Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. It is an amazing town to bespeak centuries of incredible history and culture which can still be felt at many street corners. We start with a full sight-seeing tour right after breakfast. By bus we visit the Killing Fields at the outskirts of the city and after, the centrally located prison “S21”. Both historic sites display the sad and cruel chapter of Khmer history when once the Khmer Rouge ruled the country with terror and supression. Those places have not changed much since the horrific time back in the early seventies and so it can be heart wrenching. There is the alternative to explore the city during the morning by your own pace individually before re-joining the group. Lunch will be taken at a nice restaurant in town. Our exploration of Phnom Penh focuses afterwards on the fascinating cultural heritage of Phnom Penh. The golden edifice of the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda and the exceptional Khmer crafts at the National Museum are the afternoon highlights. The day trip ends with a “cyclo” ride back to the ship through the bustling streets of downtown Phnom Penh. Take some rest in your spacious cabin or join other fellow passengers at the bar for some refreshing drinks before our captivating evening activities start: We move to the lounge which is set up for a captivating lecture about Cambodian mordern history, held by a professor of the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Definitely among the highlights of this cruise is to receive knowledge first hand as our lecturer has studied the subject extensively and personally. After the lecture a barbecue dinner feast on the sun deck commences. The dinner is accompanied by an Apsara dance performance. You have to witness the brilliance and richness of this dance along with the soothing sounds of traditional music. As the evening unwinds enjoy your supper with a glass of wine and marvel at the skyline of Phnom Penh and the calming flow of the Tonle River.
Day 2 :
| High Water Cruise Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham (Mekong) |
Low Water Cruise Phnom Penh – Kampong Chhnang (Tonle) |
| We depart before the break of dawn from Phnom Penh towards the Angkor Ban village on the Mekong River. Wake up to the gentle cruise motion and get ready for breakfast in the dining hall. The Angkor Ban village is famous for its unspoiled community and beautiful, traditional houses. It feels like being transported back a hundred years ago into an era unaffected by modernity. Back on board our staff is keen on showing you a variety of traditional Khmer fashion. Lunch is served afterwards.We cruise further up the Mekong to visit a local school and understand more about the education of the young Cambodian generation (NGO project). The children here are always excited to show their skills in music and art and will bathe you in smiles upon your applause. We continue by road to the enchanting pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey (7th century). This small complex sits on a hill top right on the shore with breath-taking views over the Me-kong. Another temple on the way is the tiny, colorful monastery of Wat Nokor. Here, we might get the chance to engage in light banter with some of the monks living in the area. Back on board you are free to relax until dinner is served. The boat moors mid-river near Kampong Cham. | Before the sun peeks over the horizon, the cruiser sets sail to-wards Kampong Tralach on the Tonle River – an amazingly nar-row river. Gently gliding through leafy swaths of this jungle-like landscape we reach Kampong Tralach. Breakfast is served before we anchor and get ready for our first Tonle discovery.We reach the shore by local boat and cacophonous children wave enthusiastically while bringing their livestock for a bath in the meandering river. We will stop at the “Green School” which is partly supported by Heritage Line. See all the river life, which is so different than ours - by a local ox cart ride. Back on board our staff is keen on showing you a variety of traditional Khmer fashion. Lunch is served afterwards.The ship cruises along the narrow Tonle River towards Kam-pong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “water world”, where everything is on sticks and balanced on water-rich soil. Perhaps it’s the most fascinating cruising spot in Cambodia. Back on land in Kampong Chhnang, we take mini buses to a rural village nearby for a walking tour. Our guides introduce you to the village specialties – Khmer style pottery and the making of palm sugar. Before returning to the boat we explore the float-ing villages and wetlands of the region.Relax back on board until dinner is served. The boat moors mid-river in the Tonle area |
Day 3 :
| High Water Cruise Kampong Cham (Mekong) - Kampong Chhnang (Tonle) |
Low Water Cruise Tonle River - Kampong Cham (Mekong) |
