Toum Tiou Cruise

From: 
Siem Reap
To: 
Saigon
Supplier: 
Toum Tiou
Price: 
contact us
Itinerary: 
Siem Reap - Phnom Penh - Saigon

Overview

Built in Cambodia out of hard tropical woods and using traditional methods, the Toum Tiou was the first cruise boat to travel on the Mekong river from Siem Reap all the way to Saigon, from Cambodia to Vietnam, offering high quality accommodation with a blend of charm and tradition.

 

The legend of Toum and Tiou

The Toum Tiou derives its name from a traditional Khmer tale of star-crossed lovers, the Cambodian equivalent of Romeo and Juliet, Toum being the boy and Tiou, the girl.

 

This beautiful love story turned tragedy features Tiou's mother, an ambitious woman who wants to marry her daughter off to the king and Toum as the awkward lover. The king, good-hearted and understanding, eventually gives up on the marriage to make Tiou happy. It ends tragically when a frame-up involving the mother and the governor leads to the death of one of the two lovers, the other committing suicide to follow suit.

 

This story is taught from primary to high school. Many songs and pieces of traditional music allude to the pair of ill-fated lovers.

 

Restaurant

 

In the Toum Tiou semi-open air restaurant, their chef offers a whole selection of European, Vietnamese and Cambodian specialties. You can choose to stay on the sundeck overlooking the river or in our large library lounge, decorated in neo-colonial style. The Toum Tiou's low water draught allows it to stop very close to the villages along the river shores.

 

The Toum Tiou operates two regular rotations from Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) to Phnom Penh and from Phnom Penh to Saigon. You'll be able to enjoy the Mekong starting from the mythical city of Angkor Wat until the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. From April to June, at the end of the dry season and when the river level of the Tonle Sap is too low, the Toum Tiou will not be able to reach Siem Reap. During this period the Toum Tiou heads north out of Phnom Penh following the Mekong to Kampong Cham and and charming colonial Kratie, where you may spot the rare Irawaddy dolphin.

 

There are 4 different Toum Tiou cruises to choose from, please click on the option which interests you for a more detailed itinerary and departure schedule:

Tours

ITINERARY: PHNOM PENH - SIEM REAP

 

Day 1 (Monday): Phnom Penh - Kompong Chhnang           (-/L/D)
Transfer from hotel to boat-pier.
07:45 hrs:  Check-in at the boat-pier in Phnom Penh.
08:00 hrs:  Welcome on board of R/V Toum Tiou and departure for the cruise on the Tonle Sap River to Udong. Visit of the ancient capital of Oudong, then stop at Prek Kdam to visit Kôh Chen, a small silver handicraft village. Lunch on board on the way to Kampong Tralach, stop and visit its wonderful pagoda. Night on board.

 

Day 2 (Tuesday): Kompong Chhnang - Kompong Luong  (B/L/D)
Breakfast on board. Sail to Kompong Chhnang to visit its market and the pottery village. Sail to Chnok Tru, the last big village before the River meets the Great Lake of Tonle Sap.  Lunch on-board.  Continue to Kompong Luong, one of the largest floating villages on the Lake. Dinner and overnight on-board while anchored at Kompong Luong.

 

Day 3 (Wednesday): Kompong Luong - Siem Reap   (B/L/-)
Breakfast on board. Half day on the Great Lake of Tonle Sap. Relax in the library or on the deck salon prior to arrival in Siem Reap. Sail along a small canal, flocked with crowded floating houses, before reaching Phnom Kroum.
13:00 hrs:  Disembark R/V Toum Tiou after a lunch on board. Transfer from boat pier to hotel in Siem Reap.

 

 

LOW WATER SEASON PROGRAM, FROM FEBRUARY TO JUNE

 

Day 1 (Monday): Phnom Penh - Kompong Chhnang  (-/L/D)
Transfer from hotel to boat-pier.
07:45 hrs: Check-in at the boat-pier in Phnom Penh.
08:00 hrs: Welcome on board of R/V Toum Tiou and departure for our cruise on the Tonle Sap River to Udong. Visit of Oudong, then Stop at Prek Kdam to visit Kôh Chen, a small silver handicraft village. Lunch on board on the way to Kampong Tralach, stop and visit its wonderful pagoda. Night on board.

 

Day 2 (Tuesday): Kompong Chhnang - Chnok Tru    (B/L/D)

Breakfast on board. Sail to Kompong Chhnang to visit its market and the potter village.  Sail to Chnok Tru to visit this big floating village and the area of the mouth of the lake. Lunch and dinner on board. Night on board.

 

Day 3 (Wednesday): Chnok Tru - Siem Reap  (B/-/-)
Morning on the boat to relax in the library or on the deck salon.
10:00 hrs: Disembark Toum Tiou to embark on the daily speed boat to Siem Reap
12:30 hrs: Arrival and disembark at Phnom Kroum around 12:30 hrs. Lunch can not be provided, water and fresh fruits will be given to passengers. Transfer from boat pier to hotel in Siem Reap.

 

NOTE: The cruise is available in both directions. Departure from Phnom Penh on Monday / from Siem Reap on Thursday (subject to availability and reconfirmation).

 

Our tour prices are inclusive of transfers and tours with English speaking guide, accommodation in shared twin cabins, meals as specified (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) water, tea and coffee during the cruise.

 

Specifications of the Toum Tiou:

  • 38 m long, 6.5 m wide
  • 3 decks
  • 10 cabins with A/C during daytime until 22h00, fan from 22h00 until 08h00, bathroom with hot/cold shower and WC
  • 2 Single cabins and 2 Twin cabins on the first deck and 6 Doubles (of which 2 can be transformed into Twin cabins) on the second deck
  • Salon/Library
  • Sun-deck
  • Covered open-air restaurant
  • 10 member staff

Photos

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