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Classic Mekong (Upstream)

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Classic Mekong

From £4,195 pp

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.

What’s Included:

  • 1 night 4-star stay in Ho Chi Min City with breakfast
  • 7 nights luxury accommodation in an outside stateroom
  • Full board cruise
  • English speaking guide sighting with private tours just for your party
  • Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs
  • Internet and Wi-Fi access
  • Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Dinner
  • Sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
  • Daily entertainment including cultural performances
  • All shore excursions, crew gratuities, meals and selected drinks included whilst on the Mekong cruise
  • On board gratuities
  • All overseas transfers
  • International flights from London, regional flights available on request
  • ABTA and ATOL bonded for your financial protection
APT Essential Vietnam & Cambodia - Ankor Wat at Sunset
Day 1 - 2 Saigon

Fly overnight from UK to Saigon where you transfer to your overnight hotel.

 

Day 3 - Ben Tre

The following day transfer from your hotel to the river port for embarkation. After lunch, travel by sampans through mangroves and bamboo groves to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. In these local artisans are at work and are invite visitors into their homes for tea, fruit and honey products made from their own honey. This is an area rich in bird life and on our return journey we travel by horse cart through the lush countryside. After lunch, the ship moors off Cho Lach island for pot making and further glimpses of Delta life, agriculture and local Viet hospitality including a culinary lesson in making traditional Banh Xeo.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 - Con Phuoc Island

After breakfast, there is a short coach journey to the Gao Giong ‘green oasis’ with its bird sanctuary. Here a diverse selection of water and egrets that gather in the tens of thousands across the Duong Tharp Muoi or ‘Plain of Reeds’. Rowing boats traverse the canals to take us to see the principal nesting areas. After returning to the boat we cruise upstream to Con Phuoc Island. We Moor in a small canal off Con Phuoc Island and go ashore to explore the island by Xi Loi seeing basket production and visiting a 100-year old Catholic Church as well as local woodworking artisans.

Day 4 - Con Phuoc Island

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 - Cambodia Border

Afternoon, explore the labyrinthine canal system around Tan Chau to visit a Taoist temple where the monks will read fortunes. Continue through local villages by Xi Loi stopping off to help locals tend their fields before stopping off to visit a fish farm and earn merit by releasing fish back into the Mekong. Border crossing formalities take up much of the afternoon and during this stationary period there is an optional tour of the working ship and fruit carving classes on deck.

Day 5 - Cambodia Border

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 - 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. Afternoon optional visit to the Killing Fields and Genocide museum or take a tuk-tuk to explore the riverfront and finish with High Tea at Raffles Hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh city port with its lively bars, restaurants and night life.

Day 6 - Phnom Penh

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 - Silk Island

Sail up the Tonle River to board our expedition vessel, the Pandaw Explorer, to visit Koh Okhna Tey, or ‘silk island’ to study the entire silk making process from worms to weavers. There will be a demonstration of the ancient Khmer martial art of Bokator. Return to ship and return down the Tonle River to turn up the Mekong at the confluence. Evening lecture on Angkor and Khmer culture.

Day 7 -  Silk Island

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 - Wat Hanchey, Obt Chiro Village

Morning visit to Koh Trong Island a small Mekong River hamlet which can be explored by bicycle or ox cart with a real immersion into Khmer rural life visiting local schools and English classes then visiting a reforestation site where you can leave your mark by planting your own tree. Passengers should feel free to donate items for use in the schools such as books & pens etc. After lunch, moor off Kratie and continue to the dolphin grounds by local boat where we will observe the elusive Irrawaddy Dolphins.

Day 8 - Wat Hanchey, Obt Chiro Village

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 - Siem Reap

Sail downstream to moor at Kampong Cham for disembarkation and road transfer to Siem Reap.

Day 9 -  Siem Reap

Breakfast

Day 10 - 11 Siem Reap & UK

Disembark and travel by coach from Kampong Cham through stunningly lovely countryside to reach Siem Reap, adjacent to Angkor Wat. Here we disembark and fly home from Siem Reap International airport.

NB: if you would like to stay longer and visit Angkor Wat you can book our Secrets of Angkor Wat extension and discover the incredible history of these temples via a private tour.

Built in Rangoon in 2002 she was sailed round to Saigon under her own power and many a drama described in Paul Strachan’s Pandaw Story. This ship was designed specially for the Mekong and unlike our other P class ships does not have a flying bridge.

