There can be no tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as
the River Mekong. Indeed there can be no more striking a cultural
contrast as that between the bustling Vietnam delta and the tranquility
of Cambodia. A shipping link between Saigon and Angkor is immensely
practical for the traveler as it makes it possible to connect three
important destinations on one trip with easy plane connections at
either end: Saigon the former capital of South Vietnam, Phnom Penh, the
quaint Cambodian capital, & the stupendous World Heritage monuments
at Angkor: no longer need one check in and out of hotels and endure
bumpy roads.
INTRODUCTION
* There can be no
tapestry of river life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong.
Indeed there can be no more striking a cultural contrast as that
between the bustling Vietnam delta and the tranquility of Cambodia. A
shipping link between Saigon and Angkor is immensely practical for the
traveler as it makes it possible to connect three important
destinations on one trip with easy plane connections at either end:
Saigon the former capital of South Vietnam, Phnom Penh, the quaint
Cambodian capital, & the stupendous World Heritage monuments at
Angkor: no longer need one check in and out of hotels and endure bumpy
roads.
* The secret of the Pandaw success is that, whilst luxury
and comfort are discreetly present, it is the colonial character and
friendly atmosphere that predominate.
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.
Day 3: 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.
This tour can be customized as you wish!
* Accommodation in luxury AC en-suite cabin with twin/double basic.
* All meals, coffee and tea, mineral water
* All entrance fees, guide services (English language), port dues
* Transfers to and from ship at start and end of voyage
* International and domestic flights, Hotels
* Drinks at bar, laundry
* All visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions)