Burma

Burma Cruises

Burma

USA Today AwardWorld's Best River Cruise Suite 2023Conde Nast Traveler 2023TripAdvisor Travellers Choice 2026TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

Discover the majestic world of Burma

Burma is a majestic country. A country less travelled compared to its neighbours. The Burmese people are amongst the warmest and most welcoming of any you’ll meet in Southeast Asia. The best way to immerse yourself in their rich history and culture is on a river cruise.

Burma, now known as Myanmar, is awash with rivers. The largest and the countries most important is the Irrawaddy River. It’s 2,210km and navigable for over 1,600km.

The Chindwin River is the main tributary of the Irrawaddy and is navigable for 965km.

The Salween is approximately 2,815 km but the people who live on the river are extremely segregated because it’s only navigable up to 90 km from the mouth.

The Sittaung is only 420km, strong currents make it less valuable as a means of transport so the river is used primarily to float timber for export. The river is navigable for 40 km year-round and for 90 km during three months of the year.

And lastly the Mekong. The Mekong is the twelfth longest river in the world, running from the Tibetan Plateau the river runs through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Its estimated length is 4,350km.

With so many rivers running through one country, the best way to experience the life of the Myanmar people is to embark on a river cruise. Our ships allow you to sail through the heart of Burma, through the breath-taking landscapes, past working villages, and awe-inspiring monasteries and temples. We’ll take you off the beaten track to a seemingly forgotten world.

Our ships and our staff will have you relaxed and comfortable from the moment you step onboard. Your staterooms are spacious and come with fresh fruit and flowers on arrival. We supply kimonos, slippers and spa-branded amenities to make your stay extra special. We go above and beyond to make sure your time on our river cruise is enjoyed exactly as you wish; we provide a peaceful setting as well as arranged talks and demonstrations from the local people.

Available

Expeditions

The Great Irrawaddy Delta
No Single Supplement on selected dates

Explore the wetlands, creeks and channels

10 Nights
RV Kanee Pandaw, RV Kha Byoo Pandaw
Irrawaddy RiverIrrawaddy Delta

Rivers of

Burma

Irrawaddy Delta

Irrawaddy Delta

The Irrawaddy Delta covers an area of over 1000 square miles with Rangoon, its most famous port and capital of all Burma from 1886 to 2005. Orig....

Our Fleet In

Burma

The RV Kha Byoo Pandaw Ship

RV Kha Byoo Pandaw

This ten cabin K class was completed in 2016 and is currently serving as the Pandaw Academy training ship at Pagan. Like so many of our K class ....

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The RV Kanee Pandaw Ship

RV Kanee Pandaw

Pandaw are delighted to announce the construction of a new fourteen cabin K-class ship for Burma, now renamed Myanmar. These ultra-shallow twin ....

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River Stops In

Burma

Bogale View

Bogale

Bogale is a small city located in the Bogale Township, Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar. It is located on the southwestern part of Myanmar/Burma on the mainland section of the country.

Maubin View

Maubin

A town in the Ayeyarwady Division in south-west Burma, Maubin (also known as Ma-ubin) is an incredible place to visit. Known for its growing communication and transportation...

Myaungmya View

Myaungmya

When boarding a Pandaw River Cruise, you can be prepared to visit some of the most beautiful places in Asia. One of those incredible places is Myaungmya.

Pyapon View

Pyapon

On one of our Irrawaddy Delta cruises , you can experience the small town of Pyapon on the Pyapon River, a tributary of the Irrawaddy Delta.

Rangoon (Yangon) View

Rangoon (Yangon)

The largest city in Myanmar, Rangoon (Yangon) is a mix of cosmopolitan high-rises, stunning architecture and historical sights.

Wakema View

Wakema

In the Ayeyarwaddy Division of south-west Myanmar lies the idyllic town of Wakema. A small yet bustling town surrounded by awe-inspiring greenery and wildlife, it is known as a...

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From Our Travellers

Feedback

Our trip on the Mekong delta was the first time we had been on a Pandaw cruise but certainly won’t be the last!

Jackie Wynne

Our trip on the Mekong delta was the first time we had been on a Pandaw cruise but certainly won’t be the last! Everything was perfect: the beautiful traditional boat, the wonderful crew, the astoundingly good food, the interesting trips, the comfortable cabins and our excellent travel companions. Our only regret is that we hadn’t previously heard about Pandaw but we have ensured that all our friends and family now know of your wonderful company. Thank you!

We particularly liked that Pandaw shares the tourism wealth with these small communities

Margaret Kay and Michael Smart

We had a fantastic trip from Siem Reap to Saigon. Not only interesting but also wonderful to visit local villages and get a glimpse of real life of Cambodian and Vietnamese people. We particularly liked that Pandaw shares the tourism wealth with these small communities.

Margaret Kay and Michael Smart on The Classic Mekong River Cruise

The ship was extremely comfortable and staff attentive and gorgeous. My only suggestion is that you provide a map showing the route of the cruise and the stops made. An espresso coffee machine would also be welcome!

It was so enjoyable and I can't praise everyone involved enough

Ms Alice May Birrell

Alice Birrell - The Upper Irrawaddy River Cruise

I am writing to thank you so much for the trip on the Upper Irrawaddy. It was so enjoyable and I can't praise everyone involved enough. I have a foot problem and all the young men helped me every time I went ashore. They did everything imaginable to make it a wonderful cruise.

The food was outstanding and so beautifully presented; we enjoyed a Bang Bang salad demonstration and then the carving, the chef is very talented. I am attaching a photo of him with his work.

As for Ko (Dominic), he was the most patient man, it must be his Buddhist Teaching. Ko was so knowledgeable and helpful.

Again, my grateful thanks to you and all your staff.

Alice Birrell

Latest Story

From Our Travel Blog

An Irrawaddy Voyage

An Irrawaddy Voyage

By Paul Strachan, Pandaw Founder   By the 1920s, travel to Burma became all the rage. To give an idea of the destination's popularity,....

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Your Life

On Board

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Essential

Information

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