Route: My Tho - Cai Be - Chau Doc - Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham - Tonle River - Siem Reap
Price: From $ 1494
River Vessel La Marguerite raises the bar in river cruising in the Mekong Delta. La Marguerite offers unparalleled cruise experience, top notch excursions along the Mekong Delta between Saigon and Siem Reap. La Marguerite is the first river vessel of esteemed Indochina Sails cruise company where its reputation is derived from endorsements from its customers. World Class paired gourmet dining experience adds sparks to its river cruise while its carefully researched excursions to cultural destinations allows for passion revival for its travelers.
Departure Dates 2009/2010 from Saigon City
Sep: 20
Oct: 4, 18
Nov: 1, 15, 29
Dec: 13, 27
Jan 2010: 10, 24
Feb 2010: 07, 21
Mar 2010: 7, 21
April 2010: 4, 18
Day 1: Saigon
Welcome onboard the RV La Marguerite where the vessel is moored at the Saigon port. Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City, is peppered with old French colonial architecture along the riverside. Check-in is at 12h00 where port and immigration formalities will be conducted. After checking in, freshen up and enjoy the fascinating views of the Saigon River either from your private balcony or from the sun deck. At 14h00, the ship departs Saigon sailing through the international waterways, up the broad Mekong Tributary. Tonight join fellow passengers onboard for Welcome Dinner at the Mekong Restaurant.
Day 2: Cai Be - Sa Dec
Arriving at Cai Be in the morning, early risers could enjoy crimson sunrise on the sun deck. After breakfast, sail through Cai Be's floating market, go ashore to visit the French Gothic Cathedral, colorful flower gardens and local rice paper manufacturers. Cruise past Vinh Long Province and arrive at Sa Dec for an afternoon walk. French writer Marguerite Duras spent some of her childhood in Sa Dec, a sprawling busy town. In Sa Dec, director Jean-Jaques Annaud shot much of his 1992 film "The Lover". Aside from the fact that the French have long departed, not a lot has changed in Sa Dec since Duras' day. Warehouses, mostly old Chinese shop-houses, bulge with merchandise. Ancient riverboats load and unload at the wharves built almost to the shop doors. Both the school where Duras' mother taught and the small house behind it where the family lived still stand. Spend time in the house of Mr Huynh Thuy Le, Duras' Chinese lover. The house is now the "The Lover Museum" in Sadec. In the evening, cruise through the Mekong Delta to Tan Chau.
Day 3: Tan Chau Border Crossing
Tan Chau is a remote small town on the main Mekong River. After breakfast, transfer to small boats visit a catfish farm, rice-polishing factory, mat making workshop and a silk weaving workshop. Take a round trip trishaw ride around this fascinating town. We return to the ship by boat for lunch and cast off for the Cambodian border for port and immigration formalities. In the evening, cruise up the broad Mekong River, an international shipping route and moor overnight mid-stream just outside of Phnom Penh.
Day 4: Phnom Penh
Early morning cruise into Phnom Penh and dock at the passenger port terminal. This capital of Cambodia retains its French charm with old colonial architecture framing busy cafes. The city has several impressive Wats, including Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and the newly painted Wat Lang Ka. Visit the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda, one of the few places in Cambodia where the Khmer Rouge preserved artifacts embodying the brilliance and richness of Khmer culture. 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 center.
Day 5: Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham
Early morning departs from Phnom Penh and stop at secluded Chong Koh silk weaving village for a leisurely walk. Cruise past the Mekong's timeless villages with extensive fishing activities. The scenery is serene, and in the distance, forested hills rise. On the river above Phnom Penh there is real Cambodian life. In the afternoon, stop at Peam Chi Kang village to visit the Wat or Monastery and its school. Explore this peaceful and friendly community at your own pace. In the Wat, splendid village racing boats are stored. Anchor mid-stream at Kampong Cham.
Day 6: Kampong Cham Area
In the morning, journey upriver to the hilltop. Pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Dating back to the 8th century, these ancient brick structures characterize the architecture of the Chenla Empire, which predated the glories of Angkor. Sail back downstream for an exploration of the Kampong Cham Area. Travel by bus to the 12th century Angkorian temple of Wat Nokor. This colorful temple is unique in Cambodia, as a modern Wat, it is set within the ruins of an ancient temple. Continue to the Eco Village of Cheungkok. There are many pagodas and shrines on the hilltops.
Day 7: Tonle River
Sail along Tonle River, which connects Tonle Lake with the Mekong and Bassac Rivers at Phnom Penh. Winding through the jungles, coming up close with local river folks. Temples abound along the riverbanks at Kampong Chhnang and we witness a rich tapestry of Cambodian rural life. This is a busy rural port town with bustling markets. Mooring mid-stream, visit lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of bird life are seen and be amazed at the schools of fish migrating from the lake into the Tonle River.
