Mekong Jayavarman
8 day Luxury Mekong River Cruise – from £2089
With flights from £2959
Embark on an immersive journey through the heart of Cambodia and southern Vietnam aboard the stylish riverboat, the Jayavarman, with daily off-ship excursions.
Highlights:
- Cruise past the floating villages of the Mekong Delta
- Prepare local dishes with local families
- Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh
- Enjoy a stroll through the flourishing mango groves on Gieng Island
- Watch the sunset from the pool deck, cocktail in hand
About Your Cruise
Expand AllThis leisurely cruise journeys follows the mighty Mekong from Siem Reap to Saigon and the South China Sea. It can be travelled in either direction to fit in with a longer Asia itinerary.

Transfer by coach from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham where your luxury riverboat, the Jayavarman, will be waiting for the beginning of your seven night Mekong River cruise.
Upon boarding, the crew will guide you to your stateroom providing a short briefing on the cabin’s facilities. After spending some time to settle in, lunch awaits in the ship’s restaurant, followed by a welcome and safety briefing in the lobby by the cruise director.
As the afternoon unfolds, sailing with the flow of the Mekong River, you can enjoy time on the deck. In the evening the cruise director invites you to a sunset event with canapés and prosecco, where you can socialise with fellow passengers. After officially kicking off your journey, dinner is served. Later that evening why not join the cinema in the climatised indoor lounge for some movie magic.
Your chosen cabin


Day 2 – Angkor Ban, Prek Bangkong & Kampong Laeang
Early risers may like to try some Tai Chi on the sun deck as the ship sails towards the village of Angkor Ban.
This enchanting locall village features a monastery where you will have the chance to meet monks during their morning class and engage in friendly conversation with the villagers.
Today’s optional culinary excursion involves preparing a century-old soup recipe called ‘Samlor Korko’. This fish soup dish is made with vegetables, spices, herbs and roasted rice and is accompanied by a duck egg omelette.
Back on board, enjoy the views as you sail downstream towards Phnom Penh. Before you arrive at Cambodia’s capital, a stop is made at a small silk weaving community, Prek Bangkong. You will have the opportunity to closely observe and learn about this intricate process.
The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish.
Your chosen cabin


Day 3 – Kampong Laeang, Kampong Tralach & Phnom Penh
Today the tour begins with a visit to Kampong Laeang. Once ashore, travel by tuk-tuk to discover this pottery making village, including a visit to a charming pre-Angkorian temple.
Today’s optional culinary themed excursion is a cooking demonstration on the famous snack called ‘Nom Kruak’ which is a kind of cake made from white or brown rice.
Back on the ship, lunch can be enjoyed along with the spectacular views of the Tonle River, as the ship sails south to Kampong Tralach. An afternoon tea is served at the bar before you continue with another excursion.
Later embark on an exciting journey to a small village by ox-cart, where you will travel through winding back roads, flanked by picturesque rice paddies. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn about a local NGO school and library project.
That evening the ship sets sail again down the Tonle River before reaching Phnom Penh.
Your chosen cabin


Day 4 – Phnom Penh
Welcome to Phnom Penh, a city once renowned as the ‘Paris of the East’. Today’s full sightseeing tour begins right after breakfast, allowing you to explore the city’s highlights. Enjoy a cyclo ride to the Royal Palace and the silver pagoda. followed by a visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum where you will learn about the poignant and dark chapter in Cambodia’s history during the Khmer Rouge regime.
To cap off this eventful day, you’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.
Your chosen cabin


Day 5 – Phnom Penh, Border Crossing & Gieng Island
After breakfast, join a captivating talk held by a former prisoner at Tuol Sleng prison, who will recount their harrowing time during the Khmer Rouge period, giving guests the opportunity to ask questions.
Once the ship departs, the rest of the day is at leisure, where you might choose to enjoy a spa treatment, relax on the terrace deck or your own private balcony. Whilst you enjoy afternoon tea, the ship approaches the border to arrive in Vietnam. From here you continue sailing into the heart of the bustling Mekong delta mooring near Gieng Island.
Your chosen cabin


