The Jahan, 7 Night The Lost Civilisation (Low Water) ex Saigon to Siem Reap

7 Night Cruise sailing from My Tho to Stueng Trang aboard The Jahan.

Detailed Itinerary:

NOTE: Itinerary shown is for the Low Water Period (approx mid November to late August). Cruises departing in the High Water Period (approx late August to mid November) operate a different itinerary. Please request details at time of enquiry/booking.

Day 1 Saigon - My Tho - Tan Phong Island (Cai Be)
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 kilometers 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 travelers 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 Morning 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.

Day 3 Tan Chau - Border Crossing - Phnom Penh
After our morning Tai Chi session and a delightful breakfast, we embark on an exploration of this area, renowned primarily for its aquaculture.

Default Morning 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.

Day 4 Phnom Penh
Welcome to Phnom Penh, a city once renowned as the "Paris of the East." Despite its rapid development, it has retained much of its rustic charm and elegance. Phnom Penh is a remarkable city with a history and culture that spans centuries, still palpable at every street corner.

Our full-day sightseeing tour begins right after breakfast, allowing us to explore the city's highlights. We'll start with a cyclo ride, meandering through the town and then visit historic places such as the palace and the silver pagoda. Our journey takes us to the "S21" prison, a poignant and dark chapter in Cambodia's history during the Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. Afterward, we'll pause for a delightful lunch in town before continuing to visit one of the country's most famous history museums, "Sosoro," and concluding the tour with a leisurely stroll through the city's French quarter, including the iconic and aptly named monument of Wat Phnom.

In the evening, we invite you to an engaging expert lecture in the lounge. To cap off this eventful day, we'll indulge in a delightful open-air barbecue and gala dinner accompanied by a classic Apsara dance performance. Afterward, feel free to explore the city at night, savouring Phnom Penh's vibrant nightlife or taking in the lively river promenade.

Day 5 Phnom Penh – Kampong Tralach – Kampong Laeang – Mid-River (Tonle Sap Mooring)
Before the sun peeks over the horizon, the cruiser sets sail, entering the Tonle River. The Tonle River is a natural wonder of Cambodia, and the scenery on both sides of the river is a true gem.

Default Morning Excursion (any ship): This morning, we'll enjoy an exciting excursion to discover another part of rural Cambodian, Kampong Tralach countryside. Our ox-pulled cart will transport us along the riverside and down winding back roads, flanked by picturesque rice paddies, until we arrive at a small village. Here, we will have the opportunity to learn about the local NGO school and library project. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the nearby ancient 300-year-old temple and Buddha shrine.

Day 6 Kampong Luang - Prek Bangkong - Angkor Ban (Mekong River)
Default Morning Excursion (any ship): Start the day with a walking tour through Kampong Luang (Royalism words), the renowned "Silver Smith Village," where the artistry of copper, silver, and bronze crafting comes to life. Led by an expert guide, you’ll witness the delicate transformation of raw materials into stunning handcrafted souvenirs.

As you continue your journey, visit the serene Wat Prang, the Royal Buddhist Temple, where the bones of the "King Father" of Cambodia, are enshrined. This sacred site offers a moment of reflection on the king’s legacy, intertwining both history and spirituality. While there, engage with the monks and laymen, learning about their daily lives, rituals, and personal stories.

Day 7 Angkor Ban – Kampong Cham - Stueng Trang
The morning Tai Chi session sets the mood for the day as we begin our tour of Angkor Ban.

Default Morning Excursion (any ship): This place includes a monastery with a delightful local village behind it. You'll have the chance to meet monks during their morning class and engage in friendly conversations with the villagers. As we meander through the village, we'll get as close as possible to the local way of life, collecting wonderful memories of Cambodia's rustic lifestyle. This village is truly a gem to explore offering photographic and touching moments whilst interacting with the local community.

Day 8 Stueng Trang - Siem Reap
Enjoy your final breakfast aboard our floating sanctuary. We disembark the ship and transfer by bus to Siem Reap, which takes approximately 4 hours. To keep you entertained during the journey, our guides will share interesting insights about Cambodia and the region we pass through. We hope you've enjoyed this captivating river cruise as much as our crew does every single time. Take the enchanting memories and friendships with you and share the stories of this amazing river - the Mighty Mekong.

You will arrive in Siem Reap in the early afternoon.

Plying the slow, swirling waters of the Mekong, The Jahan is Heritage Line’s most romantic cruise liner. Considered the brother of The Jayavarman in Heritage Line’s “family” of cruise ships, this magnificent vessel was named after the Indian emperor Shah Jahan, who ruled the Mughal Empire from 1628 to 1658. A great patron of architecture and the arts, Shah Jahan oversaw the construction of many legendary sites, including India’s dazzling Red Fort, and the famed 777 gardens of Kashmir. This cultured monarch is a fitting namesake for The Jahan, which evokes the opulent vessels of British India. No expense has been spared in the interior or exterior decorations, which showcase the talents of local woodworkers, weavers and artists.

When guests aren’t relaxing in their luxurious cabins they can meet friends in the atmospheric East India Club; soak in the Jacuzzi on the Pool Deck; challenge a new friend to a game of chess in the Observatory Lounge; or enjoy a pampering massage in the Apsara Spa. With three decks, this vessel offers all the amenities of a fine resort, including a fitness center, steam rooms, a range of dining venues and an excellent spa. Stretching 70 meters from bow to stern, The Jahan features 26 beautifully-designed cabins on two decks, each with its own private balcony.

Discover the bygone elegance of travel aboard the majestic Jahan. Just as Indian art and architecture influenced the Khmer and Cham cultures in the Mekong Delta, the stunning artistry of The Jahan will inspire you, as will the delta’s vibrant beauty.

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.