RIVER CRUISE INTO ‘LOST CAMBODIA’ OF SOMERSET MAUGHAM

PANDAW River Cruises that operate replica 19th century colonial riverboats on the waterways of South-east Asia, will take guests on a rare cruise experience later this year into the upper reaches of the Mekong River and the little-visited “Lost Cambodia” of Somerset Maugham.

Just two 10-night journeys will be made upstream from Saigon to Siam Reap, and two downstream back to Saigon, with all meals, local beers and spirits, soft drinks, mineral water, tea and coffee and a daily “local cocktail” included in the price, that starts from US$4950pp twin-share and from US$1950 for a single cabin.

The 38-cabin Tonle Pandaw will sail these unique adventures with highlights including the great Mekong Delta, Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, tribal villages, trishaw, and sampan and “Cyclo” excursions, a silk-weaving village, centuries-old temples, and now-dilapidated once-grand French colonial towns.

There will also be an excursion to Cambodia’s rare river dolphins, a road trip to the rarely-visited temples of Sam Bor, and a visit to an orphanage supported by Pandaw River Cruises.

A hotel night in Saigon pre-sailing and one in Siam Reap post-sailing are also included; the downstream itinerary has slight variations to that upstream.

Upstream sailings are on October 10 and November 1 and downstream on October 20 and November 10; airfares are additional. Details from travel agents, phone Pandaw River Cruises on (02) 8080 5622, email jlbati@ozemail.com.au or visit www.pandaw.com