Pandaw, the river cruise operator, has unveiled plans for a new voyage around Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta.
Scheduled to launch in May 2018, the new cruise is designed to explore the “maze of tributaries which remain untouched by tourism”, according to the company.
The seven-night itinerary will operate to and from Yangon onboard the RV Katha Pandaw vessel. It will feature visits to the pottery village of Twante, the seaport of Pyapon, the former Mon capital of Bogale and the Mein Ma Hla Kyun wildlife reserve. It will then head up the Bassein River to Bassein, the colonial rice town and seaport, before visiting Ngwesaung Beach, the river port of Wakema, and heading back to Yangon via the Twante Canal.
The Irrawaddy Delta was the scene of a humanitarian disaster in 2008, when Cyclone Nargis killed at least 138,000 people and caused wide destruction in the area. Following this incident, Pandaw launch its charitable arm to provide relief to local residents, as well as converting its ships into floating clinics.
The launch of the Irrawaddy Delta itinerary in 2018 will mark the 10th anniversary of the charity’s foundation.
The RV Katha Pandaw river cruiser offers just 16 cabins, designed in a traditional style.
