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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
2:00 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 a seven-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. In the
evening, enjoy strolling along the Mekong promenade or
visiting the colorful night market of the local Hmong
minority. 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 on board. Today the ship stays in Luang
Prabang, while you have the full day to get to know the
beauties of this UNESCO World Heritage town. Apart from
numerous temples, the atmosphere is enriched by
neighboring French colonial architecture. As Luang
Prabang offers many opportunities for fine dining,
tonight you are free to choose from the numerous
offerings in town or along the Mekong River. Overnight
aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU
(B/L/D)
In the early morning you will able to observe the
traditional giving of alms in the streets of Luang
Prabang. Breakfast is on board. In the afternoon your
spectacular cruise begins with the departure from Luang
Prabang from where you will cruise north and visit a
Laotian village. In the village you can observe how the
local liqueur Lao-Lao is being distilled traditionally.
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. 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 4: LAND OF THE THOUSAND
ELEPHANTS (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. Before returning
to the Mekong Sun, you will see working elephants in
action near (unless they are busy with an off-site
contract by the time of your visit). After reembarkation
you will enjoy a few hours of cruising down the Mekong
River amidst beautiful landscapes. Overnight aboard the
Mekong Sun.
DAY 5: WILD NATURE ALONG THE
MIGHTY MEKONG (B/L/D)
The ship will head south to the Mekong ferry crossing at
Tha Deua, connecting Luang Prabang Province with the
Sayaboury province. Further downstream 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.
(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 Mekong Sun) You will visit
a local village school, which is supported by guests of
the Mekong Sun. 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.
Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 6: THA DEUA – LUANG PRABANG
(B/L/D)
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.
DAY 7: LUANG PRABANG (B/-/D)
Breakfast on board. Today the ship stays in Luang
Prabang, while you can enjoy once again the wonderful
town and the atmosphere in Luang Prabang. You have the
day free to explore on your own. (For charter groups we
can arrange an exciting program upon request) This last
evening on board will be celebrated with a farewell
dinner. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 8: DISEMBARK LUANG PRABANG
(B/-/-)
After breakfast you will say goodbye
to your Laotian crew. Check-out and disembark.
End of service.
NOTE: Every river cruise on the upper 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.
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