The 18-stateroom Kalaw Pandaw will sail from Kolkata to Baranagar and back on India’s most sacred rivers. The adventure captures the essence of the real India: enchanting countryside, magnificent palaces, mystical temples and artisanal villages, not to mention very friendly folk and riverside communities.

The itinerary also includes two nights in Kolkata, allowing passengers to spend two full days sightseeing in the former capital of the Indian Raj. The city has a huge museum, 18th-century churches, temples, mosques, and architectural splendours that reflect the Raj’s glory days. 

Late check-out on the 10th day enables passengers to stay on board, with full board catering, as most international flights from India depart at night. As Indian hotels compete with London or Paris in costliness, a 10-day itinerary such offers travellers real value as the cruise itinerary becomes a stand-alone Pandaw India trip, meaning that pre and post-cruise hotel bookings in Kolkata are not required.

Prices start from USD2,950 per person sharing, excluding international flights. There are no single supplements on all first-season departures. 

Best flight options

From most UK and European cities: Qatar, Emirates, Air India. 
From Australia: Thai Airways (TG), AirAsia, Jetstar, Air India.

More about flights to Kolkata

Twenty-two airlines fly to Kolkata Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Intl Airport (CCU) from 65 airports worldwide as of December 2024. 

New routes to CCU (last 3 months)

Ahmedabad (AMD) Starlight Airline
Bangkok (DMK) Thai Lion Air
Phuket (HKT) IndiGo
Indore (IDR) Air India Express
Port Blair (IXZ)  Air India Express

The domestic Delhi (DEL) – Kolkata (CCU) route has the most flights, an average of 161 every week. Bangkok (BKK) is the top Southeast Asian gateway to Kolkata with the most direct flights. 

To book visit pandaw.com or speak to our team at information@pandaw.com

The Hooghly
Kolkata – Baranagar – Kolkata
Nine nights
From USD2,950.00 per person

For more details on the cruise and itinerary, check out Hooghly River Cruises.

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A leading riverboat cruise specialist in India and Southeast Asia, Pandaw welcomes the New Year with an impressive selection of exploration cruises on iconic rivers in India and Southeast Asia. Reservations are filling up fast for popular cruises exploring the Mekong River in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. In India, cruises exploring the Kerala Backwaters will begin on a brand-new riverboat in October, in addition to Pandaw’s popular exploration cruises of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.

The 10-cabin Kochi Pandaw has been specially designed for the Kerala Backwaters itinerary while maintaining the classic Pandaw cabin and wrap-around promenade decks. This will be Pandaw’s fourth ship in India, reflecting the increasing demand for river cruises. 

SEVEN NIGHTS KERALA CRUISE
THE KERALA BACKWATERS
FROM USD4,950

The Kochi Pandaw will operate a seven-night circular itinerary from Kochi port every week. It will visit the backwaters’ main towns and remoter areas with its 900 km of waterways connecting rivers with lakes. There will be exciting visits to ancient churches, Hindu temples, artisan villages and the legendary beaches of the Malabar coast.

Cochin International Airport has flights connecting to Europe with Middle Eastern airlines, direct flights to most Southeast Asian cities, and domestic flights connecting to most major Indian cities.

Click for more information on our new Kerala expeditions. Full details: Kerala Backwaters 

The Kerala Backwaters are a network of lagoons, canals, and lakes located along the Malabar Coast of Kerala, India. They stretch for over 900 km (560 miles) and offer visitors a unique and serene experience.

Pandaw will introduce scenic riverboat cruises to explore the backwaters, passing through picturesque villages, lush green landscapes, and coconut palm-fringed canals.   

Bird Watching: The backwaters are home to various bird species, including herons, kingfishers, and egrets. 

Fishing: Fishing is a popular pastime in the backwaters, and visitors can try catching various fish species.   

Villages and Markets: Exploring the local villages and markets is a great way to experience the people’s culture and way of life along the backwaters.   

The nearest airport to the Kerala Backwaters is Cochin International Airport, located in Kochi, Kerala. It is Kerala’s busiest airport and serves domestic and international flights located about 40 km from the heart of the backwaters.

Cities close to Kerala Backwaters

Alleppey is the gateway to the backwaters and is a popular base for exploring the region. It is located about 50 km from Cochin International Airport.

