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 an 11-day cruise. In the evening enjoy the spacious decks, the onboard lounge, and attend a dinnertime welcome reception.
Overnight: All overnights aboard your boutique river cruise ship.

Meals included: Dinner (D)

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 long-tail boat excursion on the Namtha River to visit a local village of the ethnic minority 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 

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).

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 .

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 Pra-bang. 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 oppor-tunities 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 .

In the early morning, you can visit the traditional giving of alms 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 .