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Pandaw Mekong Cruise

Tailor-Made Journey

Pandaw Mekong Cruise

Cruise the mighty Mekong River
through 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

  • spring ho chi minh city vietnam

    Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Discover the sights and traditions for Ho Chi Minh City with this handy destination guide.

    2 Days

  • Mekong River Daily Life vietnam

    Mekong Delta, Vietnam

    Discover the sights and traditions for the Mekong Delta with this handy destination guide.

    5 Days

  • Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda Phnom Penh

    Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    Discover the sights and traditions for Phnom Penh with this handy destination guide.

    1 Day

  • boat river mekong kratie cambodia

    Kratie, Cambodia

    Discover the sights and traditions for Kratie with this handy destination guide.

    1 Day

  • monk by temple siem reap cambodia

    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.

  • Saigon Vespa Motorcycle tour ho chi minh city vietnam
    Vietnam

    Vietnam: Motorcycle Tour in Ho Chi Minh City

    Explore Ho Chi Minh City like a local, from the backseat of a motorcycle!

    View this package
  • 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.

    View this package

Sample Accommodation

5★ InterContinental Asiana, Ho Chi Minh City

View this hotel
5★ RV Mekong Pandaw, Mekong

View this hotel
5★ RV Tonle Pandaw, Mekong

View this hotel
5★ Victoria Angkor Resort, Siem Reap

View this hotel
Your holiday details
Vietnam: Pandaw Mekong Cruise
price
from
£4,299
Make an enquiry
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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