A classic one-week cruise only on the mighty Mekong River with the option of adding stays in Saigon & Siem Reap
(limited dates/availability)
Day 1 - Flight
Day 2 - Kampong Cham
Day 3 - Kratie
Day 4 - Angkor Ban
Day 5 - Phnom Penh
Day 6 - Kampong Trolach/Chong Koh
Day 7 - Tan Chau
Day 8 - Chau Doc/Sa Dec/Vinh Long/Cai Be
Day 9 - My Tho/Ho Chi Minh City/Return Flight
Rising in the Tibetan Plateau and cutting across six countries, the Mekong is the world’s 12th longest river, sustaining all manner of life along its way through its food, water, transport and commerce, and supports one of the most diverse fisheries, second only to the Amazon.
The cruise provides an excellent means of travelling in great comfort to places unreachable by road and makes possible exploration of the vast but little known region between the former French colonial city of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and the ancient Khmer capital of Angkor.
Less well known is the association with Saigon (once known as the ‘Cambodian City’ or ‘Downstream Cambodia’) and the trading relationship between the Champa kingdom in Vietnam and the then flourishing Angkor empire; the common thread being the mighty Mekong River linking inland rivers to the delta & beyond.
Saigon’s Chinese, Cambodian and French influence is leavened further by a cross section of Asia’s merchant diaspora – Indian, Malay, Thai and Arab.
New Tour
Exclusive Departures
Free Cabin Selection
Excursions Included
Full Board
Most Drinks Included
Local Expert Guides
Guaranteed Departure
Group Size: 2 – 24
Day 1 Fly overnight from Heathrow to Phnom Penh via Ho Chi Minh or Bangkok.
Day 2 Arrive in the morning. Transfer to Kampong Cham to embark on the RV Tonle Pandaw for your seven-night cruise. (L, D)
Day 3 Cruise past the Mekong’s timeless villages towards the French colonial town of Kratie. By bus further upstream to view the dolphin grounds in a national park. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Sail downstream to the Tonle River. Embark the Pandaw Explorer to Silk Island and to see a Bokator demonstration, an ancient Khmer martial art. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Visit Phnom Penh by private cyclo. Visit the wats (temples) and the National Museum. Optional afternoon excursion to the Killing Fields and the infamous Tuol Sleng prison (bookable locally). (B, L, D)
Day 6 Cruise across the border. Visit the Taoist temple at Tan Chau, a local village and fish farm. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Sail up a small canal to Con Phuoc Island and explore by tuk-tuk its basket weaving and Catholic church. By road and sampan to Gao Giong bird sanctuary. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Visit the pot making island of Cho Lach. Cruise to Ben Tre to take sampan boats through the backwaters. Return to the vessel by horse cart. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Sail to My Tho and disembark. Transfer to Saigon for an orientation tour (day room at Hotel Saigon Prince). Evening return flight. (B)
Day 10 Arrive London Heathrow.
Operated by the excellent Pandaw River Expeditions, our partner for many years, the fine RV Tonle Pandaw is well-run by a very helpful Vietnamese and Cambodian crew. The traditional decor is hand finished in brass and teakwood with spacious public areas including an air-conditioned dining room, observation deck, sundeck and saloon bar, fair-trade shop, lecture room, library, local art gallery and WiFi (free/limited). Enjoy a range of Asian and Western cuisine (served or buffet). Tea, coffee, water and locally made soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are included on board plus bottled water for excursions with shoe cleaning, cold towels and a refreshing drink post excursion. 28 air-conditioned, outside cabins with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, luggage storage, wardrobe, nightly turndown service and panoramic French windows that lead to personal deck space. 10 Main Deck and 18 Upper Deck cabins (170 sq. ft.).
Angkor Temples Extension
Three nights to explore the ancient Khmer capital of Angkor.
Day 1 Fly overnight from Heathrow to Siem Reap via Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Day 2 Transfer to the 4-star Prince d’Angkor (Tara Angkor Jan 2019) or 5-star Victoria Angkor for three nights. Visit the Roluos group of temples. (B)
Day 3 Visit more temples including Angkor Thom, Royal Enclosure, Bayon, Terrace of Elephants and jungle temple of Ta Prohm. Apsara dance theatre and dinner. (B, D)
Day 4 Visit Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre temples, then Angkor Wat, one of the world’s largest religious monuments. (B)
Day 5 Transfer to RV Tonle Pandaw (5 hrs).
Stylish 4-star with a distinctively feel that blends Khmer culture and modern elegance, ideally located between downtown and the Angkor Temples. Restaurant, bar outdoor pool, spa and WiFi (free). 206 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, mini-bar, safe and satellite TV.
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A 4-star central hotel with a mix of modern and traditional furnishings. Restaurant, bar, pool, gym, lounge, spa and WiFi (free). 222 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
Located in the heart of Siem Reap opposite the Royal Park, this colonial style hotel has a sense of peaceful tranquillity. Restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, spa, WiFi (free) and 129 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer and satellite TV.
Ho Chi Minh City Extension
Two nights to explore the former French colonial city of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).
Day 1 Transfer from RV Tonle Pandaw to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Orientation tour including the Reunification Palace, Opera House and General Post Office. Two nights in central Saigon at the 4-star Saigon Prince Hotel or the 5-star Caravelle Hotel. (B)
Day 2 Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Saigon River dinner cruise. (B, D)
Day 3 Free day. Evening transfer to the airport for the flight home.
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A 4-star hotel is in the heart of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) on the Nguyen Hue Boulevard. Restaurant, bar, pool, gym, spa and WiFi (free). 191 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
Ho Chi Minh City’s leading 5-star hotel opened in 1959 with a combination of French and Vietnamese architecture. Restaurant, bars, pool, spa and WiFi (free). 335 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities, safe and satellite TV.
2019
per person in a twin room/Main Deck cabin
Vietnam Airlines from Heathrow
2020
per person in a twin room/Main Deck cabin
Vietnam Airlines from Heathrow
per person in a twin room/Main Deck cabin
Vietnam Airlines from Heathrow
per person in a twin room/Main Deck cabin
Vietnam Airlines from Heathrow
(limited dates/availability)
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Limited availability
2019: Jan 26, Sep 14
2020: Jan 18
Main Deck double for sole use £595
Cabin Upgrades
Upper Deck £395 (Jan £295)
Upper Deck double for sole use £945 (Jan £845)
Flight Options
London/Ho Chi Minh City/London
Vietnam Airlines Deluxe Economy from £495
Vietnam Airlines Business Class from £1795
London/Bangkok/London Thai Airways £200
Thai Airways Royal Silk Class from £1895
Extension Options
Pre-tour Extension – Angkor Temples
Tara Angkor/Prince d’Angkor £295
Single supplement £65
Victoria Angkor £445
Single supplement £195
Post-tour Extension - Ho Chi Minh City)
Saigon Prince Hotel £165
Single supplement £85
Caravelle Hotel £265
Single supplement £185
Independent Arrival
Save £750
Transfers to/from airport with group included
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 7-night cruise, full board and most drinks on cruise, local guides and representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
Please complete this form and a member of our sales department will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your booking and take payment. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm
