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Code: |
IDCN23 |
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Routes: |
My Tho - Cai Be - Chau Doc - Border
Crossing - Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham -
Kampong Cham Area - Tonle River - Tonle
Sap |
|
Duration: |
08 Days |
Itinerary in brief
Day 1: My Tho
Day 2: Cai Be
Day3: Chau Doc / Border Crossing
Day 4: Phnom Penh
Day 5: Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham
Day 6: Kampong Cham Area
Day 7: Tonle River
Day 8: Tonle Sap
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: My Tho
Register at 0930 at the Renaissance Riverside
Hotel in Saigon and transfer at 1100 to the
Delta Port of My Tho by coach, avoiding
tidal delays on the Cao Gao canal. The time
saved this gives us more time in the wilder
areas upstream. The transfer time is
approximately two hours. My Tho is the hub of
the Delta, but not of great cultural interest,
so once on board we set sail and have lunch. In
the afternoon we moor near Cai Be and
make a fascinating trip by traditional junk to
explore evergreen islands and at the former
Imperial residence, the An Kiet House.
Surviving members of the Kiet family will
welcome us with tea and we can wander in the
fruit orchards around the house. On the way back
we stop at Dong Hoa Hiep Island to see
boat yards, brick works and traditional roofers.
Overnight moor mid-stream Cai Be.
Day 2: Cai Be
We take a morning junk trip around Cai Be
to see a floating market, and go ashore to visit
the French Gothic Cathedral and colourful port
area, with its colonial buildings, delightful
flower gardens and local coconut candy and rice
paper. manufacturers. Return to ship and cruise
over to Vinh Long to visit a Bonsai
Garden and fruit farm, followed by visit to
brick - and pottery factory. Return to ship and
cruise past Vinh Long City and evergreen
islands. Remainder of day cruising through the
Mekong Delta.
Day3: Chau Doc / Border Crossing
From the main Mekong channel at Tan Chau we
travel down the canals and backwaters by local
ferry boat. At Chau Doc we transfer to
small boats to visit a Cham tribal village.
We also visit a cat fish farm. We take a trishaw
ride round this fascinating town of fine
French-colonial buildings and see its bustling
market. Return to the ship by boat for lunch and
cast off for the Cambodian border for the usual
formalities, which in this part of the world,
take time. Evening cruise up the broad Mekong
channel, which is an international shipping
route. Moor overnight just downstream from Phnom
Penh.
Day 4: Phnom Penh
The capital of Cambodia retains its French
charm. The old colonial architecture makes an
attractive backdrop to busy cafes, and the
renovated river "corniche" is full of life. The
city has several impressive wats, including
Wat Ounalom,
Wat Phnom and the newly-painted Wat Lang Ka. Pride of place goes
to the spectacular Silver Pagoda, one of the few
places in Cambodia where artifacts embodying the
brilliance and richness of Khmer culture were
preserved by the Khmer Rouge. The National
Museum is another highlight, with
outstanding displays of Khmer crafts. An
afternoon excursion is arranged to the
Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge’s grim Tuol Sleng or S21 detention
centre situated in the suburbs of the city.
More happily, Phnom Penh has a lively night
life, and some passengers choose to dine ashore
or try one of the capital’s many watering holes;
a favourite being the Foreign Correspondents’
Club.
Day 5: Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham
Early morning departure from Phnom Penh and a
stop at the little-known Chong Koh silk
weaving village for a morning walk at
leisure. We cruise past the Mekong’s timeless
villages and river life with extensive fishing
activities. The scenery is very lovely here, and
in the distance, forested hills rise. On the
river above Phnom Penh there is little shipping,
just real Cambodian life. In the afternoon we
stop at Peam Chi Kang village to visit
the wat or monastery and school. Passengers are
at leisure to explore this peaceful and friendly
community. In the wat the splendid village
racing boats are stored.
Day 6: Kampong Cham Area
Morning journey upriver to the hilltop
pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey.
