 | Mekong Exploration - between Saigon and Siem Reap or v.v. 7 nights aboard RV Mekong Pandaw/RV Tonle Pandaw 72 departure dates from 11-Sep-10 to 24-Mar-12 < Cruises | Downstream Itinerary | Upstream Itinerary | Map | Pre-cruise | Post-cruise | Select departure | Select cabin/book |
Downstream cruise from Siem Reap to Saigon: 8 Days aboard a Pandaw
If you would like to know more information about the river stops in this itinerary, please click on the underlined destinations.
Day 1: Siem Reap / Kampong Cham
Passengers will transfer by coach from the Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor to Kampong Cham. A packed lunch will be provided on the coach and we will stop at Kampong Thom along the way.
Day 2: Kampong Cham Area
Passengers will visit the hilltop temple of Wat Hanchey in the morning. In the afternoon, travel by bus to visit the Twin Holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey (Man and Woman Hill). Continuation to the ecotourism village of Choeungkok supported by the Frech-Cambodian NGO Amica and the Pandaw-supported Kampong Cham orphanage.
Day 3: Tonle River / Kampong Chhnang
Excursion up the Tonle River to Kampong Chhnang by either coach or the ship depending on water levels. In Kampong Chhnang passengers will take a wonderful motor boat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here many fishtraps may be seen.
Day 4: Phnom Penh
Passengers will visit Phnom Penh and 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 (www.cyclo.org.uk).
In the afternoon, optional excursion (by coach) to the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge's grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention centre. This tour is included in the cost of your cruise but must be requested at the time of booking in the comments box.
Day 5: Cruising the Mekong / Border Crossing
We spend the day cruising in the main Mekong channel, an international shipping route. We stop at Prek Touch, a jungle village, to visit fruit orchards, and then set off for the Vietnamese border for the usual formalities.
Day 6: Chau Doc / Cu Lao Gien
Visit a Cham tribal village, a cat fish farm, and enjoy a trishaw ride round Chau Doc. In the afternoon, visit Cu Lao Gien island and a Catholic monastery called "La Providence" built in 1875 by the French nuns of "Saint Paul de Chatres".
Day 7: Sa Dec / Cai Be
In the morning passengers will take an exciting Sampan boat excursion to Cai Be via Vinh Long along canals and backwaters. Passengers will visit Sa Dec and see the local market and the ancient house of Mr, Huyn Thuy Le, the 'lover' of Marguerite Duras, a famous French novelist. At Cai Be, we will cruise through its colourful floating market which takes place daily in front of the catholic church.
Day 8: My Tho / Saigon
Early morning sail from Cai Be for My Tho, where passengers disembark in the early morning for a coach transfer to Hotel Sofitel Plaza Saigon. Arrive at the hotel late morning.
Cruise Price Includes Entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, locally made soft and alcoholic beverages, jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes, mineral water. Transfers between the meeting point and the ship at the start and end of a voyage.
Cruise Price Excludes International flights, airport transfers, port dues, 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.
Registration Details:
11.30am
The Elephant Bar
Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor
11 Vithei Charles de Gaulle,
Khum Svay Dang Kum
River Conditions Warning!
The rivers you will sail on are subject to seasonal rises and falls of water level, in some places as much as 30 metres. Water levels can change dramatically overnight and a sudden rise can impede our progress upstream considerably and even prevent us from passing under certain bridges. A sudden fall can result in our being unable to get into certain places or go as far upstream as we would hope. Groundings on sandbars are not infrequent and are part of the excitement of any Pandaw expedition. Published itineraries are indicational only and subject to sudden change. In such events alternative itineraries will be provided and we do our best to ensure that if a stop is missed we make up for it with another stop. Passengers are thus forewarned and expected to be flexible and patient. River cruising in Asia can be a dramatic and adventurous experience - not like cruising the controlled waterways of Europe or America. Note also that we operate in areas with little or no developed infrastructure and subject to the strictures of local officialdom. Be prepared for this and it is all more the fun!
Additional Details
*In Phnom Penh large groups may request a conventional guide and coach if required*
