Built in the traditional style, the Toum Tiou was christened in 2002 on the river at Phnom Penh, the first Cambodian cruise boat with international standard accommodation.
Fully-paneled in wood, with charm and comfort in mind, we designed it in keeping with the local style. Modestly sized and with the safety of a steel hull, its low draft makes possible an access to the smallest and remotest of villages. With the tasteful decoration of a bygone era, the Toum Tiou has 10 cozy double cabins with private shower, a large lounge area, a panoramic viewing space to the front, a half-covered bar-restaurant to the rear and a roof patio. Air conditioning, hi-fi system and library are provided.
The captain, ship hands, hostesses, cooks and purser are discreet and inconspicuous in the performance of their duties.
The deck
| Upper Deck (Point Superieur) |
 |
| Main Deck (Point Principal) |
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This traditional locally built boat started out as a freighter with a metal hull and a capacity of 150 tons, with two large but low-ceiling decks in order to maximize storage space. Like all ships of this type, it went up and down the Tonle Sap and Mekong, stopping at Siem Reap, Kompong Cham, Kratie and Stung Treng.
We stayed as close as we could to the original line of the ship, because we wanted to retain its slightly curved and elegant lines.
The Toum Tiou measures 38 meters long and 7 meters wide in the middle. It has 10 rooms in all (3.3m x 2.5m), 4 on the main deck and 6 on the upper deck, each air-conditioned and with a bathroom (2.5m x 1.4m) including toilet, shower and sink. The water on board is taken from the river, passed through a powerful filtration system and chlorinated in the final step of the treatment.
In order to make the best possible use of the common areas from the standpoint of both size and variety we have installed a library-reading room on the lower deck. There is also a covered space at the front of the middle deck, a restaurant to the rear anda half-covered sundeck on top.
PHNOMPENH – SAI GON 4 DAYS
Day 1 – Phnom Penh – Chau Doc (L/D)
06:30: Private car of Asia Travel Link will pick you up and transfer to the International Port of Phnom Penh.
07:30: Customs formalities. Toum Tiou leaves Phnom Penh for Kôh Dek Chau island, breakfast during navigation.
09:00: Arrival at Kôh Dek Chau island, A short break along the way, it allows to get a fascinating, close-up look at daily life in Cambodia. On the fringes of civilization, the 600 people who live on Kôh Dek Chau will receive your visit with some surprise. School children will escort you along your way. You will go through the village that occupies the full length of the island, walking along a trail shaded by date palms.
10:30: Re-embarking, departure for Kaam Samnaar (Cambodian border).
14:00: Toum Tiou II arrives at Immigration check point in Kaam Samnaar. Clearance of departure formalities.
16:30: Departure for Chau Doc.
19:00: Toum Tiou II drops anchor before the canal of Chau Doc. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 2 – Chau Doc – Vinh Long (B/L/D)
08:00 Arrival at Victoria Hotel Chau Doc jetty. Located to the north at the beginning of Mekong’s famous delta, Chau Doc straddles both banks of the Mekong which fans out to the dimensions of a river mouth here. Floating fish farms have sprung up everywhere. Bamboo fish drying
racks are set up a meter above the water’s surface. The bourgeoning downtown area features some charmingly rustic colonial buildings, squeezed in by the marketplace – the colorful, vibrant heart of the city. As always, these busy parts of town, despite their sometimes strong odors, offer wonderful photo opportunities…Short panoramic tour of the city. This is the perfect timing to discover the effervescence of the local market. Back to the pier, departure for fish raising rafts and Cham minority village by local boat.
10:00 : Toum Tiou II leaves Chau Doc for Sa Dec. Lunch during navigation.
17:00: Arrival at Sa Dec – Short panoramic tour of Sa Dec and transfer by bus to Trung Vuong primary school. Continuing to Kien An Cung Pagoda. Stroll around Sa Dec Market along Sa Dec River bank. This small city of 30,000 inhabitants is fascinating in its unspoiled authenticity and undisturbed by tourists. It provides a glimpse of the delta where a few colonial houses still remain, including the “Chinaman’s house” (from Duras’ novel “The Lover”, also made into a movie).
19:00: Return to the boat, departure for Vinh Long. Dinner during navigation. Toum Tiou drops anchor few miles before Vinh Long. Overnight on board.
Day 3 – Cai Be – My Tho (B/L/D)
07:00: Breakfast.
08:30: Arrival at Vinh Long, local boats pick up passengers for visiting a brick and pottery factory, the Binh Hoa Phuoc Islet Nursery of Fruit Trees as well a typical house and a show room of traditional farming tools. Vinh Long, which translates as “Majestic Dragon”, is right in the middle of the delta, between two arms of the Mekong. The soil of Vinh Long is enriched by silt deposits, making it ideal for growing mandarins and other citrus fruits. Life is organized around the water. Houses on stilts, hawkers in boats, hundreds of small craft crisscross in all directions. The hospitality of the locals makes it a tourist destination par excellence. Departure for Cai Be Floating Market – going across the Mekong River en route.
11:30: Passengers re-embark at Cai Be, Toum Tiou II leaves Cai Be for My Tho, lunch during navigation.
14:30: Arrival at My Tho – Toum Tiou II drops anchor on river in the proximity of Thoi Son Island Localboats come alongside Toum Tiou II to pick up passengers and transfer to the mainland. Departure for Vinh Trang Pagoda by car – Short panoramic tour of My Tho town on the way. On the banks of a northern arm of the Mekong, My Tho, which translates as “fragrant herb”, where tourists come to discover the beauty of the delta. It’s a quiet, prosperous city of about 100,000 inhabitants, famous for its many fruit orchards, gardens and the huge rice fields that surround it. The climate is warm and pleasant year round. The surrounding countryside is home to one of the most luxuriant gardens of Vietnam, with its coconut palms, banana and mango trees.
15:30: Return at the pier – you will cruise on the river to Thoi Son Island by local boat to visit the island, explore local people’s daily life and enjoy locally seasonal fruits
16:30: Re-embarking the Toum Tiou that leaves My Tho for Saigon. Lunch and leisure on board while navigating on the marvelous canal of Cho Gao.
19:00: Captain’s farewell dinner (Enriched menu + 1 glass of wine). Toum Tiou drops anchor on river en route. Overnight on board.
Day 4 – My Tho – Saigon (B/L)
07:00: Departure for Saigon, breakfast and leisure on board.
11:00: Toum Tiou II arrives at Saigon port – customs formalities clearance. Vietnam Hidden Charm private car will pick you up and transfer to your hotel. End Asia Travel Link’s service.
All rates quoted net in US dollar per cabin (Validity 1st Oct 2011 – 30th Sep 2012)
| DBL | SGL |
| 1690 | 1390 |
Including
- Accommodation in double cabin, Full board (water, tea, coffee included)
- Mentioned visits, French or English speaking guide on board
Not including
- Transfers at departure/arrival port
- Bar fees, Visas, Personal expenses and personal insurance
PHNOMPENH – SIEMREAP 3 DAYS
Day 1 – Phnom Penh – Kôh Chen / Oudong (L/D)
12:00 Private car of Asia Travel Link will pick you up and transfer to the International Port of Phnom Penh.Toum Tiou II is open for embarking. Security briefing. Lunch on boat on the way to Kôh Chen (Chinese Island).
15:00 Arrival to Kôh Chen, small village of whose inhabitants specialize in silver and copper smiting. They make ornamental items, including delicately engraved tropical fruits, used in traditional ceremonies at the pagoda or for marriages. The distant hills of Cambodia’s old capital, Oudong, and its royal stupas can be seen a few kilometers away from the ferry. At the top of the hill, the ruins of Anthareu temple.
18:00 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou II. Leaving Kôh Chen to Kampong Tralach. Toum Tiou II drops anchor close to village.
