Laos Mekong

Embarkation 11.30, 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.

PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary for this expedition is indicative only and subject to reconnaissance. As we travel to remote areas, changes to the itinerary will inevitably occur. A flexible approach is required if you book this cruise.

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.

Arrival Transfers: Transfers included from airport or hotel in Vientiane. We suggest an early morning arrival. Any late arrivals will also be transferred to the ship but you might miss lunch and/or the afternoon excursion.

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.

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.

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.

You will reach Chiang Rai at 15.30 and Chiang Mai at 17.30

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.

PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary for this expedition is indicative only and subject to reconnaissance. As we travel to remote areas, changes to the itinerary will inevitably occur. A flexible approach is required if you book this cruise.

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.

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 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.

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 airports or hotel in Vientiane or Udon Thani in Thailand (1.5hrs, just across the river).