There can be no tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong. Indeed there can be no more striking a cultural contrast as that between the bustling Vietnam delta and the tranquility of Cambodia. We pass from the vibrant French colonial port of Saigon, through the vast delta so rich in human life and endeavour, to travel along the main channel into the rich countryside of Cambodia. With a full day in charming Phnom Penh we then explore remoter waterways as we progress to the great monuments of Angkor.
This itinerary is also available in reverse. Click here for additional dates.
Travel by coach from Siem Reap to Kampong Cham for embarkation. Enjoy an sunset cruise on the Mekong and meet your crew for the next 7 nights
In the morning we visit Angkor Ban and a local Cambodian school where the local library was built with the support of Pandaw and our guests. Guests are encouraged to bring books to donate to the library for children to read. After luch, we study the entire silk making process from worms to weavers as we visit 'Silk Island'. After learning about the silk process there will be a demonstration of the ancient Khmer martial art of Bokator.
In the morning, travel by coach to the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong. On the way we stop to visit the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre before taking a drive around the city. Rejoin your ship in Kampong Tralach for lunch abaord. In the afternoon we travel by ox-cart around the river-side villages, markets and temples. In the evening cocktails are round a village fire pit where we will be joined by village folk keen to show us their traditional dancing and more of the delightful Khmer culture.
Morning orientation of Phnom Penh by cyclo visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda followed by the National Museum with its marvelous collection of Angkorian statuary. In the afternoon we visit the Killing Fields and Genocide museum to learn more about the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. Overnight in Phnom Penh city port with its lively bars, restaurants and night life.
We up anchor early morning and cruise downstream along the Mekong River to the Vietnam border with Vietnam for immigration formalities. We go alongside at the picturesque border town of Chau Doc where we visit the floating fish farms by sampan. We make a stop at a Chham Village and observe the lives of Vietnamese Muslims before taking minivans for a short drive to Sam Mountain, location of Phuoc Dien Tu or the Hang Pagoda. We climb the 400 steps to the top to visit the pagoda.
Sailing through the delta offers a real insight into life along this vast waterway. After lunch, a short coach journey through the lush countryside to Gao Giong ‘green oasis’, a 1,000-acre eucalyptus forest and listed wildlife sanctuary. Here a diverse selection of water birds and egrets gather in their tens of thousands across the Duong Tharp Muoi or ‘Plain of Reeds’. Rowboats traverse the canals to take us to view the principal nesting areas where photo opportunities abound.
After lunch, we journey by sampans through mangroves and bamboo forests to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. This is an area rich in birdlife which we will explore via local transport before transferring to a local rowboat. We will journey slowly through the bamboo covered canals before arriving at a village specialising in making local products. In the evening you will be entertained by a Vietnamese dance troupe on deck.
Disembark in central Saigon after breakfast for your onward travels.
Itineraries are subject to change.
This itinerary is also available in reverse. Click here for additional dates.
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Port Taxes: 65 USD pp
Vessel Type: River Boat
Length: 167ft / 50.9m
Passenger Capacity: 60
Built: 2012
The third of these rather grand Vietnamese sisters, along with the Orient and Indochina. She is a good looker, and turns many a head as she ploughs in state across the Delta or into the bustling hub of the Phnom Penh port.
ACCOMMODATION
• 20 upper deck staterooms and 10 main deck staterooms
• 170 square feet, finished in teak and brass
• Panoramic French window, leading to personal deck space
• Kimonos and slippers
• Spa-branded amenities
• Unlimited mineral water
• Electric mini safe
• Imported quality linens with duvet and two kind of pillows
• Premium mattresses
• Convertible bed configuration
• Welcome flower arrangement and welcome gift
• Make-up mirror
• Multi-configuration plugs
• Generous closet space and under-bed storage
• Hair dryer
• Nightly turndown service
• 24h laundry service
• Complimentary evening canapés
WINING & DINING
• Local master chef heading an experienced international culinary team
• Semi-buffet breakfast, Semi-buffet lunch, and seated theme dinners
• Daily lean & light menu options
• Complimentary local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes
• Extensive wine list with premium wines
• Series of cultural performances, educational talks, cooking classes, and ship tour
• Welcome drink on arrival
• Welcome cocktail
• Farewell reception
• Theme dinners
• Spacious, air-conditioned saloon bar with nightly entertainment
• Sundeck bar with complimentary ice cream from sunrise to sunset
