Overview
With the graceful curved lines of an old-fashioned paddle steamer, finished in brass and teak, the Mekong Pandaw is a colonial-style riverboat offering a leisurely meander along the calm waters of the Mekong through the most iconic and fascinating parts of Vietnam and Cambodia. The Mekong Pandaw has been designed with an ultra-shallow draft, allowing her to travel through low water and areas that would be unreachable by deeper-drafted boats.
The ship has 24, identical, teak-lined, 70-sq-ft cabins, offering twin beds (some converting to doubles) all with premium mattresses, quality linens, duvets, and two kinds of pillows. Each cabin is fitted with air-conditioning, a spacious wardrobe, electronic safe box, writing desk, under-bed storage and an en-suite bathroom with a natural stone shower, bathrobes, hairdryers and branded amenities. All-encompassing French-balcony windows bring mesmerizing views of the Mekong River right into your bedroom.
Dine on board on tasty Vietnamese and Cambodian cuisine as well as traditional European fare and vegetarian dishes. Breakfast is a buffet, and lunch is a mix of soup and salad at the buffet with mains served at the tables. Dinner is table served. Cruises of seven nights or more offer two themed dinners in addition to the farewell gala dinner.
The dining room is a convertible open-air space, with retractable walls that only close at night. Enjoy cocktails or a tipple from the extensive premium wine list, with entertainment, in the air-conditioned bar.
Traveling on the Mekong Pandaw cruise is essentially an outdoor experience, with guests choosing to spend time sitting in the open air on the promenade decks or on the vast Observation Deck above, purported giving the vessel the largest public space to passenger ratio of any cruise ship in the world! Unlike other cruise ships, every window (except the portholes on the Lower Deck) can open. As you immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the river, you will be captivated by the great panoramas and the unceasing human and wildlife activity unfolding around you.
With a crew-to-passenger ratio of one-to-two, you can expect to receive highly attentive service. Most of the activity on board is geared toward quiet pursuits; on the Sun Deck, you will find a billiard table and sun loungers for your pleasure. You can also curl up with a good book in the stylish library, admire local artists’ work in the art gallery, work up a sweat and an appetite in the well-equipped gym, or surrender to an aromatherapy massage or a traditional Southeast Asian spa treatment.
Enrichment activities consist of talks from on-board guides, documentaries complementing the boat’s itinerary, mainstream movies, cooking classes, and cultural dance performances.
Shore excursions on the Mekong Pandaw river cruise include explorations of local markets with the on-board chef, guided walks with the resident regional expert, river and jungle trips by speedboat, or city sightseeing trips via ‘cyclos’ (three-wheeled rickshaws) in Cambodia.
The Mekong Pandaw cruise is a delightful way for you and your partner, your family or friends to explore two countries, and discover the diverse contrasts of two cultures and two ways of life linked by one great river.
Itineraries & Prices
Embarkation
AM: Morning transfer by coach from the FCC Angkor by Avani hotel to your Pandaw moored at Kampong Cham. The transfer will depart at 10:00. and takes approx. 4 hours.
PM: Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong and meet your crew for the next 3 nights.
Angkor Ban Village Walks - Silk Island
AM: 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.
PM: After lunch, 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.
Oudong - Kampong Tralach
AM: 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 aboard.
PM: In the afternoon we travel by ox-cart around the river-side villages, markets, and temples. In the evening cocktails are around 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.
Disembarkation
AM: After breakfast, disembark your Pandaw Expedition in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh.
Embarkation
PM: Passengers can embark on the ship between 12.30 and 13.30. Rest of day at leisure. Overnight in Phnom Penh city port with its lively bars, restaurants, and night life.
Kampong Tralach
AM: Morning at leisure in Phnom Penh with its café life and many smart boutiques.
PM: After lunch, we sail 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 along the river. In the evening cocktails are around a village fire pit where we will be joined by village folk keen to show us their traditional dancing and show us more of the delightful Khmer culture.
Oudong - Silk Island
AM: 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 old capital. We re-join our ship at Prek Kdam before returning to the Mekong.
PM: After lunch, we sail to Koh Nghe Tei (Silk Island) to study the entire silk-making process from worms to weavers. We visit silk makers and can buy from them their lovely silk scarves and other fabrics. This village is a center of the ancient martial art of L’bokator which roughly translates as 'pounding a lion. It includes weapons techniques and is one of the oldest combat techniques in Cambodia and is believed to date back to the Angkor empire.
Wat Hanchey - Angkor Ban Village Visit
AM: Sunrise cruise to Angkor Ban village to see how local villagers live and visit the library which was donated by Pandaw to Angkor Ban secondary school.
