Welcome to Siem Reap, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire. Upon arrival, collect your luggage and meet our local driver, transferring to your hotel to complete check-in procedures. The rest of the day is free at leisure to get settled into this charming little town.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Don’t skip breakfast this morning as you’ll need all your energy for a full day of exploring the most fabled temples in Angkor Archaeological Park’s short circuit.

First on the list is the impressive ancient fortress city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. Built in an almost-exact square layout and surrounded by an 8-meter high 12 kilometer long stonewall with five entrance gates, the impressive gates are carved with three giant faces, while the causeways are flanked by sculptures of 54 gods on the left and 54 demons on the right. 

Continue to the Bayon Temple, the centerpiece of the Angkor Thom complex, renowned for its 54 towers decorated with 216 mysterious stone faces. Proceed to Baphuon Temple nearby. This 11th century pyramid–style temple was probably amongst the most impressive of the Angkor temples in its day. Climb its steep stairs to the upper terrace of the temple, taking in the great views from there, ending the morning part of the tour with visits to the Elephant’s Terrace and the Leper King’s Terrace, both known for their intricate bas-reliefs.

Rest during a delicious Khmer-style local lunch before visiting Ta Prohm, often called the 'Tomb Raider temple' because it featured in the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider which starred Angelina Jolie. The temple is famous for its dense jungle surroundings, where fig trees and vines have intertwined with the structure, creating a captivating, lost-world atmosphere. Built in the Bayon style in the late 12th century and early 13th century, Ta Prohm offers a fascinating glimpse into history and stands as a testament to a bygone era.

Now it’s the moment you have been waiting for, magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. The 12th century architectural masterpiece took 30 years to complete and represents the Khmer civilization at its grandest. Crowned by five towers with elaborate bas-reliefs and detailed statues, let yourself be enthralled by this world wonder and national symbol of Cambodia. Return to your hotel for a much-deserved rest.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Bid farewell to Siem Reap as you take a scenic drive through its peaceful countryside. You’ll then board your luxurious floating home, ready to begin a once-in-a-lifetime journey along the mighty Mekong River.

Upon boarding, our crew will extend a warm welcome, guiding you to your staterooms and providing a briefing on the cabin’s facilities. After spending some time to settle in and explore the vessel, a welcome lunch buffet awaits, followed by a safety and welcome briefing in the lobby by our cruise director.

We leave the ship for a first excursion in the afternoon. By bus we explore the so called high-land of the 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 Krok, 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.

As the sun sets, we are back on board sailing with the flow of the Mekong River towards Angkor Ban for the overnight mooring. Meet a bit closer with your fellow travellers during a welcome event at the bar with canapés and prosecco with the Mekong shores providing a perfect backdrop to it. After dinner, we are opening the evening cinema, featuring either an intriguing classic movie or a captivating documentary.

Overnight on board.

The morning Tai Chi session sets the mood for the day as we begin our tour of Angkor Ban. 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 are boarding our luxury ship again sailing now downstream again towards Phnom Penh. Before we arrive at Cambodia’s capital, we halt at a small silk weaving community.

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 a joyful sailing, passing the skyline of Phnom Penh and heading into the small Tonle River northbound. Enjoy your multi-course menu and the nightly entertaining evening cinema offered afterwards. We moor midstream in the Tonle river.

Overnight on board.

We are in the midst of the vast Tonle region, one of Cambodia’s amazing ecosystems. We will discover Kampong Laeang this morning, 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).

Back on the ship with lunch enjoyed and spectacular views on the Tonle River we sail south to Kampong Tralach. An afternoon tea is served at the bar before we continue with the afternoon excursion.

Once the ship stopped, we enjoy an exciting excursion to discover another part of rural Cambodian 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 a local NGO school and library project. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the nearby ancient 300-year-old temple and Buddha shrine.

We sail some more miles down the Tonle river before reaching Phnom Penh where we moor our ship mid-stream with views on the skyline of this vibrant city.

Overnight on board.

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.

Overnight on board.

Once the ship departed, the rest of the morning and the whole afternoon is at your own disposal. It is time to switch into cruise mode and hopefully experiences the relaxing cadence this mighty river emanates. The afternoon is perfect for massages, relaxation on a terrace deck sunbed or private balcony kick-backs. Conjure up a spell to merge with the river and float into a state of mild bliss. You also may like to visit the bridge, as the captain always has a little story to share about “his” river. Or, if you are curious to learn more about Khmer gastronomy, join a culinary workshop to sharpen your knowledge about local cuisine.

