Mekong Cruise downstream from Golden Triangle to Luang Prabang 6-Day

Mekong Cruise downstream from Golden Triangle to Luang Prabang 6-Day | Itinerary:

Day 1. Chiang Rai – The Golden Triangle – Embarkation

You are picked up from Chiang Rai Airport or at your hotel within city limits between 8 – 9 am and brought to the once-notorious Golden Triangle region. Your sightseeing tour today includes a visit to the Golden Buddha of Sop Ruak and the Hall of Opium. This fascinating museum, sponsored by the royal family of Thailand, provides an in-depth look at history and politics of the opium trade and health impact of opium use.

Afterwards, it is time to board your exclusive river vessel. The Mekong Pearl and Mekong Sun, under joint German-Laotian ownership, are unique boutique vessels. Settle into your comfortable cabin and unpack for a 6-day cruise. In the evening, enjoy the spacious decks, the onboard lounge, and a dinnertime welcome reception.

Overnight: All overnights aboard your boutique river cruise ship. Meals included: Dinner (D)

Day 2. Mekong Cruise downstream from Golden Triangle to Luang Prabang: Welcome to Laos

This morning, your grand voyage on the mighty Mekong River really gets underway, with your departure from the Golden Triangle region, where Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and Thailand meet. Today’s destination 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 takes you into northern Laos amid stunning scenery and on to the small village of Pak Tha. Here you take a Tuk Tuk excursion along the Namtha River to visit the local village ‘Ban Done Mixay’ of the ethnic Khmu. You will visit a small village school sponsored by guests of Mekong River Cruises. You then continue downstream aboard your cruise ship and anchor at a sand or riverbank.

Overnight on board. Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner (BLD).

Day 3. Astonishing Landscapes & remote Villages

The river traffic increases as you pass through a densely populated region accessible only by water. Here you will discover some of this still-untamed river’s most beautiful landscapes: hills covered with tropical vegetation, dramatic rock formations, and a fascinating mixture of fast currents and more placid stretches of river. The power of the mighty Mekong lends your cruise the feeling of a real expedition. Relax on deck, in your cabin, or in the lounge as you absorb the remoteness of these spectacular surroundings. On the way, you will visit a remote village.

Overnight on board. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner (BLD).

Day 4. Mekong Cruise downstream from Golden Triangle to Luang Prabang: The Pak Ou Caves

After a relaxing morning onboard, we stop at a small riverside village for a visit of the famous Pak Ou Caves, with thousands of small Buddha statues inside the caverns. From here, you can optionally go on a short jungle trek through the forest to a local village to see their local distillery. Alternatively, you can reach the village comfortably by boat as well. Nearby, you can see elephants in action (unless they are employed elsewhere at the time of your visit). This evening, we enjoy our famous Mekong River Cruises BBQ dinner in a beautiful riverside location.

Overnight on board. Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner (BLD).

Day 5. UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang

Today you reach Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin with a city walk to the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple with its Golden tiled roofs will surely leave you in awe. Explore other highlights during this full day excursion through Luang Prabang.

In the evening, walk up Phou Si-hill, which offers a spectacular view over the Mekong as well as the Khan River and the surrounding mountains, enjoy strolling along the Mekong promenade or visiting the colorful night market of the local Hmong minority. 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 on board. Meals included: breakfast and lunch (BL).

Day 6. Mekong Cruise downstream from Golden Triangle to Luang Prabang: Disembarkation in Luang Prabang

In the early morning, you can visit the traditional almsgiving in the streets of Luang Prabang and explore the traditional morning market. After breakfast, you will say goodbye to your Laotian crew. Check-out and disembark. Your memorable river journey ends with your transfer to the airport or to your hotel (within city limits).

Meals included: breakfast (B).

End of the trip!

PLEASE NOTE: Every river cruise on the upper Mekong is a pioneering experience and is subject to constantly changing river conditions, including floodwaters and shallows. Therefore, please under- stand that we must reserve the right to alter the itinerary of this tour due to the logistical complexi- ties involved. Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather and river conditions. For safety reasons and according to navigating conditions, these programs may be amended without previous notice.

This journey is generally not for guests with limited mobility or who depend on CPAP machines. Please contact us for more information about your specific requirements before booking.

Journey Highlights

• The wild upper Mekong aboard a boutique river vessel – one of the most spectacular river cruises in the world.

• The Golden Triangle region, with its infamous past, where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet

• The Pak Ou Caves on the Mekong – containing thousands of Buddha statues

• The UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, one of Asia’s most beautiful historical towns

• First-hand experience of the Thai and Lao peoples’ traditional lifestyles

• Small groups limited to 29 fellow passengers

• Sunset over Luang Prabang

• Unforgettable impressions of the mighty Mekong River, the “mother of waters”

• Professional onboard infotainment, including lectures and documentaries on the region

Tour price includes

• 5 overnights in selected cabin type aboard your boutique river cruise vessel

• Local English-speaking guides

• Entrance fees for sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary

• Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary

• Tours and transfers as mentioned

• Water in the vehicles and on the ship

• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, =Lunch, and D=Dinner)

• Coffee, tea, and table water is complementary onboard your boutique river cruise vessel

• Presentations and lectures onboard by the cruise director

• Transfers from/to Vientiane and Luang Prabang airports or hotels within city limits (only guaranteed if information was correctly provided 4 weeks prior to embarkation, at the latest)

Not included

• Flights

• Meals and services other than those noted in the itinerary

• Visas for Laos

• Laundry, telephone calls, and personal expenditures

• Gratuities for guides, drivers, porters, boat crew, and personal, non-itinerary services

• Alcoholic and soft drinks other than mentioned

• Personal Insurance