11 Days THE LAOS MEKONG Cruise from CHIANG KHONG to VIENTIANE
VIENTIANE, LUANG PRABANG, JUNGLE AND VILLAGES
THE LAOS MEKONG
10 NIGHTS FROM US$4,360.00
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT ON SELECTED DATES
March New Dates & A Special Christmas & New Year sailing
Enjoy a three country expedition as we will traverse Laos to touch Thailand and Burma at the once notorious Golden Triangle. From Vientiane, the old French capital, and so redolent of L’Indochine Pandaw will be the first river expedition since pre war days to cross all Laos. We stop two nights at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang with its dazzling wood carved monasteries and then on deep into the mountains, through rapids and gorges on our high powered little Pandaw. Visit tribal villages and explore into jungle and countryside.
ITINERARY
Upstream
DAY 1 VIENTIANE
PLEASE NOTE: Due to low water levels around Vientiane, we will be operating a low water itinerary from December 2022 through March 2023. Our ship will not be able to sail into Vientiane and alternate transportation by river, plus overnight stays in hotel during time in Vientiane will be provided.
Embarkation 12.30, followed by lunch and afternoon exploration of the delightful French city including visits to the golden Pha That Luang Stupa, Sisaket Temple, the President’s Hall, Wat Prakeo Temple and the Phatouxay monument. Set sail late afternoon, enjoy a welcome dinner on board and overnight near Vientiane.
More about Vientiane
VientianeVientiane
DAY 2 CRUISING THE MEKONG
Cruise upstream on the Mekong, passing lush jungle scenery and tiny riverside villages. Morning presentation on the Lao language. Afternoon cooking demonstration on the upper deck. Arrive in Ban Xanakham to moor overnight.
More about Cruising The Mekong
DAY 3 PAK LAI
Afternoon visit to the French administrative town of Pak Lai with many colonial buildings and a bustling local market. This town boasts the largest elephant festival in South East Asia, usually in February.
More about Pak Lai
Pak LaiPak Lai
DAY 4 BAN PARK BOR VILLAGE
Morning visit and walking tour to Khamo tribal village, a typical village, set on the banks of the Mekong amidst lush jungle. In the afternoon pass through the Xanyaburi Hydro Electric Power Plant.
More about Xayaburi Dam
DAY 5 BAN MOUANG KHAI VILLAGE AND LUANG PRABANG
In the morning visit a Hmong village and continue upstream to the village of Ban Mouang Khai. Afternoon sightseeing by minibus visiting the jungle pools and dramatic Khaung Si waterfall then on to a butterfly garden. Arrive in the heart of the temple city of Luang Prabang where there is a buzzing night market and many great cafes and some good local restaurants.
More about Kuang Si Waterfalls
Ban Mouang Khai Village and Luang PrabangBan Mouang Khai Village and Luang Prabang
DAY 6 LUANG PRABANG
In the morning explore by tuktuk this well-preserved and unique world heritage site with its many Buddhist temples, libraries and royal palace. Visit the National Museum and have the afternoon free to explore the beauty and unique atmosphere of Luang Prabang on your own. Enjoy traditional Laos dancing on the upper deck late afternoon. Moor overnight in Luang Prabang.
More about Luang Prabang
DAY 7 PAK OU CAVES
Early morning walking tour to see the alms offering by the local people to hundreds of monks who walk around the city every morning. Passengers are invited to join in with offerings we provide for the alms giving. Morning sightseeing by local boat exploring the unique Pak Ou Caves, a Buddhist sanctuary with spectacular limestone cliff faces. Evening cocktails on a sandbank. Sail upstream on the beautiful Mekong towards Ban Bo
More about Pak Ou Caves and Nam Ou River
Pak Ou CavesPak Ou Caves
DAY 8 PAK BENG
Morning visit to a local Khamo village. Sail upstream on the Mekong passing Pak Beng towards Pak Sit.
More about Pak Beng
DAY 9 BAN HOUAYXAY
Early morning walking tour in a Khamo village then cruise through stunning scenery to the border of Laos and Thailand. The night is spent on the Lao side in the Huay xay area where we take a late afternoon village walk.
Ban HouayxayBan Houayxay
DAY 10 CHIANG KHONG
Cross over into Thailand via the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge before rejoining your ship in Chiang Khong. Farewell cocktails and Thai traditional dance on board for your last evening.
More about Golden Triangle
DAY 11 CHIANG KHONG
Disembark by 8.30 in Chiang Khong and group transfer to hotel/airport. En route, explore the Golden Triangle including a visit to the opium museum. Continue to airports or city hotels in Chiang Rai (2 hours) and Chiang Mai (6 hours).
Downstream
DAY 1 CHIANG KHONG
PLEASE NOTE: Due to low water levels around Vientiane, we will be operating a low water itinerary from December 2022 through March 2023. Our ship will not be able to sail into Vientiane and alternate transportation by river, plus overnight stays in hotel during time in Vientiane will be provided.
