The Jahan Cruise – Downstream 8 Days

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Your journey begins at the Heritage Line welcome lounge in Siem Reap, where the team welcomes you before the transfer to the ship moored on the Mekong River. Enjoy a coffee before departure, then board the vessel and settle into your stateroom. The crew will introduce you to the cabin facilities before lunch is served in the onboard restaurant.

After lunch, meet the cruise director for a welcome and safety briefing in the lobby lounge. As the ship begins sailing along the Mekong, spend the afternoon relaxing on deck and taking in the river scenery.

Towards sunset, join a gathering hosted by the cruise director, featuring canapés and prosecco. This is a pleasant opportunity to meet fellow passengers and ease into the relaxed rhythm of river cruising.

Dinner is served on board, followed by an optional film screening in the air-conditioned indoor lounge.

Overnight on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start the morning with an optional Tai Chi session on the sundeck before breakfast. Today's excursions introduce you to Cambodia's traditional villages, local craftsmanship, and rural landscapes along the Mekong and Tonle rivers.

Morning Excursion: Angkor Ban Village

Visit Angkor Ban, a traditional village centred around a local monastery. Meet monks during their morning lessons and, where possible, engage in conversations about their daily routines and spiritual practices.

Continue on foot through the village to observe everyday life and discover traditional homes and community customs. The visit offers opportunities to interact with local residents and photograph the distinctive character of rural Cambodia.

Optional Morning Excursion

Culinary Experience – Available on Jayavarman only

Visit the home of Mr. B, a former young chef aboard the Jayavarman who later settled in his wife's village. Together with his wife and mother-in-law, learn to prepare Samlor Korko, a traditional Cambodian soup made with fish, vegetables, herbs, spices, and roasted rice. The meal is accompanied by a duck egg omelette.

Cycling Excursion – Available on any ship at an additional cost

Cycle through seasonal vegetable fields and past traditional Cambodian houses, discovering the countryside at a relaxed pace. Stop to observe local blacksmiths working with traditional tools and techniques, then enjoy a refreshing break with a cold local beer or freshly pressed sugarcane juice.

• Distance: Approximately 10 km

• Duration: Approximately 120 minutes

• Terrain: Flat concrete paths

Return to the ship and continue sailing downstream towards Phnom Penh. Before reaching the capital, stop at Prek Bangkong, a village renowned for its silk-weaving traditions.

Afternoon Excursion: Prek Bangkong

Discover Prek Bangkong, a riverside community at the confluence of the Tonle and Mekong rivers. The village was once associated with Cambodia's royal family before they moved to the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.

Meet local silk artisans and observe the traditional process of producing silk, gaining insight into the skills and techniques passed down through generations.

The excursion concludes with a visit to the heritage residence of H.E. Sam-El, a historic house associated with a former architect who worked for the royal family.

Optional Afternoon Excursion

Culinary Experience – Jayavarman only

No optional culinary excursion is available during the afternoon programme.

Cycling Excursion – Available on any ship at an additional cost

Explore the countryside around Lavea Em, the site of a former royal palace dating from 1601 to 1618. Cycle along scenic rural roads, stopping at historic pagodas, silk-weaving workshops, and local markets.

Enjoy a tea break at the residence of H.E. Sam-El before returning to the ship.

• Distance: Approximately 14 km

• Duration: Approximately 120 minutes

• Terrain: Flat concrete paths

Continue sailing past Phnom Penh's skyline before entering the Tonle River and heading north. Enjoy a multi-course dinner on board, followed by an evening film screening in the lounge.

Overnight on the Tonle River.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's programme explores the rural Tonle region, where traditional pottery, ancient temples, rice fields, and village life provide insight into Cambodia's cultural heritage.

Morning Excursion: Kampong Laeang

Visit Kampong Laeang, a small settlement across the river from Kampong Chhnang, a town known for its pottery traditions. After disembarking, travel by tuk-tuk through the surrounding countryside to meet local residents and discover traditional pottery-making techniques.

Continue to a pre-Angkorian temple, offering a glimpse into Cambodia's ancient religious heritage. A scenic viewpoint provides panoramic views across the extensive floodplains and seasonal rice fields.

Optional Morning Excursion

Culinary Experience – Available on Jayavarman only

Join a local cooking demonstration featuring Nom Kruak, a traditional Cambodian rice cake made with white or brown rice. Learn about the preparation of this popular snack, which is cooked on both sides to create its characteristic shape.

