FROM JULY - MARCH
HIGH SEASON: FROM OCTOBER - MARCH
CRUISES
DOWNSTREAM
PHNOM PENH-HCMC (SAIGON)
Classic Mekong
Pandaw Cruise Siem Reap – HCMC 8 days New and exclusive upgraded itinerary – now visiting Kratie and the Mekong dolphins. No other river cruise operators goes there!
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.
Day 1: Siem Reap Embarkation | Meal: L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruises
Morning transfer to your Pandaw moored at Kampong Cham. A packed lunch will be provided on the coach and we will stop at Kampong Thom along the way. Once on board we will set sail upstream to moor overnight at Cchlong. Your guide or purser will collect your passports at the meeting point so we can arrange the immigration formalities.
Please note: Between mid of February and end of March we are expecting low water levels. Alternate itinerary and excursions will apply should we not be able to reach Kratie and the river dolphins.
Registration Details
VICTORIA ANGKOR RESORT & SPA
Registration is at 11.30am at the resorts’ Le Connaisseur Restaurant,
Central Park, Siem Reap.
Please arrive at meeting point no later than 11.00am. Transfer will depart 11.30am.
Related
Day 2: Kratie & The Dolphin Grounds| Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruises
Sail through the morning to reach Kratie, a charming French colonial river port, and after lunch visit the dolphin grounds travelling further upstream by local bus.
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Day 3: Prek Kdam | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruises
Sailing down river we stop at the very curious Monkey Temple, Wat Hanchey and Angkor Ban.
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Day 4: Phnom Penh | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruises
Whilst in Phnom Penh you will be provided with their own private cyclo. The Cyclo Centre Phnom Penh which provides the cyclos is a charity that provides basic welfare and medical services to cyclo drivers. You will visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and National Museum. In the afternoon, optional excursion (by coach) to the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention centre.
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Day 5: Tonle River | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruises
Explorations up Tonle River to a silver making village, Kampong Trolach, and Chong Koh either by ship or by coach depending on water levels. This river is very pretty and there is a vibrant local life to be viewed along the river banks and in lesser craft.
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Day 6: Vietnam Border | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruises
Sail for the border and formalities and then continue to Tan Chau for the evening.
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Day 7: Chau Doc | Meal: B - L - D | Overnight: Pandaw Cruises
Morning either visit a Moslem Cham tribal village and a cat fish farm in Chau Doc with our guide or do your own thing and take one of our mountain bikes and explore the local market and the Catholic Church. Afternoon Sampan boat excursion to Sa Dec via Vinh Long, along canals and backwaters and see the local market and the ancient house of Mr, Huyn Thuy Le, the ‘lover’ of Marguerite Duras, a famous French novelist whose book was imortalised in the film L’Indochine. Moor overnight at Cai Be.
Related
Day 8: My Tho Disembarkation - HCMC | Meal: B
Early morning sail from Cai Be for My Tho, where passengers disembark in the early morning for a coach transfer to the InterContinental Asiana Saigon Hotel in HCMC. Arrive late morning at around 10.30am.
RV ANGKOR PANDAW
Sister to the Katha and from the same yard delivered in 2013, the only difference with the Katha is an enclosed air conditioned dining room insisted on by an American charterer. Originally on the Mekong in 2015 we transferred her to the Red River in North Vietnam. In fact the enclosed dining room has proved useful as it can be cold up there in winter.
Build 2012 in Saigon
Length: 138.61ft / 42.25m
Beam: 28.50ft / 8.70m
Draught: 3ft / 90cm
Berths: 32 pax
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)
RV ANGKOR PANDAW
Sister to the Katha and from the same yard delivered in 2013, the only difference with the Katha is an enclosed air conditioned dining room insisted on by an American charterer. Originally on the Mekong in 2015 we transferred her to the Red River in North Vietnam. In fact the enclosed dining room has proved useful as it can be cold up there in winter.
Build 2012 in Saigon
Length: 138.61ft / 42.25m
Beam: 28.50ft / 8.70m
Draught: 3ft / 90cm
Berths: 32 pax
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)
Locally made soft drinks, local beer and local spirits, jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes, mineral water.
Transfers between ports of embarkation and Hanoi International Airport at the start and end of the voyage.
International flights
Port dues (if levied)
Laundry
All visa costs
Fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions)
Imported beverages such as wines, premium spirits and liqueurs, fancy soft drinks like Perrier, espressos and cappuccinos at bar
Tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers.
``Now back in the midst of a Sydney winter, I'm reminiscing fondly about my cruising days, and planning my next Pandaw itinerary. This time though, I won't get away without my husband, now that he's seen the photos and heard the stories!``
There can be no tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong. We pass from the vibrant French colonial port of Saigon, through the vast delta so rich in ...
HCMC-Cu Chi tunnels-Hue-Hoi An-Hanoi-Halong Bay | Starting from HCMC to Hanoi or vice versa on request | 4-star hotels / 5-star hotels | Daily departure at clients date