Pandaw Expands River Cruises to South America

Pandaw, a luxury river expeditions company, has expanded its partner river cruise programmes with its first ever departures in South America in conjunction with the Amazon Dream.

To celebrate the expansion, Pandaw will be offering five special 14-night departures in 2016 exploring the lesser-visited and scenically varied region of the Amazon River from Santarem, where the blue waters of the Tapajos River and the Amazon meet for several kilometres, creating a delightful, ever-changing spectacle.

Hugh Clayson, Pandaw’s Commercial Director, said, “This is an exciting addition to the Pandaw partner programme, which also includes the Brahmaputra, Ganges and Hooghly in India and River Kwai in Thailand. It has been introduced due to requests from Pandaw travellers, who will be able to discover the natural wonders of the great rainforest with its varied wildlife, flora and fauna, and like Pandaw expeditions in Asia will visit friendly local villages and discover the unique way of life of the people living on the Amazon.”

Pandaw’s partner ship, the Amazon Dream, carries just 18 passengers offering a comfortable base with French-influenced cuisine.

The nine-night cruise is combined with land arrangements staying three nights at the Sofitel Hotel, Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, with an included excursion to Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain, and a two-night stay at the iconic Hotel Das Cataratas located next to the jaw-dropping Iguacu Falls.

Travellers can also choose to extend their journey with two nights in both Manaus and Salvador.

Highlights on the programme include:

- 3-night stay at the Sofitel on Rio’s Copacabana Beach, with included visits to Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain.
- 2-night stay at the iconic Hotel das Cataratas, Iguacu, with visits to the falls in both Brazil and Argentina.
- 9-night cruise on the Amazon Dream in the company of expert local naturalist guides.
- See the meeting of two rivers where the blue Tapajos interlaces with the yellow waters of the Amazon – plus spot beautiful pink dolphins and grey dolphins.
- Discover the flora and fauna of the Amazon rainforest on guided walks and river expeditions, some by canoe.
- Visit Maguari and Munduruku villages and meet the communities who make their lives in the rain forest.
- Visit Alter do Chao, one of the best freshwater beaches in the world.
- Visit the charming waterfront area at Santarem.
- Venture out on a night expedition to experience the sounds of the rainforest after dark.