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DAY 1: VIENTIANE – EMBARKATION (-/-/D)
In the afternoon, you will embark on the Mekong Sun, a
comfortable new Laotian cruise ship. This unique vessel
is the first German-Laotian owned river ship with cabins
on the upper Mekong. In the afternoon you will visit the
national symbol of Laos, the That Luang temple, and the
picturesque Arc de Triomphe. Return on board and settle
into your accommodating cabin and unpack for an
eight-day cruise. (Check-in is after the excursion at
4:00 PM). Enjoy the spacious decks, lounge on board and
attend your 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: DEPART VIENTIANE (B/L/D)
This morning you will start your spectacular river
cruise upstream into formerly inaccessible parts of the
Mekong river. The night is spent on a beautiful
sandbank, surrounded by nothing but pure nature. Cherish
the tranquility of Laos, a real retreat from the
hustle-and-bustle of daily life. Overnight aboard the
Mekong Sun.
DAY 3: WILD NATURE ALONG THE MIGHTY MEKONG (B/L/D)
Further north 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 aand slower river
parts. 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
riverbanks before you head north again and stop at a
remote sandbank for the night. Overnight aboard the
Mekong Sun.
DAY 4: PAK LAY (B/L/D)
Upstream you will stop at the small riverside community
of Pak Lai, known for once possessing many colonial
buildings. The purely natural landscape is only broken
by the seldom sights of small villages and local herds
of cattle. Time permitting, a market visit will follow
before continuing. Enjoy the comfort and service
onboard: exclusive, yet casual, you’ll share the boat
with no more than 26 fellow guests. Overnight aboard the
Mekong Sun.
DAY 5: THA DEUA (B/L/D)
During and after breakfast on board, enjoy the beautiful
view and possibly watch local fishermen along the shore.
Today you will see the Mekong ferry crossing at Tha
Deua, connecting Luang Prabang Province with the
Sayaboury province. Your voyage then leads into northern
Laos amid stunning scenery. Overnight aboard the Mekong
Sun.
DAY 6: KUANG SI – LUANG PRABANG (B/L/D)
After breakfast, a shore excursion leads to the Kuang
Si-falls, some of the most attractive waterfalls in
Laos. 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). Later you will reach Luang Prabang,
the former royal capital of Laos, now UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 7: LUANG PRABANG (B/L/-)
Today your boat will anchor centrally in Luang Prabang.
On a full day visit you will get to know some highlights
of this beautiful city like the 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 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 river promenade or visiting the
colorful night market of the local Hmong minority.
Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 8: 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. After departing 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 9: 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. Overnight aboard the Mekong
Sun.
DAY 10: 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. As
you cruise along the green hills, you will start heading
upstream towards Pak Tha.
Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 11: 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 12: 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 13: 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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