Kumarakom is a small town located on the banks of Vembanad Lake, one of the largest lakes in Kerala. It is known for its bird sanctuary and its serene backwater settings. It is located about 60 km from Cochin International Airport.
Kollam is a major port city in Kerala and a popular start or end point for exploring the backwaters. It is located about 100 km from Cochin International Airport.

Click for more information on our new Kerala expeditions. Full details: Kerala Backwaters 

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The keel laying ceremony was held at a shipyard in Kerala, India, with the blessings of a Roman Catholic priest who ministers to the predominantly Christian community.  

Technically a houseboat, the Kochi Pandaw design will adopt the proven lines and design travellers recognise as the authentic Pandaw style, featuring 10 staterooms. 

The tentative launch date is set for October 2025, when the ship will begin sailing a weekly circular expedition of the Kerala backwaters and lakes, a stunningly beautiful area with a rich and diverse culture and so much to see and do.

Kerala Backwaters Cruise
KOCHI – THOTTAPALLI – KOCHI
Seven nightsFROM USD4,950 per person

For details of the cruise, visit: River Cruise Itinerary for The Kerala Backwaters | Pandaw.com 

To book, visit pandaw.com or contact the Pandaw sales team at information@pandaw.com

More about Kerala backwaters

The Kerala backwaters are a network of lagoons, lakes, canals, and rivers that stretch along the Malabar Coast of Kerala, India. This intricate system, often compared to bayous, is formed by over 900 km of waterways, including five major lakes connected by both natural and artificial canals.   

These serene waterways offer a picturesque experience, with lush green landscapes, coconut palms lining the banks, and traditional villages dotted along the shores.   

Houseboat cruises are a popular way to explore the backwaters, providing a tranquil and authentic way to experience the local culture and natural beauty.   

The annual snake boat races, featuring long, ornate boats, are also a major attraction, showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage.   

The backwaters are also home to diverse wildlife, including various bird species, fish, and other aquatic creatures, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts.   

The most convenient airport to access the Kerala backwaters is Kochi International Airport (IATA: COK), also known as Cochin International Airport. It is well connected to major cities in India and internationally, making it a popular gateway for tourists visiting the region. From Cochin International Airport, you can easily reach Maradu Port, the main entry point for the Kerala backwaters.

Over 100 flights land at Cochin weekly, with the most popular international flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Daily direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City serve the Southeast Asia outbound travel market.

Cochin’s top* airlines January 2025

IndiGo
1150 flights 

Air India Express
548 flights 

Air India
500 flights 

SpiceJet
93 flights 

Etihad Airways
91 flights

*Number of international and domestic flights for January 2025.

To book, visit pandaw.com or contact the Pandaw sales team at information@pandaw.com

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Special group rates apply to three cruise itineraries featuring the Mekong River in Southeast Asia and the iconic rivers of India: the Lower Ganges and the Brahmaputra.

Classic Mekong – From Saigon to Siem Reap

Lower Ganges – Kolkata and the Ganges

Brahamaputra – Guwahati and the National Parks

Download the Pandaw brochure

Explore Asia’s rivers with combo trips 

Pandaw is also promoting its combo cruises. If you want to make the most of your next overseas adventure and explore Asia in more depth, join Pandaw for one of the combination expeditions. With inclusive flights, transfers and accommodation between cruises where necessary, this is the perfect way to immerse in Asia’s diverse cultures and experiences in one trip, all from the comfort of Pandaw’s custom-built river ships.

The Full Mekong Four Country 21-night combo is Pandaw’s newest and most adventurous combo expedition, and it sees intrepid travellers sail along all navigable stretches of the Mekong River through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Taking advantage of high water in the early part of the season, it explores further than any passenger vessel, including a crossing of the Tonle Sap Lake for a true adventure across Indochina. This exciting itinerary is sold out for 2024, and advanced 2025 dates are selling quickly.

Pandaw’s 14 and 21-night Ganges & Brahmaputra expeditions offer guests the chance to experience the wide variety of life in India. Sailing along the sacred Ganges before heading into the remote North-East for an unforgettable journey along the Brahmaputra river. New dates for 2025/26 have just been released for preferred stateroom bookings.

