Best of Asia: Mekong River Exploration 2009/2010

• 15 nights land and river cruise vacation
• 7 nights river cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Angkor via Kampong Cham
• Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Angkor Wat

 

The centre-piece of our visit to Indochina is a seven night passage along the great Mekong River from Ho Chi Minh City to Angkor Wat, one of the greatest Buddhist sites in all Asia.
Your journey will begin in Bangkok with a few days of luxury in the riverside Shangri La Hotel. We will also spend two days in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, where we can enjoy the sights and absorb the intriguing mix of South East Asia and France before embarking on our Mekong River cruise.
For the next seven days you will cruise along the Mekong River. Firstly you will explore the Delta; here the river-life is rich and fascinating with whole towns floating on rafts. We will then make our way through Vietnam to the Cambodian border and onwards towards the capital of Phnom Penh. Continuing up river we will reach Kampong Cham, the furthest north we can navigate. We hope to see river dolphins and explore remote villages where the rich tapestry of Cambodian life continues in its own timeless way. Lastly, the highlight for many will be the visit to the ancient Khmer city of Angkor Wat.

Vacation times: until 21 March 2010

Price per person in double occupany:>
Lower Deck - Twin cabin £3595
Main Deck - Twin cabin £3695
Upper Deck - Twin £3795
Upper Deck Premium Twin £3895
Lower Deck - Single £3195
Lower Deck - Sole Use £3995
Main Deck - Sole Use £4095
Upper Deck - Sole Use £4195
Upper Deck Premium Twin - Sole use £4295

UPSTREAM – EVERY MONDAY until 19TH MARCH 2010.
DOWNSTREAM – EVERY WEDNESDAY until 21ST MARCH 2010

Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel London GB. If you arrive in Bangkok from any other place this will be deducted. Six nights hotel accommodation on breakfast only basis, seven nights aboard a Pandaw vessel on full board basis, drinks whilst onboard: tea, coffee, mineral water, local spirits and cocktails, shore excursions, guides, entrance fees and donations, lunch on days 5 and 14, port taxes, UK departure tax (if appl.). Not Included: Travel insurance, visas, gratuities, local departure tax.

NB: The itinerary is subject to change depending on local conditions.

The Pandaw Story
The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company was founded in 1865 and by the 1920?s was the largest privately owned fleet of ships in the world. In 1942 the bulk of the fleet of over 650 vessels was sunk in an act of denial when the Japanese invaded Burma. Most of these vessels were paddle steamers and the largest class was licensed to carry 4000 deck passengers. In 1995 the Irrawaddy Flotilla company was revived by Paul Strachan. He acquired the Pandaw built in 1947, from the Inland Water Transport and spent a year re-fitting her. They tried to conserve as many original features as they could, restoring her to recreate the atmosphere and character of the first class deck of a colonial river steamer. Using old photographs and models and interviewing a number of the old company's former employees the restoration was as authentic as was possible.
The average Pandaw stateroom size (170 sq ft/16 square metre) is considerably larger than the average on other ships. Fine dining and excellent service, a hospitable caring management team all help to make a Pandaw experience something very special. The staff to guest ratio is higher than on most other ships or hotels ensuring high levels of service and care. There are no hidden extras on a Pandaw cruise like additional charges for unscheduled sightseeing trips; complimentary coffee and tea are available all day on the sun deck and mineral water is not charged for.

Photo Gallery

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* Please Note: All prices quoted are per person and do not include GST, fuel surcharges and applicable taxes.

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