ITINERARY

Registration Details

Please see the detais of Itinerary below:

DAY 1 SAIGON TO MY THO ( -, LUNCH, DINNER)

Morning transfer from the Inter Continental Asiana Saigon Hotel to the port of My Tho by coach to embark on the Pandaw vessel.

Please arrive at meeting point no later than 10.00. Transfer will depart 10.30.

Your guide will collect your passports at the meeting point so we can arrange the immigration formalities.

Transfer from the meeting point in Saigon to My Tho Port. After boarding your Pandaw we sail downstream to Ben Tre and anchor midstream. In the afternoon, there is a lecture on Vietnamese life on the Mekong Delta. During cocktail hour passengers are entertained by an indigenous dance group and meet your key crew.

DAY 2 BEN TRE (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

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.

DAY 3 CON PHUOC ISLAND (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

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 Thap 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 CAMBODIA BORDER (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

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 PHNOM PENH (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

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 SILK ISLAND (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

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 KRATIE AND THE DOLPHIN GROUNDS (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

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 SIEM REAP (BREAKFAST, -, -)

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

ITINERARY

Registration Details

Please see the detais of Itinerary below:

DAY 1 SIEM REAP ( -, LUNCH, DINNER)

Morning transfer from theVictoria Angkor Resort & Spa, Siem Reap to Kampong Cham by coach to embark on the Pandaw vessel.

Please arrive at meeting point no later than 09.00. Transfer will depart 10.00.

Your guide will collect your passports at the meeting point so we can arrange the immigration formalities.

Embark on your Pandaw at Kampong Cham following a road transfer from Siem Reap (Angkor). The vessel will proceed upstream to moor midstream for cocktails and to meet key crew.

DAY 2 KRATIE AND THE DOLPHIN GROUNDS ( BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

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.
More about Kratie

DAY 3 SILK ISLAND

Sailing downstream all morning, with lectures and film presentations, past Phnom Penh and 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 4 PHNOM PENH

Morning orientation of Phnom Penh by cyclo visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda followed by the National Museum with its marvellous 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.
More about Phnom Penh

DAY 5 VIETNAM BORDER

Early sailing to the Vietnam border for formalities and during this stationary period there is an optional tour of the working ship and fruit carving classes on deck. 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.

DAY 6 CON PHUOC ISLAND

In the morning sail up a small canal to moor off Con Phuoc Island and go ashore to explore the island by tuk-tuk seeing basket production and visiting a 100-year old Catholic Church and local woodworking artisans.
After a short cruise downstream in the afternoon we take a short coach trip where we visit Gao Giong ‘green oasis’ with its bird sanctuary. Here a diverse selection of water birds 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.

DAY 7 BEN TRE

After breakfast 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. Upon return to the boat we take a cruise downstream to Ben Tre. Where we 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.

DAY 8 MY THO TO SAIGON

Moor at My Tho for road transfer to Saigon, arriving around 10.30Am.

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 Mekong Pandaw is known is the spacious ship with wider promenades, a large dining hall and more public space. She was refitted and lower deck cabins removed in favour of a professional spa, gym, library lounge and office. 

Accomodation:  24 cabins

MAIN DECK STATEROOM

No of Cabins: 06
Cabin Location: Main deck
Avg. Room Size: 15.6 m2
Bed Type: Double/Twin
Maximun Occupants: 2 adults + 1 child
Note: River View

UPPER DECK STATEROOM

No of Cabins: 18
Cabin Location: Main deck
Avg. Room Size: 15.6 m2
Bed Type: Double/Twin
Maximun Occupants: 2 adults + 1 child
Note: River View

Life on Board

Restaurant & Bar

Sundeck

Function Rooms

Activities

Please contact us to get the best price!

What's included: 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.

What's excluded: 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.

What do I need to bring?

• Booking voucher from us
• It is essential to bring your passport on this trip. 
• Bring walking shoes, raincoat, jacket, extra clothes, torch, insect repellent and sunscreen...
• Cash for personal expense

What do I need to know?

• The Vietnam/Cambodia e-visa is not valid to enter/exit via the Mekong river border.
• Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, tide levels and operating conditions without prior notice.
• Inadvance register is required with name, passport, nationality, gender, and visa for all passengers. A valid passport is required upon check-in. Otherwise, boarding may be denied by port authority.
• Meals on board are fusion: Vietnamese, seafood & international. Guests should advise of any special food preferences, allergies or dietary requirements before departure date.
• For safety: First aid kit is available at the Reception desk; Life jackets are in all cabins; No smoking in restaurant and cabin.

Indochina Beauty Travel is doing all possible to make your journey and travel experience an unforgettable one. Weather conditions, we unfortunately cannot control. Our apologies for that!