PM: In the afternoon we sail north to Wat Hanchey, an important center of worship during the Chenla period located on top of a hill above the mighty Mekong River with some of the best Mekong views in Cambodia. Visit 8th-century structures some destroyed by American bombings during the Vietnam War.
Disembarkation
AM: Disembark and travel by coach from Kampong Cham through stunningly lovely countryside to reach Siem Reap, adjacent to Angkor Wat. Arriving mid-afternoon (approx. 13.30). Transfer by coach from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap takes approx 4 hours.
Embarkation
AM: Morning pick up from your hotel in Siem Reap to travel through the local countryside, skirting the Tonle Sap Lake, before arriving in Kampong Cham to embark on your Pandaw vessel and the commencement of your adventure.
Note :
Morning transfer by coach from the FCC Angkor by Avani hotel to your Pandaw moored at Kampong Cham. The transfer will depart at 10:00. and takes approx. 4 hours.
Angkor Ban Village Walks - Silk Island
AM: 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.
PM: After lunch, 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.
Oudong - Kampong Tralach
AM: 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 aboard.
PM: In the afternoon we travel by ox-cart around the river-side villages, markets, and temples. In the evening cocktails are around 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.
Phnom Penh
AM: 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.
PM: 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 nightlife.
Cambodia/Vietnam Border-Chau Doc
AM: We up anchor early morning and cruise downstream along the Mekong River to the Vietnam border with Vietnam for immigration formalities. We go alongside the picturesque border town of Chau Doc where we visit the floating markets & fish farms by sampan.
PM: 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, the location of Phuoc Dien Tu or the Hang Pagoda. We climb the 400 steps to the top to visit the pagoda.
Gao Giong
AM: Sailing through the delta offers a real insight into life along this vast waterway.
PM: 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.
Ben Tre
PM: 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 specializing in making local products. In the evening you will be entertained by a Vietnamese dance troupe on deck.
Disembarkation
AM: We disembark our Pandaw Boat and travel by coach from My Tho City through the countryside to your hotel in Saigon.
Embarkation
AM: Pick up from your city hotel or airport for the road trip from Saigon to My Tho City on the mighty Mekong River to embark on your Pandaw Vessel and the commencement of your adventure.
PM: After lunch, we travel 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 specializing in coconut candy & rice wine. Here you can view the process of manufacturing these specialties and try them for yourself including the local "Moonshine." In the evening you will be entertained by a Vietnamese Cultural Group highlighting “Life on the Mekong Delta”.
Note :
Transfer from your hotel in Saigon to the port of My Tho by small group transfer to embark cruise.
Pick-up will be between 09:30 am and 11:00 am. Our representative will call you on the evening before or leave a message with the hotel to reconfirm the exact pick-up time.
Gao Giong
AM: A morning of sailing through the delta provides an insight into life along this mighty waterway.
PM: 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.
Chau Doc, Sam Mountain & Vietnam/Cambodia Border
AM: Our boat docks alongside the picturesque border town of Chau Doc where we visit the famous floating markets & fish farms by Sampan. We make a stop at a local Chham Village and observe the lives of these local Vietnamese Muslims before boarding 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, proclaimed an 'official historic monument' on 10th July 1980 by the Ministry of Culture and Information of Vietnam.
PM: Upon return to our boat, we cruise the local canals before dropping anchor on the Vietnam/Cambodia Border to undergo Immigration Formalities.
Phnom Penh
AM: We dock in the Cambodian Capital of Phnom Penh where we will partake in a morning orientation of the city by cyclo, visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda followed by the National Museum with its marvelous collection of Angkorian statuary.
PM: In the afternoon, we visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to learn about the tragic history of the area and the local people. Optional half-day and full-day tours are available during our stay in Phnom Penh at extra cost. Please contact us in advance or see your in-cabin information manual for further details. Overnight in Phnom Penh city port with its lively bars, restaurants, and nightlife.
Kampong Tralach
AM: Morning at leisure in Phnom Penh with its café life and many smart boutiques.
PM: After lunch, we sail 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 along the river. In the evening cocktails are around a village fire pit where we will be joined by village folk keen to show us their traditional dancing and show us more of the delightful Khmer culture.
Oudong - Silk Island
AM: 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 old capital. We re-join our ship at Prek Kdam before returning to the Mekong.
PM: After lunch, we sail to Koh Nghe Tei (Silk Island) to study the entire silk-making process from worms to weavers. We visit silk makers and can buy from them their lovely silk scarves and other fabrics. This village is a center of the ancient martial art of L’bokator which roughly translates as 'pounding a lion. It includes weapons techniques and is one of the oldest combat techniques in Cambodia and is believed to date back to the Angkor empire.