Transfers from airports or any city hotel in Chiang Rai (2 hours) and Chiang Mai (6 hours) including a visit to the Golden Triangle and the now infamous opium museum. Embark your ship by 16.00 and cruise up river towards the Burma border for sunset.
More about Golden Triangle
Chiang KhongChiang Khong
DAY 2 INTO LAOS
Pass through immigration formalities at the Thai/Laos border and re-join the ship. Set sail downstream on the beautiful Upper Mekong River. After lunch, if time allows, sightseeing on foot in a Laos jungle village.
More about Into Laos
DAY 3 KHAMO VILLAGE
Morning walk in a Khamo village. Sail downstream on the beautiful Mekong then relax with evening cocktails on a sandbank.
Khamo VillageKhamo Village
DAY 4 PAK OU CAVES & LUANG PRABANG
Continue cruising downstream to Pak Ou, transfer to a local boat and enter the Nam Ou River to visit the extraordinary Pak Ou Buddha Caves. Admire spectacular limestone cliff faces in the Buddhist sanctuary.
More about Pak Ou Caves and Nam Ou River
DAY 5 LUANG PRABANG
In the morning explore by tuktuk this well preserved and unique world heritage site with its many Buddhist temples, libraries and royal palace. Visit the National Museum and have the afternoon free to explore the beauty and unique atmosphere of Luang Prabang. Traditional Laos dancing on the upper deck late afternoon. Moor overnight in Luang Prabang.
More about Luang Prabang
Luang PrabangLuang Prabang
DAY 6 KHAUNG SI WATERFALL
Early morning walking tour to observe the morning alms offering by local people to the hundreds of monks who walk around the city every morning. Drive to see the deep jungle pools at the Khaung Si Waterfall, the teak forest trails and butterfly farm.
More about Kuang Si Waterfalls
DAY 7 XAYABURI DAM
Pass through the Mekong water control lock at Xayaburi Hydro Electric Power Plant (itself an interesting and perhaps controversial tourist attraction). Late afternoon walking tour of a local village.
More about Xayaburi Dam
Xayaburi DamXayaburi Dam
DAY 8 XANAKHAM
Morning visit to Ban Pha Leab with its beautiful limestone mountain. Continue to Pak Houng-Thai Lao Border for an excursion to a plantation village and meet the local people.
DAY 9 VIENTIANE
Pass through a dramatic landscape of jungle and mountain where the river flows fast and wild. Amazing rock formations straddle the river banks. Here we enter the cultivated plains of Vientiane province. Arrive mid-afternoon in Vientiane to moor overnight. Opportunity for independent exploration of this delightful, French influenced city.
Vientiane Vientiane
DAY 10 VIENTIANE
Morning exploration of the delightful French city including visits to the golden Pha That Luang Stupa, Sisaket Temple, the President’s Hall, Watt Prakeo Temple and the Phatouxay monument. Opportunity for independent exploration and experience the many cafes and bistros in this charming little corner of L’Indochine. Farewell cocktails and dinner.
More about Vientiane
DAY 11 VIENTIANE
Disembark in Vientiane after breakfast and transfer to airports or hotel in Vientiane or Udon Thani in Thailand (1.5hrs, just across the river).
WHATS INCLUDED
Cruise Price Includes: Entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes. Transfers Chiang Rai / Chiang Mai to ship v.v. and ship to Vientiane v.v.
Cruise Price Excludes: International flights, port dues (if levied), laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), all beverages except local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes and tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers.
TRANSFERS & JOINING
DAY 1 CHIANG KHONG
Hotel pick-ups from city hotels in Chiang Mai can be as early as 06.00 or as late as 08.00. From Chiang Rai hotels can be as early as 08.30 or as late as 10.00. Timing varies according to the docking place of the Pandaw vessel. Our representative will call you on the evening before or leave a message with the hotel to reconfirm the exact pick up time.
If your arrival is after the above mentioned time we will pick you up from the airport Chiang Rai (arrival must be before 13.00) or airport Chiang Mai (arrival must be before 13.00) and transfer you to the ship. This transfer will not include any visits to Golden Triangle, Opium House and Lunch due to time limit.
Please Note: There is a surcharge for private transfers if you are not able to meet us at above scheduled pick up times.
DAY 11 VIENTIANE
Disembark 08.30 in Vientiane after breakfast followed by transfer to airport or hotel.
Please note: There is a surcharge for private transfers, and pick up and drop for Udon Thani if you are not able to meet us at above scheduled pick up times.
Vientiane Jetty- Land River Transport Enterprise, Thadeua Road km4, Sisattanark District.
VISA INFORMATION
Downstream
Visa on arrival for Laos can be acquired easily at the border crossing and requires 1 passport photo plus USD40 – USD55 in cash for processing. Alternatively, an E-visa can be obtained prior to travel for a fee of $50 USD. Please use the official Laos E-visa website only – https://laoevisa.gov.la.
Upstream
Most nationalities are eligible for visa waiver in Thailand meaning no visa is required for stays of 15 days. Please check your local embassy for up to date information about your personal requirements.
Click here for further visa information.
