TRIPS

Classic Mekong – 8 days Cruise

$ 2,595.00

A luxury cruise on the Mekong is like no other river cruise you will experience the cultural contrast as that between the bustling Vietnam delta and the tranquility of Cambodia.

Description

Upstream itinerary from saigon to Siem Reap

DAY 1 SAIGON TO MY THO (L/D)
Transfer from the meeting point in Saigon and then continue to My Tho Port to board your cruise.

Cruising experience onboard
RV Mekong
Saigon to Siem Reap

  • Build 2003 in Yangon, refit 2013 | Length: 200ft / 60m
    Beam: 36ft / 11m | Draft: 4ft / 1.5m
    Berths: 48 pax , 18 upper deck, 6 main deck staterooms
    170 square feet, finished in teak and bras.

Cruising experience onboard
RV Tonle
Saigon to Siem Reap

  • Build 2002 in Yangon, refit 2013 | Length: 180ft / 54.8m
    Beam: 33.13ft / 10.10m |Draft: 4ft / 1.5m
    Berths: 56 pax, 18 upper deck, 10 main deck staterooms
    170 square feet, finished in teak and brass

After boarding your Pandaw we sail downstream to Ben Tre and anchor midstream.

In the afternoon, there is a lecture on Vietnamese life on the Mekong Delta. During cocktail hour passengers are entertained by an indigenous dance group and meet your key crew.

DAY 2 BEN TRE (B/L/D)
Travel by sampans through mangroves and bamboo groves to the fruit orchards of Ben Tre. In these local artisans are at work and are invite visitors into their homes for tea, fruit and honey products made from their own honey. This is an area rich in bird life and on our return journey we travel by local transport through the lush countryside.

After lunch, the ship moors off Cho Lach island for pot making and further glimpses of Delta life, agriculture and local Viet hospitality including a culinary lesson in making traditional Banh Xeo.

DAY 3 CON PHUOC ISLAND (B/L/D)
After breakfast, there is a short coach journey to the Gao Giong ‘green oasis’ with its bird sanctuary. Here a diverse selection of water and egrets that gather in the tens of thousands across the Duong Tharp Muoi or ‘Plain of Reeds’. Rowing boats traverse the canals to take us to see the principal nesting areas.

After returning to the boat we cruise upstream to Con Phuoc Island. We Moor in a small canal off Con Phuoc Island and go ashore to explore the island by Xi Loi seeing basket production and visiting a 100-year old Catholic Church as well as local woodworking artisans.

DAY 4 CAMBODIA BORDER(B/L/D)
Afternoon, explore the labyrinthine canal system around Tan Chau to visit a Taoist temple where the monks will read fortunes.

Continue through local villages by Xi Loi stopping off to help locals tend their fields before stopping off to visit a fish farm and earn merit by releasing fish back into the Mekong.

Border crossing formalities take up much of the afternoon and during this stationary period there is an optional tour of the working ship and fruit carving classes on deck.

DAY 5 PHNOM PENH (B/L/D)
Morning orientation of Phnom Penh by cyclo visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda followed by the National Museum with its marvelous collection of Angkorian statuary.

Afternoon optional visit to the Killing Fields and Genocide museum or take a tuk-tuk to explore the riverfront and finish with High Tea at Raffles Hotel.

Overnight in Phnom Penh city port with its lively bars, restaurants and night life.

DAY 6 SILK ISLAND (B/L/D)
Sail up the Mekong/Tonle River convergence to visit Koh Okhna Tey, or ‘silk island’ to study the entire silk making process from worms to weavers. There will be a demonstration of the ancient Khmer martial art of Bokator.

Return to ship and cruise upstream towards Kampong Cham. Evening lecture on Angkor and Khmer culture.

DAY 7 WAT HANCHEY, OBT CHIRO VILLAGE & WAT NOKOR BACHEY (B/L/D)
Sunrise cruise to Wat Hanchey an important centre of worship during the Chenla period located on top of a hill above the mighty Mekong River with some of the best Mekong views in Cambodia.

