Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Jungle, and Villages Aboard a Premier River Vessel
The Laos Mekong
Overview
Enjoy a three country expedition as you traverse Laos to touch Thailand at the once notorious Golden Triangle. From Vientiane, the old French capital, the Pandaw will be among the first river expedition since pre-war days to cross all Laos. Stop for two nights at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang with its dazzling wood carved monasteries and then on deep into the mountains, through rapids and gorges on our high powered little Pandaw. Visit tribal villages and explore into jungle and countryside. The itinerary for this expedition is indicative only and subject to change. As you travel to remote areas, changes to the itinerary will inevitably occur. A flexible approach is required. Reverse departures are also offered.
Arrive: Vientiane, Laos
Depart: Chiang Khong, Thailand
Itinerary
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
(Upstream Itinerary) Transfer from airports or hotel in Vientiane. Embark at 12:30 pm, followed by lunch and afternoon explorations of the delightful French city including visits to the golden Pha That Luang Stupa, Sisaket Temple, the President's Hall, Wat Prakeo Temple and the Phatouxay monument. Set sail in the late afternoon, and enjoy a Welcome Dinner on board and overnight near Vientiane.
Cruise upstream on the Mekong, passing lush jungle scenery and tiny riverside villages. Morning presentation on the Lao language. Afternoon cooking demonstration on the upper deck. Arrive in Ban Xanakham and overnight.
Afternoon visit to the French administrative town of Pak Lai with many colonial buildings and a bustling local market. This town boasts the largest elephant festival in South East Asia, usually in February. Pak Lai is popular for its free walk opportunities through some incredible rainforests. It even boasts a considerable number of elephants, so if you have never experienced a ride on an elephant before, this could be your chance.
Afternoon visit and walking tour of Ban Park Bor (Kmu Tribal) Village, a typical village, set on the banks of the Mekong amid lush jungle.
In the morning, visit a Hmong village and continue upstream to the village of Ban Mouang Khai. Afternoon sightseeing by mini coach to visit the jungle pools and dramatic Khaung Si waterfall then on to a butterfly garden. Arrive in the heart of the temple city of Luang Prabang where there is a buzzing night market and many great cafes and some good local restaurants.
In the morning explore by tuktuk this well-preserved and unique world heritage site with its many Buddhist temples, libraries, and royal palace. Visit the National Museum and have the afternoon free to explore the beauty and unique atmosphere of Luang Prabang on your own. In the late afternoon, enjoy traditional Laos dancing on the upper deck of the ship. Moor overnight in Luang Prabang.
Early morning walking tour to see the alms offering by the local people to hundreds of monks who walk around the city every morning. Passengers are invited to join in with offerings provided for the alms giving. Morning sightseeing by local boat exploring the unique Pak Ou Caves, a Buddhist sanctuary with spectacular limestone cliff faces. The caves are noted for their miniature Buddha sculptures. Hundreds of very small and mostly damaged wooden Buddhist figures are laid out over the wall shelves. They take many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and reclining (nirvana). Evening cocktails on a sandbank. Sail upstream on the beautiful Mekong toward Ban Bo.
Morning visit to a local Khamo village. Sail upstream on the Mekong passing Pak Beng toward Pak Sit.
Early morning walking tour in a Khamo village, then cruise through stunning scenery to the border of Laos and Thailand. The night is spent on the Lao side in the Huay xay area where we take a late afternoon village walk.
Cross over into Thailand via the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge before rejoining your ship in Chiang Khong. Farewell cocktails and Thai traditional dance on board for your last evening.
Disembark by 8:30 am in Chiang Khong, Thailand and explore the Golden Triangle including a visit to the opium museum. Continue to airports or city hotels in Chiang Rai (2 hours) and Chiang Mai (6 hours).
Day 1:
Chiang Khong, Thailand (Golden Triangle)
Day 2: Laos
Day 3: Khamo village
Day 4: Pak Ou Caves / Luang Prabang
Day 5: Luang Prabang
Day 6: Luang Prabang / Khaung Si waterfall
Day 7: Xayaburi Dam
Day 8: Ban Pha Leab
Day 9: Vientiane
Day 10: Vientiane
Day 11: Vientiane / Depart
Dates & Pricing
Payment & Cancel Schedule
At time of reservation: 20% of trip cost
81 days prior to departure: Balance
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Cancellation & Transfer Schedule
Minimum fee: 20% of trip cost
61 days or less: 100% of trip cost
*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.
Included
Not Included
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 1, Easiest, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Cruising days provide ample opportunities to relax on board, while shore excursions require a moderate amount of walking, often along uneven cobblestone streets and up and down stairs.
Client Testimonials
"A fabulous trip. Everything went perfectly, the staff was the best, and the weather was wonderful. Our Captain was great and very friendly."
Carla S.
Berkeley, CA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
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- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.