Cycling Excursion – Available on any ship at an additional cost

Cycle through rice paddies and traditional villages, passing small businesses involved in pottery production and palm sugar making. The flat route offers a relaxed way to observe rural life and local craftsmanship.

• Distance: Approximately 17 km

• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

• Terrain: Flat concrete paths

Return to the ship for lunch while enjoying views of the Tonle River. Afternoon tea is served at the bar before the next shore excursion.

Afternoon Excursion: Kampong Tralach

Travel through the countryside in a traditional ox-pulled cart, following riverside paths and quiet roads bordered by rice paddies.

Arrive at a small village to learn about a local NGO-supported school and library project. Alternatively, visit a nearby historic temple, believed to be approximately 300 years old, together with its Buddha shrine.

Optional Afternoon Excursion

Culinary Experience – Jayavarman only

No optional culinary excursion is available during the afternoon programme.

Cycling Excursion – Available on any ship at an additional cost

Explore more of the Tonle countryside by bicycle, passing scenic landscapes and traditional villages. Visit the former royal site of Lungvek and the historic Jade Buddha Temple, dating to 1560. Along the way, observe local fishermen casting their nets in the calm river waters.

• Distance: Approximately 14 km

• Duration: Approximately 120 minutes

• Terrain: Flat concrete paths

Return to the ship and continue downstream towards Phnom Penh, where the vessel anchors midstream with views of the city skyline.

Overnight on board in Phnom Penh.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend the day discovering Phnom Penh, a capital city once known as the “Paris of the East”. Despite its rapid development, the city retains historic landmarks, cultural traditions, and neighbourhoods that reflect its complex past.

Full-Day Phnom Penh City Tour

After breakfast, begin with a traditional cyclo ride through the city before visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, two important landmarks showcasing Cambodia's royal and religious heritage.

Continue to S21, the former prison that stands as a sobering reminder of the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s.

Pause for lunch in town before visiting Champey Academy of Arts, an institution dedicated to preserving traditional Cambodian performing arts.

Observe young dancers practising Apsara dance and learn basic Kbach techniques under their guidance. Alternatively, spend time interacting with students or viewing traditional paintings and drawings created by local youth.

Later, stroll through Phnom Penh's French Quarter and visit Wat Phnom, one of the city's most recognisable temples.

Evening: Gala Dinner and Apsara Dance

Return to the ship for an open-air barbecue and gala dinner accompanied by a traditional Apsara dance performance.

After dinner, enjoy some free time to explore Phnom Penh independently. The lively riverside promenade, cafés, and bars provide a pleasant setting for an evening walk.

Overnight on board in Phnom Penh.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Before leaving Phnom Penh, attend a special presentation by Mr. Sum Rithy, a survivor of imprisonment at S21 who later participated in the Khmer Rouge tribunal. Through his personal testimony, he shares firsthand experiences of one of the most difficult periods in Cambodia's history. Guests have an opportunity to listen, ask questions, and engage in a meaningful discussion.

Once the ship departs, enjoy a leisurely day on the Mekong. Spend time relaxing on the terrace deck, unwinding on your private balcony, or arranging a spa treatment at an additional cost.

You may also visit the bridge to hear the captain share stories about navigating the river. For those interested in local food traditions, an onboard culinary workshop led by the head chef offers an opportunity to learn more about Khmer cuisine.

During afternoon tea, enjoy drinks and light refreshments as the ship approaches the Vietnam–Cambodia border. After entering Vietnam, continue sailing into the Mekong Delta, where the vessel anchors near Gieng Island.

Overnight on board near Gieng Island.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin the morning with Tai Chi on deck before breakfast, then head ashore to discover the traditions and everyday activities of the Mekong Delta.

Morning Excursion: Gieng Island

Also known locally as Mango Island, Gieng Island is characterised by flourishing mango orchards and communities whose livelihoods are closely connected to the river.

Walk beneath the mango trees before visiting an incense workshop, where local artisans demonstrate how fragrant incense sticks are made by hand.

Continue to a traditional boat-building workshop to observe wooden vessels being constructed using techniques passed down through generations.

Before returning to the ship, visit a century-old family home to sample freshly picked mangoes accompanied by local tea.

Optional Morning Excursion

Culinary Experience – Available on Jayavarman only

Join a local family to prepare Banh In, a traditional Vietnamese sweet made from glutinous rice flour and sugar. Commonly served with jasmine tea, this treat is particularly popular during celebrations such as Tet.

