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DAY 1: GOLDEN TRIANGLE - EMBARKATION (-/L/D) *
The morning is spent on an excursion to Mae Sai, where
you can stroll through the local market and enjoy a
scenic view across the border to Burma. Afterwards,
visit the Doi Tung Royal Orchid Botanical Gardens, one
of the most beautiful botanical gardens of Southeast
Asia. Next is a sightseeing tour of this once-notorious
region, including visits to 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. After the
excursion in the afternoon, you will embark on the
Mekong Sun, a comfortable new Laotian cruise ship.
(Check-in is at 4:00 PM) Settle into your comfortable
cabin and unpack for a ten-day cruise. In the evening,
enjoy the spacious decks, lounge on board and attend a
dinnertime welcome reception. Overnight aboard the
Mekong Sun.
DAY 2: GOLDEN TRIANGLE – HUAY XAY (B/L/D)
We will take care of border formalities at Thai
immigration. Today your grand voyage on the mighty
Mekong River really gets going, with your departure from
the Golden Triangle region between Burma, Laos and
Thailand. The destination for today is the nearby
Laotian town of Huay Xay on the Laotian - Thai border,
where you will officially enter the People’s
Democratic Republic of Laos. Your voyage then leads into
northern Laos amid stunning scenery. Overnight aboard
the Mekong Sun.
DAY 3: PAK THA (B/L/D)
The river traffic increases as you pass through a
densely populated region accessible only by water. Relax
on deck, in your cabin or in the lounge and soak up the
remote, isolated surroundings. Continue to Pak Tha, a
small village where you will take off on a long-tail
boat excursion on the Namtha River to visit a Khmu
village. Upon reboarding the Mekong Sun you will
continue downstream and anchor at a sand bank. Overnight
aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 4: PAKBENG – PAK OU – LUANG PRABANG (B/L/D)
Shortly after getting underway, you will arrive in
Pakbeng and have a short coffee break at a lodge. Time
permitting, a market visit will follow before
continuing. The famous Pak Ou-caves, with thousands of
small Buddha statues inside the caverns, are one
highlight of the day; you will also take a short walk
through the forest to a small village where you can see
the traditional production of the local liquor Lao-Lao.
Today you reach Luang Prabang, the former royal capital
of Laos, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight
aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG (B/L/-)
Today your boat will anchor centrally in Luang Prabang
while you experience the town during a full day visit.
You will get to know some 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. A short climb up Phou
Si-hill you will be rewarded with a panoramic sunset
view over the Mekong as well as the Khan River and the
surrounding mountains. In the evening, enjoy strolling
along the Mekong promenade or visiting the colorful
night market of the local Hmong minority. Overnight
aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 6: LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI (B/L/D)
In the early morning you will able to observe the
traditional giving of alms in the streets of Luang
Prabang. Breakfast on board. After a few hours of
cruising downriver, you will continue by bus to the
famous Kuang Si waterfall. The day also includes a visit
to an elephant camp where you will be able to see the
big creatures in action (Unless they are busy with an
off-site contract by the time of your visit). The ship
then heads on southwards.
Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 7: THA DEUA – PAK LAY (B/L/D)
Today you will see the ferry crossing the Mekong at Tha
Deua connecting Luang Prabang Province with Sayaboury
province. In the afternoon you will drop in on the small
riverside community of Pak Lay, famous for its colonial
architecture. At night, enjoy once again the comforts on
board. You will spend the night close to the
Thai-Laotian border. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 8: WILD NATURE ALONG THE MIGHTY MEKONG (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 on the river. The power of the mighty Mekong will
give your cruise the feeling of a real expedition. Enjoy
the beautiful views and watch nature’s wonders along
the shores before you stop at a remote sandbank for the
night. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 9: VIENTIANE (B/L/D)
You travel further downstream along the “mother of all
waters”, as the Lao call the Mekong River. Today’s
destination is the Laotian capital, Vientiane, where you
will see the That Luang temple, the nation’s symbol,
as well as the picturesque Arc de Triomphe. This last
evening on board will be celebrated with a farewell
dinner.
Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 10: DISEMBARK VIENTIANE (B/-/-)
After breakfast you will say goodbye to your Laotian
crew. Checkout and disembarkment. End of service.
* Depending on season and water level the check-in will
either be at Chiang Saen or Chiang Khong. (Regularly
until early December the check-in will be at Chiang
Saen, afterwards it will be Chiang Khong.)
NOTE: Every river cruise on the upper Mekong is a
pioneer 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
navigating conditions, these programs may be amended
without previous notice.
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