Paul Strachan’s Pandaw River Expeditions make an amazing wave. For the period of 2015/16, there are exciting new projects on the horizon for everyone to enjoy, namely in Myanmar, India, Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam.

For instance, travel from Myanmar’s Yangon to Pyay by coach and then onwards aboard the Pandaw II on an amazing 10-night Ayeyarwaddy journey to Bagan and Mandalay. Departures are from July 2015 to February 2016. Prices are from only USD3676 per person sharing a main deck state-room.

Other options are the new 20-cabin Kalaw Pandaw and Kindat Pandaw cruises weekly between Bagan and Mandalay, covering the main historical cities and sites of “British Old Royal Burma”. Then changing ship in Mandalay, with a night in a 4-star hotel, you join the 10-cabin Kha Byoo cruise ship that launched in November this year, for an expedition into the wilderness of the Upper Ayeyarwaddy. Highlights will be the passage through the 3rd and 2nd defiles, not to forget visits to some enchanting local towns, the most favorite being Katha, once home to George Orwell and the setting for the novel “Burmese Days”. Further up, Bhamo in Kachin State is now a big trading town with a strong Chinese influence. We will then continue on the cruise ship, if water conditions permit, or by local boat, to enter the awesome 1st defile with its cataracts and towering gorges. One domestic flight to/from Bhamo is included, either to Mandalay or Yangon.

Furthermore, it is now quite easy to fly into Sittwe from Yangon with daily flights. From the port town Sittwe in Rakhain, enjoy a weekly cruise departing every Friday on the 16- cabin Katha Pandaw, which will start in November 2015. This enables passengers to combine the Rakhain State with other weekly cruises that will connect with it – for example the Chindwin River or Bhamo cruise - and to be announced very soon, the Thanlwin River (Salween) from Mawlamyain in Mon State to Hpa-an and beyond in Kayin State.

For the most adventurous travelers, discover the Ganges and Hooghly Rivers in India from Varanasi to Kolkata aboard our custom-built partner ship MV Rajmahal. Led by a Pandaw cruise director, enjoy the same level of Pandaw service, excellent cuisine and authentic excursions with knowledgeable guides. Pre/post extensions in Delhi, including a day trip to the famous Taj Mahal in Agra, and Kolkata are also available. Special launch prices are available for bookings up to 31st December 2014 - 17 days from only USD 4,950 per person based on sharing a twin main deck state-room.

Furthermore, the elegant RV Laos Pandaw will traverse Laos to touch Thailand and Myanmar at the notorious Golden Triangle. From Vientiane, the once sleepy “Old French Capital of L’Indochine”, this will be the first river expedition since pre-war days to cross most of the northern part of Laos and to touch Chiang Khong in Thailand.

The cruise ship will stop two nights at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang with its dazzling wood-carved monasteries and then cruise on deep into the mountains, through rapids and gorges on our high-powered little cruise ship. There will be visits to tribal villages and explorations into jungle and countryside. As with all Pandaw River Expeditions, itineraries are an indication only and in the first year you have to anticipate many a change!

Also, Pandaw River Expeditions are pleased to announce the launch of an upstream and downstream expedition on the Mekong River next summer that offer you the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful extended exploration of the Mekong Delta in Viet Nam and a visit to the protected area north of Kratie in Cambodia, where rare river dolphins can be observed.

The expeditions operate on the luxurious RV Mekong Pandaw, with its shallow draft enabling exploration to areas other vessels simply can’t reach. The ship also boasts the highest staff to guest ratio of any ship in the world, a spa and even a small cinema!

Last not least, enhance your special “Red River Expedition” in Northern Viet Nam with a stay in the luxurious Sofitel Plaza Hotel in Ha Noi from only USD128 per person sharing a twin room including transfers or enjoy a 5-day extension including 2 nights at the Victoria Resort in Sa Pa, a memorable overnight journey on the elegant “Victoria Express Train” to Ha Noi and 1-night at the Sofitel Plaza Hotel in Ha Noi. Prices are from USD1175 per person sharing a twin room/compartment.

Please always remember: Rivers are the lifelines of our planet. For further information, please go to: www.pandaw.com