MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) ramps up flights to Yangon, Myanmar from Kuala Lumpur from September 2. Facing off with AirAsia, MAS will have daily flights, up from its current five weekly flights.
CRUISE UPSTREAM THE MEKONG RIVER SAIGON-SIEM REAP ON BOARD THE Jayavarman.
THE LOST CIVILIZATION Saigon - Siem Reap (8 Days / 7 Nights upstream)
DAY 1: SAIGON - CAN THO: “The Sea of Mangroves”
Embarkation 11:00 AM - Departure: 12:30 PM
Bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon ( Ho Chi Minh City ) while comfortably settling in your cabin when meandering along the busy ports and waterways. Soon after, the change is abrupt and you’ll find yourself in the UNESCO listed Mangrove Biosphere Reserve of Can Gio which had been destroyed during the Vietnam War by toxic chemicals. Amazingly, the 75 hectares of forest was restored through re-a forestation in no time.
Cocktail reception at the Funnel Bar & Lounge.
DAY 2: CAN THO - THAN CHAU: “Vietnamese inventiveness”
See “Cai Rang”- Asia ’s largest and most impressive floating market whilst sipping your favorite latte on the breakfast deck. Wooden poles at the front of each boat display wares for sale, such as jackfruit, sugar cane, morning glory stems or even freshly baked baguettes.
Take a small boat to see the market up close and continue navigating the narrow canals. Watch as local workers fire their brick kilns, make coconut candy and rice paper by hand. Listen to the fruit orchard owner’s explanation while tasting the various fruits plugged from the trees. A lunch picnic in one of the fruit orchards will be presented by The Jayavarman’s crew.
The Jayavarman sets sail for a cruise towards Chau Doc along the traffic of sand and rice barges in a scenery portraying smoking kilns of brick factories, fruit drying homes and rice paddy fields. A stop at the historical My Hoa Island with its unique rattan houses will mark the end of an eventful day of excursions.
DAY 3: CHAU DOC - border crossing - PHNOM PENH : "Taste of aqua cultural life"
Welcome to the circus of fish. The early birds will be treated to Thai Chi lessons. Brace yourself for a boat excursion to the exciting floating villages and catfish farms witnessing tons and tons of bassa fish being fed, hand in hand with a shore excursion to the village of the local Muslim Cham community. Take a ride through this fascinating town of rich French colonial architecture and see its bustling market flooded with tropical fruits in full display by women in cone shaped palm leaf hats. Observe a skill passed on from one generation to another. That is, beautiful traditional textiles being woven on old wooden looms.
By mid - afternoon, The Jayavarman casts off for the border towards Phnom Penh .
DAY 4: PHNOM PENH : "Pearl of the East"
Off we go early in the morning to witness a truly indescribable scenery while approaching Phnom Penh ’s river promenade. After breakfast, embark on a city tour in this dynamic, historical capital of which has retained its French colonial charm. Sightseeing in the morning, will include the dazzling white and gold architecture of the Royal Palace , outstanding displays of Khmer crafts at the National Museum and the temple on a hill - Wat Phnom. After lunch in a local restaurant, examine the painful, heart wrenching reminders of ’s ugly past under the Khmer Rouge regime with an excursion to the infamous “Killing Fields”, the former detention, torture and execution centers 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 ’s traditional Apsara dance performance. Experience the brilliance and richness of the culture, the soothing sounds of traditional music, the freshness of incense sticks and a delicious Khmer food eastern buffet.
DAY 5: PHNOM PENH - KAMPONG CHAM: “Monks and hilltops”
Depart before the break of dawn from Phnom Penh with a stop at the little known Chong Koh silk weaving village for a leisure walk. We cruise past the Mekong ’s timeless villages and mind blowing river life with scores of fishermen on duty. Visit the pagoda of the mountain “Man”, Phnom Pros. Thereafter, the mountain “Woman”, Phnom Strey - truly, rural at its best.
After lunch, our cruise continues towards Peam Chi Kang Village visiting the mysterious monastery and school. Feel free to explore this peaceful and friendly community.
DAY 6: KAMPONG CHAM - WAT HANCHEY – Downstream: “ ’s province and the wetlands”
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 . 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.
DAY 7: KAMPONG CHAM - KAMPONG CHNANG - TONLE SAP : “Waterworld”
Before the sun rises, The Jayavarman sets sail to Kampong Chnang via Kampong Tralach along the meandering Tonle Sap River , which narrows through leafy swaths of the South East Asian Jungle. Visit various pagodas and humanitarian projects sponsored by Heritage Line.
A motorboat excursion in Kampong Chnang, the wetlands and floating houses of the great Tonle Sap Lake . Experience the rich tapestry of rural Khmer life. In the evening, a mouth watering farewell dinner will be served on the Sun Deck.
DAY 8: TONLE SAP - SIEM REAP
This great lake dominates and is over 150 km in length. The birdlife is profuse and from the middle of the lake one cannot even see the shores. Witness stillness and tranquility on the way to Siem Reap.
Disembarkation and transfer to the hotel: 11:00 am.
Tour Info:
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.
High Water Program: Approximately between July and November. 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: Approximately between December and June. Coach transfer at 07:00 from Udong to the hotel, stopping at Kampong Thom. Packed lunch and refreshment are provided. Arrive by 12:00 pm
