Halong Bay, Red River & Laos Mekong

Located in the northern part of the Chiang Rai Province in Thailand, Chiang Saen in an important port for Thailand’s trade with other countries on the upper part of Mekong River.

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.

Morning walk in a Khamo village.

Sail downstream on the beautiful Mekong then relax with evening cocktails on a sandbank.

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.

In the morning explore by tuk tuk 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Disembark in Vientiane after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi.

After arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Rest of day at leisure.

Transfer to Hoa Binh, embark your ship at around 15.00 and set sail downstream for sunset and a night on the Da River.

Hoa Binh was the site of a major battle with the French in 1951 & 1952 and is home to the Muong ethnic group. The Hoa Binh Dam at the Black River is the largest hydroelectric dam in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Take an afternoon boat ride on the reservoir of Hoa Binh power station.

In the morning, visit a museum and local village where villagers still wear traditional dress.

A day sailing downstream admiring the unspoilt beauty of the Da River, passing through the Ba Vi National Park with its rich and diverse tropical and sub-tropical flora and fauna before arriving at Trung Ha.

After breakfast by coach through beautiful scenic countryside to the UNESCO praised village of Duong Lam then continue cruising downstream to Viet Tri.

Take in the sights and sounds of the bustling river with all kinds of craft and activity.

Meet your guide in the dining room for a lecture on Vietnam, its history, geography and the boat people.

Take in the sights and sounds of the bustling river with all kinds of craft and activity. In the morning cruise to Tien Du ferry station to visit the Hung Lo Temple.

Continue by bus to Gia Thanh village, makers of the conical hats (known as ‘non la’). The ‘non la’ are handmade with palm leaves and bamboo. There is no machinery available to create this work of art. Their origin dates approximately 3,000 years back.

Afternoon excursion to a carpenter village famous for exquisite carvings and wood work techniques.

Go ashore to visit a timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by limestone rock formations.

Of particular interest are the Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas. Enroute to Hanoi, stop at Bat Trang in the afternoon, a ceramic village (literally: ‘bat’ means ‘bowl’ and ‘trang’ means ‘workshop’). Bat Trang is a seven century-old pottery village, located in an area rich in clay.

On the way back to the ship watch a traditional unicorn and lion dance at the jetty. This dance originated in China and spread over Southeast Asia.

Drop anchor in the capital and bustling city of Hanoi to visit some highlights of this Asian metropolis.

Must-sees include the notorious Vietnam War prison known as the Hanoi Hilton, temple of literature where Confucius did his thinking, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Afternoon walking tour of Hanoi’s old quarter,including a visit to a coffee shop to learn about Vietnam’s famous coffee-making industry.

Observe the lively and interesting life on the river before reaching next destination in the afternoon.

Afternoon excursion to Thanh Ha Commune with village walk and a private water puppet show set under the shade by a beautiful pond of lotus and lilies.

Cast off early morning along the river before entering Halong Bay’s amazing island scenery with its 2,000 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations dating back 20 million years.

Exploration of Halong Bay continues with a visit to the so called “Dark and Bright Cave”. Take a kayak or a local basket boat rowed by fishermen and enter this remarkable cave into an enclosed area similar to a crater. Bats can be heard in the cave and massive stalagmites hang from the ceiling.

Continue cruise around Halong Bay until dropping anchor in Rang Dua.

Morning sail around Halong Bay and beyond with its 1,500 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations, dating back 20 million years.

Stop at Viet Hai Village and explore on mountain bike or electric buggy, visiting the village’s vegetable farm and typical village houses. It is a breath-taking trip along a small road winding its way through the limestone rocks.

In the afternoon continue cruising towards Lan Ha Bay for a visit to a floating fishing house. Weather dependent, end the day with cocktails at a beautiful beach in Halong Bay -bring your swimwear!

Morning sail to Tuan Chau Jetty. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi Airport or Pan Pacific Hotel Hanoi with stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

Transfer from Hanoi International Airport or meeting point to Halong Bay to embark your Pandaw ship with a stop for lunch en route.

Cast off late afternoon with a welcome cocktail for an evening sail, dropping anchor in a sheltered bay amidst the beautiful island scenery.

Morning sail around Halong Bay and beyond with its 1,500 dramatic limestone islands and extraordinary rock formations, dating back 20 million years.

We make a stop at Viet Hai Village and continue our journey by mountain bike or electric buggy to visit the village’s vegetable farm and typical village houses. It is a breathtaking trip along a small road winding its way through the limestone rocks.

In the afternoon we will continue cruising towards Lan Ha Bay for a visit to a floating fishing house.

Weather dependent, we will end the day with cocktails at a beautiful beach in Halong Bay.

Our exploration of Halong Bay continues and we stop at the so called “Dark and Bright Cave”. Take a kayak or a local basket boat rowed by fishermen and enter this remarkable cave into an enclosed area similar to a crater.

Bats can be heard in the cave and massive stalagmites hang from the ceiling.

In the afternoon, we leave Halong Bay and are enter the river where we drop anchor near Hai Phong.

Observe the lively and interesting life of the Kinh Thay river, a key commercial waterway.

Afternoon excursion to Thanh Ha Commune with village walk and a private water puppet show set under shade by a beautiful pond of lotus and lilies.

We continue cruising until late evening and drop anchor midstream.

This morning we will sail on the Lower Red River and Day River.

Afternoon visit the Dien Xa Bonsai Village where we will walk to the bonsai village and meet with local artists and share their bonsai experience.

Cruise on Day River towards Ninh Binh City.

In the morning we will visit Tam Coc, taking a rowing boat ride to visit the so call “Halong on land” in Ninh Binh.

In the afternoon we visit the quaint village of Pham Phao where guests can walk around the village visiting a host family where musician instruments have been made and repaired for generations.

Listen to the owner who plays every instrument within his family run business. We visit local Woodworking Artisans who produce items for local and international markets.

We visit a century old covered bridge and take the chance to taste fresh BBQ Pork Skewers and Rice Cake Rolls at the village markets if the weather permits us.

In the morning we sail upsteam on the Red River to Dien Xa village where we will walk to the bonsai village and meet with local artists and share their bonsai experience.

We then continue on the Red River to Hanoi.

Dropped anchor in the bustling city of Hanoi, passengers will visit some highlights of this Asian metropolis, must see’s like the notorious Vietnam war prison known as the Hanoi Hilton, temple of literature where Confucius did his thinking and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Afternoon walking tour of Hanoi including a visit to a coffee shop where we learn about Vietnam’s famous coffee making industry.

Before returning to your ship you will enjoy a traditional unicorn and lion dance at the jetty.

Morning going off shore to visit Bat Trang ceramic village then sail through day from Hanoi up the Red River to Viet Tri, not the most picturesque of towns but an excellent base for going deeper into Highland Vietnam. Going a shore we visit a timeless Arcadian Vietnam with emerald green rice paddies punctuated by lime stone rock formations.

Of particular interest is the Thay and Tay Phuong Pagodas, hardly known, yet with exquisite temples dating from the 8th and 11th century and home to some fine Buddhist statuary carved from jackfruit trees.

We will arrive in Vinh Phuc in the evening.

In the morning we go ashore to visit the UNESCO praised village of Duang Lam.

In the afternoon, visit the carpenter and smith village of Ly Nhan.

We sail upstream on the Upper Red River to Viet Tri. Enjoy traditional dances on board.

Disembark after breakfast and visit the conical hat making village of Gia Thanh.

By bus we continue to Hung Lo Temple, Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, followed by a transfer to Hanoi airport or drop off point Pan Pacific Hotel Hanoi.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

After arrival, transfer to your Pandaw ship.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 and Elephant camp, a Buddhist sanctuary with spectacular limestone cliff faces.

Evening cocktails on a sandbank. Sail upstream on the beautiful Mekong towards Ban Bo.

Morning visit to a local Khamo village.

Sail upstream on the Mekong passing Pak Beng towards Pak Sit.

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.

Cruise upriver to the Town of Chiang Sean for border crossing at the Golden Triangle.

Farewell cocktails and Thai traditional dance on board for your last evening.

Disembark by 8.30 in Chiang Sean 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).