Discover Asia : River Cruises : VIETNAM - PANDAW - Saigon to Phnom Penh Mekong River cruise

With six luxury ships exploring five countries, Pandaw is the largest luxury river cruise company in Asia.In 1995 they were the first since the war to pioneer the great Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers in Burma. In 2003 they were the first on the Mekong River in Cambodia and the backwaters of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. These small ships can penetrate remote and otherwise inaccessible areas. In 2009 they open new routes on the Ganges in India and the Rajang in Borneo. Whilst they offer a real adventure experience, travellers are cushioned with incredible, comfort, fine dining, great cocktails and choice wines, not to mention extraordinary levels of service. Their six ships were built new and designed and finished as authentic replicas of colonial river steamers. These small ships have the highest passenger to space ratio of any ships afloat. Their much loved, staterooms are 170 square feet and finished in teak and brass.

A feature of all their river cruises is the once or twice daily shore excursions led by expert local guides to explore temples, historical sites, markets and handicraft workshops.The Pandaws have an ultra shallow draft enabling them to moor where larger ships could not stop. Inland water navigation in these regions is challenging, and the Pandaws have been specially designed to cope with constantly changing river conditions.

UPSTREAM SAIGON TO PHNOM PENH • 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

DAY 1: SAIGON TO MY THO

Registration is at 0830 at the Renaissance Riverside Hotel in Saigon and transfer at 0900 to the Delta Port of My Tho by coach arriving at 1100 for check in followed by port and immigration formalities. Sail upstream during lunch and in the afternoon we moor near Cai Be and make a fascinating trip by traditional junk to explore evergreen islands and at the former Imperial residence, the An Kiet House. Overnight moor mid-stream Cai Be.

DAY 2: CAI BE TO VINH LONG

We take a morning junk trip around Cai Be to see a floating market, and go ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral and colorful port area, with its colonial buildings, delightful flower gardens and local rice paper manufacturers. We return to the ship and cruise over to Vinh Long to visit a Bonsai Garden and fruit farm, followed by visit to a brick and pottery factory. We return to the ship and cruise past Vinh Long City and evergreen islands. The remainder of the day is spent cruising through the Mekong Delta.

DAY 3: CHAU DOC / BORDER CROSSING

From the main Mekong channel at Tan Chau we travel down the canals and backwaters by local ferry boat. At Chau Doc we transfer to small boats to visit a Cham tribal village and a cat fish farm. We take a trishaw ride round this fascinating town of fine French-colonial buildings and see its bustling market. Return to the ship by boat for lunch and cast off for the Cambodian border for the usual formalities. Evening cruise up the broad Mekong channel, which is an international shipping route. Moor overnight just downstream from Phnom Penh.

DAY 4: PHNOM PENH

Arrive in the early morning. Disembark.

DOWNSTREAM PHNOM PENH TO SAIGON • 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS

DAY 1: PHNOM PENH

Embark the ship at 14.00 hrs.

DAY 2: CRUISING THE MEKONG / BORDER CROSSING

We cast off for a day cruising in the main Mekong channel, an international shipping route. Today we stop at Prek Touch, a jungle village, to visit fruit orchards, and then set off for the Vietnamese border for the usual formalities.

DAY 3: CHAU DOC

We travel from the main Mekong channel at Tan Chau down the canals and backwaters by local ferry boat. At Chau Doc we visit a Cham tribal village and a cat fish farm. We make a trishaw ride round this fascinating town of fine French-colonial buildings and bustling market. We return to the ship for lunch and cast off for Cai Bei.

DAY 4: CAI BE

We take a morning junk trip to Dong Hoa Hiep Island to Cai Be to see a floating market, and go ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral and colorful port area, with its colonial buildings, delightful flower gardens and local rice paper manufacturers. We explore evergreen islands and visit the former Imperial residence the An Kiet House. In the afternoon we continue our sightseeing by boat to Vinh Long to visit the Bonsai Gardens and see brick works.

DAY 5: MY THO / HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)

Early morning sail from Cai Bei for My Tho, where we disembark at 0830 for coach transfer to a 4 star Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City arriving approximately at 10:30.

Price Chart	Standard	Superior	Deluxe	Luxury
24 Sep 09 - 30 Mar 10	AU$1,598	AU$1,767	AU$1,804
19 Jun - 6 Oct 2010	AU$690	AU$881	AU$1,111
09 Oct 2010 - 29 Mar 2011	AU$1,226	AU$1,332	AU$1,943	AU$2,431

Cruise Price Includes: Entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, locally made soft and alcoholic beverages, jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes, mineral water. Transfer from/to the ship from/to the meeting point in Siem Reap at the end/start of a voyage. One night accommodation with breakfast at Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh. (Downstream cruise only)

Cruise Price Excludes: International flights, port dues , laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), imported beverages such as wines, premium spirits and liqueurs, fancy soft drinks like Perrier, espressos and cappuccinos at bar. Transfer to/from the ship in Phnom Penh at the start/end of a voyage

PORT TAXES: USD 65 x Pax

VIETNAM - Pandaw - Saigon to Phnom Penh & vvCaiBe Markets - Chau Doc - Phnom Penh4 Days / 3 Nights Upstream5 Days / 4 Nights Downstream Price = per person twin share cruise only

VIETNAM - Pandaw - Saigon to Phnom Penh & vv
CaiBe Markets - Chau Doc - Phnom Penh
4 Days / 3 Nights Upstream
5 Days / 4 Nights Downstream
Price = per person twin share cruise only