Lower Mekong Cruise - The Lost Civilisation

Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 12-day luxury river cruise and cultural journey through Vietnam and Cambodia, exploring the heart of the Mekong River and the ancient treasures of Southeast Asia. This meticulously crafted itinerary offers a blend of historical exploration, cultural immersion, and serene relaxation. The tour begins in the vibrant metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, followed by a leisurely cruise upstream along the Mekong River, crossing into Cambodia. The journey concludes in Siem Reap with in-depth exploration of the legendary Angkor Wat temple complex. Enjoy world-class accommodations, exquisite dining, and enriching experiences that capture the essence of the region.

Highlight

  • Explore the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh, with its mix of modern developments and historical sites.
  • Evening dinner cruise on the Saigon River for a magical introduction to the city.
  • Discover Tan Chau's vibrant market and local fish farms by rickshaw.
  • Cross the border into Cambodia and sail towards Phnom Penh, enjoying leisure time onboard
  • Evening barbecue and gala dinner with a traditional Apsara dance performance.
  • Visit Koh Chen’s Silver Smith Village and explore the traditional Khmer lifestyle
  • Experience an ox-cart ride through Kampong Tralach's scenic countryside and visit a local NGO school.
  • Disembark the ship and transfer to Siem Reap, the gateway to the Angkor temple complex
  • Full-day tour of the Angkor temples, including Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and the iconic Angkor Wat.
  • Evening dinner and traditional Khmer dance show at Apsara Theater.
  • Evening experience at Phare the Circus, a modern cultural performance telling uniquely Cambodian stories

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City
    Arrival in Ho Chi Minh, greeting and welcome by our representative, transfer to hotel for check in. This is an exciting, absorbing metropolis where scooters pack the streets and temples stand alongside modern developments. Devastated by the Vietnam War, it is now a bustling free-market city where anything goes. The Saigon River and Ben Thanh market are within walking distance and are highly recommended.
    A dinner cruise on the Saigon River offers a unique and enchanting experience.
    included meals : Dinner
    Accommodation : Park Hyatt Saigon or similar
  • Day 2: Saigon - My Tho - Tan Phong Island (Cai Be)
    We welcome our guests in the morning at our Saigon welcome lounge. Relax with a second coffee while our staff collects your details. We bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon and travel 70 kilometers south overland towards My Tho to embark on our vessel. After checking into your luxurious floating "home," the sailing on this major Asian waterway begins.

    A lunch buffet is served in the restaurant as the vessel steadily glides upstream. As twilight bathes the Mekong Delta in a golden haze, take the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers and join in our official welcome with canapés and prosecco.

    During dinner, the ship will likely reach Tan Phong Island area near Cai Be, where we anchor midstream. This is your first glimpse of the bustling area where we will begin our Mekong adventure on land tomorrow. Join us for some late-night entertainment in the evening cinema, featuring interesting classic movies or thrilling documentaries.
    included meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation : The Jahan Cruise by Heritage Line
  • Day 3: Tan Phong Island - Binh Thanh Island - Tan Chau
    Wake early to embrace the stunning dawn scenery, a time when the Delta's inhabitants have already been active for hours. Energize yourself with our daily morning Tai Chi class before indulging in a lavish breakfast buffet. By local boat, we gain access to the secluded island of Tan Phong, a small island situated in the midst of one of the expansive Mekong River tributaries flowing toward the nearby sea.

    Default Morning Excursion (any ship): During a visit to a workshop in the town of Cai Be, we'll have the opportunity to observe the production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine and coconut candies. This is a very interesting manual process involving manual labour and special production technics. After the workshop we are heading to Tan Phong Island, a smaller island in the middle of the vast Mekong. We are visiting a local family and their fruit garden offering us various kind of tropical fruits to taste. A buggy ride through the island let us have a glimpse of the local day to day life as it unfolds. We stop at another family’s house. They are specialized in weaving of water hyacinth plants into artistic crafts by hand.

    Relax and enjoy some time on your private balcony or at the bar as we continue our voyage upstream. In the afternoon, we arrive at the Sa Dec region and anchor near one of the larger islands in the Mekong known as Binh Thanh.

    Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): This island is home to several communities that sustain themselves by cultivating water hyacinths. Strolling through the village, you'll gain profound insights into local life and witness the complete traditional mat-making process. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to meet a local elderly couple who have spent their entire lives on this island. They enjoy engaging in conversations with foreign visitors.

    Before dinner, join us in the lounge for a presentation about life on the Mekong Delta as the ship sails toward our mooring spot for the night in Tan Chau.
    included meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation : The Jahan Cruise by Heritage Line
  • Day 4: Tan Chau - Border Crossing - Phnom Penh
    After our morning Tai Chi session and a delightful breakfast, we embark on an exploration of this area, renowned primarily for its aquaculture.

