Pandaw
River Cruising
Pandaw is the real deal for Southeast Asian river cruising — they pioneered the Mekong route and still run itineraries no one else can reach, including shallow-water stretches in Laos and the route to Siem Reap via Tonle Sap Lake. The ships are deliberately old-fashioned with teak and brass everywhere, and with only 20-40 guests aboard, the atmosphere feels more like a private expedition than a cruise. Just be aware: this is adventurous travel with bamboo jetties and sandy riverbanks, not polished European-style river cruising.
Pandaw traces its origins to the 1990s when founder Paul Strachan revived river cruising on Burma’s Irrawaddy aboard restored colonial-era vessels. In 2003, Strachan pioneered the first cruise route on the lower Mekong from Vietnam to Cambodia, overcoming considerable political and bureaucratic obstacles to open a waterway that is now one of the world’s great river journeys. That pioneering spirit still defines the brand — Pandaw routinely operates itineraries that no other company can match, including shallow-water voyages through Laos and a unique routing across Tonle Sap Lake to Siem Reap.
The fleet consists of purpose-built shallow-draft vessels designed specifically for Asian rivers, each finished in the handsome teak-and-brass style of 1920s paddle steamers. Ships like the Mekong Pandaw carry just 48 guests, while the Kalay Pandaw accommodates only 10 in five cabins. The crew-to-guest ratio is exceptional — often approaching one-to-one — and the onboard atmosphere is relaxed and sociable, with open seating at meals, sundeck socialising, and daily briefings from knowledgeable local guides. Dining features regional cuisine alongside international options, and the included excursions focus on village visits, temple explorations, and encounters with local artisans and monks.
This is not luxury cruising in the European sense. Cabins are compact though comfortable, there are no marble bathrooms or butler services, and going ashore often means stepping onto bamboo walkways or sandy riverbanks. What Pandaw offers instead is authenticity and access — the chance to see rural Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and India from the water, at a pace that lets the landscape and culture genuinely sink in. Passengers tend to be well-travelled, curious, and comfortable with a degree of unpredictability.
Pandaw also operates on the Ganges and Brahmaputra in India and has recently expanded its Mekong offerings with new itineraries connecting Thailand and Laos. For travellers who have already explored Europe’s rivers and want something with more grit and soul, Pandaw is a compelling and distinctive choice.
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