Built in
2013
Capacity
10
Staterooms
5
Crew
9
Crew to guests
1 : 1.1
Length
29 m
Cruising speed
12 knots
By
Pandaw Cruises
The Kalay Pandaw is a beautifully crafted river cruise vessel, offering an intimate and culturally immersive journey along some of Southeast Asia’s most scenic waterways. Built with classic colonial-style teakwood and brass detailing, this ship blends timeless elegance with modern comfort for a truly exceptional cruising experience. Guests can unwind in spacious staterooms with panoramic windows, relax in open-air lounge areas, and enjoy expertly crafted cuisine while taking in breathtaking river views. With expert-led excursions, meaningful cultural encounters, and access to remote villages and historic landmarks, every voyage offers a deeper connection to the region’s rich heritage. Handpicked by Small Ship Travel, the Kalay Pandaw is an ideal choice for those seeking an authentic and refined river expedition.
Dining
The Pandaw dining rooms are designed to open up along the sides to allow cool breezes to waft through. Only at night we do close them up and turn on the air-conditioning. We know our passengers prefer fresh air to chilled air. The new Katha Pandaw, designed in response to feedback from our passengers, has no formal dining room but rather an open air dining space on deck. At Pandaw we pride ourselves on offering a great choice of local cuisine and exotic foods. We source supplies and ingredients as locally as possible, always in accordance with strictly-monitored environmental health standards. Breakfast is a buffet, while lunch features a buffet, plus soup, salad and a desert table, with the main course served at the table. Dinner is by waiter-service at the table. We are happy to cater for individual dietary preferences. Passengers who prefer not to be served hot or spicy foods are offered delicious European-style alternatives and vegetarians are especially well catered for. Other special diets may be accommodated, by prior arrangement. Our chefs know that most passengers want to sample versions of the best, most characteristic dishes of each country they pass through.
Complimentary
Sailings on this ship
We'll email you the current itineraries we sell on RV Kalay Pandaw, plus the reasons travelers book with Small Ship Travel. Reply anytime to ask about specific cabins, dates, or itineraries.
Suites
180 sq. feet · sleeps up to 2
4 main deck staterooms
180 sq. feet · sleeps up to 2
1 upper deck owners suite
On board
Good to know
You should check with your doctor that you are fit for travel and your doctor would check with the relevant organization in your country as to whether any prophylactic drugs or inoculations are required. We do not have facilities for disabled people or wheel chair access. There are no stair lifts. River banks can be steep and slippery. If a passenger is seen to be unfit or unable to access a ship and mount stairs unaided then the management reserves the right to refuse to carry that passenger.
We carry first aid equipment and some medicines. All our senior staff has attended First Aid courses. On the river we are never far from a local medical station and we have found that some local doctors usually speak English or French and practice a good standard of field medicine. In the event of serious illness or accident we are never more than 2 hours by car or speed boat from a hospital or clinic (NOTE: this does not apply for the remote Burmese coast). In the Conditions of Carriage you are required to take out an insurance policy that includes repatriation in the event of an emergency.
Please make sure you have sufficient travel and health insurance. Some hospitals refuse treatment if there is not coverage by an insurance.
We are happy to cater for individual dietary preferences. Passengers who prefer not to be served hot or spicy foods are offered delicious European-style alternatives and vegetarians are especially well catered for. Other special diets may be accommodated, by prior arrangement. Our chefs know that most passengers want to sample versions of the best, most characteristic dishes of each country they pass through.
External doors and the gauze windows should be kept closed at all times, day and night. At night, if on deck or going ashore make sure to rub ankles and other exposed parts with repellent. However, outside urban areas mosquito is less of a problem than other forms of insect life. Make sure to switch off lights when leaving your cabin so as not to lure them in. Between January and March insects, but not mosquito, can be a real problem and invade the ship. Fortunately these are relatively harmless. Mosquito on the river, which is fast flowing, are rarely to be seen.
Internet is available on all the ships.
We have a computer in the shop on the sun deck which passengers can use to access the internet. As we are sailing rivers, the connection is not always reliable and it can be quite slow also.
We have Wifi on all the ships on the Mekong. Passengers can access the wifi only when we are in Phnom Penh port and it can be accessed from the Saloon and some parts of the sundeck. The crew can advise the best place to get connection and the name of the connection.
Mobile phones work on all rivers we ply in most places, except Myanmar, where there is a local mobile network that is connected to the international roaming networks.
South-East Asians are generally tolerant and easy going. Please try to avoid political discussion and remember that the Vietnamese national hero “Uncle” Ho Chi Minh enjoys near divine stature and any disrespect shown to his name or memory can cause extreme offence. Despite opening the door to Capitalism Vietnam remains a fervently Communist society with a dominant Communist Party. Likewise in Myanmar please do not raise political issues with people – let them raise them with you. You could compromise people and even get them into trouble by talking politics.
In Myanmar and Cambodia, one thing that does cause upset is any form of disrespect for the national religion, Theravada Buddhism. Unlike many faiths, Buddhists make their temples open to us foreigners, permitting the snapping of cameras and invasion of their sacred space. They ask only one thing: that we take our shoes off. Even socks are forbidden in Myanmar. In addition please observe the following:
Your cabin has its own air-conditioning unit, which can be adjusted for your comfort. We recommend you do not overcool your cabin as the sudden change from the outside temperature to a chilled cabin can bring on colds, respiratory illnesses and even stomach upsets. At night you may prefer to use the fan only, and have the windows open. Insect netting covers the windows to enable you to do this. Please do not leave your air-conditioner on with the window open – this results in energy loss.
