Pandaw Cruises Saigon - Angkor
Upstream8 days 7nights
Tripcode: MKPDSR8D

With six luxury ships exploring five countries , Pandaw is the largest luxury river cruise company in Asia.Whilst we 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. Our six ships were built new and designed and finished as replicas of colonial river steamers. These small ships have the highest space to passenger ratio of any ships afloat - our much loved staterooms are 170 square feet and finished in teak and brass.

Day 1. Saigon - 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 - 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 - Phnom Penh

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

The capital of Cambodia retains its French charm. The city has several impressive wats, including Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and the newly-painted Wat Lang Ka. Pride of place goes to the Royal Palace and to the spectacular Silver Pagoda, one of the few places in Cambodia where artifacts embodying the brilliance and richness of Khmer culture were preserved by the Khmer Rouge. The National Museum is another highlight, with outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. An afternoon excursion is arranged to the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge's grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention centre situated in the suburbs of the city then shopping at the Russian market or Central market.

More happily, Phnom Penh has a lively night life, and some passengers choose to dine ashore or try one of the capital's many watering holes; a favorites being the Foreign Correspondents' Club.

Day 5. Phnom Penh - Kongpong Cham

Early morning departure from Phnom Penh and a stop at the little-known Chong Koh silk weaving village for a morning walk at leisure. We cruise past the Mekong 's timeless villages and river life with extensive fishing activities. In the afternoon we stop at Peam Chi Kang village to visit the wat or monastery and school. Passengers are at leisure to explore this peaceful and friendly community. In the wat the splendid village racing boats are stored.

Day 6. Kongpong Cham Area

Morning journey upriver to the hilltop pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey . Dating to the 8th century, these ancient brick structures characterize the architecture of the Chenla Empire which predated the glories of Angkor . Sail back downstream over lunch for an exploration of the Kampong Cham Area. We travel by bus to the 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor . This colorful temple is unique in Cambodia , as a modern Wat is set within the ruins of an ancient temple. We continue to the eco village of Cheungkok supported by the French-Cambodian NGO AMICA and the Kampong Cham orphanage, supported by the Pandaw ProBono programme.

Day 7. Tonle River

We glance by the capital Phnom Penh in the early morning to change pilots, and then sail the Tonle River which connects Tonle Lake with the Mekong and Bassac Rivers that merge at Phnom Penh . This river journey is a highlight of the trip. Temples abound along the river banks at Kampong Chhnang, and we see the rich tapestry of Cambodian rural life. This is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Mooring mid-stream, we make a truly wonderful motor boat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of birdlife may be seen and of considerable interest are the great fish traps.

Day 8. Tonle Sap - Siem Reap

The great lake dominates Cambodia and is over 150 Km in length. Here bird life is profuse, and from the middle of the lake one cannot even see the shores. There is a great stillness and tranquility as we pass floating fishing villages.

Because the water levels of the lake and river vary a great deal according to the time of year and rainfall, we will then either:

Cross the Tonle Lake at dawn and 1000 disembark at Siem Reap Port for onward coach transfer to the Koulen II restaurant arriving by 1100.

Coach transfer at 0700 from Prek Dom on the Tonle River to the Koulen II Restaurant in Siem Reap stopping at Kampong Thom. Packed lunch and refreshments provided. Arrive at Siem Reap by 1200.

Coach transfer at 07.00 from Prek Dom on the Tonle River to the Koulen II Restaurant in Siem Reap stopping at Kampong Thom. Packed lunch and refreshments provided. Arrive at Siem Reap by 1200.

Cruise Price Includes

Cruise Price Excludes