7 Night Cruise sailing from Kampong Cham to My Tho aboard Mekong Pandaw.

Pandaw's four boutique ships were built new and designed and finished as replicas of colonial river steamers, replete in teak and brass, potted palms, open decks, and quality cotton sheets on your bed. These replica ships, while reminiscent of the past, incorporate modern navigation and safety equipment, as well as modern bathrooms and air-con in each cabin. These small ships have the highest passenger - space ratio of any ship afloat. The oldest was completed in 2001.

Dining is single sitting with buffet breakfast and lunches, and informal dinners with waiter service . Smart casual dress is expected in the dining room. With the highest staff guest ratio of any ship in the world there is an incredible level of care. It is more like being on a 1920's private yacht party than a cruise ship.

The much loved Pandaw staterooms are roomy at 15 square meters. Finished in traditional marine brass and teak, all cabins have the necessary modcons, and those on the Main and Upper decks open onto promenade decks with their own rattan seating.

Sailing on a Pandaw is essentially an outdoor experience. Whilst the staterooms are very comfortable and roomy, passengers prefer to spend their time sitting outside, on the promenade decks or on the vast observation deck above. Unlike other cruise ships every window (except port holes on lower deck) can open.

The Pandaw's have an ultra shallow draft enabling them to moor where larger ships could not stop. Inland water navigation in these regions is challenging and the Pandaw's have been specially designed to cope with constantly changing river conditions. With modern navigation aids and very experienced crew, a Pandaw boat is one of the safest on our rivers.

Downstream Itinerary:

Day 1: Kampong Cham
Embark

Day 2: Kampong Cham Area
Passengers will visit the hilltop temple of Wat Hanchey in the morning. In the afternoon, travel by bus to visit the Twin Holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey (Man and Woman Hill). Continuation to the ecotourism village of Choeungkok supported by the Frech-Cambodian NGO Amica.

Day 3: Tonle River / Kampong Chhnang
Excursion up the Tonle River to Kampong Chhnang by either coach or the ship depending on water levels. Beyond Kampong Chhnang travel by the Pandaw Explorer to discover the vast wetlands around the mouth of the river. Here many fishtraps may be seen.

Day 4: 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 (www.cyclo.org.uk).
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 5: Cruising the Mekong / Border Crossing
We spend the day cruising in the main Mekong channel, an international shipping route for the Vietnamese border for the usual formalities.

Day 6: Chau Doc
Visit a Cham tribal village, a cat fish farm, and enjoy a trishaw ride round Chau Doc.

Day 7: Sa Dec / Cai Be
In the morning passengers will take an exciting Sampan boat excursion to Sa Dec 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 colourful floating market which takes place daily in front of the catholic church.

Day 8: My Tho
Early morning sail from Cai Be for My Tho, where passengers disembark in the early morning.