In response to demand for sustainable travel on the Mekong, Asian river cruise specialist Pandaw has introduced two new and exclusive stops in Cambodia which will be offered on all Mekong expeditions from September 2024. These new stops, which are unique to Pandaw, will not only provide more unique and authentic experiences for its guests but also ensure that they are benefitting the communities in a sustainable way by spreading tourist visits to new places not called at by other vessels.
Pandaw has worked closely with local communities and its on-the-ground teams to come up with these new and exciting locations to moor its small expedition ships in order to provide its guests with even more truly authentic experiences that are inaccessible other than by river. The two new offerings are:
Pak Russei
Located close to Phnom Penh, Pak Russei is a quaint village hosting local artisans that produce silks and foodstuffs such as noodles which are sold in the markets of Phnom Penh. This excursion replaces Silk Island or Koh Oknha Tei where most tourist vessels stop to visit the silk production demonstrations set up to cater for foreign guests. Pandaw maintains the silk-making explanations and opportunity to buy authentic locally made silk products in this new village, as well as offering a private demonstration of the Khmer martial art of Bokator which is performed in the village pagoda.
Peam Chi Korng
A small village known for its pottery industry, Peam Chi Korng is an untouched gem and a new addition along the Mekong north of Phnom Penh. This replaces the excursion in Angkor Ban which was once a small and rural village where the Pandaw library was built to support the Angkor Ban secondary school but has now become a frequent stop for many of the larger tourist vessels.
These new visits are available on four of Pandaw’s Mekong itineraries – the 7-night Classic Mekong, the 10-night Deeper & Further on the Mekong River, the 3- and 4-night Phnom Penh & Siem Reap and the 21-night The Full Mekong, Four Country Combo Cruise.
For further information and reservations, call Pandaw on 0800 038 1029, email uk@pandaw.com or visit www.pandaw.com.