The reason was so she could get under a road bridge. She did actually scrape under on her maiden but it was so scary that Paul Strachan, then standing on the bridge, never dared attempt it again. As a result, we ended up with this incredible 750 square meter teak deck that even has a full size billiard table. The MP as she is affectionately known is our most spacious ship with wider promenades, a larger dining hall and more public space per passenger than any known ship afloat. Seriously!

In 2012 she was refitted and lower deck cabins removed in favour of a professional spa, gym, library lounge and office. She is quite justifiably the most splendid ship on the Mekong and the envy of anything that floats by.

The ship has quality mountain bikes for your independent exploration.

RV Mekong Pandaw

Onboard Features & Facilities

  • 18 Upper Deck & 6 Main deck staterooms 170ft²in size and finished in Teak and Brass
  • Wireless internet in all public areas
  • Shop, supporting fair trade products
  • Lecture & Meeting rooms
  • Art Gallery
  • Library with contemporary and classic literature
  • Local master chef heading an experienced international culinary team
  • Semi-buffet breakfast, Semi-buffet lunch, and seated theme dinners Daily lean & light menu options
  • Complimentary local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes
  • Complimentary evening canapés
  • Series of cultural performances, educational talks, cooking classes, and ship tour
  • Welcome drink on arrival, Welcome cocktail, Farewell reception
  • Theme- and gala dinners
  • Spacious, air-conditioned saloon bar with nightly entertainment
  • Sundeck bar with complimentary ice cream from sunrise to sunset
  • Pool table on sundeck
  • 24hr hospitality Bar

Accommodation & Amenities

The 18 Upper deck and 6 main deck staterooms, air-conditioning 170 square feet, finished in teak and brass with panoramic French window, leading to personal deck space. New bathrooms with natural stone shower and branded quality fittings, Kimonos and slippers and Spa-branded amenities. Unlimited mineral water in your cabin

Upper Deck

170 ft² – Upper Deck

  • 170ft Stateroom
  • Panoramic French windows with personal deck space
  • Central AC with individual control
  • New bathrooms with natural stone shower and branded quality fittings
  • Kimonos and slippers and Spa-branded amenities
  • Gowns and slippers
  • Electric mini Safe
  • Imported quality linens with duvet and two kind of pillows, Premium mattresses,Convertible bed configuration
  • Welcome flower arrangement and welcome gift
  • Hair Dryer
RV Mekong Pandaw - Cabin Windows
RV Mekong Pandaw - Twin Cabin and Bathroom

Main Deck

170 ft² – Main Deck

  • 170ft Stateroom
  • Panoramic French windows with personal deck space
  • Central AC with individual control
  • New bathrooms with natural stone shower and branded quality fittings
  • Kimonos and slippers and Spa-branded amenities
  • Gowns and slippers
  • Electric mini Safe
  • Imported quality linens with duvet and two kind of pillows, Premium mattresses,Convertible bed configuration
  • Welcome flower arrangement and welcome gift
  • Hair Dryer
RV Mekong Pandaw - Deck Plan

Modeled on Pandaw II and originally called Pandaw III, the Tonle saw a year’s service in Burma in 2002/3 before being sent under tug-tow to the Mekong where she has done continuous service between Saigon and Kampong Cham ever since.

With her gorgeous upper deck saloon, observation decks and formal dining room this ship is an old favourite and has a rich ambience. In 2013 she was fully refitted and the number of cabins reduced to just twenty-eight in order to create a professional spa and library on the lower deck.

She is not a small ship but despite her size she has a shallow draft and can usually get up river into low water areas when other vessels are stuck well below.

The ship has quality mountain bikes for your independent exploration.

RV Tonle Pandaw

Onboard Features & Facilities

  • 18 Upper Deck & 10 Main deck staterooms 170ft²in size and finished in Teak and Brass
  • Wireless internet in all public areas
  • Shop, supporting fair trade products
  • Lecture & Meeting rooms
  • Art Gallery
  • Library with contemporary and classic literature
  • Local master chef heading an experienced international culinary team
  • Semi-buffet breakfast, Semi-buffet lunch, and seated theme dinners Daily lean & light menu options
  • Complimentary local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes
  • Series of cultural performances, educational talks, cooking classes, and ship tour
  • Welcome drink on arrival, Welcome cocktail, Farewell reception
  • Theme- and gala dinners
  • Spacious, air-conditioned saloon bar with nightly entertainment
  • Sundeck bar with complimentary ice cream from sunrise to sunset
  • Pool table on sundeck
  • 24 hr hospitality Bar