19:30 Welcome drink and info meeting about cruise, crew introduction.
Welcome dinner. Overnight on boat.
Day 2 – Kampong Tralach – Kampong Chnang (B/L/D)
07:30 Breakfast during navigation, departure for Kampong Tralach to visit its wonderful Vihara belonging to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To get to it, we cross Kampong Tralach Krom village along a small road perpendicular to the river, crossing some gorgeous stretches of emerald rice paddy as we leave the river behind. The Vihara dates back to early last century. It was probably built on an older site, as indicated by the latérite foundations, and is home to some outstanding mural paintings. These, however, are starting to suffer from weathering. They remain one of the last survivors of cultural destruction that continues unabated due to widespread indifference. Standing by itself in the middle of rice fields, it is a modest pagoda that receives very few visitors. Its isolation may well be its undoing, as was the case for Wat Tani Pagoda in the province of Kampot.
10:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou II. Lunch on boat on the way to Kampong Chnang.
14:30 Arrival at Kampong Chnang. Visit the village and its environment.
Located some 90 kilometers from Phnom Penh, the town of Kampong Chnang is one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap. Fish farming is also widely practiced in the area. The area is famous for its pottery ware, unchanged in style for centuries, which is produced in sufficient quantities to supply the entire country. And not to be overlooked are the products of the Thnot tree (sugar palm – a real national symbol) that abounds in the area: a mellow tasting, caramel-colored sugar sold in large cakes and palm wine.
18:00 Re-embarking the boat, Toum Tiou II leaves Kanpong Chnang, direction the Tonle Sap Lake. Toum Tiou II drops anchor for overnight at the entrance of the Grand Lake Tonle Sap.
19:00 Dinner and overnight on boat.
Day 3 – Chnok Trou – Siem Reap (B/L)
07:00 Breakfast during navigation.
08:00 Passengers embark local boats
High water (July – January) Low water
for visiting Chnoc Tru for visit floating village
Almost totally overlooked by tourists because of its remoteness and difficult access, the village is completely self-sufficient. A floating school, factories to make ice for fish preservation, church, pagoda, service stations, pigsty, stores, boat or television repair shops, video club, karaoke bar, police station… everything is on the water. All trades are represented and everybody from children to grandparents goes by boat through the network of canals that cross this little town.
10:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou II.
Time to pack and relax for a half a day.
Lunch during navigation on the Tonle Sap Lake. Lunch on boat.
13:30 Departure with charter speedboat for our passengers to cross the Tonle Sap Lake.
** Towards the end of March, it is impossible to visit Floating village.
17:30 Arrival to Phnom Krom, pier of Siem Reap.
18:00 Asia Travel Link private car will pick you up and transfer to your hotel. End Asia Travel Link’s service.
All rates quoted net in US dollar per cabin (Validity 1st Oct 2011 – 30th Sep 2012)
| DBL | SGL |
| 1020 | 840 |
Including
- Transfers at departure/arrival port in private car.
- Accommodation in double cabin,
- Full board (water, tea, coffee included)
- Mentioned visits,
- French or English speaking guide on board
Not including
- Hotel in Phnom Penh and Seam Reap
- Bar fees,
- Visas in Cambodia
- Personal expenses
- Personal insurance
SIEMREAP – PHNOMPENH 3 DAYS
Day 1 – Siem Reap – Chnok Trou (L/D)
11:30 Private car of Vietnam Hidden Charm will pick you up and transfer to Phnom Krom (the pier of Siem Reap).
High water (July – January)
12:30 Transfer to Phnom Krom, pier of Siem Reap. Transfer from the pier by local boat to the Toum Tiou II. Passengers embark and check-in at the boat docked near Phnom Krom in Siem Rea, security briefing. Departure for a relaxing half day. Dinner by crossing the Tonle Sap Lake
19:00 Arrival to village floating of Chnok Trou, passengers embark Toum Tiou II, check-in at the boat, security briefing.
