Highlights:

-       Enjoy the best sides of rural Cambodia, alfresco and off the beaten track

-       Visit Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake - Kampong Chhnang - Kampong Cham - Wat hanchey - Phnom Penh

-       Experience the culture and taste the typical foods with special cuisines.

-       Have an opportunity for tourists to meet locals

-       Explore temple filled Siem Reap and witness one of the greatest wonders of the world - Angkor Wat

 

Itinerary:

Day 1               Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake

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

Before the sun rises, The Jayavarman sets sail to Kampong Chhnang via Prek K\'dam along the meandering Tonle Sap River, which narrows through leafy swaths of the South East Asian jungle. Take a walk through Kampong Louang, one of the last silversmith villages, to see the entire community involved in making various silver items to sell. Get back aboard The Jayavarman to eat lunch while cruising towards Kampong Chhnang.

After lunch, take a motorboat excursion from Kampong Chhnang to see the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region. Make a stop at a Heritage Line sponsored floating school to interact with the children and teach them some English! This is the day to truly experience rural Khmer life. In the evening, a mouth watering Farewell Dinner will be served on the Sun Deck.

 Day 3              Kampong Cham - Wat Hanchey

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 Mediation 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

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 Genocide museum to learn more about 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.Day 1: Phnom Penh. Board The Jayavarman at 7:30am. Around 8:30am, 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, 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 Cambodia\'s ugly past under the Khmer Rouge regime with an excursion to the Genocide museum to learn more about 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 Apsara dance performance. Experience the brilliance and richness of the culture, the soothing sounds of traditional music, the calming scent of incense sticks and a delicious Khmer food buffet.

Included:

·         All excursions incl.

·         Entrance fees

·         Transportation

·         Tour guide services (English speaking), taxes, fuel, pilots, port dues, full board

·         Welcome and farewell diner, mineral water, coffee and tea during breakfast.

·         Transfers in Siem Reap from or to the meeting point are included

Excluded

·         Phnom Penh port taxes per passenger of US$ 65 levied by the Cambodian Port

·         Authority Gratuities, Visa and fuel surcharges if any

Children policy

·         Free of charge for children below 5 years old, in parents\' room and using existing bedding.

·         Children below 12 years - 80% off the cruise price. Children above 5 years must solely occupy a berth (extra bed supplement)

 

PACKAGE RATES (perperson):  valid until 31 March, 2012
CabinType	Oct– Dec, 2011	Jan– Mar, 2012
SuperiorDouble	1,172 US$	1,230 US$
SuperiorSingle	1,759 US$	1,776 US$
DeluxeDouble	1,352 US$	1,420 US$
DeluxeSingle	1,950 US$	2,049 US$
SignatureDouble	1,454 US$	1,525 US$
SignatureSingle	2,095 US$	2,200 US$

 

*At the time of quotation, Travel Sense Asia reserves the right to adjust prices to take account of unusual movements in currency markets, hotel and transport costs as a result of inflationary price pressures in oil and other commodity markets.