The Jayavarman Odyssey

Day 1 – Depart the UK

Depart the UK.

Day 2 – Siem Reap

You will be met by your guide when you arrive at the airport. You will then be transferred to your hotel where you can spend the rest of the day relaxing at leisure.

Day 3 – Siem Reap

Today you start your exploration of the Temples of Angkor. Leave the hotel early to arrive at Angkor Wat for sunrise. After breakfast, you will visit the ancient royal city of Angkor Thom, including the impressive Bayon temple mountain. Other highlights today include the pyramid of Baphuon, Phimean Akas, and the royal viewing stands known as the Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Finally, you can enjoy the sunset over Phnom Bakheng Temple.

Day 4 – Siem Reap

This morning is at leisure and, if you wish, you can return to the Temples of Angkor complex to further explore the ruins. In the afternoon, you will take a gentle quad bike ride through shimmering rice paddies and beautiful rural countryside, before returning to your hotel in time for dinner.

Day 5 – Jayavarman

This morning, transfer to the jetty and board the beautiful Jayavarman. Enjoy a welcome drink and settle in to your cabin as the boat sets sail, gliding along the vast Tonle Sap lake, home to many fish and bird species. Stop for the night at Kampong Chhnang and watch the sunset as you take dinner on the sundeck.

Day 6 – Jayavarman

Start the day with morning Tai Chi on the sundeck before the ship continues to sail across the Tonle Sap Lake. In the afternoon, visit the traditionally Khmer pottery village Aundaung Russey, followed by a small boat tour of the floating houses and fish farms of the Kampong Chhnang wetlands. The boat will stop for the night at Kampong Cham.

Day 7 – Jayavarman

Wake early this morning to visit the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey, an 8^th Century structure atop a hill overlooking the river with stunning views of rural Cambodia. Here you will have a chance to meet local monks and witness a blessing ceremony. Tide permitting, you will able to enjoy a late morning swim in the river before visiting Wat Nokor, an ancient temple complex built for King Jayavarman VII. En route back to the ship, you there is the chance to visit a local orphanage and cross a 2km bamboo bridge over the water.

Day 8 – Jayavarman

If interested, you can attend a lecture on modern Cambodian history this morning as the boat continues its journey towards the charmingly colonial capital city of Phnom Penh. Upon arrival take a comprehensive city tour including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and National Museum.

Spend the afternoon at the Killing Fields and Cambodian Genocide Museum – a harrowing experience but a valuable insight into the suffering of the Cambodian people under the Khmer Rouge regime. Dinner tonight will be a barbeque on the ship, followed by a traditional Khmer dance performance.

Day 9 – Jayavarman

Enjoy a full day of cruising along the main Mekong Channel until you reach the Vietnamese border. As border formalities are carried out, you can relax on the sundeck or enjoy one of the onboard spa treatments. A cooking class is also on offer today, and the boat will moor for the night at the Vietnamese border town of Chau Doc.

Day 10 – Jayavarman

Briefly explore the Chinese, Kinh, and Khmer communities around Chau Doc this morning before visiting a floating market and rustic catfish farm. After lunch on board, you will have the chance to explore the quaint village of My An Hung on foot, walking through fruit orchards, traditional family homes, and along palm-fringed canals. Here, you will meet a local family who will welcome you to join them for tea and discussions about daily life, with your guide acting as your translator.

Day 11 – Jayavarman

Traditional-style small sampan boats await this morning to take you on a tour of Binh Thanh Island and its human-made canals, famous for growing water hyacinths and making natural fibre floor-mats and baskets.

After lunch, you will arrive in Cai Be, one of the largest and most colourful floating markets in the Mekong Delta region. As well as exploring the market from your small boat, you will also have the chance to learn about how local rice and coconut products are made, such as candies, wine, and cookies. This evening the ship will cruise towards My Tho, and staff will throw a farewell party on the terrace deck.

Day 12 – Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast onboard, bid farewell to the Jayavarman and meet your guide at the jetty who will take you into the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. The rest of the day will be at leisure for you to explore or simply relax at your colonial-style hotel.

Day 13 – SAIGON

This morning you will have a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, including visits to the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, the fascinating History Museum, and the former Presidential Palace, where you can explore the underground communication tunnels. The afternoon will be at leisure.

Day 14 – SAIGON

Travel by speedboat up the Mekong River and head out of the city to visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network of tunnels used by the Vietcong during the American War.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.  At around 6 p,m you will be collected from your hotel and taken on an exhilarating journey through the streets of Saigon, sampling street food and live music along the way, as you're driven pillion on a vintage Vespa.

Day 15 – Fly Home

Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your flight home. 

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
• Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
• 24-hour in-country backup while away
• Your dedicated travel expert in the UK