    Default Morning Excursion (any ship): Upon disembarking, we immerse ourselves in the vibrant town life of Tan Chau by boarding "xelois" (the Vietnamese word for rickshaws). Your personal xeloi driver leisurely navigates through a network of streets, allowing you to observe workshops, street vendors, shops, and the intriguing day-to-day activities of the locals. Our journey takes us to the local market, where we mingle with residents as they go about their morning shopping routines. Continuing on, we visit a Cao Dai temple and meet with one of the priests, who enlightens us about the unique beliefs and spirit of Cao Dai. Our final destination is a fish farm that has been operated for many years by a local family, who make their livelihood from this distinctive business. Here, we gain insight into the essential knowledge required to manage such a unique enterprise in this region.

    Afternoon: Continuing our journey, we ascend the river for the remainder of the day, crossing into Cambodia and heading towards Phnom Penh. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. It's time to embrace the soothing rhythm of this river and fully immerse yourself in the "cruise mode." You can opt for a spa treatment, relax on the sun deck, or unwind on your private balcony. As we pass under the bridge, the captain always has an interesting story to share about "his" river. Additionally, our kitchen team invites you to participate in a culinary workshop where you can learn about popular Vietnamese and Cambodian dishes. The boat docks at Phnom Penh, either mid-stream or at the pier.
    included meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation : The Jahan Cruise by Heritage Line
  • Day 5: Phnom Penh
    Welcome to Phnom Penh, a city once renowned as the "Paris of the East." Despite its rapid development, it has retained much of its rustic charm and elegance. Phnom Penh is a remarkable city with a history and culture that spans centuries, still palpable at every street corner.

    Our full-day sightseeing tour begins right after breakfast, allowing us to explore the city's highlights. We'll start with a cyclo ride, meandering through the town and then visit historic places such as the palace and the silver pagoda. Our journey takes us to the "S21" prison, a poignant and dark chapter in Cambodia's history during the Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. Afterward, we'll pause for a delightful lunch in town before continuing to visit one of the country's most famous history museums, "Sosoro," and concluding the tour with a leisurely stroll through the city's French quarter, including the iconic and aptly named monument of Wat Phnom.

    In the evening, we invite you to an engaging expert lecture in the lounge. To cap off this eventful day, we'll indulge in a delightful open-air barbecue and gala dinner accompanied by a classic Apsara dance performance. Afterward, feel free to explore the city at night, savouring Phnom Penh's vibrant nightlife or taking in the lively river promenade.
    included meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation : The Jahan Cruise by Heritage Line
  • Day 6: Phnom Penh – Koh Chen – Kampong Laeang – Kampong Tralach (Tonle River)
    Before the sun peeks over the horizon, the cruiser sets sail, entering the Tonle River. The Tonle River is a natural wonder of Cambodia, and the scenery on both sides of the river is a true gem.

    Default Morning Excursion (any ship): Our first stop is the island of Koh Chen, home to a renowned Silver Smith Village. Here, 400 families breathe life into silver, copper, and brass, crafting intricate art pieces and jewelry. A short stroll on the island reveals the fruits of their labour, including creations that once adorned Phnom Penh's Royal Palace, continuing to tell stories of exceptional craftsmanship.

    As we sail upstream, lunch is served, and our crew showcases afterwards various traditional Khmer fashions worn by locals during special occasions.

    Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): We arrive at Kampong Laeang, situated just across from the famous pottery town of Kampong Chhnang. Once ashore, we embark on tuk-tuks to travel the heart of rural Cambodian life. During this excursion, we'll explore various locals, discover the art of pottery making, and visit a charming pre-Angkorian temple. From a vantage point, we can enjoy panoramic views of the vast floodplains and lush rice fields (seasonal).

    Once back onboard, we begin our journey downstream, sailing towards Kampong Tralach where we will anchor for the night.
    included meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation : The Jahan Cruise by Heritage Line
  • Day 7: Kampong Tralach (Tonle River) - Prek Bangkong – Angkor Ban (Mekong River)
    Default Morning Excursion (any ship): This morning, we'll enjoy an exciting excursion to discover another part of rural Cambodian Kampong Tralach countryside. Our ox-pulled cart will transport us along the riverside and down winding back roads, flanked by picturesque rice paddies, until we arrive at a small village. Here, we will have the opportunity to learn about the local NGO school and library project. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the nearby ancient 300-year-old temple and Buddha shrine.

    A presentation about the Mekong and the Tonle River is offered as the ship sails downstream, passing Phnom Penh before entering the Mekong River.

    Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): At the confluence of the Tonle and Mekong Rivers lies the small village of Prek Bangkong, known for its silk weaving community. This village was also the former residence of the Royal family before they moved to the Royal Palace. However, the real stars in this area today are the silk weavers, artisans who craft silk from the very beginning. We will have the opportunity to closely observe and learn about this intricate silk production process. We conclude this excursion by visiting the heritage house of H.E. Sam-El, once a famous architect for the royal family.

    The rest of the day is spent sailing up the Mekong to our overnight location. Enjoy a relaxing poolside sundowner cocktail hour with dance tunes before dinner and an evening cinema.
    included meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation : The Jahan Cruise by Heritage Line
  • Day 8: Angkor Ban – Kampong Cham - Stueng Trang
    The morning Tai Chi session sets the mood for the day as we begin our tour of Angkor Ban.

