Please join us on this very unique itinerary and enjoy a luxurious, boutique style river cruise on the Mekong - one of the 'hottest' destination in 2010.

Oct 22, 2010: Departure USA

You will be flying over the date line. Depending on the airline the departure could also be on October 23 in the early morning

Oct 24, 2010: Arrive Hanoi (D)

Arrival in Hanoi, Transfers to the Hotel and Welcome Dinner

Overnight: Sofitel Legend Metropole

Oct 25, 2010: Hanoi City Tour (B)

With ochre-colored colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes, Hanoi is full of charm. Start the tour at the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument lavishly built using marble and granite, and where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” resides. A short walk from the mausoleum is the lotus shaped One Pillar Pagoda – resting on a single stone pillar emerging from the water. Inside is a statue of the Goddess of Mercy with its legendary “thousand arms and thousand eyes”. Wind your way afterwards to the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins, for an overview about Hanoi culture and ancient Vietnamese architecture.

In the afternoon, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple. And then transfer back to Central of Hanoi for walking tour through the old quarter to enjoy the bustling local life. Then cap a fun day with a show at the water puppet theatre - a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes of rural life and episodes of national history.

Overnight: Sofitel Legend Metropole

Oct 26, 2010: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B,L,D)

After breakfast, embark on a 3.5 hour drive to Halong Bay. Board your deluxe junk where a welcome drinks awaits. After a relaxing break, enjoy a delicious seafood lunch while cruising through the magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waters like dragons’ teeth. After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay, swim on a quiet beach or sunbathe on the deck. Later in the afternoon, take a sampan ride to discover a small gateway in one of limestone karsts which opens into a scenic lagoon with coral reefs. En route you will pass by a floating fishing village. Back on board for the sunset and a chance to unwind in the lounge or at the restaurant for dinner.

Overnight: On board the 'Halong Jasmine''

Oct 27, 2010: Halong Bay - Hanoi and flight to Siem Reap (Brunch)

Wake up early to catch the dramatic sunrise on the bay and enjoy a Tai Chi demonstration on the sun deck. Relax with a cup of hot coffee before departing to the splendid Sung Sot grotto where stalactites hanging from the high ceiling take on numerous shapes and forms. Enjoy a late buffet brunch on board while cruising back to the boat docking station, then transfer back to Hanoi with a light snack provided en route. And then transfer to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap.Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to the hotel hotel.

Overnight: La Residence de' Angkor

Oct 28, 2010: Siem Reap (B)

Early morning, enjoy the sunrise at Angkor Wat temple, visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat– one of the world’s most impressive ruins. The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art.

After breakfast, enjoy a fun tuk-tuk ride to the royal city of Angkor Thom. At first glance, it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals enigmatic faces looking at every direction, with half-closed eyes, all looking content and serene. Continue your exploration by visiting Elephant Terrace served as a platform from which to view his victorious returning army and the Leper King Terrace with perfect carvings winding along a narrow passage way.

Afternoon, visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most impressive temple ruins constructed between 9^th and 13^th centuries. The temple still owns hundreds of fine carvings of Apsara and Hindu mythology. Stroll around the massive hallways and discover small shrines still in use today by the local people.

Overnight: La Residence de' Angkor

Oct 29, 2010: Siem Reap (B)

After breakfast, continue your culture tour with a visit to the picturesque Ta Prohm, a jungle-clad temple with overgrown trees, giving a haunting and exotic atmosphere. The magnificent roots of a tree push itself between the temple’s huge stone blocks in an embrace, emphasizing the ‘lost city’ feel.

Afternoon is free at leisure

Oct 30, 2010: Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake (Waterworld) (B,L,D)

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. Moring and overnight on the lake.

Oct 31, 2010: Tonle Sap - Kampong Chhnang - Kampong Cham (B,L,D)

Before the sun rises, The Jayavarman sets sail to cross the Tonle Sap Lake. As the ship is about to exit the lake, the marshlands exhibit spectacular scenery along the river banks of Kampong Chhnang province. We take a truly wonderful motorboat excursion from Kampong Chhnang to see the wetlands, floating houses and fish farms in the region. Join in on a humanitarian project lead by World Bank Illiteracy projects when we make a stop at a Heritage Line sponsored floating school to interact with the children and teach them some English!
The afternoon cruise will follow the meandering Tonle Sap River, which narrows through leafy swaths of the South East Asian Jungle touching Phnom Penh. In the late afternoon we enter the upper Mekong River bound to Kampong Cham to stop for a walk through a rural village.

Nov 1, 2010: Kampong Cham - Wat Hanchey (B,L,D)

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 Médiation 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.

Nov 2, 2010: Phnom Penh (B,L,D)

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 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 and opulent 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.

Nov 3, 2010: Phnom Penh & Boarder Crossing (B,L,D)

Wake up to the sun rising over the Mekong for Thai Chi on the Sun Deck. The Jayavarman then casts off for a day of cruising the main Mekong Channel. This is pretty much an international shipping route. Psyche yourself up for Pre-K Touch, a lively jungle village. After that, visit well laid out fruit orchards.
Late afternoon we set off to the Vietnamese border for the usual formalities, which in this part of the world takes a bit of time. During the afternoon cruise, take the time to relax on the Sun Deck, get a massage in the Spa, or take part in Heritage Line’s Vietnamese cooking class.
The ship moors midstream overnight.

