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Upper Deck
U
Overview
This was a radical new design, based on the old K class used in Burma from the 1880s on. This ship is the third Katha to run on the Irrawaddy. The first was built at Dalla in 1887 but lost on the Chindwin in 1889. The second was built by Denny of Dumbarton in 1904 and decommissioned in 1937 and the third was built by us in Vietnam in 2012.
We ran her a year on the Mekong before sending to Burma. With only two decks these smaller K class ships have lower air draft so can get under bridges and supposedly a shallower draft, though in fact the Vietnam ship yards were not as successful in achieving this as the Burmese yards and later Burmese-built K class ships achieved remarkable reductions in draft.
The Katha general arrangement was radical in that we eliminated the formal indoor dining room. This led to great protests from regular passengers and indeed our staff. In the end all agree it is far more pleasant to eat outside than in a stuffy, noisy enclosed dining room and the bugs are really not that bad. Up river in Burma it can be a little cold in winter but currently we deploy this ship in Middle Burma where the cold is less of an issue.
Refitted for expedition sailings in India from September 2019, we have reduced the number of staterooms from sixteen to fourteen to create an enlarged indoor saloon / dining area as winter cruising in India can be chilly first thing.
Dining
10
Restaurant
Regional
Restaurant
Regional
Life on board
Activities
Local Entertainment
Whilst the peace and tranquillity of our passengers is our priority and many passengers prefer to read, write or engage in painting or photography, we do offer a number of social activities that have become a traditional part of any Pandaw river expedition. There are a number of social events during an expedition which will include a welcome dinner, cocktail parties on deck, a farewell gala dinner and dinners themed with local menus and costume. …
Activities
Whilst the peace and tranquillity of our passengers is our priority and many passengers prefer to read, write or engage in painting or photography, we do offer a number of social activities that have become a traditional part of any Pandaw river expedition.
There are a number of social events during an expedition which will include a welcome dinner, cocktail parties on deck, a farewell gala dinner and dinners themed with local menus and costume. In the Burma dry season we often tie up on a sandbank and have a barbeque beach party on the sands, usually around a bonfire in winter.
Sundeck
Sun Deck
Sun deck with bar and seating.
Library
Library
Library with contemporary and classic literature
Shop
Shop
Shop, supporting fair trade
Bar
Bar
Open air lounge and bar
Excursions
Excursions
With small group sizes and expert local guides, guests are invited to go beyond the typical tourist trail and explore daily life in rural communities. Each experience is thoughtfully curated to showcase the diversity of each region while allowing plenty of time to absorb it all at a relaxed pace. Excursions are included in your sailing and are designed to be flexible, with options available for different levels of mobility and interest. Highlight …
Excursions
With small group sizes and expert local guides, guests are invited to go beyond the typical tourist trail and explore daily life in rural communities. Each experience is thoughtfully curated to showcase the diversity of each region while allowing plenty of time to absorb it all at a relaxed pace. Excursions are included in your sailing and are designed to be flexible, with options available for different levels of mobility and interest.
Highlights of Pandaw excursions often include:
- Guided walks through riverside towns and local markets
- Visits to historical sites and temples
- Artisan demonstrations in traditional crafts
- Bicycle rides through scenic countryside (by request where available)
- Speedboat or sampan excursions into jungle backwaters
- Opportunities to meet with local community members and visit Pandaw Clinics projects
Cycling
Bikes
There is no better way to explore a country than by bike. All our ships in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma carry trek mountain bikes for guest use. Guests have the chance to opt out of our scheduled excursions and explore villages, temples and the countryside on two wheels (no extra charge and no prebooking necessary).
Activities
Young Teen (13 - 15)
On board, there’s plenty to keep young explorers engaged—from cookery demonstrations to classic board games. We also carry badminton nets, often setting them up when moored for the night, creating opportunities for fun and connection between crew, kids, and locals alike. Certain school holiday departures are specially designated as 'family friendly', making it easier than ever to enjoy a relaxed yet enriching journey across some of Asia’s m …
Activities
On board, there’s plenty to keep young explorers engaged—from cookery demonstrations to classic board games. We also carry badminton nets, often setting them up when moored for the night, creating opportunities for fun and connection between crew, kids, and locals alike. Certain school holiday departures are specially designated as 'family friendly', making it easier than ever to enjoy a relaxed yet enriching journey across some of Asia’s most fascinating waterways. And to make your family adventure even more accessible, one or two children aged 5 to 18 can travel for free on most departures (excluding the RV Kalay Pandaw).
Deck plans
Upper Deck
- Bar
- Library
- Upper Deck Staterooms
Main Deck
- Main Deck Staterooms
- Crew