If you want to combine two or more of Pandaw’s cruises that are not currently offered as a combo or to make a booking, reach out to the Pandaw team at information@pandaw.com, visit pandaw.com, or contact your local travel agent.

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This expedition seamlessly combines with Pandaw’s spectacular Laos river cruise, allowing you to discover the undiscovered as you travel on the Upper Mekong River through northern Laos and Thailand. The exclusive combo cruise offers a unique blend of adventure and refinement, perfect for the discerning traveller.

For the first time, join Pandaw presents an in-depth exploration of the Mekong River from South to North. The itinerary combines two 10-night Mekong expeditions through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Sailing all of this mighty river’s navigable stretches, you will learn how one river can support a vast and diverse group of peoples and cultures, all from the comfort of locally crafted Pandaw vessels.

New for 2024, this cruise expedition will sail from central Saigon, embarking or disembarking in Vietnam’s bustling metropolis.

This combo cruise includes a flight and one-night accommodation between cruises in the package price. Flights and hotels are subject to routing and availability at the time of booking.

The Full Mekong, Four Country 21-Night Combo Cruise
SAIGON – VIENTIANE
11 nights
FROM USD9,596 per person

For full details, visit:
River Cruise Itinerary for The Full Mekong, Four Country 21 Night Combo Cruise | Pandaw.com 

To book, visit pandaw.com, contact the Pandaw team at information@pandaw.com or contact your local travel agent.

The post Pandaw presents four-country cruises appeared first on TTR Weekly.

These facilities complement the extensive open deck spaces that help Pandaw maintain its position as Asia’s premier luxury river cruise operator.

In addition, the classic Pandaw cabin has undergone a makeover, with a new look using beautiful Khmer fabrics, the installation of minibars and Nespresso machines, and a selection of locally sourced tisanes (herbal teas).

Pandaw operates four 28-cabin classic river ships on the Mekong River between Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap (Angkor Wat). Two departures weekly schedule cruise durations of three, four, and seven-night experiences.

To book a cruise, visit pandaw.com, or contact the Pandaw team at information@pandaw.com.

Classic Vietnam & Cambodia Tour
SAIGON – SIEM REAP
11 nights
From USD3,948

For more details on the Classic Vietnam & Cambodia Tour visit:

https://www.pandaw.com/expeditions/classic-vietnam-cambodia-tour?utm_source=pandaw&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mekong-ships-refit

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The sailings focus on river trips to Mekong Region destinations in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. An Indian cruise spotlights the heritage destinations on the mighty Ganges River, departing on the day after Christmas and featuring New Year celebrations on the iconic river.

It’s not too late to join Pandaw across our destinations for special Christmas and New Year sailings in 2024. With no single supplement, specially crafted festive menus and festive onboard entertainment.

To book, visit pandaw.com, contact us at information@pandaw.com or speak to your local travel agent.

Six sailings during the festive season

Vietnam and Cambodia

Classic Mekong Upstream
21 Dec 2024 – 28 Dec 2024

https://www.pandaw.com/expeditions/classic-mekong?utm_source=pandaw&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=festive-nov-24

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Upstream

24 Dec 2024 – 28 Dec 2024

https://www.pandaw.com/expeditions/siem-reap-phnom-penh?utm_source=pandaw&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=festive-nov-24

Saigon to Phnom Penh Upstream

21 Dec 2024 – 24 Dec 2024

https://www.pandaw.com/expeditions/saigon-phnom-penh-short-cruise?utm_source=pandaw&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=festive-nov-24

Classic Vietnam & Cambodia Tour Upstream

19 Dec 2024 – 30 Dec 2024

No Single Supplement only on the cruise portion 

https://www.pandaw.com/expeditions/classic-vietnam-cambodia-tour?utm_source=pandaw&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=festive-nov-24

India

Lower Ganges Upstream

26 December 2024 – 02 January 2025

https://www.pandaw.com/expeditions/the-lower-ganges-river?utm_source=pandaw&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=festive-nov-24

Laos

Laos Mekong Downstream

18 Dec 2024 – 28 Dec 2024

https://www.pandaw.com/expeditions/laos-mekong?utm_source=pandaw&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=festive-nov-24 

To book, visit pandaw.com, contact the sales team at information@pandaw.com or speak to your local travel agent.