Nov 4, 2010: Chau Doc - Cai Be (B,L,D)

Welcome to the circus of fish. The early birds will be treated to Thai Chi lessons on the Sun Deck. Brace yourself for a short excursion by trycicle in about 30 minutes. After that you will have a short walk to visit the local market then go by coach to visit the Lady Temple. She is the most famous Lady who brings strong spirit to the local in their daily life. Go back to the quay, you will start a boat excursion to the exciting floating villages and catfish farms witnessing masses of basa fish being fed, hand in hand with a shore excursion to the village of the local Muslim Cham community.
By late-afternoon, The Jayavarman casts off, heading towards Cai Be.

Nov 5, 2010: Cai Be (B,L,D)

Start with the cruise among local sampans coming from all provinces of the delta full of fruits and vegetables. Proceed to Dong Hoa Hiep island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. During a 40 minute cruise, discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong Delta rural life. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people. Further stops will allow you to see traditional brick and tile factories and how locals use palm leaves for houses. After touring the canals, head to the Ba Duc ancient house to have know the descendants of the former imperial residents. Then you will observe the Cai Be’s colorful floating market from Caibe Princess boat.
Back on the sampans, cruise 20 minutes further to Phu An hamlet passing by Cai Be’s beautiful cathedral. Then, group 1 can stay on boat to go straight to the restaurant while group 2 explores the edges of the canals on bicycle. Lunch will await you at Le Longanier, a superb Indochinese villa located in a lush tropical garden by the river, surrounded by fruit orchards. After lunch the cruise will continue with the visit some interesting home factories to see how rice paste, rice cookies and coconut candies, are made, along with the longan fruit drying process.
Board The Jayavarman for a relaxing evening cruise with a Farewell Dinner on the Sun Deck while heading towards My Tho.

Nov 6, 2010: My Tho (B,D)

Your cruise with The Jayavarman comes to a close as the ship winds its way to My Tho which is located on the upper Mekong river in Vietnam.
Disembark at around 9:00am and continue your journey in the buzzing city of Saigon. Farewell Dinner at night.

Optional Excursion:

Option 1 – Visit Cu Chi tunnels
In the afternoon, pick up at your hotel and enjoy a 2-hour-drive north west of Saigon to Cu Chi tunnels, through urbanized areas and a typically lush southern Vietnamese countryside. The tunnel complex was dug in 1948 for the guerrillas to hide from French air and ground sweeps. It was also served as communication routes and food and weapon caches as well as hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the American war. Visit the underground villages to better understand the tunnels’ history, life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese’s resilience during the combats. Return to Saigon.

Option 2 – Visit Saigon half day
In the afternoon, pick up at your hotel and transfer to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a stunningly massive red-brick edifice with twin spires, a clear reminder that the French once ruled this city (open only 3-4pm everyday); the Central Post Office is delightfully influenced by Renaissance architecture; and the former Presidential Palace, headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war. And then, transfer to Ben Thanh Market for discovering before back the hotel

Nov 7, 2010: Saigon - Hue (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to your selected hotel.
The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Nov 8, 2010: Hue (B)

Hue served as an imperial capital to the Nguyen Lords, a feudal dynasty which reigned from the 17th to 19th centuries. With splendid emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the Citadel, the city retains its Royal charm. Start the cultural integration with a transfer from your hotel to the Imperial Citadel, take a stroll to explore the history and architecture around the Capital Citadel (the bastion), Royal Citadel (the sanctum), and the Forbidden Citadel (the royal family’s residence). From there, transfer to the boat docking station, where you will embark on a half-hour boat trip on the picturesque Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. Standing on the riverbank with its seven-storey tower, the pagoda is a sight to behold.
In the afternoon, drive out 30 minutes to the serene Tu Duc Royal Tomb, designed to blend in with the natural surroundings. An incense stick making house makes for an interesting stop before heading to the elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, architecture and atmosphere showcase elements of eastern art and western designs.

Nov 9, 2010: Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B)

In the morning, leave Hue for Danang with a stop at Camp Eagle near Phu Bai, the former US special force base. After an hour’s drive, we start climbing the Hai Van pass – meaning Pass of the Ocean Clouds – which boasts a spectacular panoramic view of the central coastline from the summit. Upon descending the mountain towards Danang, you can see the famed beach where US Marines landed in 1965. On arrival in Danang, visit the Marble Mountains, an ideal sanctuary for VCs during the war. Then we travel to China Beach, the former playground ground of the US Marines. Transfer to the hotel with a stop at the former US airbase and depot on the way. The remainder of the day is to be spent at your leisure.

Nov 10, 2010: Hoi An (B)

Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prosperous trading port. Today, this World Heritage-listed ancient town boasts well-preserved buildings, pedestrianized streets and unique cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. The narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour. There is plenty to visit including the old merchant’s houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with outstanding wood carvings; and the colorful market with stalls brimming with tropical specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two. You can explore the rest of the ancient city by yourself for the remainder of the day.

Overnight: Victoria Hoi An

Nov 11, 2010: Homebound (B)

After breakfast, free time at leisure. 12:00PM check-out the hotel and then transfer to the airport for flight to Saigon to connect your departure flight back the the US.