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DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG – EMBARKATION
(-/-/D)
In the afternoon, you will embark on the Mekong Sun, a
comfortable new Laotian cruise ship. (Check in is at
4:00 PM) This unique vessel is the first German-Laotian
owned river ship with cabins on the upper Mekong. Settle
into your accommodating cabin and unpack for an
eight-day cruise. Begin with a walk up Phou Si-hill,
which offers a spectacular sunset view over the Mekong
as well as the Khan river and the surrounding mountains.
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 Mekong Sun.
DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG (B/L/-)
Breakfast is on board. Today you will experience the
town during a full day visit. You will get to know some
of the many highlights of this beautiful city, incl. the
famous Wat Xieng Thong temple and enjoy the unique
atmosphere provided by the abundance of well-preserved
French colonial architecture mingling with traditional
Buddhist temples. In the evening, enjoy strolling along
the Mekong promenade or visiting the colorful night
market of the local H'mong minority. Overnight aboard the
Mekong Sun.
DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU (B/L/D)
In the early morning you will able to visit the
traditional giving of alms in the streets of Luang
Prabang. Today your spectacular cruise begins with the
departure from Luang Prabang. You will cruise north and
visit a Laotian village, observe the traditional
production of Lao-Lao, the local liqueur. After a short
walk through the jungle you will explore the famous Pak
Ou Caves, with thousands of small Buddha statues inside
the caverns. The night is spent on a secluded river bank
or sandbank. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 4: TAXUANG (B/L/D)
Today is a day to take it all in – relax on deck, in
your comfortable cabin or in the lounge and soak up the
untouched scenery. The river traffic thins out as you
proceed upstream, and you can enjoy the fantastic
landscapes along the river. Your program also includes a
visit to an elephant camp, where you can see the big
creatures in action (Unless they are busy with an
off-site contract by the time of your visit). Overnight
aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 5: PAKBENG (B/L/D)
The diversity of the landscape is astonishing, now
shifting to tropical hills in the background. Enjoy the
tranquility of northern Laos, a real retreat from the
hustle-and-bustle of daily life. Later, that day you
will have a short stop in the market town of Pakbeng.
Time permitting, a market visit will follow before
continuing. As you cruise along the green hills, you
will start heading upstream towards Pak Tha.
Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 6: PAK THA - HUAY XAY / CHIANG KHONG (B/L/D)
As you cruise along the green hills, you will start
heading upstream towards Pak Tha. At Pak Tha, a small
village, you will take off on a long-tail boat excursion
on the Namtha River to visit a Khmu village. You will
also visit a small village school sponsored by guests of
the Mekong Sun. The purely natural landscape is only
broken by the seldom sights of small villages and local
herds of cattle. Enjoy the comfort and service onboard:
exclusive, yet casual, you’ll share the boat with no
more than 26 fellow guests. Today you proceed to the
Thai-Laotian border at Chiang Khong (Thailand) and Ban
Huay Xay (Laos). You will then spend a last relaxing
dinner and evening in Laos.
Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 7: THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE (B/L/D)
Today is spent on an excursion to the Golden Triangle
area at Chiang Saen, where you will visit the Golden
Buddha of Sop Ruak and the new Hall of Opium. This
fascinating museum, sponsored by the royal family of
Thailand, gives a deep background on the history and
politics of the opium trade and the health effects of
opium abuse. This last evening on board will be
celebrated with a farewell dinner.
Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 8: DISEMBARK (B/-/-)
After breakfast you will say goodbye to your Laotian
crew. Check-out and disembark.*
* Depending on season and water level the check-out will
either be at Chiang Saen or Chiang Khong. (Regularly
until early December the check-out will be at Chiang
Saen, afterwards until May it will be Chiang Khong.)
NOTE: Every river cruise on the upper Mekong is a
pioneering experience and is subject to constantly
changing river conditions, including flood waters 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, river and/or
road conditions. For safety reasons and according to
navigation conditions, these programs may be amended
without previous notice.
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