• 24hrs hospitality bar
• Onboard bakery with daily freshly baked breads and rolls
ON EXCURSIONS
• Admissions
• Shoe cleaning after excursions
• Bottled drinking water
• We give away aluminium water bottles
• Cold towel service after excursions
• Refreshing drink following excursions
• Full-size motor coach on all excursions
• Deluxe sampans with cold towel service, fresh fruit, and tea/coffee
• Comfortable "Pandaw Explorer" excursion boat
• 1st aid trained assistant guide to follow all tours and excursions
SAFETY & SECURITY
• All onboard crew is trained and certified as per international marine standards (VIRES)
• Fire alarm system in all cabins, public areas and back areas
• Fire fighting system in all ship areas
• Expert marine superintendant
• 24 hrs watch on duty
• Certified hygiene standards for all areas (Johnson & Diversey)
ONBOARD STAFF
• Captain
• River Pilot
• First Officer
• Chief Engineer
• 1st Engineer
• Electrician
• Bosun & nautical crew
• Ship manager
• Housekeeping
• Dining
• Bar keeper
• Chefs
• Spa therapist
• Local tour guides
PUBLIC SPACES
• Guest relation desk
• Fair-trade shop
• Lecture and meeting room with oversized flat screen TV, LSD projector and sound system
• Art gallery featuring local art and artists
• Library with contemporary and classic literature
• Wireless internet in all public areas
Vessel Type: Luxury River Cruising
Length: 60m
Passenger Capacity: 48 pax
Built: 2002 / Refurbished: 2013
Built in Rangoon in 2002 she was sailed round to Saigon under her own power and many a drama described in Paul Strachan’s Pandaw Story. This ship was designed specially for the Mekong and unlike our other P class ships does not have a flying bridge. The reason was so she could get under a road bridge. She did actually scrape under on her maiden but it was so scary that Paul Strachan, then standing on the bridge, never dared attempt it again. As a result, we ended up with this incredible 750 square meter teak deck that even has a full size billiard table.
The MP as she is affectionately known is our most spacious ship with wider promenades, a larger dining hall and more public space per passenger than any known ship afloat. Seriously!
In 2012 she was refitted and lower deck cabins removed in favour of a professional spa, gym, library lounge and office. She is quite justifiably the most splendid ship on the Mekong and the envy of anything that floats by.
ACCOMMODATION
18 upper deck, 6 main deck staterooms - 170 square feet, finished in teak and brass - Panoramic French window, leading to personal deck space - New bathrooms with natural stone shower and branded quality fittings - Kimonos and slippers - Spa-branded amenities - Unlimited mineral water - Electric mini safe - Central AC with individual control - Imported quality linens with duvet and two kind of pillows - Premium mattresses - Convertible bed configuration - Welcome flower arrangement and welcome gift - Mirror - Multi-configuration plugs - Generous closet space and under-bed storage - Hair dryer - Daily nightly turndown service - 24h laundry service - Complimentary evening canapés
WINING & DINING
Local master chef heading an experienced international culinary team - Semi-buffet breakfast, Semi-buffet lunch, and seated theme dinners - Daily lean & light menu options - Complimentary coffee, water, tea, soft drinks, local beer, local spirits, juices - Extensive wine list with premium wines - Series of cultural performances, educational talks, cooking classes, and ship tour - Welcome drink on arrival - Welcome cocktail - Farewell reception - Theme- and gala dinners - Spacious, air-conditioned saloon bar with nightly entertainment - Sundeck bar with complimentary ice cream from sunrise to sunset - Pool table on sundeck - 24hrs hospitality bar - Onboard bakery with daily freshly baked breads and rolls
ON EXCURSIONS
Admissions - Shoe cleaning after excursions - Bottled drinking water - Cold towel service after excursions - Refreshing drink following excursions - Maximum 24 guests per guide on all excursions - Full-size motor coach on all excursions (maximum of 24 passengers per coach) - Deluxe sampans with cold towel service, fresh fruit, and tea/coffee - Comfortable “Pandaw Explorer” excursion boat - 1st aid trained assistant guide to follow all tours and excursions
SAFETY & SECURITY
All onboard crew is trained and certified as per international marine standards (VIRES) - Fire alarm system in all cabins, public areas and back areas - Fire fighting system in all ship areas - Expert marine superintendant - 24 hrs watch on duty - Certified hygiene standards for all areas (Johnson & Diversey)
ONBOARD STAFF
Captain - First Officer - Chief Engineer - 1st Engineer - Electrician - Bosun & nautical crew - Ship manager - Housekeeping - Dining - Bar keeper - Chefs - Spa therapist - Local tour guides
PUBLIC SPACES
Guest relation desk - Largest public space to passenger ratio of any cruise ship in the world - Shop, supporting fair trade - Lecture and meeting room with oversized flat screen TV, LSD projector and sound system - Art gallery featuring local art and artists - Library with contemporary and classic literature - Wireless internet in all public areas.
Optional tours and excursions available. Please contact us for more details.