Mekong Pandaw

Deals

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.

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.

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.

AM: After breakfast, disembark your Pandaw Expedition in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

AM: We disembark our Pandaw Boat and travel by coach from My Tho City through the countryside to your hotel in Saigon.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

AM: From Kratie travel further upstream by a rustic bus to view the dolphin grounds from local boats in a national park-protected area.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

AM: Early morning sail to My Tho Port and disembark after breakfast for transfers to hotels in Saigon.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.