The boat drops anchor close to the village for the night.
Low water
12:00 Lunch at local restaurant
13:30 Passengers embark on speedboat, charter for our passengers to cross the Tonle Sap Lake.
18:00 Arrival to village floating of Chnok Trou passengers embark Toum Tiou II, check-in at the boat, security briefing.
The boat drops anchor close to the village for the night.
19:30 Welcome drink and info meeting about cruise, crew introduction.
Welcome dinner. Overnight on boat.
** From March it might not be possible to visit Floating village depending on the water level.
At the end of the low water period (around end of March to June), the water level may not allow the speedboat to cross the lake. In this case, passengers will be transferred by our convenience from/to Siem Reap by land or river way. (~5-6 hour).
Day 2 – Kampong Chnang – Kampong Tralach (B/L/D)
07:00 After breakfast, local boats come to the Toum Tiou II and pick passengers up for the visit of floating village. Almost totally overlooked by tourists because of its remoteness and difficult access, the village is completely self-sufficient. A floating school, factories to make ice for fish preservation, church, pagoda, service stations, pigsty, stores, boat or television repair shops, video club, karaoke bar, police station… everything is on the water. All trades are represented and everybody from children to grandparents goes by the boat through the network of canals that cross this little town.
10:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou II. Lunch on boat on the way to Kampong Chnang.
14:00 Arrival at Kampong Chnang. Visit the village and its environment. Located some 90 kilometers from Phnom Penh, the town of Kampong Chnang is one of the largest fishing ports on the Tonlé Sap. Fish farming is also widely practiced in the area. The area is famous for its pottery ware, unchanged in style for centuries, which is produced in sufficient quantities to supply the entire country? And not to be overlooked are the products of the Thnot tree (sugar palm – a real national symbol) that abounds in the area: a mellow tasting, caramel-colored sugar sold in large cakes and palm wine.
18:00 Passengers re-embark the boat, Toum Tiou II leaves Kampong Chnang to kampong Tralach. The boat drops anchor close to the village.
19:00 Dinner and overnight on boat.
Day 3 – Kampong Tralach – Kôh Chen / Oudong – Phnom Penh (B/L)
07:00 Breakfast during navigation, departure for Kampong Tralach to visit its wonderful Vihara belonging to Wat Kampong Tralach Leu pagoda. To get to it, we cross Kampong Tralach Krom village along a small road perpendicular to the river, crossing some gorgeous stretches of emerald rice paddy as we leave the river behind. The Vihara dates back to early last century. It was probably built on an older site, as indicated by the latérite foundations, and is home to some outstanding mural paintings. These, however, are starting to suffer from weathering. They remain one of the last survivors of cultural destruction that continues unabated due to widespread indifference. Standing by itself in the middle of rice fields, it is a modest pagoda that receives very few visitors. Its isolation may well be its undoing, as was the case for Wat Tani Pagoda in the province of Kampot.
10:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou II. Lunch on boat on the way to Kôh Chen.
11:00 Arrival to Kôh Chen, small village of which the inhabitants specialize in silver and copper smiting. They make ornamental items, including delicately engraved tropical fruits, used in traditional ceremonies at the pagoda or for marriages. The distant hills of Cambodia’s old capital, Oudong, and its royal stupas can be seen a few kilometers away from the ferry. At the top of the hill, are the ruins of Anthareu temple.
16:30 Passengers re-embark the Toum Tiou II. Lunch on boat on the way to Phnom Penh.
18:00 Arrival to Phnom Penh.
Vietnam Hidden Charm private car will pick you up and transfer to your hotel. End Vietnam Hidden Charm’s service.
Including
- Transfers at departure/arrival port in private car.
- Accommodation in double cabin,
- Full board (water, tea, coffee included)
- Mentioned visits,
- French or English speaking guide on board
Not including
- Hotel in Seam Reap and Phnom Penh.
- Bar fees,
- Visas,
- Personal expenses
- Personal insurance
