Pandaw Mekong Cruise
Pandaw Mekong Cruise
Cruise the mighty Mekong Riverthrough Vietnam and Cambodia
The River Mekong is fascinating, rich in history, and flows through intriguing countries, presenting you with the opportunity to observe the distinctive and relatively unchanged villages on its banks. Complete with a full programme of sightseeing and excursions to historic and beautiful areas, this itinerary ensures your holiday is unforgettable. The cruise will be aboard either the RV Mekong Pandaw or the RV Tonle Pandaw river expedition vessels, offering an excellent level of comfort, service and cuisine.
Locations you will be visiting
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Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Discover the sights and traditions for Ho Chi Minh City with this handy destination guide.
2 Days
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Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Discover the sights and traditions for the Mekong Delta with this handy destination guide.
5 Days
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Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Discover the sights and traditions for Phnom Penh with this handy destination guide.
1 Day
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Kratie, Cambodia
Discover the sights and traditions for Kratie with this handy destination guide.
1 Day
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Siem Reap, Cambodia
Discover the sights and traditions for Siem Reap with this handy destination guide.
2 Days
YOUR TOUR ITINERARY
Pandaw Mekong Cruise
13 day Tour Itinerary
An overview of your trip
DAY 1 Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Take a scheduled flight from the UK to Ho Chi Minh City.
- Transport: Airplane
DAY 2 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you will be met by your tour guide and transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day is at your leisure to relax after your journey.
DAY 3 Ho Chi Minh City Tour and Cu Chi
In the morning, drive to the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels used by the Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. En route, you have the chance to see traditional occupations such as cashew nut farming and the production of rice paper. Return to the city for lunch and city tour including landmarks such as the Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office, Former US Embassy, City Hall and the War Museum of Remnants. The day ends with some shopping at Ben Thanh Market.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 4 Embarkation
Transfer to My Tho Port, board your Pandaw vessel and sail downstream towards Ben Tre. Later there will be a talk about Vietnamese life on the Mekong Delta. During cocktail hour entertainment will be provided by an indigenous dance group.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 5 Ben Tre
Travel by sampans through mangroves and bamboo forests to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre to visit local artisans at work. They may invite you into their home for tea, fruit, and delicacies made from their own honey. The journey through the lush countryside back to the ship will be by horse cart, a traditional form of land transport in this region. After lunch, the ship moors off Cho Lach Island so you can experience more Delta life and Vietnamese hospitality including a cookery lesson in making traditional Banh Xeo, a delicious pancake made with rice flour.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 6 Con Phuoc Island
After breakfast, visit the bird sanctuary at the Gao Giong, where a vast variety of water birds gather in their thousands. After returning to the boat, cruise upstream to Con Phuoc Island, to explore the island by Xi Loi (all-terrain vehicle), seeing basket weaving and woodworking artisans.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 7 Cambodian Border
A relaxing morning on board is followed by an active afternoon. Explore the labyrinthine canal system around Tan Chau and visit a Taoist temple. Continue through local villages by Xi Loi, stopping off to visit a fish farm and release fish back into the Mekong. During border crossing formalities there is an optional tour of the working ship and fruit carving classes on deck.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 8 Phnom Penh
Today, there will be a morning orientation tour of Phnom Penh by Cyclo, visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, followed by the National Museum with its marvellous collection of Angkorian statues. In the afternoon you can join an 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.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 9 Silk Island
Sail up the Tonle River to board the expedition vessel, and visit Koh Okhna Tey – ‘Silk Island’ – and discover the entire silk-making process from worm to weaver. There will also be a demonstration of the ancient Khmer martial art of Bokator. Return to the ship and the Mekong to continue your cruise. This evening there will be a talk on traditional Angkor and Khmer cultures.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 10 Kratie and the Dolphin Grounds
In the morning visit Koh Trong Island, a small hamlet on the Mekong best explored by bicycle or ox cart. Drop-in at a local school to maybe donate items such as books and pens, then visit a reforestation project where you can leave your mark by buying and planting a tree. After lunch, moor off Kratie and continue to the dolphin grounds by local boat, for a chance to spot the elusive Irrawaddy Dolphins.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transport: Cruise
PLEASE NOTE: Low water levels may be experienced between January and April. If we are unable to reach Kratie to see the river dolphins a revised itinerary will be offered with a variety of excursions.
DAY 11 Siem Reap
Sail downstream, moor at Kampong Cham, disembark and transfer to Siem Reap for a two-night stay. This afternoon visit the breathtaking Angkor Wat with its massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising majestically from the ground. The excursion is capped off with the opportunity to admire the romantic sunset from Bakheng Hill.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Cruise
DAY 12 Angkor
Spend an incredible day touring the ancient temples of Angkor, starting with the South Gate of Angkor Thom and continuing to the Bayon. After lunch, visit Thommanon, Chau Say Teveda, Ta Keo, the atmospheric tree-covered Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei and Sras Srang. In the evening, have fun at an entertaining Cambodian show at Phare Ponleu Selpak’s Circus.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 13 Fly to UK
After breakfast visit Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, and East Meborn. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- Transport: Airplane
Optional Extras - Cultural Experiences
There is some free time in your itinerary for you to explore on your own, or treat yourself to an excursion. Use the links below to create a to-do list, or, if you’d prefer us to book you onto one of these or any other excursions, please let us know when booking your tour.
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Vietnam
Vietnam: Motorcycle Tour in Ho Chi Minh City
Explore Ho Chi Minh City like a local, from the backseat of a motorcycle!
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Cambodia
Cambodia: Sihanoukville & Koh Rong Beach Stay
Relax on the beautiful stretches of white sandy beaches beach in Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s premier beach resort. Sihanoukville is also famous for serving wonderful fresh sea food at fantastic value.
Sample Accommodation
Your holiday details
Vietnam: Pandaw Mekong Cruise
from£4,299
What's included:
- International flights in economy class
- 4★ & 5★ accommodation on twin share basis
- Main deck cabin on cruise
- Transfers
- Transportation
- Tours as stated
- Meals as specified
- Airport taxes
- Local tips
- Personal spending
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
Price from £4,299
Single room supplement £999
Land only from £3,499
(excluding international flights)
Upgrade to Upper Deck from £299
Prices and products are subject to availability at the time of booking.
The deposit for these arrangements is £300 per person. Balance is due 12 weeks before departure.
When making an enquiry or reservation we will request your contact details, however no payment will be required at this stage. We will contact you for payment details and to confirm your booking, your details and the details of those travelling with you along with any extras you’d like to add.
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