The Laos & Thailand Mekong: Chiang Khong - Vientiane 11 Days
The Laos & Thailand Mekong: Chiang Khong - Vientiane 11 Days
- Cruise name : The Irrawaddy Flotilla
- Company : The Irrawaddy Flotilla
- Class : Luxury
- Capacity : 10 cabin
- Type : Sharing
- Destination : Laos - Laos
Itineraries
Transfers from airports or any city hotel in Chiang Rai (2 hours) and Chiang Mai (6 hours) including Lunch at Ban Rai Sabaidee Farm plus guided visit to the Golden Triangle and the now infamous opium museum. Embark your ship by 16.00 and enjoy welcome drinks on the sundeck with traditional Thai dancing
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: RV Pandaw Laos
Pass through immigration formalities at the Thai/Laos border and re-join the ship. Set sail downstream on the beautiful Upper Mekong River, Morning presentation on the Lao language. After lunch, if time allows, sightseeing on foot in Pak Sith.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: RV Pandaw Laos
Morning walk at Ban Luang Tong Lao Lowland village. Laos is known as ‘The land of a million elephants’ and after Lunch we will visit a rescue sanctuary that is helping to preserve the elephants of Laos and provide sustainable alternative employment for Mahouts who once trained and rode these beautiful creatures. In the evening we moor at a sandbank for a special riverside barbecue and cocktail party. Light paper lanterns with the crew and enjoy a dance in remote Laos
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: RV Pandaw Laos
Today we discover the Khmu minority group and learn about their remote way of life. In the morning we will visit Ban Bor village, home to the Lao & Khummu people. We will have the opportunity to support locally produced handicrafts and walk through the Khummu village of Yoi Haoi in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: RV Pandaw Laos
Continue cruising downstream to Pak Ou, sightseeing by local boat exploring the unique Pak Ou Caves, a Buddhist sanctuary with spectacular limestone cliff faces. See the production of local Laos whisky at the Whisky village and shop for locally produced handicrafts before sailing into the World Heritage City of Luang Prabang. Moor overnight in central Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: RV Pandaw Laos
Today we explore the various handicrafts of Laos in more detail. We start with a morning walk up the 228 steps to Phousi temple where the best views of Luang Prabang can be found. After lunch aboard the ship, we visit Ock Pop Tok, a social enterprise providing sustainable employment and training for the women of local weaving villages. We then head to TAEC (Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre) to understand more about Laos musical instruments. Cocktail hour is accompanied by a traditional Bacci ceremony onboard highlighting some of the instruments seen in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: RV Pandaw Laos
Early morning walking tour to observe the morning alms offering by local people to the hundreds of monks who walk around the city every morning. We continue after breakfast to the morning market before taking tuktuks for a city tour of this well preserved and unique world heritage site with its many Buddhist temples, libraries and royal palace. The afternoon is free to explore the beauty and unique atmosphere of Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: RV Pandaw Laos
After breakfast sail downstream to Ban Chan where we take part in a pottery demonstration at the local pottery workshop. After Lunch, we moor at Ban Mouang Khai and take a short drive to see the deep jungle pools at the Khaung Si Waterfall where you can swim in the crystal-clear waters. We then stop at the Laos Buffalo Farm, a social enterprise utilizing the abundant buffalo in Laos before rejoining the ship. We sail downstream for a sunset cruise and moor overnight at Ban Na San.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: RV Pandaw Laos
Morning walk through Ban Na San Hmong Village. In the afternoon we pass through Xayabouri Hydroelectric Dam and take an inside look of the workings of this somewhat controversial attraction as we pass through the locks. Afternoon walk at Ban Khok Fark and moor overnight.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: RV Pandaw Laos
Explore Ban Pak Yun Mixed minorities tribe in the morning, a rural local village before setting sail to Pak Lay, our final destination. Enjoy a tour of your Pandaw ship and fruit carving demonstration on the sundeck in the afternoon before farewell cocktails and dinner in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: RV Pandaw Laos
Disembark at 08:30 am followed by a local long-tail boat expedition downstream to Vientiane. Lunch and drinks will be provided on the local boat by your Pandaw chef and bar staff. Arrive to Vientiane around 17:30 with drop off at your hotel or Vientiane airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
Important Notes
Price includes
- Entrance fees
- Guide services (English language),
- Gratuities to crew
- Main meals
- Locally made soft and alcoholic beverages
- Jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes
- mineral water
- Transfers between the meeting point and the ship at the start and end of a voyage
Price excludes
- International flights
- Port dues
- Airport transfers
- Laundry
- All visa costs
- Fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions)
- Imported beverages such as wines
- Premium spirits and liqueurs
- Fancy soft drinks like Perrier
- Espressos and cappuccinos at bar
Remark:
- Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather and operating conditions. Unused services are not subject to a refund.
- Meals on board are fusion: Laos & international. Guests should advise of any special food preferences, allergies or dietary requirements at least three days prior to the cruise date.
- Advance registration is required with full name, date of birth, nationality, gender, passport number and visa expiry date for all passengers. A valid passport is required upon check-in. Otherwise, boarding may be denied by port authority.
- Surcharge on Christmas (24/12/) and New Year (31/12) & on Lunar New Year .
Other itineraries
The Laos & Thailand Mekong: Vientiane - Chiang Khong 11 Days
Upstream
Destination : Vientiane, Xayabouri Dam, Kuang Si Waterfalls, Luang Prabang, Pak Ou Cave, Ban Ton, Pak Beng, Chiang Khong