There can be no tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as the Mekong River. The sagas of ancient empires, colonial powers, wars and conflicts have unfolded along the river banks, yet the temples and fishing villages are virtually unchanged. This extraordinary 7-night journey from Saigon to Siem Reap is an ideal way to explore the riches of the region, and it is topped and tailed by 2-night stays in 5*hotels in Saigon and Siem Reap with a full programme of sightseeing to make your holiday even more restful and complete.
RV Mekong Pandaw
The RV Mekong Pandaw is one of the renowned Pandaw fleet of replica colonial steamers developed in Scotland by the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the early 20th century, but was actually built in 2003 in Saigon. She is 200ft long and 36ft wide with an ultra-shallow draft of 4ft, and 28 crew ensure the well-being and safety of her 64 passengers. Cabins measure 170sq ft and are all en-suite with twin beds and open onto a promenade deck. Cabins are on the Lower, Main or Upper Decks (the latter two at a supplement). In keeping with the style of the ship, there is no minibar, satellite TV, internet or telephone in the cabin, but there is air-conditioning throughout. The observation deck serves complimentary local beers and soft drinks during the day, and in the evening there are often dance or music performances up here too.
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Tour code: |
MEKONG |
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Departures 2010 |
Lower Deck |
Main Deck |
Upper Deck |
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Twin / Single supp |
Twin / Single supp |
Twin / Single supp |
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Sep 8, 22, 25 |
£2795 / £695 |
£2895 / £745 |
£3095 / £875 |
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Oct 6, Nov 17, Dec 1 |
3195 / 695 |
3295 / 745 |
3995 / 875 |
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Dec 15 |
3395 / 695 |
3495 / 745 |
4195 / 875 |
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Dec 29 |
3195 / 695 |
3295 / 745 |
3995 / 875 |
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Departures 2011
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Jan 12, 26 |
3195 / 695 |
3295 / 745 |
3995 / 875 |
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Feb 9, Mar 9, 23 |
3195 / 695 |
3295 / 745 |
3995 / 875 |
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Aug 31, Sep 14, 28 |
2895 / 695 |
2995 / 745 |
3095 / 875 |
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Oct 12, 26, Nov 9, 23 |
3195 / 695 |
3295 / 745 |
3995 / 875 |
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Dec 7 |
3195 / 695 |
3295 / 745 |
3995 / 875 |
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Dec 21 |
3395 / 695 |
3495 / 745 |
4195 / 875 |
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Departures 2012 |
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Jan 4, 18 |
3295 / 695 |
3395 / 745 |
3995 / 875 |
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Feb 1, 15, Mar 14 |
3295 / 695 |
3395 / 745 |
3995 / 875 |
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Price includes:* Economy class flights
* Twin-shared accommodation with breakfast, meals, transfers, transportation and sightseeing as listed (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
* Services of local English-speaking cruise manager
* Most air taxes
* Gratuities to ship's crew
* Locally-made soft drinks and alcohol, tea, coffee and mineral water
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Not included:
* Travel insurance
* Vietnamese visa
* Cambodian visa
* Any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after brochure production
* Imported beverages such as wines, premium spirits, liqueurs, Perrier, expressos, cappucinos and the like |
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At a glance |
Saigon |
2 nights |
Mekong cruise |
7 nights |
Siem Reap |
2 nights |
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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. |
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