Day 8: Tonle Sap - Siem Reap
The great lake over 150 km long, dominates Cambodia. Here bird life is profuse. From the middle of the lake, enjoy the stillness and tranquility along the floating fishing villages. And we will either cross Tonle Lake at dawn and disembark at Siem Reap Port or transfer by coach from Prek Kdam on the Tonle River to Siem Reap stopping for a short rest at Kampong Thom, depending on the water levels. Arrive at Siem Reap and bid farewell to fellow travelers and crew members.
Departure Dates 2009/2010 from Saigon City
Sep: 22
Oct: 11, 25
Nov: 8, 22
Dec: 6, 20
Jan 2010: 3, 17, 31
Feb 2010: 14, 28
Mar 2010: 14, 28
April 2010: 11, 25
Day 1: Siem Reap - Tonle Lake
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. During High water level, approximately July to November, we register at 11:00 at Angkor Palace Hotel to transfer to the ship at Siem Reap Port. Embark the ship at 13:00 and lunch onboard. Cross the Tonle Lake in the afternoon and drop anchor after sunset at the edge of the Great Lake. During low water level, approximately November to July, register at 11:00 at Angkor palace Hotel to transfer via coach to Preak Kdam on the Tonle River. Enjoy a light lunch and cold drinks on the way with a stop in Kampong Thom. Arrive by 16:00 and cruise to kampong Chhanang for overnight mooring.
Day 2: Kampong Chhnang - Kampong Cham
Kampong Chhanang is a bustling rural port town with busy markets. Mooring mid-stream, we make a truly wonderful motor 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, some half a kilometer long, which nets a huge tonnage of fish after each monsoon as the fish migrate from the falling lake into the Tonle River. We wind our way through jungle, and as the river narrows we feel we can almost reach out and touch the houses and people who come out to cheer our ship on. Temples abound along the riverbanks, and we see the rich tapestry of Cambodian rural life. We touch the capital of Phnom Penh in the afternoon, change pilots and enter the Upper Mekong bound for Kampong Cham and stop for an afternoon walk at a rural village. Moor overnight bid-stream in Kampong Cham.
Day 3: Wat hanchey - Phnom Penh
Morning journey upriver to the hilltop pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey. Dating from 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 it is set within the ruins of an ancient temple. We continue to the eco village of Cheungkok. We depart late in the afternoon from Kampong Cham and head for Phnom Penh. Overnight mid-stream in Phnom Penh.
Day 4: Phnom Penh
Early morning cruise into Phnom Penh and dock at the passenger port terminal. The capital of Cambodia retains its French charm. The old colonial architecture makes an attractive backdrop to busy cafes, and the renovated river "corniche" is full of life. The city has several impressive Wat's, including Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and the newly painted Wat Lang Ka. Visit the Royal Palace, the spectacular Silver Pagoda, one of the few places in Cambodia where the Khmer Rouge preserved artifacts embodying the brilliance and richness of Khmer culture. 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. On a happier note, Phnom Penh has a vibrant Nightlife and same customers chose to dine in one of the many top restaurants or try one of the capitals many watering holes, which are conveniently located along the riverfront.
Day 5: Border Crossing
We cast off for a day cruising the Mekong River, an international shipping route. Today we stop at Preak Dach, a jungle village, to visit fruit orchards and then set off for the Cambodian / Vietnamese border for the border crossing formalities. Moor mid-stream in Tan Chau.
Day 6: Tan Chau - Sa Dec
Tan Chau is a remote small town on the main Mekong River. After breakfast we transfer to small boats, visit a cat fish farm and rice-polishing factory. We go ashore to visit a mat-making workshop, and take a short walk in the village to visit a silk coloring workshop. A trishaw ride round this fascinating town takes us back to the pier and after a short channel cruise on a local boat we return to the ship for lunch and cast off for Sadec.
Day 7: Sa Dec - Cai Be
After Breakfast, small local boats will take us into the village of Sadec for a refreshing morning stroll. French writer Marguerite Duras spent some of her childhood in Sa Dec, a sprawling busy town in the Mekong Delta. Aside from the fact that the French have long departed, not a lot has changed in Sa Dec since Duras' day. Warehouses, mostly old Chinese shop-houses, bulge with merchandise. Ancient riverboats load and unload at the wharves built almost to the shop doors. We spent time in the house of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le - the Chinese Lover of Marguerite. The house now is a little museum of "The Lover" in Sadec. We also visit the Pagoda on our way to the School where Duras? mother taught. On the way back for lunch, we cruise past the house where the movie ?THE LOVER? was shot in 1992 and the ancient Church. Continue cruising to Cai Be where after lunch we take a local Junk trip around Cai Be to see the floating market, go ashore to visit delightful flower gardens, the ancient Kiet House and local rice paper manufacturers. Evening cruise to Saigon.
