The whole cruise from start to finish was excellent. The staff and crew couldn't do enough to ensure our comfort and overall experience. Cabin, food, service were all first class. Shore visits to local villages along the river were exceptional and couldn't be any better!! We would strongly recommend this cruise to those seeking a uniquely real adventure in India and specifically Assam Province. The cruise director Neena, had a great rapport with all the passengers. She hosted the passengers as if they were her personnel guests. The crew on board were absolutely amazing and couldn't have done any more for us than they did. My wife and I have done several small river boat cruises in Asia and the cruise down the Brahmaputra on the MV Maahabahu. Overall this was probably the best small boat cruise we have been on. Looking forward to 2020 when hopefully we will be able to cruise with Neena and ARC again on the Ganges!!! Read Less

It is an area of India I have wanted to explore for many years and cruising the river enabled me to reach remote villages and wildlife parks not otherwise easily reached and to see them from a different perspective. The MV Marahabaahu is a charming ship combining most 21st century needs with a subtle Indian character which I liked very much and think is what most people booking this type of holiday want. The Cruise Director, Neena, did an excellent job - including taking early morning yoga classes which those who attended thoroughly enjoyed. PK, who led the excursions was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic, preparing us for the next day with advice and photos/videos of what we were likely to see. The staff accompanying us on wildlife excursions were quite amazing in their ability to spot and identify birds and animals that few of us had any idea were there which added greatly to our enjoyment. All the crew were outstanding, anticipating our needs with courtesy and genuine smiles. Looking back, I think my favourite experience was the very last afternoon when a few of us walked along the ghat for a couple of hours with Sandip. The sense of peace and tranquillity was so relaxing, there were a few families along the way, we saw some lovely birds and Sandip knew a great deal about the local agriculture. We felt we were in truly rural India and well off the usual tourist routes - just perfect! Read Less

Sailing up the mighty Brahmaputra River in North India with Pandaw River Cruises was a truly amazing adventure. I had always dreamed of seeing the real India and when we saw this opportunity to explore the Assam region by boat we couldn’t resist. The ship itself was wonderful - a real floating hotel. The cabins were beautifully appointed and spotless (I’d recommend a balcony birth so you can watch the ever changing scenery slip by and enjoy an evening cocktail as the sun set) the crew were superb and really looked after us. The food was delicious with a great range of both western and Indian delicacies. Dinner was a very social affair we made some great friends and had many laughs with our fellow passengers. What really set this trip apart was the sense of discovery. Every morning we woke up to watch the majestic river reveal new landscapes. Our itinerary was jammed packed with the most amazing experiences. Everyday we had excursions to temples, local villages and tea plantations. I have to make a special of Venkatesh, our resident naturalist, historian and all round lovely guy. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of the animals, birds and plant life and was always fascinating to talk with. When we visited temples he could describe in detail the symbolism, spiritualism and beliefs. Every evening we were treated to talks on the wildlife and could watch the amazing sunsets from the 360- degree sundeck One evening we disembarked to a deserted island to enjoy a bonfire barbeque and cocktails under the starlight sky. The highlights of the trip had to be the two safaris to Kaziranga National Park. The first was by jeep which allowed us to cover a lot of ground and see as much of the abundant wildlife, culminating at sunset with a stunning view of the animals gathered at a watering hole. Our second was on elephant back which allowed us to get really close to the wildlife. At one point we were within feet of a basking Rhino, a truly amazing sight. Sailing with Pandaw is more than just a holiday it’s a truly unique and immersive experience, a trip of a lifetime. If you’re interested in getting off the beaten track and seeing slices of life that the regular tourism would miss out on then this is the trip for you. It was an unforgettable journey and I can’t recommend it enough. Read Less

We opted for the Upstream one, in the mighty Brahmaputra River. Our trip began with the visit to the Kamakhya Temple, a great start to the cruise. It was a wonderful experience with excellent service and cabins. In the seven days we witnessed the local culture through dance(Bihu), drama (mask dance), music, orchestra, the local wildlife by elephant safari, boat safari and jeep safari, local hand craft with tours to the villages such as Majuli Island and local tea in a tea estate. An extremely eventful week. My children loved every part of it. It was relaxing to cruise with views of river dolphins swimming with the cruise. We recommend the cruise to anyone looking for a complete package and a tour to love part of India. We spent the New Year in the Cruise and had an overnight celebration on the New Year in one of the River Island. One of the most memorable holiday. Read Less