Cambodia River Cruises
Choose where you sleep
- RV Jayavarman
- RV Mekong Pandaw
- RV Tonle Pandaw
- RV Toum Tiou
- RV Toum Tiou II
There can be no tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong, the life blood of Indochina. Indeed there can be no more striking a cultural contrast as that between the bustling Vietnam delta and the tranquility of Cambodia.
And there can be few more relaxing ways to explore this watery hinterland of Cambodia and southern Vietnam than by taking a leisurely river cruise through the verdant delta of the mighty Mekong River, the most biodiverse river in the world.
The Mekong River, one of the world's great waterways, is navigable all the way from the busting southern Vietnamese capital of Ho Chi Minh City (commonly referred to by its former name, Saigon), via the iridescent Mekong Delta to the Cambodia Capital of Phnom Penh. From here, depending on the river's water levels, you can continue across the vast Tonle Sap lake to visit the ancient temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, or continue up the Mekong to the quaint colonial-era town of Kratie that marks the lower end of a huge and fascinating wetland that stretches 150km south from the border with Laos. This is the home of the rare Irrawaddy freshwater dolphin.
The shipping link between Saigon, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap is immensely practical for the traveller as it makes it possible to connect three important destinations on one trip with easy plane connections at either end: Saigon, the exotic Frenchified former capital of South Vietnam; Phnom Penh, the quaint Cambodian capital; and the stupendous World Heritage monuments at Angkor. One need no longer check in and out of hotels and endure bumpy roads to visit these magnificent places.
Along the way, passengers will get the chance to visit a number of iconic and fascinating spots on or near to the Mekong river, including temples, villages, local markets and rural countryside, plus… of course… the ancient temples of Angkor, the capital Phnom Penh and the thriving metropolis of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).
During your lower Mekong river cruise you will see temples, villages and rural communities whose ways of life have changed little over the centuries. You will be able to walk through local markets and visit stilt houses where families still employ traditional methods to weave fine silks, or to make pottery and other traditional handicrafts. You will see fishermen casting their nets, and ferry ladies rowing their boats using their feet.
If you choose a cruise that continues across Cambodia's vast Tonle Sap Lake where whole communities live in floating villages on the water. Completely self-sufficient, these villages are equipped with floating schools, factories to make ice for fish preservation, churches, pagodas, service stations, pigsties, stores, boats or television repair shops, video clubs, karaoke bars, police stations… everything on the water. All trades are represented and everybody from children to grandparents travel by boat through the network of canals that cross this little town.
You will also get to visit the majestic temple ruins of Angkor, including the most famous of all, Angkor Wat.
At times when the water levels in the Tonle Sap at too low for navigation, you can take a cruise further on up the Mekong to the provincial capitals of Kampong Cham and Kratie.

There are now several river cruise boats plying this route, some large and grand, and some more boutique. You can find links to their schedules above, and to detailed information about the boat options on the right hand side of the page.
"The Jayavarman" - a floating sanctuary of style and space
Superior Stateroom - Located on the Main Deck with a balcony, ensuring light to the cabin all day long. Each Superior Stateroom is individually decorated.
"Bao Dai" Signature Stateroom - 
"Club 1930" Funnel Lounge & Bar
"Apsara" Spa
Built: 2009.jpg)
Electricity: 220 volts
Crew: 40 (Cambodian hotel staff, Vietnamese crew)
Private French balconies with floor to ceiling sliding doors are a special feature
On board services
Launched in 2003, the RV Mekong Pandaw was the first luxurious river cruiser to operate on the Mekong River between Southern Vietnam and Cambodia. This comfortable cruise ship carries a total 48 passengers in 24 state cabins, all fitted with brass and teakwood, and sleek private facilities.
The stateroom is the most celebrated feature of the Pandaw ships. Finished in brass and teak, the main and upper deck rooms are very spacious at 168 square feet (15.6 sqm). Much loved by all our passengers we have ensured that with each ship we build the stateroom remains the same. Cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. There is a 24 honesty bar on the sundeck. Pandaw passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels.
The Pandaw dining rooms are designed to open up along the sides and are only closed at night when the air conditioning is turned on. 
Sailing on a Pandaw is essentially an outdoor experience. Whilst the staterooms are very comfortable and roomy, most passengers prefer to spend their time sitting outside, on the promenade decks or on the vast observation deck above. Unlike other cruise ships every window (except port holes on the lower deck) can be opened.
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Built in traditional style, the Toum Tiou (also sometimes spelled the Toum Teav) was christened in 2002 on the river at Phnom Penh, the first Cambodian cruise boat with international standard accommodation.
the safety of a steel hull, its low draft makes possible an access to the smallest and remotest of villages.
The Toum Tiou II is the latest addition to the fleet, newly built from scratch and launched in late 2009. 