    Default Morning Excursion (any ship): This place includes a monastery with a delightful local village behind it. You'll have the chance to meet monks during their morning class and engage in friendly conversations with the villagers. As we meander through the village, we'll get as close as possible to the local way of life, collecting wonderful memories of Cambodia's rustic lifestyle. This village is truly a gem to explore offering photographic and touching moments whilst interacting with the local community.

    We sail to Kampong Cham during lunchtime.

    Default Afternoon Excursion (any ship): We are in the vast Mekong River at the town of Kampong Cham, which is an important trade and transportation hub but it still maintains scattered small hamlets around the outskirts where the community's rhythm blends with the skilled hands of artisans. For instance, in Cheung Kok, locals craft various handmade items, whether it's food, fashion, or other everyday goods. (The nearby Bamboo bridge, which is erected seasonally, serves as more than just a passageway; it's a gateway to the past)

    In light of Bamboo bridge reparation, the following substitute program will be operated until end of Dec 2024: Experience the wonders of Wat Prah Ang Chan, a captivating 12th-century cave temple perched on a hilltop, boasting breath-taking views of the river. The Stueng Trang district is a one of Cambodia's major region famous for fruit and vegetable plantations. Get some insight what and how fruits are cultivated here whilst engaging with an owner. The last stop beholds some local food tasting: Try the ever popular local snack "Kralan" - delectable grilled sticky rice on a bamboo stick.

    Afterward, the ship makes its final journey, mooring mid-river near Stueng Trang with some farewell and party vibes along the way.
    included meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation : The Jahan Cruise by Heritage Line
  • Day 9: Stueng Trang - Siem Reap
    Enjoy your final breakfast aboard our floating sanctuary. We disembark the ship and transfer by bus to Siem Reap, which takes approximately 4 hours. To keep you entertained during the journey, our guides will share interesting insights about Cambodia and the region we pass through. We hope you've enjoyed this captivating river cruise as much as our crew does every single time. Take the enchanting memories and friendships with you and share the stories of this amazing river - the Mighty Mekong.

    You will arrive in Siem Reap in the early afternoon. Check-in hotel and rest of the day.
    included meals : Breakfast, Dinner
    Accommodation : FCC Angkor by Avani
  • Day 10: Siem Reap (explore Angkor complex)
    In the morning, you will visit Angkor Thom, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. Then, you will continue your visit to Ta Prohm, a stunning temple complex with trees and vegetation growing around and through its structures. Lunch will be at a local restaurant.

    In the afternoon, you will visit Angkor Wat, the most famous of all the temples in Angkor. Angkor Wat is a massive temple complex and is one of the largest religious monuments in the world.

    In the evening, enjoy dinner and watch the Khmer Traditional Dance Show at Apsara Theater.
    included meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation : FCC Angkor by Avani
  • Day 11: Siem Reap - Banteay Srei Temple & Phare the Circus
    This morning, we continue our exploration of the Angkor complex with a visit to the small but charming temple of Banteay Srei (22mi/35km from Siem Reap town). Our route takes us past paddy fields and through pretty villages.

    Banteay Srei was built in the 10th century and contains some of the finest examples of Khmer sculpture. Although much smaller than the later temples, all of the buildings are covered in exquisite carvings.
    Afternoon, free at your own leisure time before your experience time with Phare the circus, Cambodia’s Best Modern Cultural Performance, Phare performers use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. The young circus artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent, making Phare Circus the top-rated modern cultural performance in Siem Reap. In early evening, you discover Phare Café, serving drinks, snacks and delicious meals. Start your evening entertainment dining at the Cambodian Street Food Festival. Grab a table and enjoy dinner and drinks with free pre-show performances.
    included meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation : FCC Angkor by Avani
  • Day 12: Siem Reap - Departure
    The tour ends this morning in Bangkok after breakfast. Catch your free transfer to the airport to begin your journey home.
    included meals : Breakfast

More Information

Includes

  • Accommodation;
  • daily (group) shore-excursions & entrance fees;
  • sightseeing and transfers during the cruise;
  • transfers between meeting points and ship vice versa (please read details in the embarkation guide);
  • English speaking tour guiding on-and offshore;
  • entertainment/activities during the cruise as mentioned in the program;
  • meals as mentioned in the program; welcome drink, brewed coffee, tea and mineral water;
  • complimentary beverage package;
  • passenger liability insurance;
  • internet on the ship (subject to cellular network signal);
  • complimentary usage of ship facilities (exclusive of spa treatments);
  • river pilots; fuel; taxes.

Not Includes

  • Crew and guide gratuities; visa fees;
  • private transfers; personal expenses;
  • other beverages than those stated under inclusions;
  • medical services; spa treatments; port and anchorage fees;
  • Optional cycling excursion (offer for cruises with ship ‘The Jahan’ only);
  • all other services or items not listed under inclusions.

Lower Mekong Cruise - The Lost Civilisation

Vietnam, Cambodia

12 days 11 nights

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