Pandaw Mekong Cruise Journey

FLY TO SAIGON

Fly from Auckland to Singapore with Singapore Airlines. (Other options are available).

Fly from Singapore to Saigon with Singapore Airlines.

On arrival in Saigon you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private car.

SAIGON - HALF DAY TOUR

Enjoy the morning at leisure.

This afternoon, meet with your local guide at your hotel and set off on an afternoon tour of Saigon.

Start with a visit to the city’s most iconic building: Reunification Hall. Formerly called the Presidential Palace, images of the building were seen around the world on 30 April 1975 when tanks stormed the gates as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese. Hear the echoes of time while walking through this historic downtown site.

Then take a stroll to Saigon’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way. Admire the beautiful architecture of the Opera House, City Hall, the old Saigon Post Office, Hear about the glory days of French Indochina and how that era continues to influence aspects of modern Vietnamese culture.

Step inside the War Remnants Museum for an insightful, yet sombre, look into Vietnam’s military history. See exhibitions displaying imagery from the French and American wars, learning more about the country’s struggle for independence and hearing tales of the resilience of the Vietnamese people.

Then step off the tourist trail for one last visit on this Saigon tour at a Vietnamese coffee shop, sit down and taste the coffee like locals.

After this insightful visit, return to your hotel.

EMBARK PANDAW CRUISE

Transfer from your hotel to the river port for embarkation.

Embark your Pandaw vessel in central Saigon and relax on the spacious sundeck as your Pandaw cruise sets sail past the towering skyscrapers of Vietnam’s bustling metropolis.

After lunch onboard you will meet the crew and enjoy local entertainment on the deck as you set sail towards the Mekong Delta.

Moor overnight on the Vam Co River.

BEN TRE AND THE FERTILE WATERWAYS

Early morning set sail through the Cho Gao Canal, a vital waterway link for the transportation of goods to and from the city which was constructed in 1876 by the French and offers a fascinating insight to life along the water.

Reach Ben Tre and journey by sampans through mangroves and bamboo forests to the fruit orchards abundant in the area.

This is a fertile farming region with half of Vietnam's rice production coming from the Mekong Delta.

It also hosts a rich artisanal culture which we will witness at a local village specialising in handicrafts.

Back aboard sail deeper into the delta toward Chau Doc.

CHAU DOC - VIETNAM/CAMBODIA BORDER

In the morning, take minivans for a short drive to Sam Mountain, the location of Phuoc Dien Tu or the Hang Pagoda

After climbing the steps you will be greeted with stunning views across the Mekong. For those not keen on the stairs, explore the local market instead.

Afterwards, visit the nearby floating fish farms by Sampan before being treated to a private Lion dance performance at a local Village.

On return to the ship, navigate a web of canals before dropping anchor on the Vietnam/Cambodia border to undergo Immigration formalities.

PHNOM PENH

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.

In the afternoon we visit the Killing Fields and Genocide museum to learn more about the brutal Khmer Rouge regime.

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

LIFE ON THE TONLE SAP RIVER

We leave the dock at Phnom Penh early morning and sail up the winding channels of the Tonle Sap river to Kampong Tralach. We travel by ox-cart around the river-side villages, markets and temples to get a sense of life along the river.

In the evening cocktails are served round a village fire pit where you will be joined by village folk keen to show you their traditional dancing and share more of the delightful Khmer culture.

OUDONG MEDITATIONS AND PAK RUSSEI SILK

In the morning, travel by coach to the ancient capital of Cambodia, Oudong. On the way stop to visit the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre before taking a drive around the old capital.

Re-join the ship at Prek Kdam before returning to the Mekong. After lunch we sail to Koh Nghe Tei (Silk Island) to study the entire silk-making process from worms to weavers.

This afternoon step ashore at Pak Russei, a small and remote village on the banks of the Mekong. Explore on foot and visit local craftspeople weaving silk and producing handmade noodles.

Before returning to the ship, learn about the ancient art of Bokator, a traditional form of martial art with a private performance in the village. It is one of the oldest combat techniques in Cambodia and believed to date back to the Angkor empire.

PEAM CHI KORNG POTTERY VILLAGE

Enjoy morning Tai Chi or a coffee on deck and enjoy the sunrise cruise to Peam Chi Korng, an untouched gem that is a hub of pottery in Cambodia.

After a short tuk tuk ride from the banks of the Mekong, witness the local potters in action before continuing to explore the village and local fresh market where you can test your language skills.

In the afternoon continue sailing along the mighty Mekong to Steung Trang, the final destination before your crew provides some final evening entertainment and a sumptuous farewell dinner is prepared by your kitchen team.

SIEM REAP

Disembark and travel by coach from Kampong Cham through stunningly lovely countryside to reach Siem Reap, adjacent to Angkor Wat.

Arrival into Siem Reap betweeen 12 - 1pm at the FCC Angkor Hotel, located next to the Royal Palace.

You will be transferred to your chosen hotel.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

SIEM REAP - FULL DAY TOUR 

You will be collected early from your hotel today to visit Phnom Bakheng.

This hilltop temple is most popular at sunset and, as the main temple of King Yasovarman, founder and namesake of Yasodharapura, it is a logical starting point for an exploration of the ancient city. From atop Phnom Bakheng, which requires walking up a wide, winding dirt road around the exterior of the 79m-high hill, you will be able to witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat.

Return to your hotel for your breakfast.

Return to the Angkor complex and visit Bayon, the temple at the center of Angkor Thom city, built by the last great king: Jayavarman VII. A tour of the city can begin at The Terrace of The Elephants and the Royal Palace enclosure. The forested grounds are beautiful in the morning.

Take a stroll around the lower galleries of carvings of Bayon, which depict fascinating scenes of life from the late 11th century, then find a quiet spot on the exterior of the temple to appreciate the 52 towers featuring faces of the Buddha looking out into the jungle around you.

You will have a break time for lunch in a local restaurant (own account) before continue to Ta Prohm, the temple made famous by the Angelina Jolie film Tomb Raider, which is otherwise best known for the trees and vines growing atop the temple walls. The temple is a perfect example of how nature has crept in and reclaimed its land after the fall of the Angkorian Empire.

One nice feature of Angkor Wat is that the eight galleries of carvings (where you will spend much of your time) is within a covered, open-air enclosure, making this one of the few times that you will be protected from the sun. Furthermore, as the only west-facing temple, Angkor Wat is best to visit (and photograph) in the late afternoon, arriving around 2:30 - 3pm, enjoying the uppermost platform around 5:00pm, and walking out as the guards begin corralling visitors out of the complex at 5:30pm.

Exiting the temple with the setting sun shining on the Vishnu image discovered beneath the temple’s central sanctuary is a magical sight to behold and a fitting end of your exploration of the temple built by King Suryavarman, whose name translates to “protected by the sun”.

Note: Should you wish to witness a sunset, there are limited options and they can be quite crowded. Consider finding a quiet place away from the crowds, such as atop the city wall beside the West or South gate of Angkor Thom, or Srah Srang. Be advised that a sunset will typically have you returning to town after 7:00 pm.

With a treasure trove of photos and memories, return to town for the evening.

TONLE SAP - FULL DAY TOUR

See what life is like on Southeast Asia’s largest lake. Take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake, cruising past mangrove forests and quiet waterways. Have lunch in a local house and learn about the traditional lifestyles of the people who call Tonle Sap their home.    

Take a break from temple touring to experience authentic rural lifestyles.

Drive to the outskirts of Siem Reap, past expansive rice fields and through local villages where rice and fish can frequently be spotted drying alongside the road. Next, board a private wooden vessel for a boat trip along a canal that leads to the Tonle Sap Lake. 

Cruise along the canal with houses on either side: depending on the time of the  visit, the houses will either have immediate access to the water or stand perched on stilts high above the ground, a phenomena caused by the annual rising and receding waters of the Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest lake.

Pass by the boats and nets used by local fishermen, some of whom will be fishing in the waters through which the boat passes. Nearing the lake, see floating houses that move location with the annual ebb and flow of the lake’s waters. 

Along the way, gain a better understanding of the local lifestyle with lunch in a family house. This is a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the way of life of the local people- sitting inside a stilted house while watching the boats pass outside. 

Return to Siem Reap in the afternoon.

FLY TO AUCKLAND

You will be collected from your hotel in Siem Reap and transferred to the airport by private car for your onward flight.

Fly from Siem Reap to Singapore with Singapore Airlines.

Fly from Singapore to Auckland with Singapore Airlines.

ARRIVE AUCKLAND

Arrive back in Auckland.