Cycling Excursion – Available on any ship at an additional cost

Cycle through mango farms and fruit gardens along the island's flat concrete paths. Along the way, stop at traditional incense-making and boat-building workshops to learn more about local crafts and the island's way of life.

• Distance: Approximately 15 km

• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

• Terrain: Flat concrete paths

Return to the ship and enjoy some time to relax after lunch. As the cruise continues towards My An Hung in Dong Thap Province, your guide gives a presentation about everyday life in the Mekong Delta.

Afternoon Excursion: My An Hung Village

Visit My An Hung, a traditional rural community where agriculture and family life remain central to daily routines.

Meet a local family and explore seasonal vegetable fields to learn about the crops currently being cultivated. Continue to another family home for Vietnamese tea and a tasting of fresh tropical fruits grown nearby.

The visit also includes a traditional dragon dance performance, offering a lively introduction to local cultural traditions.

Return to the ship and enjoy the sunset as the vessel sails towards its next destination. A complimentary cocktail hour, accompanied by alfresco snacks and music, provides a relaxing start to the evening before dinner.

Overnight on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake early to see the Mekong Delta at dawn, when local residents are already busy with their daily activities. After Tai Chi and breakfast, travel by local boat to Sa Dec, a riverside town in Dong Thap Province known for its historic architecture and vibrant local life.

Morning Excursion: Sa Dec

Begin with a walk through the central market, where stalls display fresh produce, seafood, and regional specialities.

Continue to Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, a historic residence associated with the love story behind Marguerite Duras' novel The Lover. The visit offers insight into the cultural influences that have shaped Sa Dec.

The excursion concludes at Kien An Cung Pagoda, a century-old Chinese heritage temple distinguished by its ornate details and peaceful atmosphere.

Optional Morning Excursion

Culinary Experience – Jayavarman only

No optional culinary excursion is available during the morning programme.

Cycling Excursion – Available on any ship at an additional cost

Explore Sa Dec by bicycle, beginning at the lively local market before visiting Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House.

Continue to Sa Dec Flower Village, where family-run gardens showcase colourful blooms and traditional flower-growing methods. Pause for a refreshing drink at the Pink House before ending the ride at Cao Dai Holy See, a religious landmark known for its distinctive architecture.

• Distance: Approximately 15 km

• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

• Terrain: Flat concrete paths

Afternoon Excursion: Cai Be and Tan Phong Island

Visit a workshop in Cai Be to observe the traditional production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine, and coconut candies. Learn about the manual techniques used to prepare these familiar Mekong Delta products.

Continue by local boat to Tan Phong Island, a fertile island surrounded by the Mekong's waterways. Visit a local family and their fruit garden to sample a variety of tropical fruits.

A motorised buggy ride offers a glimpse into everyday island life. The excursion also includes a stop at a family workshop specialising in handmade crafts woven from water hyacinth.

Optional Afternoon Excursion

Culinary Experience – Available on Jayavarman only

Join a local family for a cooking session focused on traditional jackfruit leaf cakes. Learn how to prepare fresh leaves, extract their juice, shape and steam the cakes in their natural leaf casings, and make a coconut dipping cream.

Enjoy your freshly prepared cakes with hot ginger tea.

Cycling Excursion – Available on any ship at an additional cost

Cycle through Tan Phong Island along flat concrete paths bordered by rambutan, longan, and jackfruit orchards. Visit a local family business to learn about water hyacinth handicrafts, then continue along a canal to a local temple for a break beneath a banyan tree.

The ride concludes with a visit to a tropical fruit grower's home, where you can sample fresh seasonal produce.

• Distance: Approximately 12 km

• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

• Terrain: Flat concrete paths

Return to the ship for the final stretch of the cruise towards My Tho. Enjoy the river scenery and a relaxed atmosphere on board as the journey approaches its conclusion.

Overnight on board.

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy your final breakfast on board before disembarking in My Tho. A bus transfer then takes you to Saigon, covering approximately 70 kilometres by road.

Arrival in the city is expected by mid-morning, bringing your 8-day, 7-night Mekong River journey to an end.

Take home memories of the Mekong Delta's fruit-growing islands, traditional crafts, historic riverside towns, and the cultural encounters experienced across Vietnam and Cambodia.

End of the cruise.