Day 6 – Gieng Island, My An Hung & Binh Thanh Island
After an optional morning Tai Chi session and a delightful breakfast a visit will be made to Gieng Island, also known locally as Mango Island. Here you will explore a small incense workshop and traditional boat-building workshop to experience what local life is like on the Mekong. Before departing, taste some of the delicious mangoes with a local tea in the courtyard of a century-old local home.
Conclude your mornings excursion with another optional culinary twist. Prepare with a local family an authentic ‘Banh In’, a sweet treat made from rice flour and sugar, served with jasmine tea.
After lunch the ship continues to My An Hung Village, a wonderful example of a Mekong Delta village. Enjoy tea tasting at a local family’s house, where you will also learn about a variety of fruits that are grown locally.
Back on board, as the ship sails onwards, a complimentary cocktail hour is served before dinner accompanied by music.
Your chosen cabin


Day 7 – Binh Thanh Island, Tan Phong & My Tho
Wake early to embrace the stunning dawn scenery, a time when the Delta’s inhabitants have already been active for hours. After breakfast head by local boat to one of the larger islands on the Mekong known as Binh Thanh, where several communities sustain themselves by cultivating water hyacinths.
During a visit to a workshop in the town of Cai Be, you’ll have the opportunity to observe the production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine and coconut candies. After the workshop, you’ll head to Tan Phong Island where you’ll ride by buggy through the island to a family house where they specialize in weaving water hyacinth plants into artistic crafts by hand.
Continue by buggy to another local family who will demonstrate the art of making traditional Jackfruit Leaf Cakes; all the way from picking fresh leaves and extracting their juice, to shaping and steaming the cakes in their casings.
Once everyone is back on board, the ship makes its final journey to My Tho.
Your chosen cabin


Day 8 – My Tho & Saigon
Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home. Disembark the ship after breakfast and take a coach transfer from My Tho to Saigon. Speak to your Travel Consultant about adding a few nights in this bustling city to discover it’s many attractions.

Cabin Types
Choose your cabin on the Jayavarman, for your Mekong River cruise.

Superior Stateroom
Superior Staterooms are located on the ship’s main deck. Each features a private balcony complete with chairs perfect for gazing at the Mekong River. A stylish bathroom consists of an antique vanity and a large comfortable shower. The chic white wood furniture, fine-art paintings, and subtle art deco accents highlight the room’s luminosity and vibrancy.


Deluxe Stateroom
Deluxe Staterooms are set on the upper deck and include a private balcony with chairs and side table accessible via a large vitreous sliding door. The cabin’s warm tones and opulently carved wood furniture create a relaxing, warm atmosphere and together with the Khmer decoration, conjures the heritage and history Jayavarman represents.


Signature Suite
The Signature Suites sit at a highly coveted spot at the very front of the ship. The Jayavarman Suite is an artful abode housing a solid wooden four-poster king-size bed along with an impressive bas-relief Khmer artwork. Named after the last Vietnamese king Bao Dai, this Signature Suite showcases historic Vietnamese artefacts. Both suites have a balcony facing sailing direction and are serviced by a dedicated butler.

About Your Cruise
This leisurely cruise journeys follows the mighty Mekong from Siem Reap to Saigon and the South China Sea. It can be travelled in either direction to fit in with a longer Asia itinerary.
Day 1
| Siem Reap, Kampong Cham & Angkor Ban
Transfer by coach from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham where your luxury riverboat, the Jayavarman, will be waiting for the beginning of your seven night Mekong River cruise.
Upon boarding, the crew will guide you to your stateroom providing a short briefing on the cabin’s facilities. After spending some time to settle in, lunch awaits in the ship’s restaurant, followed by a welcome and safety briefing in the lobby by the cruise director.
As the afternoon unfolds, sailing with the flow of the Mekong River, you can enjoy time on the deck. In the evening the cruise director invites you to a sunset event with canapés and prosecco, where you can socialise with fellow passengers. After officially kicking off your journey, dinner is served. Later that evening why not join the cinema in the climatised indoor lounge for some movie magic.
Your chosen cabin

