Day 1
You should arrive at London Gatwick airport to take your overnight flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Day 2
After your early morning arrival you change aircraft, flying to Siem Reap in Cambodia, staying two nights at the five-star Angkor Miracle Resort with breakfast. This excellent hotel is extremely comfortable, boasting all the exceptional facilities of a major international property, two restaurants, a large pool and spa. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day3
Today we see the haunting soft morning light rise over the eerie temples of Angkor. Encircled by verdant steamy jungle, shrouded in mist and with a tropical dawn chorus reverberating in the air, this is something you will never forget! We visit the huge fortified 13th century city of Angkor Thom, with its five monumental gates and 300-foot wide moat - its centre containing one of Angkor’s most astonishing sites, the temple of Bayon. Crowned by over fifty towers, each with four colossal carved heads guarding every direction, this is an extraordinary masterpiece of Khmer art. One of the most intriguing sites is the smaller temple of Ta Prohm left in its natural, unrestored state, with giant tropical trees bursting through the ruins, their roots entwined like vast tentacles across the moss-covered, weathered walls and roofs. Late afternoon and the highlight of the day, we see the immense temple of Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious structures in the world. The main entrance faces due west to catch the rose-red glow of the setting sun, a truly magical time of day

Day 4
The Tonle Sap (Great Lake) is the life-giving watery heart of Cambodia. Its fisheries sustain literally millions of people and it is home to an incredible variety of birds. The water level rises and falls considerably throughout the year and therefore our itinerary for the first couple of days of our cruise can vary according to the time of year (see note at the end of this brochure). After breakfast we board our coach and drive to Prek K’Dam on the Tonle Sap River. Snacks and cold drinks are provided and we stop briefly at Skon, known as Spiderville as it’s noted for its time of day. fried spiders, apparently a delicacy in this part of the country - however, it is not obligatory to find out first hand! As we embark the RV Jayavarman in Prek K’Dam you will immediately feel relaxed in the luxurious surroundings of your new home for seven nights. As expectation mounts, the ship gently slips her moorings, sailing downstream towards Kampong Chhnang. With a maximum of just 54 passengers you will love the intimacy of your river cruise, soon getting to know your fellow, like-minded travellers as the ever fascinating river banks glide by. This evening you enjoy a welcome dinner in the ship’s beautifully appointed restaurant.

Day 5
As you wake from a refreshing sleep, the ever changing riverbanks slip by and you may wish to start the day with breakfast on your balcony or perhaps a Tai Chi class on the Sun Deck. You soon arrive at Kampong Chhnang, becoming immersed in river life, with its attendant noise, bustling markets bursting with colour and a large community of floating houses. We will take a short trip to see the Khmer-styled pottery at the Aundaung Russey village, followed by a motor boat tour into the wetlands of the river mouth, famous for its birdlife. Of considerable interest are the great fish traps, some 500 metres long, which net a gargantuan amount of fish after the monsoon, as vast shoals migrate from the falling water levels of the lake to the Tonle Sap river. It is fascinating to learn first-hand how make their living in harmony with their surroundings. Our cruise continues with a lazy meander along the river, narrowing through the Anlung Oak channel, lined by lush green jungle. We disembark downstream, travelling by ox-cart to see some valuable humanitarian aid in action at a literacy project supported by our cruise line (www.cambodialiteracyproject.com). Another sumptuous dinner awaits us in the Indochine dining room while the ship cruises along Phnom Penh’s fascinating waterfront.

Day 6
We arrive at the ancient pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey, located on a hill overlooking the river. You can either take the motorised transport or climb the 291 steps to the top for quite simply one of the most breathtaking views in Cambodia. Dating from the 8th century, the temples stretching out before you superbly underscore the architecture of the Chenla Empire which predates the mighty Angkor complex. Returning to the ship, we witness a blessing ceremony performed by orange-clad local monks before the colourful Buddhist monastery of Wat Nokor. What is surprising to most visitors is that it is quite normal for many young men to become a monk at some stage in their lives. It is generally not a lifetime commitment, but more a study of one's inner self in order to become a better person and sometimes just for a few months. During our visit, we learn about Buddhism, its history and an attendant way of life so widespread in the Far East. This afternoon we visit one of the many rubber plantations, learning about the history and manufacture of this valuable natural resource. Whilst these and the other visits are included in your holiday, they are by no means compulsory, so should you so wish, you may remain on the ship at any time.

