Asia, Southeast Asia
Deeper and Further on the Mekong River
Sailing port to port from central Saigon to Siem Reap inland port, venture deep into Vietnam’s vast Mekong Delta, explore the norther reaches of the Mekong River at the dolphin grounds at Kratie and discover the picturesque Tonle Sap as we cross the the 150 mile-long lake. This is a new itinerary never attempted in total before and only operable aboard Pandaw’s ultra-low draft vessels and only during the high water season until October.
No ship could be more appropriate for this expedition than the much-loved Mekong Pandaw that was the first ship to pioneer the river in 2002 and historically open the river border between Vietnam and Cambodia. Only the Mekong Pandaw has the shallow draft to go so far on these rivers and the low air draft to get under recently constructed bridges. Thanks to improvements in inland water navigation in these countries we can now take the ship from Saigon to Siem Reap with no long road transfers required on arrival or departure, something unimaginable in previous years.
This pioneering route is very much aimed at Pandaw club members who seek more immersive experiences in the countries Pandaw ships ply and wish to spend more days in the comfort and lively atmosphere of our beautifully crafted ships.
With 24 staterooms the Mekong Pandaw has been refitted with a sumptuous spa, library and gym this ship, built in Burma from golden teak. This is the most spacious of all Pandaw’s nineteen ships with broad promenades running around each deck and a vast sun deck of over 600 square meters on top.
Embark your Pandaw vessel in central Saigon and relax on the spacious sundeck as we set sail past the towering skyscrapers of Vietnam’s bustling metropolis. After lunch onboard you will meet the crew and enjoy local entertainment on the deck as we sail toward the Mekong Delta. We moor overnight on the Vam Co River.
Early morning we set sail through the Cho Gao Canal, a vital waterway link for the transportation of goods to and from the city which was constructed in 1876 by the French and offers a fascinating insight to life along the water. We reach Ben Tre and journey by sampans through mangroves and bamboo forests to the fruit orchards abundant in the area. This is a fertile farming region with half of Vietnam's rice production coming from the Mekong Delta. It also hosts a rich artisanal culture which we will witness at a local village specialising in handicrafts. Back aboard we sail deeper into the delta toward Chau Doc.
In the morning, we take minivans for a short drive to Sam Mountain, the location of Phuoc Dien Tu or the Hang Pagoda. After climbing the steps we are greeted with stunning views across the Mekong. For those not keen on the stairs, explore the local market instead. Afterwards, we visit the nearby floating fish farms by Sampan before being treated to a private Lion dance performance at a local Village. Upon return to the ship, we navigate a web of canals before dropping anchor on the Vietnam/Cambodia border to undergo Immigration formalities.
Morning orientation of Phnom Penh by cyclo visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda followed by the National Museum with its marvellous collection of Angkorian statuary. In the afternoon we visit the Killing Fields and Genocide Museum to learn more about the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. We dock overnight in Phnom Penh city port with its lively bars, restaurants and nightlife. Feel free to explore the city before returning to your hotel on the water.
Enjoy morning Tai Chi or just a coffee on deck as we take a sunrise cruise to Peam Chi Korng, an untouched gem that is a hub of pottery in Cambodia. After a short tuk tuk ride from the banks of the Mekong, we witness the local potters in action before continuing to explore the village and local fresh market where you can test your language skills.
Visit Koh Trong Island, a community based tourism site since 2008. We explore the island’s fruit orchards by local transportation or bicycle and sample the local delicacies before we head to a community reforestation project and plant trees to support the island. Moor overnight alongside the island.
After breakfast we head to Kampi by coach to spot the Irrawaddy dolphins abundant in the waters below Stung Trang. We board small fishing vessels now used to monitor the dolphin populations and provide dolphin spotting for tourists to raise awareness of their plight. Whilst numbers have increased in recent years, they remain endangered and we learn more about the work of locals to support dolphin numbers and how Pandaw is supporting. This is a real highlight of the expedition. In the afternoon, we set sail downstream along the Mekong back toward Phnom Penh.
We sail early morning up the winding channels of the Tonle Sap River to Kampong Tralach. We travel by ox-cart around the river-side villages, markets and temples to get a sense of life in rural Cambodia. In the evening cocktails are served around a fire pit at a small fishing village where we will be joined by village folk keen to share tales and show us their traditional dancing.
Today we explore the backwaters of the vast Tonle Sap floodplains, with abundant fish farms around this important trading town. Returning to ship, we enter the Tonle Sap Lake to moor overnight in open waters savoring the peace and tranquility of this lake that in high water covers 6,200 miles and in low water shrinks to 1,000 square miles.
Continue the traverse of the great lake stopping to visit a floating village where houses, schools and restaurants are all accessed only by boat. Learn more about how these communities survive on the water and how their lives are changing with the development of Cambodia. In the afternoon we continue across the lake toward Siem Reap inland port. This is the perfect chance to spot thee various bird life along the lake’s edges as well as crocodiles and snakes that are abundant in these shallow waters. Not to forget also the giant Mekong catfish, the largest ever caught being 648 pounds in May 2004. There are 148 other species of fish in the lake which provide the main source of protein for the entire Cambodian population.