Accommodation & Amenities

The 18 Upper deck and 10 main deck staterooms, air-conditioning 170 square feet, finished in teak and brass with panoramic French window, leading to personal deck space. New bathrooms with natural stone shower and branded quality fittings, Kimonos and slippers and Spa-branded amenities. Unlimited mineral water in your cabin

Upper Deck

170 ft² – Upper Deck

  • 170ft Stateroom
  • French Balcony with personal deck space
  • Central AC with individual control
  • New bathrooms with natural stone shower and branded quality fittings
  • Kimonos and slippers and Spa-branded amenities
  • Gowns and slippers
  • Electric mini Safe
  • Imported quality linens with duvet and two kind of pillows, Premium mattresses,Convertible bed configuration
  • Welcome flower arrangement and welcome gift
  • Hair Dryer
RV Tonle Pandaw - Twin Cabin
RV Tonle Pandaw - Cabin Window

Main Deck

170 ft² – Main Deck

  • 170ft Stateroom
  • French Balcony with personal deck space
  • Central AC with individual control
  • New bathrooms with natural stone shower and branded quality fittings
  • Kimonos and slippers and Spa-branded amenities
  • Gowns and slippers
  • Electric mini Safe
  • Imported quality linens with duvet and two kind of pillows, Premium mattresses,Convertible bed configuration
  • Welcome flower arrangement and welcome gift
  • Hair Dryer
RV Tonle Pandaw - Deck Plan
DepartShipEmbarkFrom  
Jan 19Tonle PandawBen Tre£4895
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4895  
Jan 25Tonle PandawBen Tre£4895
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4895  
Feb 2Tonle PandawBen Tre£4895
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4895  
Feb 8Tonle PandawBen Tre£4895
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4895  
Feb 16Tonle PandawBen Tre£4895
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4895  
Feb 22Tonle PandawBen Tre£4895
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4895  
Mar 7Tonle PandawBen Tre£4895
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4895  
Oct 3Tonle PandawBen Tre£4195
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4195  
Oct 11Tonle PandawBen Tre£4495
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4495  
Oct 17Tonle PandawBen Tre£4495
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4495  
Oct 31Tonle PandawBen Tre£4495
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4495  
Nov 8Tonle PandawBen Tre£4495
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4495  
Nov 14Tonle PandawBen Tre£5295
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£5295  
Nov 22Tonle PandawBen Tre£4195
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4195  
Jan 23Tonle PandawBen Tre£4495
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4495  
Feb 6Tonle PandawBen Tre£4495
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4495  
Feb 14Tonle PandawBen Tre£4495
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4495  
Feb 20Tonle PandawBen Tre£4495
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4495  
Feb 28Tonle PandawBen Tre£4495
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4495  
Mar 6Tonle PandawBen Tre£4495
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4495  
Mar 14Tonle PandawBen Tre£4495
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4495  
Mar 20Tonle PandawBen Tre£4195
Main DeckTwin/Double170 ft², French Windows£4195  

Cruise Price Includes: Port charges, 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 (Call for prices), 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.


Why Choose This Cruise?

The Pandaw experience is all about exploring remote and often hard to navigate rivers and coasts in specially designed luxury small ships. each ship, hand crafted in brass and teak, is an object of beauty in itself. A Pandaw adventure is very different from that offered on an ocean cruise. The ships are small in scale, and the atmosphere is informal and very friendly. Make you trip a memorable one and talk to us about the add on available to your cruise, we can book your flights, transfers, hotels and pre and post cruise stays with included excursions for you. 0800 471 4754

Pre and post cruise extensions

Stay longer and see more that Vietnam & Cambodia has to offer. 3 nights in Ho Chi Minh City (Saignon), stay at the luxury 5* Intercontinental Asiana.  Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels built by the Viet Cong, before spending the afternoon evening exploring the city. 5 Nights in Hue and Hoi An for a 2 night stay before you stay in Ho Chi Minh City for 3 nights 2 nights, to explore Angkor, visit the famous Angkor Wat temple, Angkor Thom whilst staying in luxury at Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa or Jaya House Riverpark. Please call us on 0800 471 4754 for further information, these pre and post stays are flexible and can be arranged to suit your requirements.

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