Pandaw Cruises will resume river expeditions in Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta in November, marking the company’s return to the region following a 6-year suspension of operations.
The operator said RV Kanee Pandaw and RV Kha Byoo Pandaw sailed from Bagan to Yangon last month to undergo dry docking and surveys. Both vessels have received the necessary permissions to operate on the delta route.
The 10-night roundtrip itinerary from Yangon is scheduled to begin in November, with the second vessel expected to join the programme in December. The voyage will follow the delta’s network of waterways and include visits to colonial-era river towns, local markets and areas known for birdlife. The Yangon programme will include visits to attractions such as the Shwedagon Pagoda and the National Museum.
More than 200 passengers have already booked the voyages, according to Pandaw. Cabins remain available, with fares starting at US$4,677.75 per person.
Pandaw said travel advisories issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office concerning conflict-affected areas of Myanmar do not cover the Irrawaddy Delta, apart from Pathein. The company plans to assess conditions in Pathein before departures and will substitute an alternative port if necessary.
Pandaw suspended its wider Myanmar operations following the military coup in 2021. The Irrawaddy Delta, historically referred to as Asia’s rice basket, covers ~1,000 square miles and is characterized by an extensive network of waterways.