Wat Hanchey - Angkor Ban Village Visit
AM: Sunrise cruise to Angkor Ban village to see how local villagers live and visit the library which was donated by Pandaw to Angkor Ban secondary school.
PM: In the afternoon we sail north to Wat Hanchey, an important center of worship during the Chenla period located on top of a hill above the mighty Mekong River with some of the best Mekong views in Cambodia. Visit 8th-century structures some destroyed by American bombings during the Vietnam War.
Disembarkation
AM: We disembark our Pandaw Boat and travel by coach from Kampong Cham through the countryside before arriving in the historical town of Siem Reap, home to the famous Angkor Wat.
Note :
Early morning coach transfer to the FCC Angkor by Avani hotel in Siem Reap, arriving mid-afternoon (approx. 13.30). Transfer by coach from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap takes approx 4 hours.
Embarkation
AM: Transfer from hotels in Siem Reap to Kampong Cham with a refreshment stop at Kampong Thom along the way.
PM: Board the ship in the afternoon and cruise upstream on the Mekong. The late afternoon goes ashore to see Wat Hanchey an important center of worship on top of a hill above the Mekong with good river panoramas. Of great interest are the Chenla Period temples dating from the 8th century, some destroyed by American bombing during the Vietnam War. Overnight Wat Hancheay.
Chhalong - Koh Trong Island
AM: Morning walk to explore this former French provincial center with its many splendid belle epoch mansions and lively market.
PM: Overnight on the delightful Koh Trong island where passengers can plant their own trees. Sandbank dinner.
Kratie & The Dolphins
AM: From Kratie travel further upstream by a rustic bus to view the dolphin grounds from local boats in a national park-protected area.
Kampong Cham - Angkor Ban
AM: Downstream to Kampong Cham and travel by bus to Chiro Village with an extensive education center offering vocational training. Other activities here include plastic recycling, beekeeping, farming, and handicraft-making projects.
PM: On to the Wat Nokor Bachey dating back to the Jayarvaman VII period. Built completely from black sandstone unlike other temples of this period. Evening walk at Angkor Ban a typical Khmer village with a library donated by Pandaw passengers.
Phnom Penh
AM: All passengers 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.
PM: In the afternoon, optional excursion (by coach) to the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge's grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention center.
Oudong - Kampong Chhanang
AM: After a short morning cruise along the Tonle River disembark at Prek Kdam and travel by coach to a former capital, Oudong. On the way visit the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre for a morning of relaxation & meditation before taking a drive around the old capital.
PM: Continue up the Tonle River to Kampong Chhnang where the river is at its most beautiful and heaving with life. Then explore the wetlands around the lake’s mouth rich in birdlife.
Cambodia/Vietnam Border-Chau Doc
AM: After crossing the border into Vietnam in the morning.
PM: Visit a Moslem Cham tribal village and a catfish farm in Chau Doc with a guide or do your own thing and take one of our mountain bikes and explore the local market or visit the splendid Catholic Church.
Tan Chau
AM: Explore the labyrinthine canal system around Tan Chau to visit a Taoist temple where the monks will read fortunes.
PM: Continue through local villages by Xi Loi stopping off to help locals tend their fields before stopping off to visit a fish farm and earn merit by releasing fish back into the Mekong.
Gao Giong
AM: After a short sail downstream, travel a short distance by coach to the Gao Giong ‘green oasis’ with its bird sanctuary. Here is a diverse selection of water birds and egrets that gather in the tens of thousands across the Duong Tharp Muoi or ‘Plain of Reeds’. Rowing boats traverse the canals to visit the principal nesting areas.
PM: In the afternoon visit Con Phuoc Island and go ashore to explore by tuk-tuk to see basket production and visit a 100-year-old Catholic Church and local carpentry shops.
Sa Dec - Ben Tre
AM: Sail early to Sa Dec which has an interesting market and the traditional Vietnamese house of Mr Huyn Thuy Le, the 'lover' of Marguerite Duras, a famous French novelist whose book was immortalized in the film L’Indochine. There is a fine catholic church here too. PM: Afternoon sampan exploration of the Delta’s backwaters and labyrinthine canal system.
Disembarkation
AM: Early morning sail to My Tho Port and disembark after breakfast for transfers to hotels in Saigon.
Embarkation
AM: Transfer from your hotel in Saigon to the port of My Tho by small group transfer to embark cruise. Pick-up will be between 10:30 am and 11:00 am. Our representative will call you on the evening before or leave a message with the hotel to reconfirm the exact pick-up time.
