YOUR ROUTE:
CHIANG SAEN (GOLDEN
TRIANGLE) – HUAY XAY – PAK THA – PAKBENG –
PAK OU – KUANG SI –
LUANG PRABANG
DAY 1: CHIANG SAEN - EMBARKATION (-/-/D)
In the
afternoon, you will embark on the Mekong Sun, a new and
comfortable Laotian Cruise ship.(Check-in is at 2:00 PM) This
unique vessel is the first German-Laotian river ship with cabins
on the upper Mekong. Settle into your comfortable cabin and
unpack for a seven-day cruise. A sightseeing tour gets you
acquainted with this once-notorious region, including visits to
the Golden Buddha of Sop Ruak and the new Hall of Opium. This
fascinating museum, sponsored by the royal family of Thailand,
gives a deep insight into the history and politics of the opium
trade, as well as its health effects. In the evening you can
enjoy the spacious decks, lounge on board and attend your
evening welcome reception. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 2: THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE (B/L/D)
Breakfast on board, as will be the case every morning. The
morning starts with an excursion to Mae Sai, where you can
stroll along the local market and enjoy a great view across the
border to Burma. Afterwards you will be visiting the Doi Tung
Royal Orchid Botanical Gardens, one of the most beautiful
botanical gardens of Southeast Asia. Returning to the Chiang
Saen port, you will take care of border formalities at Thai
immigration. Today your grand voyage on the mighty Mekong River
really begins: cruising northwards north along the Burmese-Lao
border up to the small settlement of Muang Pong. A selection of
Asian and European food will be provided throughout the cruise.
Here you will visit the virgin temple forest on the Burmese
side, previously off limits to foreign tourists. (visits
subject to vernight aboard the Mekong Sun)
DAY 3: GOLDEN TRIANGLE – HUAY XAY (B/L/D)
This
morning your cruise will take you back to the Golden Triangle
region between Burma, Laos and Thailand. Today’s destination is
the nearby Lao town of Huay Xay on the Laotian - Thai border,
where you will officially enter the People’s Democratic Republic
of Laos. From here on, your voyage leads into northern Laos
amidst beautiful scenery. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 4: HUAY XAY – PAK THA (B/L/D)
The
river traffic increases as you pass through a densely populated
region accessible only by water. Relax on deck, in your
comfortable cabin or in the lounge and soak up the remote
scenery. Today is full of scenic highlights, including the small
village of Pak Tha, where you will disembark for a long-tail
boat excursion on the Namtha River to visit a Khmu village. Once
back on the Mekong Sun you will continue downstream and anchor
at a sand bank. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 5: PAK THA – PAKBENG – PAK OU (B/L/D)
Just a
short while after leaving the sandbank, you will arrive in
Pakbeng, where you will have a small coffee break at a lodge.
Time permitting, you will visit the market before you continue
your cruise. The famous Pak Ou Caves are next, with thousands of
small Buddha statues inside deep caverns. A short walk
through the forest leads to a small village, where you can
see the traditional production of the local liquor Lao-Lao. You
will spend the night again on a beautiful sandbank. Overnight
aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 6: PAK OU – KUANG SI – LUANG PRABANG (B/L/D)
This
morning, you cruise further into the south. A shore excursion
will take you to the Kuang Si-falls,one of the most attractive
waterfalls in Laos, followed by a visit to an elephant camp,
where you will be able to see the big creatures in action. Today
you reach Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos, now a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, enjoy strolling
along the Mekong promenade or visiting the colorful night market
of the local Hmong minority. You will celebrate this last
evening on board with a farewell dinner. Overnight aboard the
Mekong Sun.
DAY 7: DISEMBARK LUANG PRABANG (B/-/-)
After
breakfast you will say goodbye to your Laotian crew. Check-out
and disembark. End of services.
NOTE: Every river cruise on the upper Mekong is a
pioneering experience and is subject to constantly changing
river conditions, including flood waters 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 navigation conditions, these programs may be amended without
previous notice.
Cost in Eur per
person in twin sharing :
Exclusive
group charter 7 day-cruises: Green Season = 25,400 EUR /
Winter Season = 30,800 EUR
+ Accommodation in
twinsharedroomswith
private bathroom.
Full board (Startingfromdinner
on thefirstday and endingwithbreakfast
on the last day).
Thebreakfast
will beserved
as buffet and the
lunch and dinner will
beserved
a la carte.
+
Sightseeing tours as
indicated in theprogramme,
inclusive of all entrancefees and tour
guides.
+
All theaboveratesareRack in US $
inclusive of 10 % government
tax and 10 % servicecharges.
+ lBottled
drinkingwater, tea and
coffee.
+
Baggagehandling.
Cruise excludes:
+ Airfares &
airport taxes
+ International ordomesticairtickets.
+ Departure tax in
LuangPrabang,
ChiangSaen
and/orJinghong.
+ Laotian, Thai and/or
Chinese visafee.
+ Anytransfercostsfromthepierorvv.
+ Anyhotelaccommodation.
+ Tips, beverages
(except of
bottleddrinkingwater, tea and
coffee) and anyitemsforyour personal
needs.
