11 Days Saigon - Siem Reap with RV Pandaw Mekong Cruise
Duration: 11 days/10 nights
Route: Saigon - My Tho - Cai Be - Sa Dec - Cu Lao Gien - Chau Doc - Phnom Penh - Tonle River - Kampong Chhnang - Wat Hanchey - Chhlong - Kratie and the Dolphine Sanctuary - Sambor - Kampong Cham - Siem Reap
Price: It is not available in 2011 - 2012
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.
Departure Dates in 2012
Oct
Nov
20
10
Day 1: Siem Reap - Kampong Cham
Passengers will transfer by coach from the Raffles Grand Hotel D'Angkor to Kampong Cham, stopping at Kampong Thom along the way. Passengers will visit the hilltop temple of Wat Hanchey in the afternoon.
Day 2: Chhlong
Spend the morning cruising. In the afternoon, passengers will visit the somewhat dilapidated French colonial town of Chhlong, once the centre of the coffee and tea trade. The town boasts a pleasant hotel called 'Relais de Chhlong' where we can have afternoon tea. This is a great little place to just potter around and enjoy some of the amazing colonial houses
Day 3: Kratie and the Dolphine Sanctuary
Spend the morning cruising. In the afternoon, passengers will visit the somewhat dilapidated French colonial town of Chhlong, once the centre of the coffee and tea trade. The town boasts a pleasant hotel called 'Relais de Chhlong' where we can have afternoon tea. This is a great little place to just potter around and enjoy some of the amazing colonial houses
Day 4: Sambor
Morning excursion by local bus to visit these important pre-Angkorian temples situated about 40km north of Kratie. Afternoon cruising downstream.
Day 5: Kampong Cham Area
In the afternoon, travel by bus to visit a 12th century Angkorian temple called Wat Nokor, the eco village of Chenungkok and the Pandaw supported Kampong Cham orphanage.
Day 6: Tonle River - Kampong Chhnang
Excursion up the Tonle River to Kampong Chhnang by either coach or the ship depending on water levels. In Kampong Chhnang passengers will take a wonderful motor boat excursion into the lakeside wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here a stunning variety of birdlife and many fishtraps may be seen.
Day 7: 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. 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 8: Cruising the Mekong - Border Crossing
We spend the day cruising in the main Mekong channel, an international shipping route. 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 9: Chau Doc - Cu Lao Gien
Visit a Cham tribal village, a cat fish farm, and enjoy a trishaw ride round Chau Doc. In the afternoon, visit Cu Lao Gien island and a Catholic monastery called “La Providence” built in 1875 by the French nuns of “Saint Paul de Chartres”.
Day 10: Sa Dec - Cai Be
TravIn the morning passengers will take an exciting Sampan boat excursion to Cai Be 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 colorful floating market which takes place daily in front of the catholic church.
Day 11: My Tho - Saigon
Early morning sail from Cai Be for My Tho, where passengers disembark in the early morning for a coach transfer to Hotel Sofitel Plaza Saigon. Arrive at the hotel late morning.
Tour price:
It is not available in 2011 - 2012
Inclusions of the trip
Entrance fees
Guide services (English language)
Gratuities to crew, main meals ocally made soft and alcoholic beverages, ugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes, mineral water.
Transfer to the meeting point in Saigon from the ship at the end of a voyage.
Exclusions of the trip
International flights, port dues , laundry
All visa costs
Fuel surcharges
Imported beverages such as wine, premium spirits and liqueurs, fancy soft drinks like Perrier Espressos and cappuccinos at bar.
Transfer to the ship in Phnom Penh at the start of a voyage
8 Days/7 Nights 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.
8 Days/7 Nights 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.
11 Days/10 Nights 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.
4 Days/3 Nights 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.
5 Days/4 Nights 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.
5 Days/4 Nights 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.
5 Days/4 Nights 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.
