Specification of Mekong Pandaw

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.

Activities and excursions

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, now called Ho Chi Minh City, through the vast Delta so rich in human life and endeavour, to travel along the main channel into the rich countryside of Cambodia.

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. In our Land Tour Section you will see that we have selected the most fitting hotel partners in both Saigon and Angkor.

Bar and Dining
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

Pandaw Stateroom
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

2 Options to explore the mighty Mekong with Pandaw: DOWNSTREAM & UPSTREAM

Cruise on Pandaw, Siem Reap- Saigon or vv, 8 days 7 nights, 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.

 Upstream

Day 1: Saigon / My Tho / Cai Be
Day 2: Cai Be / Sa Dec
Day 3: Chau Doc / Border Crossing
Day 4: Phnom Penh
Day 5: Tonle River / Kampong Chhnang
Day 6: Kampong Cham / Mekong River
Day 7: Kampong Cham Area
Day 8: Transfer to Siem Reap

Downstream

Day 1: Siem Reap / Kampong Cham
Day 2: Kampong Cham Area
Day 3: Tonle River / Kampong Chhnang
Day 4: Phnom Penh
Day 5: Cruising the Mekong / Border Crossing
Day 6: Chau Doc
Day 7: Sa Dec / Cai Be
Day 8: My Tho / Saigon

 

Single Traveller: discount 35% the above rates

Cruise Price Includes: Entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, locally made soft and alcoholic beverages, jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes, mineral water. Transfers between the meeting point (In Saigon: Renaissance Riverside Hotel / In Siem Reap: Elephant Bar at the Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor) and the ship at the start and end of a voyage.

Cruise Price Excludes: Port Tax US$ 65/person, International flights, port dues, airport transfers, laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), imported beverages such as wines, premium spirits and liqueurs, fancy soft drinks like Perrier, espressos and cappuccinos at bar.

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River Conditions Warning!
The rivers you will sail on are subject to seasonal rises and falls of water level, in some places as much as 30 metres. Water levels can change dramatically overnight and a sudden rise can impede our progress upstream considerably and even prevent us from passing under certain bridges. A sudden fall can result in our being unable to get into certain places or go as far upstream as we would hope. Groundings on sandbars are not infrequent and are part of the excitement of any Pandaw expedition. Published itineraries are indicational only and subject to sudden change. In such events alternative itineraries will be provided and we do our best to ensure that if a stop is missed we make up for it with another stop.  Passengers are thus forewarned and expected to be flexible and patient. River cruising in Asia can be a dramatic and adventurous experience - not like cruising the controlled waterways of Europe or America. Note also that we operate in areas with little or no developed infrastructure and subject to the strictures of local officialdom. Be prepared for this and it is all more the fun!