RV Kalaw Pandaw, one of the cruise operated for the Irrawaddy Delta round-trip voyage. (Pandaw Cruise Official Website)
Myanmar’s tourism is set for a fresh boost as Pandaw Cruises prepares to bring river journeys back to the Irrawaddy Delta in November, marking the operator’s first return to the region in six years.
Preparations for the return are already under way, with RV Kanee Pandaw and RV Kha Byoo Pandaw arriving in Yangon last month after travelling downstream from Bagan. The two ships underwent dry-docking and inspections before receiving clearance to operate on the delta route.
The first 10-night round-trip voyage will depart from Yangon in November, while the second vessel is expected to enter service on the itinerary a month later. Rather than following a conventional coastal route, the cruises will take passengers through the delta’s intricate waterways, stopping at historic river settlements, local markets and sites that attract birdwatchers.
Passengers will also have time to explore Yangon, where the programme includes visits to prominent cultural sites including Shwedagon Pagoda and the National Museum.
Demand for the relaunched route appears strong. Pandaw said more than 200 bookings have already been made, although cabins are still available from 4,677.75 US dollars per person.
The company is also monitoring security conditions ahead of the voyages. While UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advisories cover several conflict-affected areas of Myanmar, Pandaw said the Irrawaddy Delta is generally outside those warnings, with Pathein being the exception. Conditions in Pathein will be reviewed before departure, and the port could be replaced if necessary.
Pandaw’s return comes after the company halted its Myanmar cruises in 2021 amid a military coup. The renewed itinerary will take travellers into the Irrawaddy Delta, a vast agricultural and riverine region where waterways connect communities, markets and historic settlements across the area.
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