Day 7
Phnom Penh was once known as the’ Paris of the East’ and during our morning tour you can certainly see why. After breakfast, we will explore this dynamic, historical capital city which, despite its recent rapid development, has preserved admirably much of its rustic charm, elegance and French colonial allure. Sightseeing in the morning will include an exciting cycle-rickshaw ride to the dazzling white and gold edifice of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, and witnessing exceptionally beautiful Khmer craft at the National Museum. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide museum and the Killing Fields. Phnom Penh has some excellent markets selling silks, spices and high quality lacquer work, so for anyone not wishing to visit the museum, this is the perfect opportunity to hone your bargaining skills! This evening you will be entertained by a traditional Apsara dance performance coupled with a barbeque under the stars. These talented silk-clad dancers will dazzle you with their graceful poise and intricate hand movements, originally designed to entertain the gods. We moor overnight so you can explore Phnom Penh by night should you wish. You will find bustling markets, teeming street restaurants and hawkers selling literally everything in this vibrant and electric ambience, so typical of the emerging Far East!

Day 8
Today we enjoy a quieter day cruising along the main Mekong channel, before this afternoon docking at the Vietnamese border for the requisite cross-border procedures. As the process tends to take some time, you can choose to bask in the glow of the afternoon sun, catch up on some reading, pamper yourself at the spa, or sharpen your culinary skills with the Chef’s Cambodian and Vietnamese cuisine cooking class. The ship moors midstream overnight. By now you will have totally immersed yourself in shipboard life, happily watching the fascinating world drift by and home will seem very far away!

Day 9
This morning’s short excursion is to Chau Doc, a pleasant town near the Cambodian border with sizeable Chinese and Khmer communities. We will also visit the colourful local market near an ancient pagoda. This is followed by a trip to the quayside, where we catch a boat trip to the local floating market and rustic catfish farms. We are way off the beaten track here and it is fascinating to observe the villagers' lives at close hand; despite their lack of material possessions, there is much happiness here and warm, broad smiles abound. Then it’s back to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure as we wind our way ever southwards.

Day 10
Today we embark on a traditional sampan to tour Binh Thanh Island and its man-made canals. Here, every villager is involved in the process of growing and processing colourful water hyacinths into natural-fibre floor mats and rattan baskets. After lunch on board, we arrive in Cai Be and have a tour of its boisterous and colourful floating market where traders gather in a cacophonous congregation. The evergreen islands along the Mekong here remain unknown to most people. The cruise will halt intermittently so we can observe how rice paste, rice cookies and coconutsweets are made, along with the Longan fruit drying process. We then board the ship for a tranquil evening cruise towards My Tho enjoying a wonderful farewell dinner of specialities from the regions we have visited.

Day 11
Cruising to My Tho, we are just south of Saigon in the fascinating Mekong delta whose innumerable channels are lined by stilt houses and mangroves where slivers of sunlight penetrate the dense canopy. Here our journey along the Mekong comes to a close but our holiday has not and we have some astonishing sights still to see and experience during the next two days. We take the short drive to Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as the locals still call it, staying three nights with breakfast at the centrally located five-star Renaissance Hotel.

Day 12
This morning we visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels, a complex underground network stretching for 200 kilometres, which provided a base for the Vietcong to attack US forces within just 30 miles of Saigon. Begun during the last years of French rule and vastly expanded during the 1960s, they included hospitals, meeting rooms, sleeping quarters and kitchens. Our visit here is a fascinating insight into these times: we see the tunnels themselves and examples of the many simple but deadly mantraps and stake pits which protected them. Despite being repeatedly carpet-bombed, the tunnels were never really penetrated and should you wish, you may even try out period weapons on a firing range. We continue through rural farming communities back to Saigon. In the afternoon our city tour covers all the major sights including the colonial-style central post office, the cathedral and the Reunification Palace where famously in 1975, a tank burst through its gates in the final defining moment of the Vietnam War. We also see the War Remnants Museum and the lively Ben Thanh market – a fascinating insight into Saigon’s daily life where you can find anything and everything, all at extremely good prices!

