Pandaw River Cruises
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THE ORIGINAL AND BEST CRUISE ON THE MEKONG

CLASSIC MEKONG

7 NIGHTS FROM US$3,358.80
SAVE UP TO 10% AND NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON SELECTED DATES

Save 10%, No Single Supplement & Kids go FREE on selected dates

There can be no tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong. Indeed there can be no more striking a cultural contrast as that between the bustling Vietnam delta and the tranquility of Cambodia. We pass from the vibrant French colonial port of Saigon, through the vast delta so rich in human life and endeavour, to travel along the main channel into the rich countryside of Cambodia. With a full day in charming Phnom Penh we then explore remoter waterways as we progress to the great monuments of Angkor.

HIGH WATER NOTICE: During the months September to November, water levels may rise significantly leading to issues accessing the Tonle Sap River. During this time, we may replace itinerary points on the Tonle Sap with sailing north to Kratie and excursions at the dolphin grounds.

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or call TOLL FREE 1-877-872-6329
represented by Sayang Holidays
7 NIGHTS FROM US$3,358.80
SAVE UP TO 10% AND NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON SELECTED DATES

Save 10%, No Single Supplement & Kids go FREE on selected dates

IMAGES

EXPEDITION MAP

YOUR SHIP

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS

PRE CRUISE EXTENSIONS

Pre Tour Saigon & Surroundings (Hotel Des Arts)

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Pre Tour Saigon & Surroundings (The Myst Dong Khoi)

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5 Night Vietnam's Heritage Road: Hue, Hoi An & Saigon Pre Tour

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POST CRUISE EXTENSIONS

Exploring Angkor (Jaya House Riverpark) Post Tour

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Exploring Angkor (FCC Angkor) Post Tour

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Kratie and the Dolphin Grounds 2 Night Post Tour

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OPTIONAL PACKAGE ADDONS

Private Dining

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Pre-Bookable House Wine Package

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Free Flow Drinks

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Free Flow Drinks & Wine Package

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Language Guides (Classic Mekong cruise portion only)

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Pandaw Spa (Vietnam & Cambodia)

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ITINERARY

Upstream      Downstream

DAY 1 SAIGON - MY THO - BEN TRE

Transfer from Saigon to the river port for embarkation. 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 specialising in making local products. In the evening you will be entertained by a Vietnamese dance troupe on deck.

More about Saigon
Saigon - My Tho - Ben Tre
Saigon - My Tho - Ben Tre

DAY 2 CON PHUOC

Sailing through the delta offers a real insight into life along this vast waterway. After lunch, we pass through a small canal and head ashore to Con Phuoc Island where we visit local craftspeople weaving bamboo baskets the traditional way. After a demonstration, we try our hand at making our own. We then take a local tuk tuk for a drive through this peaceful village, stopping at a 100 year old church and meeting more of the friendly local community. After onboard lunch, the ship sails to Tan Chau for overnight.

DAY 3 CHAU DOC - VIETNAM/CAMBODIA BORDER

In the morning, taking 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. Then we go alongside at the picturesque border town of Chau Doc where we visit the floating fish farms by sampan. We make a stop at a Chham Village and observe the lives of Vietnamese Muslims. Lion dance is presented at the Cham Village. Upon return to ship, we navigate a web of canals before dropping anchor on the Vietnam/Cambodia border to undergo Immigration formalities.

More about Chau Doc
Chau Doc - Vietnam/Cambodia Border
Chau Doc - Vietnam/Cambodia Border

DAY 4 PHNOM PENH

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. 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 night life.

More about Phnom Penh

DAY 5 KAMPONG TRALACH

We leave the dock at Phnom Penh early morning and 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 round a village fire pit where we will be joined by village folk keen to show us their traditional dancing show us more of the delightful Khmer culture.

Kampong Tralach
Kampong Tralach

DAY 6 OUDONG - SILK ISLAND

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. 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 centre 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 believed to date back to the Angkor empire.

More about Silk Island

DAY 7 ANGKOR BAN VILLAGE & WAT HANCHEY

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.

NOTE: if you want to donate books, please bring along some Children’s books in English language (suitable for age 8 to 15 yrs) which you can personally gift to the library.

In the afternoon we sail north to Wat Hanchey, an important centre 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.

Angkor Ban Village & Wat Hanchey
Angkor Ban Village & Wat Hanchey

DAY 8 SIEM REAP

Disembark and travel by coach from Kampong Cham through stunningly lovely countryside to reach Siem Reap, adjacent to Angkor Wat.

More about Siem Reap

WHATS INCLUDED

Cruise Price Includes: Entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes. Transfers between the meeting point and the ship at the start and end of a voyage.

