Pandaw Cruise The Laos Mekong 11 days

Transfers from airports or any city hotel in Chiang Rai (3 hours) and Chiang Mai (6 hours) with a visit to the Golden Triangle and the now infamous opium museum. Embark your ship by 16.00pm and cruise up river towards the Burma border for sunset.

Please note: 

• Pick up from the airport Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai: Arrival must be before 13.00 PM and transfer you to the ship. This transfer will not include any visits to Golden Triangle, Opium House and Lunch due to time limit.
• There is a surcharge for private transfers if you are not able to meet us at above scheduled pick up times.
• 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.

We go through the immigration formalities at the Thai/Laos border and re-join the Laos Pandaw. Set sail downstream on the beautiful Upper Mekong River. After lunch, if time allows, enjoy sightseeing by foot in a Laos jungle village.

Morning walking tour of the local trading town of Pak Beng. Continue cruising downstream to Pak Ou, where we 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 early morning we will arrive in Luang Prabang. After breakfast, there is an opportunity for you to explore the beautiful temple city of Luang Prabang with its many Buddhist temples, libraries and Royal Palace. There is a buzzing night market and many delightful cafes and some quite good restaurants ashore.

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. Passengers are invited to join with the offerings we provide for the alms giving. Mid-afternoon traditional dance performance on board the Laos Pandaw. We moor overnight in Luang Prabang.

Morning sightseeing by mini coach. We drive to see the deep jungle pools at the Khaung Si Waterfall and for the teak forest trails and butterfly farm. Time permitting, we will also visit the elephant camp. After lunch, enjoy a cooking demonstration on board and wonderful scenic cruising on the mighty Mekong River.

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 (Pha Leap).

Morning visit to Ban Pak Huoang, an interesting local village on the Thai/Laos border. Continue to Pak Sao where we enjoy an excursion to a plantation village and meet the local people.

We 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. We arrive mid-afternoon in Vientiane where we moor overnight. Opportunity for independent exploration of this delightful, French influenced city.

Morning explorations of the delightful French city including visits to Sisaket Temple, the President’s Hall, Wat Prakeo Temple and the Phatouxay monument. Opportunity for independent exploration enjoying the many cafes and bistros in this charming little corner of L’Indochine. Farewell cocktails and dinner on your final night aboard the Laos Pandaw.

Disembark in Vientiane after breakfast and transfer to airports or hotel in Vientiane or Udon Thani in Thailand (1.5hrs, just across the river).