Departure
Date:
-
November
2009: 14, 28
-
December
2009: 12, 26
-
January
2010: 9, 26
-
February:
6, 20
-
March
2010: 13, 27
-
July: 10, 24
-
August: 7, 21
-
September: 4, 18
-
October: 2, 16, 30
-
November: 13, 27
-
December: 11, 25
Day 1:
Siem Reap – Tonle Sap Lake
“Waterworld”
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 July and middle
of December)
At 11:00 AM 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. The Jayavarman sets sail
towards the little known stilt village of Kampong
Phluk. Climb aboard small rowing boats and let the
local children take you on a tour of this flooded
forest.
Welcome dinner on the Sun Deck. Mooring and
overnight on the lake.
Low water program (approx. between middle of
December and June)
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 Kampong Thom, one of the first settlements in the
pre-Angkorian period.
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 Welcome Dinner
on the Sun Deck.
Day 2: Tonle Sap – Kampong Chhnang – Kampong Cham
“Cambodia’s province and the wetlands”
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. Join
in on a humanitarian project lead by World Bank
Illiteracy projects when we make a stop at a
Heritage Line sponsored floating school to interact
with the children and teach them some English!
The afternoon cruise will follow the meandering
Tonle Sap River, which narrows through leafy swaths
of the South East Asian Jungle touching Phnom Penh.
In the late afternoon we enter the upper Mekong
River bound to Kampong Cham to stop for a walk
through a rural village.
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. Make a stop at a Heritage Line sponsored
floating school to interact with the children and
teach them some English!
The afternoon cruise will follow the meandering
Tonle Sap River, which narrows through leafy swaths
of the South East Asian Jungle.
Day 3: Kampong Cham – Wat Hanchey
“Monks and hilltops”
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. Then, travel to
the Cheung Kok Ecotourism Village, a small village
developed with support from Assistance Médiation
Internationale (AMICA). Travelers can visit the
village and take part in activities to experience
village life. Profits from tourism go towards
re-investment into long-term projects. Back on
board The Jayavarman sets sail towards the capital
Phnom Penh.
Day 4:Phnom Penh
“Pearl of the East”
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 and
the temple of a hill – Wat Phnom.
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 infamous “Killing Fields” and
the grim Tual Sleng or S21 the former detention,
torture and execution center during the Cambodian
civil war. Introduction and onsite lecture by
a local history professor.
Thereafter, to ease the nerves a variety of
cocktails will be at your disposal, followed by
Cambodia’s traditional and opulent Apsara dance
performance. Experience the brilliance and
richness of the culture, the soothing sounds of
traditional music, the calming scent of incense
stick and a delicious Khmer food buffet.
Day 5: Phnom Penh
Your journey with the Jayavarman has come to an end,
but will not be forgotten. Disembark after
breakfast and head into the city of Phnom Penh to
further discover its culture and history.
High Water Program (approx. between July and December)
Cross the Tonle Sap Lake at dawn and 11:00 disembark
at Siem Reap Port for onward coach transfer to the
hotel by 12:00 pm
Low Water Program (approx. between December and June)
Cruise early morning to Prek K’dam where you will
disembark Jayavarman after breakfast. Board a coach at
9:00am which will take you to see a pre-Angorian
temple on your way to Siem Reap. A packed lunch and
refreshments will be available along the way. Arrive
in Siem Reap early afternoon.
