Savour the fantastic scenery of the Mekong River on your spectacular cruise starting and ending in the former royal city of Luang Prabang, now UNESCO World Heritage. The exclusive river vessel, RV Mekong Sun, enables you to go on a comfortable journey which seemed impossible for ages: traveling along fantastic river landscapes, visiting World Heritage Sites and aboriginal villages. The upper Mekong is one of the most difficult rivers in the world to navigate but the Mekong Sun can master tight gorges, labyrinths of sandbanks and mount violent chutes.
On this part of the Mekong, quiet and calm parts of the river alternate with most dramatic and exciting shore sceneries: Tropical lush green mountains, impressive rock formations and secluded villages along the river banks.
1/Mekong Sun Cruise 4 Days 3 nights
Day 1. Luang Prabang.
In the afternoon, embark on the Mekong Sun and depart from Luang Prabang around 2 PM, where you will cruise north towards Pak Ou. The night is spent on a secluded river bank or sandbank. Enjoy the spacious decks, lounge on board and attend 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. Land of the Thousand Elephants.
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 nearby (unless they are busy with an off-site contract by the time of your visit).
You will also visit a Laotian village where 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. After re-embarkation you will enjoy a few hours of cruising down the Mekong River amidst beautiful landscapes. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
Day 3. Wild Nature along the Mighty Mekong.
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 slow boat 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. This last evening on board will be celebrated with a farewell dinner. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
Day 4. Kuang Si to Luang Prabang.
After breakfast on board, enjoy the beautiful view and spot local fishermen on shore 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 Northern Laos. In the afternoon you will return to Luang Prabang. Check out and disembark.
2/Mekong Sun Cruise 5 Days 4 nights
Day 1: Vientiane – Keng Khan Khou
Today we embark Mekong Sun boat at 8h00 at Khao Leau Harbour. The cruise team welcomes guests on board with a refreshing drink and provides some useful instruction on vessel. This is time for us to settle into a private comfortable cabin and unpack for a five day navigating along the previously inaccessible wonders of the Mekong River. The exciting cruise follows this mighty watercourse which is now the border between Thailand and Laos. The contradiction of riverside backdrops makes for an interesting view. There are plenty of time for us to admire the scenic riverside scenery close up or simply relax on spacious decks and lounge. O/N on board. (L,D)
Day 2: Keng Khan Khou – Pak Lai
The riverside scenery with a mixture of lush vegetation and impressive rock formations, is unequalled. We navigate along the Mekong River , stopping en route at Ban Hat Thieng. This riverside village becomes a fast growing trade center between Laos and Thailand therefore the influence of Thai counterpart is evident in local culture and architecture. By mid afternoon we anchor again at Pak Lai. This peaceful town still retains various colonial style houses built back to the last century. We enjoy a walk around this community to explore the simple lifestyle of villagers who are almost fishermen or farmers living from their slash and burn tradition. O/N on board. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Pak Lai – Keng Luang
Upon leaving our boat we embark on a walk to visit a traditional market in Pak Lai. This vibrant hub also attracts numerous villagers who converge from the outlying valleys and mountainsides to sell their goods and buy provision. The trading way is very interesting and unique. We again catch our boat and continue cruising past sleepy villages to Ban Phaleap. The major interest of our stop is an impressive view of the surrounding landscape from a steep rock formation locally named Phaleap. We anchor at the sand bank close to Keng Luang village for an overnight stop. O/N on board. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Keng Luang – Khouang Si Waterfalls
The mountainous region around Luang Prabang is also home of many ethnic groups and various stunning waterfalls dispersed in secluded jungle. Today we enjoy a visit to the Khmu village. This tribal group is originated from China but had settled there long time ago, forming one of the largest tribal populations in northern Laos. The Mekong Sun cruise approaches Luang Prabang, giving us an interesting view of fisherman on morning catch, mountaineers doing their daily works such as logging, herding buffalo and tilling the field or ferry crossing. The impressive way to celebrate our last night on cruise is a fare well dinner with the cruise team. O/N on board. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Khouang Si Waterfalls – Luang Prabang
The river cruise will deliver us to Ban Muang Khai. We disembark and catch a bus for a scenic drive to the beautiful Khouang Si Falls surrounded by lush forest. The waterfall tumbles over multi tiered limestone formations into the cool and clear pools ideal for anyone seeking an enjoyable escape. By mid morning we get back to our cruise and continue to the final destination. The trip ends on arrival in Luang Prabang Town.
Posted on April 6, 2011
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