Pandaw Cruises slippers are provided for your comfort on board the vessel. When ashore guests should use comfortable but safe walking shoes. At certain times the river banks and paths used can be muddy and therefore slippery or very dusty and we ask you to remove your footwear when returning on board so that we can clean your shoes for you and return them to you later.
A laundry bag is provided for your laundry needs, and a laundry list is to be found in the rattan folder by your bed. Laundry is collected each morning when your room is made up and will be returned to you by the following day. Please leave items in the bag provided and mark up the list. The charges will go on your bill in US$. If there is an item that you do not wish ironed please advise us.
It goes without saying that this is a ship rather than a hotel, and as such you will need to take care when moving about the decks ~ they can be slippery. Please take extra care when using the stairs ~ which on board ship are steeper than you may be used to. It’s best to always use the handrails.
In the event of an emergency the ship’s whistle will blast repeatedly and the alarm bells be rung. If either in or very close to your cabin, put on your life jacket and proceed immediately to MUSTER STATION ONE, and await instructions. On the back of your cabin door is a plan of the ship showing the position of your cabin in relation to the Emergency Muster Stations.
MUSTER STATION ONE in all ships is located on the MAIN DECK mid ships (where the main gang plank is). In the event that MUSTER STATION ONE is not safe you will be directed by the crew to MUSTER STATION TWO on the SUN DECK.
Both muster stations are clearly indicated with signs. If you are not in your cabin when you hear the alarm, do NOT return to it, but proceed at once to the Muster Station to await instructions. There will be an Emergency Drill during your voyage. Note that as with inland water class cruise ships on European rivers we are not required by Class Societies to carry life boats – the reason for this is that it is far quicker to beach the vessel on the nearest sand bar or river bank and evacuate by foot than to transfer passengers onto ship’s boats.
We certainly welcome children on board our ships that generally enjoy the cruises greatly.
Our policy on children travelling is as follows:
It is not possible to book a triple. All our cabins are twin. We do allow infants below the age of 4 years may sleep in their parent’s cabin on a mattress placed on the cabin floor between the two beds.
Smoking is not permitted in your cabin or any internal areas. Smoking is permitted in outside designated areas only. But please be considerate of people sitting down wind. This is a wood-finished ship and the danger of fire should never be ignored.
Pandaw Cruises runs river expeditions along some of Asia's most scenic and historically rich waterways, built for travellers who want a deep, unhurried experience. Its roots trace to the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company of 1865, and the modern company has reworked small-ship river cruising by pairing authentic regional exploration with real comfort. Voyages reach remote, culturally significant places and give guests a close view of the landscapes and communities along Asia's great rivers.
The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company was founded in 1865 by Scottish merchants and grew into a major river transport operation across the region. In 1995, Burma historian Paul Strachan revived the company, and Pandaw became the first operator to reintroduce river expeditions on the Irrawaddy and Chindwin Rivers. Since then it has expanded to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and India, opening up remote river routes and off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Pandaw's traditionally designed ships, handcrafted from brass and teak, are intimate yet roomy, blending heritage character with modern amenities. Their shallow drafts and small guest numbers let them navigate narrow, less-travelled waterways, reaching small villages, quiet landscapes, and notable cultural sites. As part of its growth, Pandaw introduced the Kochi Pandaw in South India, running seven-night cruises through Kerala's backwaters.
Pandaw's voyages centre on cultural immersion and experiential travel, taking guests beyond the usual tourist routes. Each day brings guided shore excursions to temples, markets, and rural communities, with the chance to engage with local traditions and daily life. Onboard, guests enjoy regional cuisine, open-air lounges, and talks by expert guides, so the journey stays both relaxing and rewarding.
Pandaw works to make river cruising welcoming to a wide range of travellers, waiving the single supplement on select expeditions so solo travellers are not penalised. It also encourages multi-generational travel, with children under 18 sailing free on select family-friendly voyages during school holidays. That openness makes Pandaw a strong choice for travellers who want a personal, meaningful trip.
At Small Ship Travel, we focus on curating the finest small-ship cruise experiences, choosing the ones that meet our standards for cultural authenticity, comfort, and service. After careful review, we are glad to include Pandaw Cruises in our collection, recognising its commitment to heritage, distinctive itineraries, and immersive travel.
Through our partnership with Pandaw, we offer access, personalised itineraries, and well-planned logistics for a relaxed, enriching trip. Whether you are exploring the Mekong, the waterways of India, or the rivers of Myanmar, Small Ship Travel works directly with Pandaw to plan a memorable voyage.
Booking with Small Ship Travel gives you expert guidance, tailored itineraries, and concierge-level support across your Pandaw voyage. From pre- and post-cruise arrangements to private excursions and travel logistics, we handle the detail so you can enjoy the journey.
Plan a river adventure with Pandaw Cruises and Small Ship Travel, where history, culture, and exploration come together. Contact us to start planning your next voyage.
consultation
Reach out to our travel concierges today to create your perfect journey.