Dating from the 8th century, these ancient brick
structures characterise the architecture of the
Chenla Empire which predated the glories of
Angkor. Sail back downstream over lunch for an
exploration of the Kampong Cham Area. We
travel by bus to the 12th century Angkorian
temple of Wat Nokor. This colourful temple is
unique in Cambodia, as a modern wat is set
within the ruins of an ancient temple. We
continue to the twin holy mountains of Phnom
Pros
and Phnom Srei, or Man and Woman Hills.
Legends abound about the origins of these hills,
and there are many pagodas and shrines on the
hilltops.
Day 7: Tonle River
We glance by the capital Phnom Penh in the early
morning to change pilots, and then sail the
Tonle River which connects Tonle Lake
with the
Mekong and Bassac Rivers that merge
at Phnom Penh. This river journey is a highlight
of the trip. We wind our way through jungle, and
as the river narrows we feel we can almost reach
out and touch the houses and people who come out
to cheer our ship on. Temples abound along the
river banks at Kampong Chhnang, and we
see the rich tapestry of Cambodian rural life.
This is a busy rural port town with bustling
markets. Mooring mid-stream, we make a truly
wonderful motor boat excursion into the lakeside
wetlands that form the mouth of the river. Here
a stunning variety of bird life may be seen and
of considerable interest are the great fish
traps, some half a kilometre long, which net a
huge tonnage of fish after each monsoon as the
fish migrate from the falling lake into the
Tonle River.
Day 8: Tonle Sap
The great lake dominates Cambodia and is over
150 Km in length. Here bird life is profuse, and
from the middle of the lake one cannot even see
the shores. There is a great stillness and
tranquility as we pass floating fishing
villages.
Because the water levels of the lake and river
vary a great deal according to the time of year
and rainfall, we will then either:
1. High water, approximately July - November.
Cross the Tonle Lake at dawn and disembark at
Siem Reap Port for onward coach transfer to the
Angkor Century Hotel
2. Low water, approximately November - March. In
the early morning depart by speedboat and
disembark at Siem Reap Port for onward coach
transfer to the Angkor Century Hotel
3. No water, approximately March to July. In the
early morning depart by coach from Phumi Prek
Chik Village on the Tonle River, stopping for
sightseeing at Angkor Thom to see Prem Srei Kuk
temples, arriving by midday at Angkor Century
Hotel.
IN ALL SITUATIONS THE SERVICE ENDS AT ANGKOR
CENTURY HOTEL BY 1300
COST (per Cabin) and DETAIL: WINTER
2006/2007
|
|
Lower Deck |
Main Deck |
Upper Deck |
|
Twin sharing (US$) |
3420 |
3780 |
4170 |
|
Single Use (US$) |
2250 |
2430 |
2625 |
The route Siem Reap - Saigon is vice verse of
the above route
Departure dates are fix (a route about 2.5
times/month). Detail be listed in booking form
PANDAW CRUISE DETAIL AND HISTORY
In 2002 the Irrawaddy Flotilla took Pandaw concept to the
Mekong River in Indochina. In 2003, the Mekong
Pandaw were the first ship to attempt this
extraordinary journey in its entirety
surmounting complex bureaucratic & navigational
obstacles. In 2004, the former Pandaw III now
renamed the Tonle Pandaw join her. The two
Pandaws explore two countries, two cultures &
two ways of life linked by one great river.
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.
Pandaw began ten years ago as essentially an adventure
experience, and whilst accommodation and service
now is of a top standard. There is a very high
level of care on board a Pandaw with impeccable
service. The ratio is of one staff member for
every two guests.
Exploratory shore excursions are led by local guides. When
sailing our passengers sit on deck and become
absorbed by great panoramas as they unfold about
them. Spellbound, one cannot help but to
meditate upon the unceasing human and wildlife
activity of these teaming water world.
Pandaw cruising is different from other forms of
cruising. The atmosphere on board is informal
and relaxed. A Pandaw cruise is a deeply
tranquil experience. There are no (nonessential)
Tannoy announcements and other irritations
normally associated with a cruise ship. Pandaw
passengers like to be smart casual at night but
do not dress up. There is no captain's table at
dinner or any of the other rituals associated
with sea cruising. |