Day 13
Today we have left free to perhaps reflect on the experiences of your cruise, or enjoy a shopping expedition or a pleasant promenade along one of central Saigon’s boulevards – the choice is yours. This evening why not try out the city’s famously eclectic restaurant scene?

Day 14
Our last day in Vietnam and we have time for a final walk round Saigon centre, a coffee and a delicious pastry in one of the many cafés before transferring to the airport at the appropriate time for your return overnight flight.

Day 15
You arrive home.

Reverse Itineraries
We have a number of departures starting from Saigon and finishing in Siem Reap. In these cases, the itinerary of the ship is simply reversed. However, we will stay for two nights in Saigon at the start of the tour and three nights in Siem Reap at the end, before flying back to Saigon to connect with our homeward flight direct to Gatwick.

An important note on Mekong river cruising
The itinerary, timings and the places visited en route may vary depending on the water level in the upper reaches of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap Lake. At the peak of high water, normally at some point between August-November, the level of the lake may rise by up to 10 metres, whereas during the low water period, generally between December-July, sections of the river within Cambodia and the Tonle Sap Lake may not be navigable. The itinerary detailed in this brochure is based on the low water period. During high water the ship will be able to sail all the way across the Tonle Sap Lake to Siem Reap. The low and high water periods may also change from year-to year.We may not always be able to advise you in advance of any itinerary changes as decisions to amend any part of the cruise could be made by the ship’s captain during the cruise itself. However, we will always endeavour to ensure that equally interesting visits and stops are substituted – it’s all part of the adventure of river cruising in South East Asia!

The exceptional taste, style and décor of the RV Jayavarman stands comparison with any such, vessel anywhere in the world. Each beautifully appointed stateroom features full-length panoramic sliding glass doors leading to a private balcony. The hand-crafted traditional furnishings are superbly made, whilst the beds are of hotel quality with fine cotton sheets and silk ‘throws’. There’s a luxury bathroom with the best quality cotton bathrobes, a minibar, personal safe, individually-controlled air-conditioning and 24- hour room service and to start the day in the most relaxing manner, why not take breakfast on your balcony?

Superior staterooms are very spacious indeed, 21 square metres (226 square feet) featuring a balcony with twin or double beds on the Main Deck.

Deluxe staterooms are larger at 24 square metres (258 square feet) including the balcony and are located on the Upper Deck. Twin or double beds are available.

Signature suites (available on request) are a very generous 26 square metres (280 square feet) including the balcony, as you would expect are wonderfully decorated and feature king-size beds. They are superbly located near the ship’s bow on the Upper Deck, with floor to ceiling panoramic windows.

Siem Reap - the five-star Angkor Miracle Resort & Spa (http://www.angkormiracle.com) is located just outside the centre of Siem Reap, a 10 minute tuk-tuk ride away. The hotel has a large outdoor pool with bar, an excellent spa & beauty salon and variety of dining venues. The Kong Kea restaurant is open all day and offers a fusion of western & Khmer cuisine, while the Pronto cafe serves coffee, tea and cakes. There’s also a mezzanine bar with live music most nights. All the 247 elegantly decorated and spacious rooms are air-conditioned and include en-suite luxury bathroom, hairdryer & bathrobes, safe, writing desk, free wireless internet, flat-screen cable TV, minibar, tea/coffee-maker and city or pool views.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - the five-star Renaissance Riverside Hotel (http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/sgnbr-renaissance-riverside-hotel-saigon/) is located right in the centre of this bustling city, overlooking the busy Saigon River. There's a rooftop outside pool with a pool bar, fitness room and spa. Dining options include the Riverside cafe, the hotel's all-day dining restaurant, a chinese restaurant and a lounge & bar in the atrium where free wifi is also available. All 336 rooms are very comfortable and air-conditioned, with en-suite luxury bathroom, hairdryer, flat-screen cable TV, safe, minibar, writing desk, wireless internet (extra charge), iron/iron board, tea/coffee-maker and have panoramic river or city views.