The post Christmas and New Year with Pandaw appeared first on TTR Weekly.

This week, an agent and partner update noted that Strachan heads up the river cruise line’s reservations team after a smooth handover from former reservations team leader James Talbot, who no longer works with Pandaw. 

Pandaw’s 2024/2025 peak season for exploring the iconic rivers of Southeast Asia and India gets underway, and bookings for itineraries are filling up fast from November 2024 through to April 2025.

For more information on the cruises, head to the website https://www.pandaw.com/.

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Last year’s first prize winner, Theodore and Alice Tanoues’ entry titled ‘Sandbanks of Burma’.

The quest is for pithy travel tales that encapsulate a typical Pandaw adventure, preferably focussing on one particular destination or sailing. 

Your blogs should be no more than 1,000 words and can be submitted to Pandaw’s team by emailing marketing@pandaw.com with the subject line ‘Pandaw Blog Competition’.

Prizes are available for the top three stories, which will be selected after the closing date of 30 June 2025. 

It’s time to get creative and submit your entries. Your story may even be selected to publish on the Pandaw website or in its onboard magazines, in addition to the opportunity to win one of the three top prizes on offer.

PRIZES 

1st Prize USD1,000 Pandaw travel voucher
2nd prize USD500 Pandaw travel voucher
3rd prize USD250 Pandaw travel voucher

Enter competition now

RULES

1. All entrants are deemed to have accepted these rules and agreed to be bound by them.
2.  One submission per individual; multiple entries will be discounted.
3  Your blog should be no more than 1000 words.
4. By entering our competition, you allow Pandaw to use your blog in any promotional literature, social media or online.
5. Pandaw’s Founder, Paul Strachan, will select the three best blogs, and his decision will be final.
6. The closing date for the competition is 30 June 2025.
7. The winners will be notified by email after the closing date.
8. The Pandaw Travel voucher prizes:
 • have no cash value.
 • can be applied to any new booking made within the next two years.
 • Can be used by any friend or family of the winner.

For more information on Pandaw Cruises: Download a Pandaw brochure

The post Pandaw Cruises opens blog competition appeared first on TTR Weekly.

Expeditions are now in full swing across all destinations, showcasing the genuine beauty of Asia’s rivers and journeys far off the beaten path.

Standout cruises on the Mekong River: Journey through Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, exploring vibrant cities and serene landscapes.
Halong Bay and Red River:  Travellers can immerse themselves in the natural wonders of Halong Bay and the cultural heritage of the Red River Delta in Vietnam.

Join Pandaw this season and explore the wonders of Southeast Asia and India in comfort and style aboard boutique luxury river ships built to sail where other river boats cannot venture. Select dates and itineraries for exclusive river sailings during the 2024/25 season, and take a lifetime trip in Asia with Pandaw.

The fleet is ready 

For over 25 years, Pandaw has been the leader in regional river cruising, operating cruises in Southeast Asia and India. Pandaw has 17 beautifully crafted ships built by the specialist river cruise operator. Each vessel is an object of great beauty, hand-finished in brass and teak by traditional craftsmen.

“The secret of our success is that, while luxury and comfort are ever-present, on our ships, the colonial-era character and friendly atmosphere predominate. All our Pandaw ships have ultra-shallow drafts and can travel to remote areas unreachable by other passenger-carrying vessels, let alone overland.”

K Class

“The K-class dated back to the 1880s and consisted of stern wheelers designed to reduce draft, their boilers placed in the bow to improve trim. Smaller than the great line steamers of the age, the K-class ships were used on Myanmar’s rivers, the Chindwin and the upper reaches of the Irrawaddy. Where possible, we have reused the old IFC names, and many of these original K-class ships had fascinating histories through times of war and peace.”

P Class

“Yarrows of Glasgow built the original P-class ships in the late 1940s to replace the ships of the old Irrawaddy Flotilla Company lost in the war. The design was based on earlier 1930s designs with side paddles and the addition of a flying bridge. During that era, ships had a name beginning with a P; one of these was the original ‘Pandaw’ that Pandaw acquired in 1998 and lovingly restored. The P-class ships with their broad beam and shallow draft were all deployed on the Bhamo to Mandalay routing.”

Browse Pandaw brochures: Click here for cruise destination brochures

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