Day 2
| Angkor Ban, Prek Bangkong & Kampong Laeang
Early risers may like to try some Tai Chi on the sun deck as the ship sails towards the village of Angkor Ban.
This enchanting locall village features a monastery where you will have the chance to meet monks during their morning class and engage in friendly conversation with the villagers.
Today’s optional culinary excursion involves preparing a century-old soup recipe called ‘Samlor Korko’. This fish soup dish is made with vegetables, spices, herbs and roasted rice and is accompanied by a duck egg omelette.
Back on board, enjoy the views as you sail downstream towards Phnom Penh. Before you arrive at Cambodia’s capital, a stop is made at a small silk weaving community, Prek Bangkong. You will have the opportunity to closely observe and learn about this intricate process.
The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish.
Your chosen cabin

Day 3
| Kampong Laeang, Kampong Tralach & Phnom Penh
Today the tour begins with a visit to Kampong Laeang. Once ashore, travel by tuk-tuk to discover this pottery making village, including a visit to a charming pre-Angkorian temple.
Today’s optional culinary themed excursion is a cooking demonstration on the famous snack called ‘Nom Kruak’ which is a kind of cake made from white or brown rice.
Back on the ship, lunch can be enjoyed along with the spectacular views of the Tonle River, as the ship sails south to Kampong Tralach. An afternoon tea is served at the bar before you continue with another excursion.
Later embark on an exciting journey to a small village by ox-cart, where you will travel through winding back roads, flanked by picturesque rice paddies. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn about a local NGO school and library project.
That evening the ship sets sail again down the Tonle River before reaching Phnom Penh.
Your chosen cabin

Day 4
| Phnom Penh
Welcome to Phnom Penh, a city once renowned as the ‘Paris of the East’. Today’s full sightseeing tour begins right after breakfast, allowing you to explore the city’s highlights. Enjoy a cyclo ride to the Royal Palace and the silver pagoda. followed by a visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum where you will learn about the poignant and dark chapter in Cambodia’s history during the Khmer Rouge regime.
To cap off this eventful day, you’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.
Your chosen cabin

Day 5
| Phnom Penh, Border Crossing & Gieng Island
After breakfast, join a captivating talk held by a former prisoner at Tuol Sleng prison, who will recount their harrowing time during the Khmer Rouge period, giving guests the opportunity to ask questions.
Once the ship departs, the rest of the day is at leisure, where you might choose to enjoy a spa treatment, relax on the terrace deck or your own private balcony. Whilst you enjoy afternoon tea, the ship approaches the border to arrive in Vietnam. From here you continue sailing into the heart of the bustling Mekong delta mooring near Gieng Island.
Your chosen cabin

Day 6
| Gieng Island, My An Hung & Binh Thanh Island
After an optional morning Tai Chi session and a delightful breakfast a visit will be made to Gieng Island, also known locally as Mango Island. Here you will explore a small incense workshop and traditional boat-building workshop to experience what local life is like on the Mekong. Before departing, taste some of the delicious mangoes with a local tea in the courtyard of a century-old local home.
Conclude your mornings excursion with another optional culinary twist. Prepare with a local family an authentic ‘Banh In’, a sweet treat made from rice flour and sugar, served with jasmine tea.
After lunch the ship continues to My An Hung Village, a wonderful example of a Mekong Delta village. Enjoy tea tasting at a local family’s house, where you will also learn about a variety of fruits that are grown locally.
Back on board, as the ship sails onwards, a complimentary cocktail hour is served before dinner accompanied by music.
Your chosen cabin

Day 7
| Binh Thanh Island, Tan Phong & My Tho
Wake early to embrace the stunning dawn scenery, a time when the Delta’s inhabitants have already been active for hours. After breakfast head by local boat to one of the larger islands on the Mekong known as Binh Thanh, where several communities sustain themselves by cultivating water hyacinths.
During a visit to a workshop in the town of Cai Be, you’ll have the opportunity to observe the production of rice paper, rice cookies, rice wine and coconut candies. After the workshop, you’ll head to Tan Phong Island where you’ll ride by buggy through the island to a family house where they specialize in weaving water hyacinth plants into artistic crafts by hand.
Continue by buggy to another local family who will demonstrate the art of making traditional Jackfruit Leaf Cakes; all the way from picking fresh leaves and extracting their juice, to shaping and steaming the cakes in their casings.
Once everyone is back on board, the ship makes its final journey to My Tho.
Your chosen cabin

Day 8
| My Tho & Saigon
Enjoy your last breakfast aboard your floating home. Disembark the ship after breakfast and take a coach transfer from My Tho to Saigon. Speak to your Travel Consultant about adding a few nights in this bustling city to discover it’s many attractions.

Cabin Types
Choose your cabin on the Jayavarman, for your Mekong River cruise.
Superior Stateroom
Superior Staterooms are located on the ship’s main deck. Each features a private balcony complete with chairs perfect for gazing at the Mekong River. A stylish bathroom consists of an antique vanity and a large comfortable shower. The chic white wood furniture, fine-art paintings, and subtle art deco accents highlight the room’s luminosity and vibrancy.

Deluxe Stateroom
Deluxe Staterooms are set on the upper deck and include a private balcony with chairs and side table accessible via a large vitreous sliding door. The cabin’s warm tones and opulently carved wood furniture create a relaxing, warm atmosphere and together with the Khmer decoration, conjures the heritage and history Jayavarman represents.

Signature Suite
The Signature Suites sit at a highly coveted spot at the very front of the ship. The Jayavarman Suite is an artful abode housing a solid wooden four-poster king-size bed along with an impressive bas-relief Khmer artwork. Named after the last Vietnamese king Bao Dai, this Signature Suite showcases historic Vietnamese artefacts. Both suites have a balcony facing sailing direction and are serviced by a dedicated butler.

This Cruise Includes
En suite air-conditioned cabin with private balcony
All meals plus afternoon tea
Soft drinks anytime plus beer and wine during lunch and dinner
Transfers from meeting point to pier
On-shore excursions
English speaking tour guide
Departure Dates
2025-09-06
2025-09-20
2025-10-04
2025-10-18
2025-11-01
2025-11-15
2025-11-29
2025-12-13
2025-12-27
2026-01-10
2026-02-07
2026-02-21
2026-03-21
2026-04-04
2026-04-18
2026-09-05
2026-10-03
2026-10-17
2026-10-31
2026-11-14
2026-11-28
2026-12-12
2026-12-26
2027-01-09
2027-01-23
2027-02-06
2027-02-20
2027-03-06
2027-03-20
2027-04-03
2027-04-17
2027-09-04
2027-09-18
2027-10-02
2027-10-16
2027-10-30
2027-11-13
2027-11-27
2027-12-01
2027-12-15
2027-12-29
The dates shown are for the Jayarvarman, sailing from Siem Reap to Saigon.
Other dates are available travelling in the reverse direction and on board the Jahan – please call for details.
Flights & More
With FREEDOM, you can book your seven night Mekong River cruise and flights together, as an ATOL protected package. Our Travel Experts can find the best priced Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for you.
Mekong Jayavarman
8 day Luxury Mekong River Cruise – from £2089
With flights from £2959
The Mekong River cruise itinerary shown is based on ‘low water’ season, typically mid-November to end August. During ‘high water’ season, the cruise departs near Siem Reap, sailing the length of Tonle Sap.
Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin room. Flights, hotels and tours are subject to availability and seasonal variations may apply. Please call Freedom Destinations for details.
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