Pandaw Asia Holidays Brochure

Pandaw was founded in 1995 by Burma historian Paul Strachan, taking its name from a restored Clyde-built paddle steamer he discovered in Burma. From that first voyage on the Irrawaddy River — the first time foreign tourists had travelled the waterway since the Second World War — Pandaw grew into one of Asia's most respected small-ship river cruise operators, running colonial-style teakwood riverboats across Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, China, Egypt and Brazil.

Small Ships, Remarkable Rivers

Pandaw's fleet of intimate riverboats is built in the spirit of the 19th-century Scottish-crafted paddle steamers that once plied Burma's rivers at the height of the British Empire. With a deliberately small number of passengers aboard each vessel, the cruises offer unhurried access to landscapes and communities that larger ships simply cannot reach. Each boat features spacious cabins, open sun decks and lounges, and a full catering crew serving locally inspired cuisine.

Destinations Across Asia and Beyond

Pandaw pioneered Mekong River cruising from Vietnam to Cambodia in 2003, overcoming significant political and logistical challenges to open the route for the first time since French Colonial times. Today the company's itineraries span six countries in South-East Asia — Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and China — alongside expedition voyages on the Amazon in Brazil and Ecuador, and on India's Brahmaputra, Hooghly and Ganges rivers. Egypt's Nile has also featured in the programme, giving travellers a remarkable breadth of choice.

What to Expect on Board

Every Pandaw cruise is fully staffed and fully catered, with an expert local crew attending to guests throughout the journey. Cabins are finished in teak and brass in the colonial style, and the open upper decks are ideal for watching river life unfold — from paddy fields and gilded pagodas to bustling riverside markets. Pandaw describes its ideal guests as intrepid travellers who are happy to trade connectivity for authentic experiences in places that conventional transport cannot reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Pandaw founded and who started the company?

Pandaw was founded in 1995 by Paul Strachan, a historian specialising in Burma. He named the company after a restored Clyde-built paddle steamer and led the first cruise up the Irrawaddy River — the first such voyage by foreign tourists since the Second World War.

Which rivers does Pandaw cruise?

Pandaw operates cruises on the Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers in Burma, the Mekong through Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, the Yangtze in China, the Nile in Egypt, the Amazon in Brazil and Ecuador, and the Brahmaputra, Hooghly and Ganges in India, among others.

How many passengers do Pandaw ships carry?

Pandaw operates a fleet of small ships designed to carry a limited number of passengers, keeping the experience intimate and allowing access to shallow waterways and remote villages that larger cruise vessels cannot navigate.

Are meals included on a Pandaw river cruise?

Yes. All Pandaw cruises are fully catered, with an on-board crew preparing meals that reflect the local cuisines of each region. Dining is included as part of the cruise package.

What style are the Pandaw riverboats?

The boats are built in a colonial style, constructed from teak and finished with brass fittings, inspired by the 19th-century Scottish-built paddle steamers that operated on Burma's rivers during the British Empire. They are constructed in Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.

What kinds of travellers suit a Pandaw cruise?

Pandaw cruises appeal to curious, independently minded travellers who want genuine cultural immersion rather than a resort-style experience. The itineraries often include regions not easily accessible by road, and the company's ethos centres on authentic encounters with local communities and landscapes.

Note: this brochure is from our archive and may no longer reflect current Pandaw itineraries, pricing or availability. Please visit Pandaw's website or contact a travel agent for up-to-date information.