As you sip drinks and nibble on treats during afternoon tea, we approach the border and finally arrive in Vietnam. From here it is just a short distance to Tan Chau, a pleasant, slow-paced border town with a sizeable Chinese, Kinh and Khmer community. We moor near the city with views on the riverbanks.

Overnight on board.

Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam. After our morning Tai Chi session and a delightful breakfast, we embark on an exploration of this area, renowned primarily for its aquaculture.

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.

After back onboard a siesta after lunch, our expert guides offer a presentation about life in the Mekong Delta as the ship continues to My An Hung near Sa Dec province. My An Hung Village is a wonderful example of a real local village in the Mekong Delta where time stood still. We receive wonderful insights into the private household of a local family and visit the seasonal vegetable fields to understand what the farmers is currently cultivating. A Vietnamese tea tasting at a local family’s house is accompanied by a presentation of a variety of fruits that are grown near-by, freshly cut from the tree. An artistic group performs displays the traditional dragon dance, whilst we can snack on the “vitamins bombs”.

Overnight on board.

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 head out to one of the larger islands in the Mekong known as Binh Thanh.

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.

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.

Afterward, the ship makes its final journey to My Tho, offering some little farewell party vibes along the way.

Overnight on board.

Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home. We disembark the ship after breakfast and take a bus transfer from My Tho to Saigon. It is only around 70 kilometres on the highway, and you arrive in Saigon by mid-morning.

We hope you enjoyed this fascinating river cruise, just as our crew does every single time. Moreover, take the enchanting memories and friendships along with you and share the stories of this amazing river - the Mighty Mekong.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Wake up to the sights and sounds of Saigon. Drive to visit Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietcong guerrillas during the Vietnam American War. Hear the tales of how these tunnels were built and visit two sections of the tunnel where it is still possible to crawl inside to experience first-hand what life was like living underground.

After lunch, explore the old Saigon with a walking tour of its most iconic buildings, starting with the Reunification Hall, formally called the Presidential Palace. Then, take a stroll in Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way, admiring the beautiful architecture of the City Hall, Saigon Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, and the bustling Ben Thanh Market.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

It’s time to bid adieu to the south and discover a different part of Vietnam! Let us whisk you away to Tan Son Nhat airport for a short 1-hour flight to Da Nang, the glittering beach playground of central Vietnam.

Meet your local driver at the Da Nang Airport for a short transfer to the enchanting town of Hoi An. As evening falls, stroll around town, shopping for souvenirs and sampling street food stalls along the magical riverside lit up by thousands of lanterns at night.

Overnight in Hoi An.

After a tantalizing breakfast, enjoy the whole day at leisure to discover Hoi An on your own. Dive deeper into the history and culture of the area with a walking tour of the ancient town. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is full of interesting stories and historical facts, so make sure to snap as many photos as you can of its famous tourist attractions, most notably, the 400 year-old Japanese Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Jinshang Temple, quaint open-air markets, and former merchant houses masquerading as family homes and souvenir shops nowadays.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Enjoy another free day without any scheduled activities. Take the opportunity to visit An Bang and Cua Dai beach nearby, hop on a bike and cycle through the lush tropical countryside and vibrant rice paddies to Tra Que vegetable village or embark on a day of fun and excitement on a mountain getaway to Sun World Ba Na Hills.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Spend your last day in Vietnam at leisure until check out. Meet your driver who will accompany you on your return journey to Da Nang International Airport to catch your flight home or to your next adventure!

INCLUSIONS

+ 2-night accommodation in Siem Reap

+ 7-night Mekong River cruise between Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City

+ 2-night accommodation in Saigon  

+ 3-night accommodation in Hoi An

+ 14 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 7 dinners (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)

+ Daily shore excursions and onboard activities as per the Jahan cruise itinerary (join with other passengers)

+ Shuttle transfers between the meeting points in Saigon/Siem Reap and the ship docking points (join with other passengers)

+ Private guided tour in Siem Reap and Saigon with an English-speaking local guide

+ Pre- or post-cruise tours and airport transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle unless stated otherwise

+ Entrance fees for all mentioned visits, activities and tours

+ Tax and service charges.

EXCLUSIONS

+ International and domestic flights (quoted separately on request)

+ Visa fees, fast-track service, travel insurance

+ Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary

+ Optional day tours or activities

+ Early check-in or late check-out fees if applicable

+ Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, tips etc.)

+ Peak season surcharges and compulsory gala dinners on 24th Dec and 31st Dec

+ Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above.