Cruise Price Excludes: International flights, port dues (if levied), laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), all beverages except local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes and tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers.

TRANSFERS & JOINING

DAY 1 SAIGON - MY THO - BEN TRE

Our meeting point for embarkation will be Hotel Des Arts Saigon (address: 76-78 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Quan 1, Thành pho Ho Chí Minh).

For guests staying at Hotel Des Arts, please meet in reception at 10am for Pandaw check in and registration.

For guests staying elsewhere in Saigon, we will arrange a taxi transfer from your chosen hotel to Hotel Des Arts for registration. We will contact your hotel the night before to advise pick up time which will be between 09:30 and 09:45am. Please note transfers to Hotel Des Arts can only be arranged from hotels within central Saigon (District 1 or 3).

Group departure from Hotel Des Arts to the ship is at 10:30am.

DAY 8 SIEM REAP

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.

VISA INFORMATION

Upstream
E-visa for Cambodia are not accepted at the river border. Visa on arrival for Cambodia will be arranged for you by the crew. Please bring 1x passport photo and fee of $35 USD.
Click here for full visa information.

Downstream
E-visa for Vietnam are now accepted at the river border. On your application, please enter SONG TIEN LANDPORT as your arrival port.
Click here for full visa information.

TESTIMONIALS

We were so impressed, that when we are in a position to investigate another holiday, we will definitely have Pandaw on our list - posted by John and Dianne Ellis

We have never been on a river cruise before and this has definitely whetted our appetite for a similar experience - posted by Cathy Byrne

The cruise was an excellent and easy way to see lots of interesting things and places and we would thoroughly recommend it - posted by Carole Samuels

This was a wonderful cruise, and we are already looking at the new cruises in India with Pandaw - posted by Priscilla Kuzyszyn

The experiences we were able to enjoy due to the size of the ship and the knowledge of the local guides were unbelievable, we didn't see any other tourists apart from in Phnom Penh - posted by Tracy and Lesley

We went on your 7 day Pandaw cruise down the Mekong River, which was a wonderful experience and the highlight of our 24 day holiday - posted by Pauline and Nigel Hawkins

I really enjoyed all the hotels and tours you booked before and after the cruise as well as the cruise itself - posted by Candice W

My wife and I went on the Mekong cruise, it was indeed a very good experience - posted by Michael Vinding

Wonderful 7 day cruise, would definitely recommend this cruise - posted by Carol Gordon

This was my second trip with Pandaw and even exceeded my expectations from the first cruise - posted by Victoria Oliver

We spent an amazing week on the Mekong Pandaw. The crew were all amazing, well trained, polite, helpful, efficient - posted by Julie Evans

The cruise had just the right amount of excursions with enough time to meet fellow travellers and relax. It exceeded our expectations - posted by Brian Costello and Fiona Jackson

You would have to be very picky to find a fault as they have mastered the concept of managing their customers' experience, rather than just taking them on a cruise - posted by David Hinds

All I can do is rave! This was possibly the best holiday we’ve ever had as a family - posted by Sophie Ray

The 7 day Mekong cruise on the Pandaw was the highlight of our 3 week trip - posted by Linda Lee

We will take another river cruise on Pandaw! - posted by Joan Stockbridge

We can’t speak too highly of the entire experience - posted by Anne and George McKay

The whole cruise was excellent and beyond my expectations - posted by Ron Chisholm

Such an enjoyable experience for us with the usual friendly, professional, conscientious thoughtful attention to the needs of guests - posted by Margaret Sewell and Wendy Purba

The experience was beyond all our expectations and dreams - posted by Chris and John Speight

We particularly liked that Pandaw shares the tourism wealth with these small communities - posted by Margaret Kay and Michael Smart

Just wanted to let you know that once again I had an excellent cruise with Pandaw - posted by Diana Welsby

The service we received was far and above what we expected - posted by Bill and Jean Adam

Any suggestions for improvement? Not really. Why go with Pandaw twice? Why not go three times? - posted by Malcolm and Cath Lister

With Pandaw you not only get what you pay for but you get memories like never before - posted by Mr Rodney and Valerie Nash

What a wonderful experience! From start to finish this was a first-class trip in every way - posted by Susan Donaldson and David Perry

I can only say that it was a fantastic, informative, memorable and enjoyable adventure - posted by Susan and David Burgess

We had the most amazing time and have returned with lovely memories that we will cherish forever - posted by Barry and April Palmer

What is there to say, except that it was probably our best trip for many years! - posted by Pierre and Patricia Laederich

The ship was first class and all your crew were a credit to you - posted by Valerie John

Thanks to all the crew for making our cruise truly memorable. It has now left us with a problem. Which Pandaw cruise shall we go on next? - posted by Gordon and Christine Halliday