Visit 8th century structures some destroyed by American bombings during the Vietnam War. Well noted for its bizarre Fruit and Animal statues.

We cruise back downstream to Kampong Cham where after lunch we travel by Bus to the local OBT Chiro Village where the education of local children is high on the agenda. Pre-Hospitality training courses, plastic recycling, bee keeping, farming and handicraft skill projects are set up to improve the skill set of local children.

We then travel to the Wat Nokor Bachey dating back to the Jayarvaman VII period. Built completely from Black Sandstone which makes it standout from other temples built during this period. Many legends surround this complex one being it was built by a king who accidently killed his father then married his mother as per Greek legend. This temple was built in penance for his crime.

DAY 8 SIEM REAP (B/L/D)
Sail downstream to moor at Kampong Cham for disembarkation and we travel by road to Siem Reap and arrive around mid-afternoon.

Cruise from Siem Reap to Saigon, itinerary are identical but in reverse order



Low Season
$2595
Cruise package per person
based on sharing

  • Main Deck: $2595
  • Upper Deck: $3308
  • Port tax: $65 person

High Season
$2725
Cruise package per person
based on sharing

  • Main Deck: $2725
  • Upper Deck: $3345
  • Port tax: $65 person

Peak Season from
$3029
Cruise package per person
based on sharing

  • Main Deck: $3029
  • Upper Deck: $3717
  • Port tax: $65 person

DEPARTURE & SEASONALITY

All sailings from Oct 3, 2020 to Mar 20, 2021 with exception of selected peak dates
All sailings from Feb 20, 2021 to Apr 17, 2021 | from Aug 7, 2021 to Apr 23, 2022 | from Aug 6, 2022 to Apr 22, 2023 with exception of selected peak dates
2020: Oct 11, 17, 24, Nov 1, 7, 15 | 2021: Jan 17, 23, 24, 30, Feb 7, Mar 6, Aug 7, 14
2022: Jan 29, Feb 12 2023: Mar 4, 11, 18, 25
Peak Season Price ranging from $3029 to $3635 depends on the dates picked.


One Departure on every Saturday (Some Sundays in 2020 season)
for both Downstream and Upstream
From Oct 2020 – Apr 2021 | from Aug 2021 – Apr 2022 | from Aug 2022 – Apr 2023

Above prices are based on minimum of 2 guests travelling together. Cruise offers periodically Members Club Privilege Discount, No Single Supplement and seasonal promotions. We can arrange pre and post cruise stopover or full tour itinerary of the region in conjunction with the cruise program. Click the button to request travel ideals and a specific quote based on number of guests, their interests and budget.

Additional information

OVERVIEW

7 nights original and best cruise on the Mekong River. 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, You then explore remoter waterways as you progress to the great monuments of Angkor.

DEPARTURE

As indicated in the program

SHIP & CABIN

RV MEKONG PANDAW, RV TONGLE PANDAW
Built in Rangoon in 2002 she was sailed round to Saigon under her own power and many a drama described in Paul Strachan’s Pandaw Story. This ship was designed specially for the Mekong and unlike our other P class ships does not have a flying bridge. The reason was so she could get under a road bridge. She did actually scrape under on her maiden but it was so scary that Paul Strachan, then standing on the bridge, never dared attempt it again. As a result, we ended up with this incredible 750 square meter teak deck that even has a full size billiard table.

The MP as she is affectionately known is our most spacious ship with wider promenades, a larger dining hall and more public space per passenger than any known ship afloat. Seriously!

In 2012 she was refitted and lower deck cabins removed in favour of a professional spa, gym, library lounge and office. She is quite justifiably the most splendid ship on the Mekong and the envy of anything that floats by.

INCLUSIONS

Entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, locally made soft drinks, local beer and local spirits, jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes, mineral water. Transfers between the meeting point and the ship at the start and end of a voyage.

EXCLUSIONS

International Airfare/train ticket, Call 1-888-887-1688 to get a quote from your home city
port dues (if levied), 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 and tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers.

QUESTIONS

Should you have any further questions, please call 1888-887-1688 for assistance or chat online with us.

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