Day 8: Saigon
Early morning cruise into Ho Chi Minh City, formally Saigon. We dock at the Saigon River Frontage. After Breakfast disembarkation for transfer to your local Hotel
Tour price:
Cabin
Double/Twin Sharing
Low Season (Sep 2009)
High Season (Oct-Mar 2010)
Mekong State
US$ 1494
US$ 2299
Tonle State
US$ 1659
US$ 2549
Saigon State
US$ 1819
US$ 2799
Sa Dec Suite
US$ 2014
US$ 3099
Indochina Suite
US$ 2339
US$ 3599
In 2003, with the Mekong Pandaw, we were the first ship to attempt this extraordinary journey in its entirety surmounting complex bureaucratic and navigational obstacles. In 2004 we brought the former Pandaw III now renamed the Tonle Pandaw over from Myanmar to join the Mekong Pandaw. The two Pandaws explore two countries, two cultures and two ways of life linked by one great river. This is the only luxury cruises vacation on the Mekong River. A shipping link between Saigon and Angkor is immensely practical for the traveller as it makes it possible to connect three important destinations on one trip with easy plane connections at either end: Saigon the exotic Frenchified former capital of South Vietnam, Phnom Penh, the quaint Cambodian capital, and the stupendous World Heritage monuments at Angkor. One need no longer check in and out of hotels and endure bumpy roads to visit these magnificent places.
Sailing on a Pandaw is essentially an outdoor experience. Whilst the staterooms are very comfortable and roomy, passengers prefer to spend their time sitting outside, on the promenade decks or on the vast observation deck above. Unlike other cruise ships every window (except port holes on lower deck) can open.
When sailing our passengers sit on deck and become absorbed by great panoramas as they unfold about them. Spellbound, one cannot help but to meditate upon the unceasing human and wildlife activity of these teaming water worlds.
State Cabin
The Pandaw stateroom is the most celebrated feature of our ships. Finished in brass and teak, the main and upper deck rooms are very spacious at 168 square feet (15.6 sqm). Much loved by all our passengers we have ensured that with each ship we build the stateroom remains the same. Our cabins do not have mini-bars, satellite TV’s, internet or phones. There is a 24 honesty bar on the sundeck. Pandaw passengers usually want to escape from the tiresome features found in international business hotels.
Many passengers describe life on board a Pandaw more like being a guest on a private motor yacht than a cruise ship. Where we go and what we see is intrepid in extreme. What you come back to is a floating base of discreet comfort, caring service and all the good things one looks for in life.
Bar & Dining
The Pandaw dining rooms are designed to open up along the sides and only at night do we close them up and use air conditioning. We know our passengers want fresh air not chilled air.
We offer a great choice of local cuisine and exotic foods. We source supplies as locally as possible, given environmental health regulations. Breakfast and lunch are buffets and dinner is served at the tables. Passengers who do not like hot or spicy foods are offered European alternatives and vegetarians are well catered for. Our chefs know that the majority of passengers want to eat the best of each country they pass through.
Promenade Decks
Sailing on a Pandaw is essentially an outdoor experience. Whilst the staterooms are very comfortable and roomy, passengers prefer to spend their time sitting outside, on the promenade decks or on the vast observation deck above. Unlike other cruise ships every window (except port holes on lower deck) can open.
When sailing our passengers sit on deck and become absorbed by great panoramas as they unfold about them. Spellbound, one cannot help but to meditate upon the unceasing human and wildlife activity of these teaming water worlds.
Specification
Length: 200ft / 60m
Beam: 36ft / 11m
Draught: 4ft / 1.5m
Berths: 64 pax
Decks: 4: Lower, Main, Upper, Sun
Engines: 2 x 550bhp Isuzu
Propulsion: Inboard system
Built: 2003
Comms: Cell phones, Sat phones (where permitted by local authorities) VHF and SSB radio, internal phone system, PA system and tannoy system for navigation purposes.
Safety: Smoke detectors in all cabins and public places, emergency lighting and generator, fire pump, hydrants and hoses, fire extinguishers, life jackets for all on board and life rafts.
Navigation: Navigation lights, ships horn, searchlight, GPS, Radar (where permitted by local authorities).
Amenities: On board laundry, bakery, fully equipped galley and refrigeration units; air conditioning for all inside areas.
Water: Treatment plants for desalination, desedimentation and purification using UV and osmosis.
Sewage: Microbiotic treatment plants. Class: Myanmar DMA Inland Water (based on Lloyds Inland Water Class).
Flag: Country flags in areas of operation.
Insurance: Ship Owners UK: P&I policies with over USD45 million per vessel.
Crew: 28 per vessel of mixed Asian nationalities.
Management: European expatriate experts employed directly by Pandaw Cruises supervising experienced Asian Pursers.