| We sail downstream on the Mekong and stop at the Island of Koh Oknha Tey. This spot in the middle of the Mekong owns its fame for the manufacturing of high class silk products. By tuk tuk we explore the island with its workshops and learn how silk is processed from its source, provided by little silk-worms, to a final top quality product made of original Cambo-dian silk. Before lunch our expert guides offer a presentation about “Ge-ography of the Mekong and Tonle Sap”. Afterwards a Monks’ blessing ceremony on board delivers spirits and wishes for our health and prosperity for all.The ship continues its journey, passing by the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Rivers towards Kampong Tralach. Gliding through leafy swaths of this jungle-like landscape we reach Kampong Tralach. Cacophonous children waive enthusiastically while bringing their livestock for a bath in the meandering river. We will stop at the “Green School” which is partly supported by Heritage Line. See all this life, which is so different than ours - by a local ox cart ride.The boat finds its anchor spot in the Tonle River near Kampong Chhnang allowing you to observe the close-by river life until dinner is served in the dining hall | In the early morning during breakfast we sail from the lower Tonle River towards the Mekong passing their confluence at Phnom Penh. We arrive at the island of Koh Oknha Tey. This spot in the middle of the Mekong owns its fame for the manu-facturing of high class silk products. By tuk tuk we explore the island with its workshops and learn how silk is processed from its source, provided by little silk-worms, to a final top quality product made of original Cambo-dian silk. Before lunch our expert guides offer a presentation about “Ge-ography of the Mekong and Tonle Sap”. Afterwards a Monks’ blessing ceremony on board delivers spirits and wishes for our health and prosperity for all.The ship sails towards the small Angkor Ban village up in the Mekong River. The Angkor Ban village is famous for its un-spoiled community and beautiful, traditional houses. It feels like being transported back a hundred years ago into an era unaffected by modernity. Villagers are characterized by their unbridled warmth. Afterwards it’s time for some fun at a cocktail party on the riverbank. We continue cruising for a while until dinner is served. The boat finds its overnight spot at the riverbank of Kampong Cham |
Day 4 :
| High Water Cruise Kampong Chhnang - Tonle Lake |
Low Water Cruise Kampong Cham (Mekong) |
| Wake up early to witness the spectacular surroundings at the break of dawn. Our morning Tai Chi class has the perfect scen-ery today. Breakfast is served in the dining hall. We are now at Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia’s “water world”, where everything is on sticks balanced on water-rich soil. This is perhaps the most fascinating cruising spot in Cambodia. We take a local boat to the shore. With mini buses we head to a rural village nearby for a walking tour. Our guides introduce you to the village specialities – Khmer style pottery and the making of palm sugar. Definitely you should bring some home. Before returning to the boat we explore the local floating villages and wetlands of the region.Back on board lunch is served as your floating sanctuary cruises gently along the narrow Tonle River, towards the Great Tonle Sap Lake. The river opens up to a vast “sea”, the biggest fresh water lake in Asia. This lake can only be crossed during high water season (approx. from end-July to mid-November). Let your soul float and your eyes wander while the boat makes its way towards Siem Reap. In the afternoon we serve a High Tea at the bar and as the sun sets, our crew invites you to their farewell event. Enjoy some dancing and music together with the crew before dinner is served.The boat moors mid-lake near Siem Reap. |
After breakfast by bus we visit the enchanting pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey, built in the 7th century. This small com-plex sits on a hill top right on the shore with breath taking views over the Mekong. We return to the ship for lunch and some relaxation. In the afternoon we head to the tiny, colorful monastery of Wat Nokor. Here we might get the chance to engage in light banter with some of the monks living in the area. As it is low water season we are able to see a bamboo bridge which connects the mainland with the island. Local communities re-build the bridge every year when the water levels drop. We continue our journey and visit a local school to understand more about the education of the young Cambodian generation (NGO project). The children here are always excited to show their skills in music and art and will bathe you in smiles upon your applause. As the sun sets, our crew invites for a farewell event. Enjoy some dancing and music together with the crew before dinner is served.The boat moors at the riverbank of Kampong Cham. |
Day 5 :
| High Water Cruise Tonle Lake - Siem Reap |
Low Water Cruise Kampong Cham (Mekong) - Siem Reap |
| The Tonle Sap (The Great Lake) is the flowing heart of Cambo-dia, giving love and life to millions of people. It has more fish than any other lake in the world and is home to an incredible variety of birds, including rare and endangered feathered life. Our Heritage Line cruise comes to an end. We prepare to disembark the ship and take a local boat to the shore, passing a vast floating community. Around nine o’clock, we arrive at the Siem Reap pier and bring you to the drop off point in the city center.We hope that you enjoyed this fascinating river just as our crew does every single time. Moreover, take plenty of memories and friendships along with you that will linger on with your stories of this amazing river - the Mighty Mekong | Enjoy your last breakfast on board our floating sanctuary. We disembark the ship for a transfer by bus to the drop off point in Siem Reap. The transfer takes about 4.5 hours. Snacks are provided during the trip. You will arrive in Siem Reap in the early afternoon. We hope that you enjoyed this fascinating river just as our crew does every single time. Moreover, take plenty of memories and friendships along with you that will linger on with your stories of this amazing river - the Mighty Mekong. |
Day 1 : Phnom Penh
Day 2 : Phnom Penh - Kompong Cham
Day 3 : Kompong Cham - Kampong Chhnang
Day 4 : Kampong Chhang - Tonle
Day 5 : Tonle Lake - Siem Reap
