River Cruising
Luxury
ship, HALONG BAY & THE RED RIVER | THE CLASSIC MEKONG THE LAOS MEKONG | THE GANGES & BRAHMAPUTRA
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INTRODUCING THE PANDAW EXPERIENCE
The Pandaw experience is all about exploring remote and often hard-to-navigate rivers in specially-designed luxury small ships.
Each ship, hand-crafted in brass and teak, is an object of beauty in itself. A Pandaw adventure is very different from that offered on an ocean-going cruise. The ships are small scale, and the atmosphere is informal and very friendly.
While the craft may be small, Pandaw has the highest passenger-to-deck- space ratio of any cruise ship afloat. There are plenty of quiet spots to be discovered where you can read a book, write your travel journal, or simply meditate on the spectacular passing landscape or chat with like-minded travellers friends old and new. Pandaw designs its ships with 360-degree promenade decks that allow its passengers the freedom to interact as much, or as little, as they like. It all adds to the famous ‘Pandaw spirit’ that brings so many guests back onboard time and time again.
Many passengers have described life on board a Pandaw cruise as more like being a guest on a private motor yacht, than a passenger on a conventional cruise ship. For a start, their itineraries and quest for the most spectacular sights and experiences are far more intrepid than conventional cruises. And when passengers return to the ship after experiencing the wonders of life onshore, they are coming back to a floating oasis of low-key luxury, caring service and all the good things of life.
ON BOARD YOUR LUXURY RIVER CRUISE
Your Stateroom
Finished in brass and teak, the main and upper deck rooms are spacious 168 square feet (15.6 sqm), except for the Zawgyi Pandaw which is 150 square feet (14 sqm). As the space is much loved by all passengers, Pandaw has ensured that with each ship they build, the stateroom remains essentially the same.
Dining
Pandaw pride themselves on offering a great choice of local cuisine and exotic foods. They source supplies and ingredients as locally as possible, always in accordance with strictly-monitored environmental health standards.
Breakfast is a buffet, while lunch features a buffet, plus soup, salad and a dessert table, with the main course served at the table. Dinner is by waiter service at the table.
Activities & Excursions
Whilst the peace and tranquillity of passengers is a priority and many passengers prefer to read, write or engage in painting or photography, Pandaw also offers several social activities that have become a traditional part of any Pandaw river expedition.
• All scheduled excursions are accompanied by members of the crew with first aid kits, water and cold towels.
• Entrance fees for sights included in the itinerary.
• Comprehensive fact sheets or ‘trip books’ provided.
• Passengers can visit Pandaw Charity projects along the way and interact with the local communities.
• There is an opportunity to travel to local markets with the Pandaw Head Chef at least once during the cruise programme.
• Pandaw provide crew assists for those who require them in areas where river banks are steep and slippery.
October to March Day Destination 1 Saigon - My Tho - Ben Tre 2 Gao Giong 3 Chau Doc - Sam Mountain Vietnam/Cambodia Border 4 Phnom Penh 5 Silk Island 6 Tonle Sap River - Prek Kdam Oudong 7 Kampong Chhnang - Tonle Sap Floating Villages & Markets 8 Kampong Chhnang Siem Reap Departing Halong Bay & The Red River The Classic Mekong Explore the key sites of Northern Vietnam by river ship traversing the Red River delta and its main tributaries, connecting the wonders of Halong Bay with the excitements of downtown Hanoi, and then on into the interior, well off the beaten track. This is a combination of scenic beauty, lively and interesting (sometimes industrial) life of the river and exploring rivers where no other tourist craft operates. There can be no tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong. Indeed, there can be no more striking cultural contrast as that between the bustling Vietnam delta and the tranquillity of Cambodia. Pass from the vibrant French colonial port of Saigon, through the vast delta so rich in human life and endeavour, to travel along the main channel into the rich countryside of Cambodia. With a full day in charming Phnom Penh explore remoter waterways as you progress to the great monuments of Angkor. Hoa Binh Tuan Chau Island Viet Tri Gia Luan Halong Bay Than Hai Tien Du Hung Lo Temple Duong Lam Village Thay & Tay Phuong Pagoda Ly Nhan village Hanoi NORTH VIETNAM LowerRedRive r LuocRiver ThaiBinhRiver Kinh Thay River RedRiver RedRiver Da rRive Cambodia Border Saigon Siem Reap Koh Okhna Tey “Silk Island” Ben Tre My Tho Phnom Penh Chau Doc Gao Giong CAMBODIA VIETNAM Mekong Mekong Tonl e Oudong Kampong Trollach Kampong Chhnang Day Destination 1 Halong Bay 2 Halong Bay 3 Halong Bay 4 The Kinh Thay River 5 Bat Trang Village 6 Hanoi 7 The Lower Red River 8 Lo River 9 The Da River 10 Hoa Binh 11 Hoa Binh Please note itinerary may vary for December to March departures: April to March Departing Itineraries are also available i n reverse & optional land extensions are available on request | Con
September to March Day Destination 1 Vientiane 2 Cruising the Mekong 3 Pak Lai 4 Ban Park Bor Village 5 Ban Mouang Khai Village and Luang Prabang 6 Luang Prabang 7 Pak Ou Caves 8 Pak Beng 9 Ban Houayxay 10 Chiang Saen 11 Chiang Saen Departing The Laos Mekong Enjoy a three country expedition as you traverse Laos to touch Thailand and Burma at the once notorious Golden Triangle. From Vientiane, the old French capital, and so redolent of L’Indochine Pandaw will be the first river expedition since pre-war days to cross all of Laos. Enjoy a two-night stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang with its dazzling wood carved monasteries and then on deep into the mountains, through rapids and gorges on our high powered little Pandaw. Visit tribal villages and explore into jungle and countryside. Pak Lai Luang Prabang Pak Ou Caves Pak Beng Vientiane Chiang Saen CHINA BURMA NORTH VIETNAM THAIL AND L AOS Mekong Rive r MekongRive r tact your preferred travel agent or call our travel specialists for the The Ganges &
There can be no river in the world as sacred as the Ganges and an expedition on the Lower Ganges or Hooghly is one of the prettiest river journeys
The river winds its way through
West Bengal with its culturally
and
September to May Day Destination 1 Kolkata - Barrackpore 2 Kalna 3 Matiari 4 Murshidabad 5 Baranagar - Ajimganj 6 Mayapur 7 Chandernagore - Hooghly 8 Kolkata - Guwahati 9 Sailing 10 Tezpur 11 Nameri National Park 12 Kaziranga National Park 13 Tea Gardens 14 Sualkuchi Silk Village 15 Guwahati Departing INDIA Kolkata Chandernagore Kalna Mayapur Matiari Murshidabad Baranagar Ganges Br ahmaputr a Flight from Kolkata (for second half of the trip) Sualkuchi Silk Village Guwahati Tea Gardens Tezpur Nameri National Park Silghat Kaziranga National Park latest pricing and availability
Brahmaputra
imaginable.
the lush countryside of
significant towns crammed with temples
palaces. A rich and vibrant rural life abounds and there is never a dull moment as you sedately cruise this pleasant waterway. Combined with the mighty Brahmaputra river in Northern India which originates high in the Himalayas before flowing through the scenic Assam Valley where UNESCO protected national parks and remote rural communities provide travellers with the most wonderful and authentic expedition.
0944 for your peace of mind Full operator terms and conditions apply. E&OE. TO BOOK CALL 01732 225533 enquiries@baldwinstravel.co.uk www.baldwinstravel.co.uk