New Deluxe Cruise Option for Tonle Sap and Mekong River
The Jayavarman is the latest boat addition on the popular route between Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Saigon. It is a 60-m deluxe riverboat with 27 cabins and suites as well as 800m² of public space across its 4 decks. Operated by Heritage Line Cruise Company, the Jayavarman has various river itineraries ranging from one to seven nights. The company does not operate the Phnom Penh – Siem Reap route during the low water season from April to June.

Paukan recently announced its sailing schedules for 2010/11, offering shorter exploration cruises along the Irrawaddy River. Our 2-day Cruise Mandalay to Bagan is the perfect itinerary for travelers who wish to experience the charm of the Irrawaddy without embarking on a long, costly journey. The detailed itinerary can be viewed here. For more information please contact myanmar@exotissimo.com.

The two new wooden riverboats, Satra and Dara, are available for day trips and charters from Phnom Penh. The Satra can host 10 passengers on day trips and 2 guests on overnight trips, whereas the larger Dara is suitable for 20 passengers on day trips and 7 overnight guests. Both boats are equipped with elegant cabins with ensuite bathrooms and spacious living space.

Day trips will take guests to unexplored places along the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers such as Koh Chen, an island where silverware is produced, the beaches of Preak Bang Kang and several floating villages. These boats can be chartered for trips anywhere along the rivers, making them a private and tranquil way to explore Cambodia’s rivers.

Contact cambodia@exotissimo.com for more information.

Halong Bay’s newest deluxe vessel, Halong Violet, will be launched on 1 November 2009 by the cruise company that owns Jasmine and Ginger junks. Constructed in the 1930′s Indochine style, Halong Violet features a dinning room, library, lounge, spa and gym. The 6 individually themed cabins are each fitted with a marble bathroom, Jacuzzi and private balcony. The junk will also sail to untouched areas of the bay with a longer overnight cruise.

During the rainy season, Exotissimo cruises on the Tonle Sap Lake will set off from Kampong Tkov instead of Chong Kneas. This will provide a more private and pleasant experience as the port town of Kampong Tkov is less frequented by tourists. From there, it is a 30-minute cruise to Kampong Phluck with its beautiful stilted huts and impressive submerged mangrove forests, or a 1.5-hour cruise to Kampong Kliang, the largest community on the lake. During the dry season, both villages can be reached by road, with Kampong Phluck and Kampong Kliang a 30-minute and 1-hour drive respectively from Siem Reap. Cruises on the Tonle Sap can be combined with a visit to the Roluos Group temples or activities such as ox-cart rides and meals or homestays in local houses for a taste of rural Cambodian living.

Sailing on a traditional handcrafted boat of Heritage Adventures, guests will be taken on a spectacular tour of Tonlé Sap Lake during the most beautiful time of the day. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere on the open waters while sipping a glass of champagne in the boat’s comfortable lounge area. Snacks and refreshments are provided. The boat can accommodate up to 14 people and is anchored in the floating villages of Chhong Kneas or Kampong Phluck. It is recommended for guests seeking a romantic and private experience.

After more than a year of extensive re-furbishing, Road to Mandalay will resume its river cruise operations along the Irrawaddy River on 26 August 2009.

All cabins and suites of this luxurious cruiser are now equipped with individual air-conditioning systems.