Cruising the Mekong: From Laos to China

Day 1 Vientiane

Start your river cruise journey today by embarking the Pandaw vessel at midday from the Vientiane jetty. Enjoy a traditional lunch on board before an afternoon of sightseeing the delightful capital of Vientiane. Explore the French colonial architecture as well as key landmarks including the golden Pha That Luang, the early-19th century Sisaket Temple, the Victory Gate of Patuxai and the President’s Hall. Enjoy drinks and dinner on board this evening as you set sail along the Mekong. (L/D)

Day 2 Vientiane to Ban Xanakham

Continue your Mekong river cruise upstream today as you travel towards Ban Xanakham. After breakfast relax onboard as you pass local villages and mountainous, jungle landscapes and enjoy a presentation about the language and customs in Laos. Opt to take part in a traditional cookery demonstration on the upper deck where you will learn about Laotian cuisine. Moor overnight at the small riverside village of Ban Xanakham. (B/L/D)

Day 3 Ban Xanakham to Pak Lai

Weave your way through the narrow creeks and twisting channels of the mighty Mekong River passing the rural Laotian countryside as you continue north. That afternoon visit the French administrative town of Pak Lai which is in an important Mekong port home to many colonial buildings and a bustling market. Pak Lai is also home to the largest elephant festival in South East Asia, which usually takes place in February. Enjoy dinner and drinks onboard the vessel this evening. (B/L/D)

Day 4 Pak Lai to Xayaburi

After breakfast visit a local Khamo tribal village set on the banks of the river where you will meet the local people and learn about their life and traditions. In the afternoon pass through the Xayaburi Power Plant, one of the most important hydroelectric dams on the Lower Mekong. Continue upstream to the village of Ban Mouang Khai where you will stay on the boat for the night. (B/L/D)

Day 5 Ban Mouang Khai to Luang Prabang

Enjoy breakfast onboard this morning before visiting a traditional Hmong village to explore the local traditions, thatched homes and intriguing cultures of this ethnic minority group. Continue to Ban Mouang Khai village where you can cool off in the refreshing pools of Khaung Si waterfall as well as visiting a butterfly garden. Continue to travel upstream towards the beautiful and romantic city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that perfectly balances glistening Buddhist temples with French colonial architecture. That evening you will have a chance to explore the excellent night market. (B/L/D)

Day 6 Luang Prabang

Today you will explore Luang Prabang which is home to over thirty temples and monastic complexes. Disembark from the boat and take a tuk tuk tour around the city where you will visit the Royal Palace, That Makmo, the National Museum and Wat Xieng Thong. Spend an afternoon at leisure exploring the unique atmosphere and beauty of Luang Prabang. Back on board, enjoy a traditional Laos dance performance on the upper deck before sunset cocktails and dinner. (B/L/D)

Day 7 Luang Prabang to Pak Ou Caves

Early this morning join a procession where you will be able to offer alms to the local monks – a truly unique and enriching opportunity in Laos. Today you will also take a smaller boat to visit the wonderful Pak Ou Caves. This cave system is housed in a limestone cliff and filled with a myriad of Buddha images and statues overlooking the river. Before sunset travel to a sandbank where you will enjoy cocktails and the beautiful countryside scenery before continuing upstream towards Ban Bo where you will moor for the night. (B/L/D)

Day 8 Arrive Pak Sit

Today enjoy relaxing onboard the boat as you will spend most of the day sailing upstream on the stunning Mekong. Take a break to stop off at a tribal Khamo village where you will have the opportunity to meet some locals. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing onboard as you pass secluded Pak Beng before mooring overnight at Pak Sit. (B/L/D)

Day 9 Pak Sit to Huay Xai

Enjoy breakfast on the upper deck as you cruise pass the Mekong’s dramatic and stunning scenery and slowly approach the Laos-Thailand border. Visit remote riverside villages and meet locals before arriving at Huay Xai on the Laos side where you will take an afternoon walk and spend the night moored. (B/L/D)

Day 10 Huay Xai to Chiang Saen – The Golden Triangle

This morning transfer by bus to the Burmese smuggler city of Tachilek where you will visit the golden Shwedagon Pagoda, numerous Chinese temples and the huge duty-free market. In the afternoon explore the famous Golden Triangle - a mountainous, forested area in the north of Thailand, where it meets Laos and Burma on the Mekong. Visit the infamous Hall of Opium, coffee plantations and traditional villages and end the day at the Buddha Statue which overlooks Thailand, Burma and Laos. Spend the night moored in Chiang Saen in Thailand. (B/L/D)

Day 11 Chiang Saen to Ban Dom Moon

After an early breakfast leave the Golden Triangle behind and return to the Laos Mekong which will be narrower and faster than you have encountered yet on this river cruise. Make a stop at the riverside village of Pok Lok followed by a talk by one of the guides on the region’s ethnography. Enjoy a traditional Laotian dinner on the upper deck and moor overnight at Ban Dom Moon. (B/L/D)

Day 12 Ban Dom Moon to Sob Luoy

Today continue your river cruise upstream as you stop off at Ban Pak Keo to meet the local villagers and take a short hike to a viewpoint adorned with a pagoda and breathtaking views over the Mekong. Travel to Sob Luoy Port in the afternoon before sailing to a remote sand bank where you will moor for the night. This evening canapes and cocktails will be served on the sundeck followed by local Laos folklore stories and the lighting of floating fire lanterns. (B/L/D)

Day 13 Sob Luoy to Jinghong

This morning transfer to speed boat through the white waters and gorges as you cross the border into China at Guan Lei Port. After passing immigration, transfer by road to the historic city of Jinghong. Founded in 1180 by Tai King Phanya Coeng, the city’s turbulent past has been influenced by Thai, Burmese and Chinese occupations which is reflected in the architecture, culture and language. (B/L/D)

Day 14 Jinghong

Today explore Jinghong and visit the wonderful Tropical Plant institute - a beautiful garden complex with houses over 13,000 plant species as well as the oldest park in Xishuangbanna, Manting Park, which is a great place to learn about the culture and traditions of the Dai people. That evening watch a cultural show at Maxmumbani which features dancers from 38 different ethnic groups perform telling the fascinating story of China and its people. Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight before spending the final night at a local hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 15 Jinghong

Today is the last day of your river cruise. After breakfast say farewell to the group and transfer to the airport or stay in Jinghong to explore further. (B)

Cruising the Mekong: From Laos to China

15 days from £4320 per person

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Itinerary: Cruising the Mekong: From Laos to China

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