Disembark Siem Reap Port and transfer the short distance to Siem Reap city. The short 45 minute road journey means arrival to Siem Reap around 10-10:30am at the FCC Angkor Hotel, located next to the Royal Palace.
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Book now |
Main Deck Twin Sharing
$8,132 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
Main Deck Twin Single Use
$9,758 AUD pp
Main Deck Twin Single Use
Upper Deck Twin Sharing
$9,995 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
$11,994 AUD pp
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
|
Book now |
Main Deck Twin Sharing
$7,319 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
Main Deck Twin Single Use
$8,782 AUD pp
Main Deck Twin Single Use
Upper Deck Twin Sharing
$8,996 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
$10,795 AUD pp
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
|
Book now |
Main Deck Twin Single Use
$8,132 AUD pp
Main Deck Twin Single Use
Main Deck Twin Sharing
$8,132 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
$9,995 AUD pp
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
Upper Deck Twin Sharing
$9,995 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
|
Book now |
Main Deck Twin Sharing
$8,132 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
Main Deck Twin Single Use
$9,758 AUD pp
Main Deck Twin Single Use
Upper Deck Twin Sharing
$9,995 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
$11,994 AUD pp
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
|
Book now |
Main Deck Twin Sharing
$8,945 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
Main Deck Twin Single Use
$10,734 AUD pp
Main Deck Twin Single Use
Upper Deck Twin Sharing
$10,995 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
$13,192 AUD pp
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
|
Book now |
Main Deck Twin Sharing
$8,945 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
Main Deck Twin Single Use
$10,734 AUD pp
Main Deck Twin Single Use
Upper Deck Twin Sharing
$10,995 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
$13,192 AUD pp
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
|
Book now |
Main Deck Twin Single Use
$8,945 AUD pp
Main Deck Twin Single Use
Main Deck Twin Sharing
$8,945 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
$10,995 AUD pp
Upper Deck Twin Single Use
Upper Deck Twin Sharing
$10,995 AUD pp
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. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. Our passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels. All our cabins have the same size and signature amenities. All cabins are twin, beds can be pushed together to form doubles. Special to Your Stateroom: fruit and flowers on arrival, kimonos and slippers, spa-branded amenities, unlimited mineral water, free use of mini DVD player on request and selection of DVDs from our library (subject to availability).
Additional charges:
Port Taxes & Fees: $90 USD
Vessel Type: Luxury River Cruising
Length: 60m
Passenger Capacity: 48 pax
Built: 2002 / Refurbished: 2013
The RV Mekong Pandaw, affectionately known as the MP, is the most spacious ship in the Pandaw fleet and a true icon of river cruising. Purpose-built for the Mekong, she boasts generous promenades, an expansive dining hall, and an impressive 750-square-metre teak deck complete with a full-size billiard table. With 24 beautifully appointed staterooms featuring panoramic French windows, imported linens, and thoughtful touches such as Nespresso machines, complimentary minibars, and spa-branded amenities, she offers unmatched comfort and elegance on the river. Guests also enjoy yoga mats in every cabin, evening canapés, and attentive service including daily turndown and 24-hour laundry.
Onboard, the experience is enriched by exceptional dining led by a local master chef, with semi-buffet breakfasts and lunches, themed seated dinners, and a wide selection of fine wines. A welcoming atmosphere is complemented by cultural performances, cooking classes, and fascinating talks, while the saloon and sundeck bars provide social spaces with complimentary treats and nightly entertainment. Excursions are thoughtfully organised with deluxe sampans, comfort services, and expert local guides, while safety and service standards remain uncompromisingly high. With its refined facilities including a spa, gym, library, and art gallery, the Mekong Pandaw is quite justifiably regarded as the most splendid ship on the Mekong.
Land Extensions
10% Discovery Discount.
Singles welcome! No Single Supplement.
Inclusions
• Welcome cocktail party
• Signature hors d’oeuvres at cocktails each evening
• Afternoon tea with cakes or cookies when cruising
• Celebration cake and gift on birthdays and anniversaries
• Cookery demonstrations and classes using local produce
• All scheduled excursions
• At least two cultural performances per cruise
• Tour of the engine rooms, galley and working parts of the ship
• Film presentations on local culture and history
• Local mineral water
• Cold towels on deck all day
• Jugged coffee, tea and tisanes on deck from sunrise till sunset
• Crew gratuities are included in your cruise program price
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• Transfer to Siem Reap from Ship on Day 11 (Upstream) or Transfer from Siem Reap to Ship on Day 1 (Downstream)
Exclusions
• International and domestic flights
• Travel insurance
• Passport and visa costs
• Port taxes where applicable
• Gratuities for land guides/drivers
• Spa service including foot, head and body massages (Mekong only)
• Personal laundry service
• Local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes are all complimentary. All other drinks will be charged.
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River Boat
11 Days from
$666 AUD per day
Highlights
• SAIGON• MY THO
• CAI BE
• GAO GIONG
• TAN CHAU
• TONLE RIVER
• OUDONG
• KAMPONG CHHANANG
• KAMPONG CHAM
• KOH TRONG ISLAND
Our Associates Include
