The mighty Mekong – a mysterious body of water flowing through six countries in Asia. Giving love and life to millions, it received its fame by the legendary God King of ancient Cambodia, King Jayavarman VII, who linked hands with the waters of the Mekong to build the magnificent Angkor civilization.
This 3-Night lower Mekong cruise `Pearl of the Orient` explores the delta`s rich diversity in every facet. The Delta is a powerhouse for agriculture (in particular rice) and fish farming. The pulsating and energetic life on the river stands in stark contrast to the charming and relaxed village life, where locals often make their living with specialized handicrafts.
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Pearl of the Orient Upstream Cruise only package includes:
– 3 night cruise aboard the 4-star MS Jayavarman from Saigon (My Tho) to Phnom Penh
– Sumptuous full-board dining
– Welcome drink, brewed coffee, tea and mineral water
– Complimentary beverage package includes soft drinks, juices, barista coffee at all times. Local beer and house wine (by glass) is complimentary during lunch and dinner times only
– Daily (group) shore-excursions & entrance fees
– Sightseeing and transfers during the cruise
– English speaking tour guiding on-and offshore
– Insightful Lectures & Presentations
– Diverse On-board Entertainment
– Passenger liability insurance
– Complimentary Wi-Fi on board (subject to cellular network signal)
– Complimentary usage of ship facilities (exclusive of spa treatments)
– Transfers from/to Heritage Line’s meeting point to/from the ship*
– River pilots, fuel & taxes
– Port charges USD$65 per person
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DISCOUNTS:
The fares shown here are full brochure fare. Please contact us for your best offer. All rates in USD Dollars.
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Exclusions:
– Crew and guide gratuities; visa fees; private transfers; personal expenses; other beverages than those stated under inclusions; medical services; spa treatments; port and anchorage fees; all other services or items not listed under inclusions.
Special Conditions
Special Validity Dates
Cruise Itinerary
| Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03 Aug 2024 | Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam |
Transfer to My Tho | |
| 03 Aug 2024 | My Tho, South Vietnam |
Embark | |
| 03 Aug 2024 | Tan Phong Island, Vietnam |
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| 04 Aug 2024 | Tan Phong Island, Vietnam |
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| 04 Aug 2024 | Binh Thanh Island, Vietnam |
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| 04 Aug 2024 | Tan Chau, Vietnam |
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| 05 Aug 2024 | Tan Chau, Vietnam |
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| 05 Aug 2024 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
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| 06 Aug 2024 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
Disembark |
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
3 Night cruise sailing from My Tho to Phnom Penh onboard The Jayavarman.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1 Saigon – My Tho – Tan Phong Island
We welcome our guests in the morning at our Saigon welcome lounge. Relax with a second coffee while our staff collects your details. We bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of Saigon and travel 70 kilometres south overland towards My Tho to embark on our vessel. After checking into your luxurious floating “home,” the sailing on this major Asian waterway begins.
A lunch buffet is served in the restaurant as the vessel steadily glides upstream. As twilight bathes the Mekong Delta in a golden haze, take the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers and join in our official welcome with canapés and prosecco.
During dinner, the ship will likely reach Tan Phong Island area near Cai Be, where we anchor midstream. This is your first glimpse of the bustling area where we will begin our Mekong adventure on land tomorrow. Join us for some late-night entertainment in the evening cinema, featuring interesting classic movies or thrilling documentaries.
Day 2 Tan Phong Island – Binh Thanh Island – Tan Chau
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 gain access to the secluded island of Tan Phong, a small island situated in the midst of one of the expansive Mekong River tributaries flowing toward the nearby sea.
Default Excursion (any ship): 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.
Default Excursion (any ship): Relax and enjoy some time on your private balcony or at the bar as we continue our voyage upstream. In the afternoon, we arrive at the Sa Dec region and anchor near 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.
Before dinner, join us in the lounge for a presentation about life on the Mekong Delta as the ship sails toward our mooring spot for the night in Tan Chau.
Day 3 Tan Chau – Border crossing – Phnom Penh
Default Excursion (any ship): 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.
Back on board our “home”, we sail towards the Vietnamese-Cambodian border. Get ready for a fascinating and leisurely cruise through the deep Cambodian countryside towards Phnom Penh.
The whole afternoon is at your own disposal. From here, even the last passenger turns on their cruise mode and hopefully experiences the relaxing influence 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.