PM: Set sail for lunch on board and an afternoon sampan trip to explore the canals and backwaters of Ben Tre.
Cai Be to Sa Dec
AM: Early sailing and morning sampan visit to the Cai Be floating market with a walk ashore to see workshops and crafts production.
PM: Then on to Sa Dec which has an interesting market and the traditional Vietnamese house of Mr Huyn Thuy Le, the 'lover' of Marguerite Duras, a famous French novelist whose book was immortalized in the film L'Indochine. There is a fine catholic church here too.
Gao Giong
AM: After a short sail upstream, travel a short distance by coach to the Gao Giong ‘green oasis’ with its bird sanctuary. Here a diverse selection of water birds and egrets gather in the tens of thousands across the Duong Tharp Muoi or ‘Plain of Reeds’. Rowing boats traverse the canals to visit the principal nesting areas.
PM: In the afternoon visit Con Phuoc Island and go ashore to explore by tuk-tuk to see basket production and visit a 100-year-old Catholic Church and local carpentry shops.
Tan Chau
AM: Explore the labyrinthine canal system around Tan Chau to visit a Taoist temple where the monks will read fortunes.
PM: Continue through local villages by Xi Loi stopping off to help locals tend their fields before stopping off to visit a fish farm and earn merit by releasing fish back into the Mekong.
Chau Doc - Vietnam/Cambodia Border-Tonle River
AM: Visit a Moslem Cham tribal village and a catfish farm in Chau Doc with a guide or do your own thing and take one of our mountain bikes and explore the local market or visit the splendid Catholic Church.
PM: Return to the ship by boat for lunch and cast off for the Cambodian border for the usual formalities.
Oudong - Kampong Chhanang
AM: After a morning cruise along the Tonle River disembark at Prek Kdam and travel by coach to a former capital, Oudong. On the way visit the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre for a morning of relaxation & meditation before taking a drive around the old capital.
PM: Continue up the Tonle River to Kampong Chhnang where the river is at its most beautiful and heaving with life. Then explore the wetlands around the lake’s mouth rich in birdlife.
Phnom Penh
AM: All passengers 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.
PM: In the afternoon, optional excursion (by coach) to the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge's grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention center.
Angkor Ban-Kampong Cham
AM: Morning walk at Angkor Ban a typical Khmer village with a library donated by Pandaw passengers.
PM: Continue upstream to Kampong Cham and travel by bus to Chiro Village with an extensive education center offering vocational training. Other activities here include plastic recycling, beekeeping, farming, and handicraft-making projects. On to the Wat Nokor Bachey dating back to the Jayarvaman VII period. Built completely from black sandstone unlike other temples of this period.
Chhalong - Koh Trong Island
AM: Morning walk to explore this former French provincial center with its many splendid belle epoch mansions and lively market.
PM: Overnight on the delightful Koh Trong island where passengers can plant their own trees. Sandbank dinner.
Kratie & The Dolphins
AM: From Kratie travel further upstream by a rustic bus to view the dolphin grounds from local boats in a national park-protected area.
PM: Return downstream and in the late afternoon go ashore to see Wat Hanchey an important center of worship on top of a hill above the Mekong with good river panoramas. Of great interest are the Chenla Period temples dating from the 8th century, some destroyed by American bombing during the Vietnam War. Overnight Wat Hancheay.
Disembarkation
AM: Early morning sail to Kampong Cham and coach transfer to hotels in Siem Reap with a refreshment stop at Kampong Thom along the way. Transfer by coach from Kampong Cham to Siem Reap takes approx 4 hours.
PM: Arrive at Siem Reap early afternoon.
Accommodations
Social Areas
Suites & Cabins
Main Deck
Enjoy a peaceful night's sleep in these air-conditioned rooms that come with imported quality linens. The rooms are designed to ensure maximum guest comfort with multi-configuration plugs for all your gadgets, a spacious closet, storage under the bed, and kimonos and slippers.
Upper Deck
These suites feature a panoramic French window that leads to a private deck space giving guests breathtaking scenery. The private bathrooms come with a natural stone shower, spa-branded amenities, and a hairdryer. The room also has a spacious closet and an electric safe.
Technical Information
Features
- Air conditioning
- Excercise room
- Massage room
- Lecture room
- WIFI available
- Kosher Meals
- Medical staff
- Souvenir shop
- Hot showers
- All inclusive
- Charging areas for electronic equipment
Equipment
- Bicycles
- Yoga mats
- Flash lights
- Water canteen/bottle
- Insect repellent
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