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EXPLORE THE MEKONG FURTHER

DEEPER AND FURTHER ON THE MEKONG RIVER

10 NIGHTS FROM US$4,800.00

New ten night Mekong itinerary

Sailing port to port from central Saigon to Siem Reap inland port, venture deep into Vietnam’s vast Mekong Delta, explore the norther reaches of the Mekong River at the dolphin grounds at Kratie and discover the picturesque Tonle Sap as we cross the the 150 mile-long lake. This is a new itinerary never attempted in total before and only operable aboard Pandaw’s ultra-low draft vessels and only during the high water season until October.

No ship could be more appropriate for this expedition than the much-loved Mekong Pandaw that was the first ship to pioneer the river in 2002 and historically open the river border between Vietnam and Cambodia. Only the Mekong Pandaw has the shallow draft to go so far on these rivers and the low air draft to get under recently constructed bridges. Thanks to improvements in inland water navigation in these countries we can now take the ship from Saigon to Siem Reap with no long road transfers required on arrival or departure, something unimaginable in previous years.

This pioneering route is very much aimed at Pandaw club members who seek more immersive experiences in the countries Pandaw ships ply and wish to spend more days in the comfort and lively atmosphere of our beautifully crafted ships.

With 24 staterooms the Mekong Pandaw has been refitted with a sumptuous spa, library and gym this ship, built in Burma from golden teak. This is the most spacious of all Pandaw’s nineteen ships with broad promenades running around each deck and a vast sun deck of over 600 square meters on top.

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or call TOLL FREE 1-877-872-6329
represented by Sayang Holidays
10 NIGHTS FROM US$4,800.00

New ten night Mekong itinerary

IMAGES

EXPEDITION MAP

YOUR SHIP

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS

PRE CRUISE EXTENSIONS

Exploring Angkor (Jaya House Riverpark) Pre Tour

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Exploring Angkor (FCC Angkor) Pre Tour

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POST CRUISE EXTENSIONS

Post Tour Saigon & Surroundings (Hotel Des Arts)

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Post Tour Saigon & Surroundings (The Myst Dong Khoi)

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5 Night Vietnam's Heritage Road: Saigon, Hue & Hoi An 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 EMBARK SIEM REAP

After a short 45 minute drive to Siem Reap inland port, we embark and set sail into the Tonle Sap lake. Bird life along the lake’s edges is profuse and look out for the grey headed fish eagle. Crocodiles and snakes abound in these shallow waters which are home to the giant Mekong catfish, the largest ever caught being 648 punds in May 2004. There are 148 other species of fish in the lake which provide the main source of protein for the entire Cambodian population. In the afternoon we visit a floating village and learn more about life on the lake.

More about Siem Reap
Embark Siem Reap
Embark Siem Reap

DAY 2 TONLE SAP AND KAMPONG CHHNANG

Continue crossing this tranquil lake before reaching Kampong Chhnang, an important trading town that focusses on fishing and creating local pottery. We explore the back waters by local boat before returning to the boat and sailing downstream to moor alongside a remote fishing village where we enjoy evening cocktails around the campfire with the village people.

DAY 3 KAMPONG TRALLACH

Arriving in the morning to Kampong Trallach, We travel by ox-cart around the river-side villages, markets and temples to get a sense of life along the river. After lunch we visit the ancient capital of Oudong and discover the Vipassana Dhura meditation centre before mooring alongside Koh Chen, a silversmith village know for furnishing the royal families for centuries.

Kampong Trallach
Kampong Trallach

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 ANGKOR BAN

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.

Angkor Ban
Angkor Ban

DAY 6 KOH TRONG ISLAND

Visit Koh trong Island, a community based tourism site since 2008. We explore the fruit orchards and sample the local delicacies before we head to a community tree project and plant trees together with the local people. Moor overnight alongside the island.

DAY 7 KRATIE AND THE DOLPHIN GROUNDS

Morning excursion by coach and smapan to hopefully spot the Irrawaddy dolphins abundant in the waters below Stuc Treng. This is a real highlight of the expedition.

Kratie And The Dolphin Grounds
Kratie And The Dolphin Grounds

DAY 8 BORDER CROSSING – CHAU DOC

We cross into Vietnam by the river border in the morning before going alongside the picturesque border town of Chau Doc in the afternoon. Taking minivans for a short drive to Sam Mountain, location of Phuoc Dien Tu or the Hang Pagoda. We climb the steps to the top to visit the pagoda with breath-taking viewpoints available along the way for those who do not want to climb the full distance. We then return to the river and visit the floating fish farms by sampan, making a stop at a Chham Village on the way to observe the lives of Vietnamese Muslims. A traditional Lion dance is presented at the Cham Village.

DAY 9 CON PHUOC

Today the ship sails to Con Phuoc for the shore excursion. 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.

Con Phuoc
Con Phuoc

DAY 10 BEN TRE

Today 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. We sail the afternoon through the Chao Gao canal on the way to central Saigon, entering the city and enjoying a sunset dinner cruise along the Saigon river before we dock centrally. Please note we will be unable to leave the ship during this evening due to immigration formalities.

DAY 11 DISEMBARK SAIGON

After breakfast, disembark in the heart of Saigon for your onward journey.

More about Saigon
Disembark Saigon
Disembark Saigon

WHATS INCLUDED

Cruise Price Includes: Entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes. Transfer to Siem Reap from Ship on Day 11 (Upstream) or Transfer from Siem Reap to Ship on Day 1 (Downstream).

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, other transfers not stated in the itinerary.

TRANSFERS & JOINING

DAY 1 EMBARK SIEM REAP

Transfer from our Meeting Point at the FCC Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap to Siem Reap inland port and your Pandaw vessel (approx. 45 minutes). Please meet directly at our meeting point between 09:00am and 09:30am.

Hotel address: Next to the Royal Residence, Pokambor Avenue, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia.

DAY 11 DISEMBARK SAIGON

Disembark in central Saigon after breakfast for your own onward arrangements. .

Port Address: Saigon Port - 05 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Ward 13, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City.

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

Have you been on this expedition? Send us a testimonial of your experience by Clicking Here.

TRAVEL BLOGS

Kindness defeats the Killing Fields: Falling in love with Cambodia and its determination to escape the horrors of the past

By Nigel Planer For The Mail On Sunday 21:01 30 Jun 2018   I'm in a village square in the middle of Cambodia ; a teenager is showin.... read more

 

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