After our relaxing cruise during the whole afternoon into the evening hours, the boat arrives at Phnom Penh (docking mid-stream or at the pier). Enjoy your time onboard with our onboard entertainment, social at our public venues or relay in the privacy or your cabin (due to immigration regulation passengers may not be allowed to go on land this evening).
Day 4 Phnom Penh
Welcome to Phnom Penh – the city once named Paris of the East. Despite its rapid development, it has retained a lot of its rustic charm and elegance. It is an amazing town with centuries of incredible history and culture which can still be felt at many street corners.
Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home before disembarking the ship. 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.
“The Jayavarman” – a floating sanctuary of style and space
Inspired by the golden age cruise liner Normandie, “The Jayavarman” is a 20th century boutique style marvel marries avant-garde French colonial design with enchanting Indochine architecture to perfection.
As the sun slowly sets…Step out on to your private balcony…sip on your drink and become part of the river life unfolding around you.
Start your day on the Mekong with Thai Chi lessons on the Sun Deck. Or bathe in the rays of dawn shining through your balcony as you lay in bed. A journey full of reverberating sights, colors and sounds awaits you.
Whether it is a refreshing sundowner drink at the lounge or a pampering time at the “Apsara” beauty salon, this is a time for reflection and relaxation.
When night falls, dancers perform and dinner is served. The ship changes hue at night and the staff emerge the following morning in their exquisite Cambodian traditional outfit.
Ship Profile & Stats
- Length: 58 metres
- Tonnage: 700 tonnes
- Maiden Voyage: 2009
- Passenger Capacity (dbl): 65
- Crew Nationality: Vietnamese
- Dining Staff Nationality: Cambodian
Ship Amenities
- Personal Mini Bar
- Tea & Coffee Making Facilities
- Safe Deposit Box
- In House Phone
- In-Suite Temperature Controls
- Bath Robe
- Slippers
- Hair Dryer
- 24 Hour Room Service
Ship Facilities
- Lobby
- Observatory with Binoculars
- Sun Deck & Bridge Platform
- Library with Internet Workstation
- Massage & Beauty Oasis
- Laundry Service
- Daily newspaper in English, French and German
- I-Pod Rental
- “Indochine” Indoor Restaurant
- “Club 1930” Funnel Bar & Lounge Terrace
- “Henry Mouhot” Lounge
- “L’extreme Orient” Boutique Shop
- “Apsara” Beauty & Wellness Spa
Heritage Line was founded in 2008 and provides luxurious cruise journeys on the Mekong River between Vietnam and Cambodia. The company is la Swiss-Vietnamese Joint Venture and located in Saigon – now called Ho Chi Minh City.
As the sun slowly sets…Step out on to your private balcony…sip on your drink and become part of the river life unfolding around you.
Start your day on the Mekong with Thai Chi lessons on the Sun Deck. Or bathe in the rays of dawn shining through your balcony as you lay in bed. A journey full of reverberating sights, colors and sounds awaits you.
Whether it is a refreshing sundowner drink at the lounge or a pampering time at the “Apsara” beauty salon, this is a time for reflection and relaxation.
When night falls, dancers perform and dinner is served. The ship changes hue at night and the staff emerge the following morning in their exquisite Cambodian traditional outfit.
Select the Deck to view detail.
Select the Cabin to view detail.
Located as well on the Upper Deck, with its own balcony. This Royal Junior Suite has its own unique identity and character. Experience that home away from home satisfaction.
All cabins are carefully designed staterooms with floor to ceiling panoramic sliding glass doors onto a private French balcony offer privacy and matchless luxury.
Located on the Main Deck with a balcony, ensuring light to the cabin all day long. Each Superior Stateroom is individually decorated.
All cabins are carefully designed staterooms with floor to ceiling panoramic sliding glass doors onto a private French balcony offer privacy and matchless luxury.
Located on the Upper Deck with a balcony. Each Deluxe Stateroom is decorated in a unique Indochine way.
All cabins are carefully designed staterooms with floor to ceiling panoramic sliding glass doors onto a private French balcony offer privacy and matchless luxury.
Located on the Upper Deck, with its own balcony. The Royal Junior Suite is expansively elegant and designed to perfection. Fusing traditional Vietnamese / French colonial style interior design.
All cabins are carefully designed staterooms with floor to ceiling panoramic sliding glass doors onto a private French balcony offer privacy and matchless luxury.
* Unless otherwise noted all pricing is on a per person twin share basis. All prices based on cash payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Special conditions may apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Any pricing not in Australian Dollars will be converted on the day of payment into the relevant currency based on our daily rate of exchange. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Please submit any data errors/omissions you may notice on this site.
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