RIVER CRUISING: LONG HAUL Long Haul Cruise
Make no mistake, river cruising is becoming more exotic and the choice of far-fl ung waterways that are ripe for exploration continues to grow, says Sara Macefi eld
T
he rising star of this sector has to be the Mekong, which has proved incredibly popular
and attracted most of the major river cruise companies into the region. Flowing from China’s Tibetan
Plateau through Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, the majority of sailings concentrate on the Mekong Delta region in Cambodia and Vietnam, but there are sailings along the less-explored section of the river through Laos, between the capital Vientiane and the atmospheric town of Luang Prabang. Another river growing in popularity is the Irrawaddy in Myanmar as the country opens up to Westerners keen to see the ancient pagodas, temples and palaces in a land virtually untouched by tourism. In India, sailings along the Ganges
are a perfect way to absorb the fascinating backdrop of day-to-day life. Passengers can watch holy men gather in its waters and explore Mughal forts and Sikh temples. Lesser known is the Brahmaputra
river where cruises delve into the relatively undiscovered state of Assam. Enroute there are national parks where rhinos, tigers and elephants can be seen, plus sixth century temple ruins and tea estates for which the area is renowned. When it comes to wildlife spotting so-called ‘safari cruises’ operate on the Chobe river in Africa, namely the stretch bordering Botswana and Namibia, while sailings into the South American jungle are offered on the Peruvian and Ecuadorian sections of the Amazon. China is known for the natural
spectacle of its Yangtze River sailings, notably the series of limestone ledges famously called the Three Gorges, while customers with an appetite for nostalgia can take paddle-steamer cruises along Australia’s Murray River or Old Man River himself, the Mississippi in America’s Deep South. There’s no forgetting the longest- established exotic river, the Nile. Cruising is by far the best way to explore the key sights of Egypt as many are not easily accessible by land. Cruising allows clients to combine the hustle and bustle of stops along the route with pure relaxation on board. Since the section between Cairo
and Luxor reopened to tourist boats last summer, some companies are now offering sailings along the 600-mile stretch of the Nile between Aswan and the capital.
Packages AVALON WATERWAYS - 0800 668 1843
A 12-night southern USA tour with a seven-night cruise on the Mississippi leads in at £3,699pp for a December 4 departure, fl ights included.
avaloncruises.co.uk
DISCOVER INDOCHINA - 0844 880 0985 A 10-night package which includes a fi ve-night cruise along the Mekong in Laos costs from £1,995pp twin share departing on August 17, fl ights included.
discoverindochina.co.uk ASSAM NAVIGATION
A 17-night trip comprising a three- night hotel stay and a 13-night cruise on the Brahmaputra starts at £4,725pp twin share, departing November 21, fl ights included.
assambengalnavigation.com WENDY WU TOURS - 0844 875 2433 A 13-night China trip that includes a four-night Yangtze sailing costs from £2,290pp twin share, departing on November 3, fl ights included.
wendywutours.co.uk SANCTUARY CRUISES- 020 7190 7728 Cruises in the Galapagos, on the Yangtze and in Egypt including a themed Nile cruise this September celebrating Agatha Christie’s birthday. From £2400 for pre- September 13 bookings.
sanctuaryretreats.com
www.sellinglonghaul.com • March 2013 41
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