Mekong Exploration - between Saigon and Siem Reap or v.v.

Deck Plan - RV Mekong Pandaw

Select a stateroom using the deck plan below. Click once to select a stateroom for two people, again for single occupancy and once more to clear your selection. Your choice will be reflected in the pricing table below the deck plan:

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• 102
• 103
• 104
• 105
• 106
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• 108
• 201
• 202
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• 204
• 205
• 206
• 301
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• 306
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Prices (per cabin)

Cruise prices per cabin are displayed below, along with the selection you have made from the deck plan above.

Angkor with the historic 1932-built Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor

Includes all transfers, hotel (Staterooms - upgrading to Landmark rooms USD 25 per pax) with breakfast buffet, guide, entrance fees and lunches but dinner own arrangement

Click here to know more about the "Raffles" Grand Hotel d'Angkor history

11 February 2010: Arrival Siem Reap – Angkor Wat

Our guide will pick you up at Siem Reap International airport or harbour, then transfer to your hotel for check in. After lunch at the hotel, visit the famous temple of Cambodia, Angkor Wat. It is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. Its massive three tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. This temple is the centerpiece of any visit to the temples of Angkor. Take in the romantic view at sun set from Bakheng Hill. Overnight at hotel (Staterooms) and dinner at leisure in the hotel or one of many nearby restaurants serving Asian or Western menus.

12 February 2010: Siem Reap - Angkor Thom

With airconditioned car and guide visit South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Terrace of Leper King and Pimean Akas. After lunch at the stylish Café Indochine, visit Thommanon, Chau Say Teveda, Ta Keo, Ta Promh, Banteay Kdei and Sras Srang. Overnight at hotel (Staterooms) and dinner at leisure.

13 February 2010: Siem Reap - Preah Khan - Departure

After breakfast travel by airconditioned car to visit Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Meborn. Transfer to the airport or to harbour.

Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor
1 Vithei Charles de Gaulle,
Khum Svay Dang Kum
Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia
Tel: +855 63 963 888
Fax: +855 63 963 168

Raffles_Angkor_Factsheet_front.pdf ; Raffles_Angkor_Factsheet_back.pdf

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.

13 February 2010: Siem Reap / Kampong Cham

Passengers will transfer by coach from the Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor to Kampong Cham, stopping at Kampong Thom along the way.

14 February 2010: Kampong Cham Area

Passengers will visit the hilltop temple of Wat Hanchey in the morning. In the afternoon, travel by bus to visit a 12th century Angkorian temple called Wat Nokor and the Pandaw-supported Kampong Cham orphanage.

15 February 2010: 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.

16 February 2010: 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.

17 February 2010: 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.

18 February 2010: Chau Doc / Cu Lao Gien

19 February 2010: 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.

20 February 2010: 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*

Saigon (with 5 star Sofitel Plaza)

A historic address on tree-lined LeDuan Boulevard, the Sofitel Plaza Saigon is located in the city center, in the heart of the business district and close to Notre Dame Cathedral and Reunification Palace.

Includes all transfers, hotel with breakfast buffet, guide, entrance fees and 1 lunch on day 2.

Sofitel Plaza (Superior Room): 30 sqm, 325 sqf, marble bathroom, free high-speed Internet access, wall-to-wall window.

20 February 2010: Arrival Saigon

Arrive in Saigon. Transfer to hotel . Free time in Saigon with dinner at leisure. Overnight Saigon

21 February 2010: Saigon city tour - Cuchi tunnels (L)

Visit to Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office, Former US Embassy, City Hall, War Museum of Remnants. Shopping at Ben Thanh market. Lunch in local restaurant.In the afternoon, drive to extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels, about 65 Km (1½  hours drive) from Sai Gon. The complicated system of underground network was built by Viet Cong guerillas. En route, you have chance to see rural people live and work. View occupations such as cashew nut farming, duck breeding, rice farming and production of rice paper, a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. 17h00: Return to Saigon dinner at leisure.

22 February 2010: Departure

Free until departure.

HOTEL SOFITEL PLAZA

17 Le Duan Boulevard District 1

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM

Ph (+84) 8/38241555 - Fax (+84) 8/38241666

Download Hotel Fact Sheet

Sofitel Plaza SGN_FactSheet.pdf