PANDAW RIVER CRUISES
8 Days | Classic Mekong
Southbound (Downstream)

SIEM REAP TO SAIGON (Ho Chi Minh City)

There can be no tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong. Indeed there can be no more striking a cultural contrast as that between the bustling Vietnam delta and the tranquility of Cambodia. We pass from the vibrant French colonial port of Saigon, through the vast delta so rich in human life and endeavour, to travel along the main channel into the rich countryside of Cambodia. With a full day in charming Phnom Penh we then explore remoter waterways as we progress to the great monuments of Angkor.

In 2003, Pandaw River Cruises' ship Mekong Pandaw was the first ship to attempt this extraordinary journey, surmounting complex bureaucratic and navigational obstacles. Pandaw now has five ships plying this amazing waterway.

Day 1 | Siem Reap. Passengers will transfer by coach from the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa to Kampong Cham. A packed lunch will be provided on the coach and we will stop at Kampong Thom along the way.

Day 2 | Kampong Cham. Passengers will visit the hilltop temple of Wat Hanchey in the morning. In the afternoon, travel by bus to visit the Twin Holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey (Man and Woman Hill). Continuation to the ecotourism village of Choeungkok supported by the French-Cambodian Ngo Amica.

Day 3 | Tonle River. Excursion up the Tonle River to Kampong Chhnang by either coach or the ship depending on water levels. Beyond Kampong Chhnang travel by the Pandaw Explorer to discover the vast wetlands around the mouth of the river. Here many fishtraps may be seen.

Day 4 | Phnom Penh. Passengers will visit Phnom Penh and will be provided with their own private cyclo*. The Cyclo Centre Phnom Penh which provides the cyclos is a charity that provides basic welfare and medical services to cyclo drivers (www.cyclo.org.uk). In the afternoon, optional excursion (by coach) to the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge's grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention centre. This tour is included in the cost of your cruise but must be requested at the time of booking in the comments box.

Day 5 | Cruising the Mekong. We spend the day cruising in the main Mekong channel, an international shipping route for the Vietnamese border for the usual formalities.

Day 6 | Chau Doc. Visit a Cham tribal village, a cat fish farm, and enjoy a trishaw ride round Chau Doc.

Day 7 | Sa Dec. In the morning passengers will take an exciting Sampan boat excursion to Sa Dec via Vinh Long along canals and backwaters. Passengers will visit Sa Dec and see the local market and the ancient house of Mr, Huyn Thuy Le, the 'lover' of Marguerite Duras, a famous French novelist. At Cai Be, we will cruise through its colourful floating market which takes place daily in front of the catholic church.

Day 8 | My Tho. Early morning sail from Cai Be for My Tho, where passengers disembark in the early morning for a coach transfer to InterContinental Asiana Saigon Hotel. Arrive at the hotel late morning.

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

SOUTHBOUND (DOWNSTREAM) ITINERARY 8 DAYS | SAIGON (Ho Chi Minh City) TO SIEM REAP Click HERE to view 8-day NORTHBOUND itinerary. Click ship name to view deck plan.