Mekong River Cruise

This seven-night cruise explores one of the world’s great rivers, the Mekong, passing small villages and sleepy temples that, being inaccessible by road, are well off the tourist trail. These river cruisers are the ideal way to explore remote locations while retaining access to luxury accommodation, facilities and food back on board. This journey can be taken either up or downstream, ending or beginning at the legendary temples of Angkor.

• Cruise in style on the Jayavarman or Jahan luxury vessel
• Visit remote riverbank villages, temples and markets
• Enjoy the peace of the river and experience life in the Mekong Delta
• Visit the Angkor temples, Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) (N)

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive and transfer to the Caravelle Hotel for 2 nights. (N)

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City
Morning tour of the Cu Chi tunnels, the underground network dug out by the Viet Cong. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for city tour. (B, L)

Day 4: Mekong cruise
Private transfer to My Tho to board the Jayavarman / Jahan for a 7-night cruise to Siem Reap. Spend the afternoon navigating the waters of the Mekong delta towards Cai Be. (B, D)

Day 5: Cai Be • Sa Dec • Binh Thanh island
In the morning, take a boat trip around Cai Be to see the floating market and explore the islands and orchards of the delta. In the afternoon, cruise to Sa Dec and enjoy a traditional sampan ride to Binh Thanh island, then continue to Tan Chau. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Tan Chau
Morning excursion to a local market and village that specialises in catfish farming. Return to the boat and continue upriver, crossing the border into Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Phnom Penh
Full-day tour of Phnom Penh, including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, the National Museum, the killing fields of Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide. Dinner is followed by a performance of traditional Apsara dance. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Angkor Ban & temples
Sail to the village of Angkor Ban to learn more about village life. Afterwards, visit the hilltop pre- Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey and enjoy the panoramic views of the Cambodian countryside. Continue to the temple of Wat Nokor. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Koh Oknha Tey
Sail downstream and stop at the island of Koh Oknha Tey, notable for its manufacture of high quality silk products. Afternoon cruise to the confluence of the Mekong and Tonlé rivers, then on to Kampong Tralach. Anchor later in the Tonlé river near Kampong Chhnang. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Kampong Chhnang • Tonlé Sap lake
Arrive in Kampong Chhnang, then take a local boat to the shore for a walking tour to see Khmer pottery and palm sugar production. Back on board, lunch is served as you cruise gently along the narrow and meandering Tonlé river into the vast Tonlé Sap lake. Farewell dinner and entertainment on board tonight. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Siem Reap
Early morning crossing of the huge Tonlé Sap lake. Disembark and board a shared coach transfer to Siem Reap. Arrive and take a private transfer to Belmond La Résidence d’Angkor for 3 nights. (B)

Day 12: Angkor temples
Full-day tour of the smaller temples of Angkor, including the Roluos Group, Banteay Srei, Preah Khan and Neak Pean. (B, L)

Day 13: Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom
This morning, explore picturesque Ta Phrom and Prasat Tanei where a light picnic breakfast is served. Continue to the jewel of the Khmer empire: Angkor Wat. In the afternoon, visit Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. End the day with a visit to Bayon at sunset. (B)

Day 14: Fly home (B)

Meal basis
As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Important information
Locally escorted tour
This tour is led in each destination en route by a local tour guide.

Luxury tour
Featuring some of the most luxurious accommodation throughout the tour. Prices are based on the standard room or cabin category, unless otherwise stated.

Non-exclusive cruise
When on board the cruise, the transfers and excursions relevant to that cruise are operated as a group with other passengers.

Itinerary
The itinerary that is shown above is correct for times of high water in the region, typically from the end of July to mid-November. At other times of the year, water levels on Tonlé Sap are too low to navigate, meaning that the excursions above may be rearranged and, on day 11, a coach will transport passengers from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap.

Tailor-made travel
For a price quote based on alternative accommodation standards, to discuss flight options or to tailor this itinerary, please contact us. 

Jahan
The sister ship to the Jayavarman, the Jahan offers a luxury cruising experience, with 26 elegant cabins furnished in a distinctive British Indian colonial style. On board, facilities include the Viceroy dining hall, which serves western, Khmer and Vietnamese specialities; the Funnel Bar; a pool deck; a gym and steam bath. Signature services include high tea in the observatory, a cruise concierge desk and private shore excursions with a tour assistant.