Day 1: Luang Prabang
In the afternoon, you will embark at one of the German-Laotian owned river ships Mekong Sun and/ or Explorer. These are comfortable new cabin cruiser on the upper Mekong. (Check in is at 2:00 PM.) Settle into your accommodating cabin and unpack for a four-day cruise. Your spectacular cruise begins with the departure from Luang Prabang from where you will cruise northwards. The night is spent on a secluded river bank or sandbank. Enjoy the spacious decks, lounge on board and attend our welcome reception and dinner this evening. A selection of Asian and European food will be provided throughout the cruise. Overnight aboard the Cruisevessel.
Day 2: Pak Ou and The land of Thousand Elephent (B, L, D)
After breakfast on board you will go on an excursion by local slowboat up the Ou-River to visit rice paddies cultivated by the local Khmu minority. You also will see working elephants during a walk in Nam Ou village. After a short walk through the jungle you will explore the famous Pak Ou-caves, with thousands of small Buddha statues inside the caverns. Go for visit a Laotian village where you can observe how the local liqueur Lao-Lao is being distilled traditionally. After re-embarkation you will enjoy a few hours of cruising down the Mekong River amidst beautiful landscapes. Overnight aboard the cruisevessel.
Day 3: Pak Ou and The land of Thousand Elephent (B, L, D)
Further south you will discover some of the most remarkable, most impressive landscapes of this still-untamed river. The landscape becomes more and more spectacular: hills covered with tropical vegetation, awe-inspiring rock formations along the river banks, and a fascinating array of fast currents and slower river parts. The power of the mighty Mekong will give your cruise the feeling of a real expedition. The ship will then head further south to the Mekong ferry crossing at Tha Deua, connecting Luang Prabang Province with the Sayaboury province. (Due to sudden drops in water level on some days, it may be necessary to make the afternoon excursion down south and upstream again – the wildest and possibly most exciting part of the Mekong – in a local Lao slowboat before returning back to the Cruisevessel) You will visit a local village school, which is supported by guests of the Cruisevessel. Enjoy the beautiful views and watch nature’s wonders along the shores before you head north again and stop at a sandbank for the night. This last evening on board will be celebrated with a farewell dinner. Overnight aboard the Cruisevessel.
Day 4: Tha Deua - Luang Prabang (B, L)
After breakfast on board, enjoy the beautiful view and spot local fishermen onshore as you cruise upstream again. After a few hours of cruising up the river, you will stop and continue by bus to visit the famous Kuang Si-waterfalls, some of the most remarkable waterfalls in Laos. On the way stroll through the small village of Tha Pan, where you can observe how the local communities live in norther Laos. In the afternoon you will return to Luang Prabang where you will say goodbye to your Laotian crew. Check-out and disembark. End of service.
Note: Every river cruise on the Mekong is a pioneer experience and is subject to constantly changing river conditions, including from floodwaters and shallows. Therefore please understand that we must reserve the right to alter the itinerary of this tour due to the logistical complexities involved. Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, local authorities and river and/or road conditions. For safety reasons and according to navigating conditions, these programs may be amended without previous notice. |