The Pandaw Mekong cruise provides a fantastic moving picture of village life along the river - posted by Trevor and Sandy Johns

The service and friendliness of the staff was sensational - posted by Andrew Wannan

As you can see I loved every minute and wish more people knew about it - posted by Betty Geldard

I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the cruise, the food, the cocktails and the company of our fellow travellers and the staff - posted by Vivienne Bourke

The journey itself was magical, experiencing the local villages and being amongst the locals was very special - posted by Camilla Gomes

Well done Pandaw - we would highly recommend this voyage to any traveller as the best river cruise - posted by Neville & Jill Pinkham

What a wonderful experience we had on the RV Mekong Pandaw - posted by Bob & Barbara Hackman

We fully intend to book another cruise with Pandaw - posted by Bill & Michelle Hammons

Read article on Roamarroo.com - posted by Collette & Scott Stohler

The friendliness of the crew made the whole trip such a delight - posted by Lorna & David Williams

Thank you for the very special memories I now hold - posted by Laura Kelly

Thank You again for this wonderful experience, all 7 of us had a fantastic time - posted by Linda Elliott

I don’t know of any other company/staff that would do this for their guests - posted by Vivienne Zaarour

The cruise was fabulous - posted by Ed Barry

All passengers in our group thought this cruise to be the best part of our holiday - posted by Wendy Urquhart

Many thanks and congratulations on creating something terrific - posted by Paul & Emily Christensen

A holiday of a lifetime - up their with going on a safari in Kenya - posted by The Classic Mekong, Apr 2015

My wonderful trip on the Angkor Pandaw cruising up the Mekong River - posted by Jeff Carrier

Stephen Read's blog about the RV Mekong Pandaw - posted by Stephen Read

A cruise on the Mekong is a must whether take a long cruise like this or a short one - posted by The Classic Mekong, Feb 2015

The ship, built in Scotland and modeled on the old steam-ships was fabulous - posted by The Classic Mekong, Oct 2014

Please relay our gratitude again to all the crew - posted by Michael & Anna Cox

You can be very proud of your boat and staff - posted by David & Pamela Bainbridge

We were very delighted at all the Pandaw experience - posted by Philip Johnston

Once again we had a fabulous time on board the RV Pandaw Mekong - posted by Mrs Wade

TRAVEL BLOGS

Oudong - A page out of history

Cambodia is a land of verdant forests and ancient temples. A centuries-old city in this spectacular country is one that champions both time-worn.... read more

 

Insights into the Khmer Empire Under Jayavarman VII

Jayavarman VII (c. 1181–1218) was a great conqueror of the Hindu-Buddhist Angkor Empire, the predecessor state to modern Cambodia . He gained in.... read more

 

Khmer Rouge Killing Fields

One of the darkest times in the history of the modern era took place in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979, following immediately after the end of t.... read more

 

Vietnam and Cambodia by Pandaw

Camilla Gomes, UK, blog and video of her experience in Vietnam and Cambodia with Pandaw Cruises. This was my first time at that part of Asia .... read more

 

Dolphin delight: New opportunities to see the Mekong's favourite inhabitants

We have exciting news: Pandaw's special relationship with the Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is about to get a great deal closer on t.... read more

 

Happy ending - how a veteran Vietnam War protestor found peace with Pandaw

We're delighted to share this fabulous online album of a Pandaw Indochina adventure, compiled by Lynn Bains , who joined our Classic Mekong c.... read more

 

MEDIA MENTIONS

Vietnam River Cruising - A truly immersive experience (PODCAST)

12 May 2021 - article by Kerry Newsome Episode for What About Vietnam

 

Pandaw redesigns Classic Mekong cruise

20 Jan 2020 - article by TTR Weekly

 

Spirited away on a river cruise in Laos

13 Apr 2019 - article by Lee Beaumann for The Times

 

Five of the best Mekong river cruises for wildlife fans

11 Dec 2018 - article by Tamara Hinson for The Telegraph

 

Mekong River cruise, Cambodia: Flickers of hope along the Mekong Read

02 Dec 2016 - article by Nina Karnikowski from the Wendy Wu press trip

 

RV Mekong Pandaw: along the mighty river from Cambodia to Vietnam

26 Nov 2016 - article by Helen McKenzie for The Australian

 

The Pandaw Luxury River Cruise: An Odyssey on the Mekong from Saigon to Phnom Penh

26 Jul 2016 - article by Glenn Harris for the Luxury Lifestyle Mag UK

 

Mekong river cruise: exploring Cambodia and Vietnam from the water

01 Oct 2015 - article by Telegraph Travel

 

Grand dame of the vibrant Mekong River

01 Apr 2015 - article by Shirley Sinclair, Sunshine Coast Daily

 

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