Savour the fantastic scenery of the Mekong River on your spectacular and unique cruise from Luang Prabang (Laos) to Chiang Saen (Thailand) right in the heart of the Golden Triangle.

YOUR ROUTE: LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI – PAK OU – PAKBENG – PAK THA – HUAY XAY – CHIANG SAEN (GOLDEN TRIANGLE)

LUANG PRABANG – EMBARKATION (-/-/D)

DAY 1: In the afternoon, you will embark on the Mekong Sun, a comfortable new Laotian cruise ship. (Check in is at 2:00 PM) This unique vessel is the first German-Laotian owned river ship with cabins on the upper Mekong. Settle into your accommodating cabin and unpack for a seven-day cruise. Begin with a walk up Phou Si-hill, which offers a spectacular sunset view over the Mekong as well as the Khan river and the surrounding mountains. In the evening, enjoy strolling along the Mekong promenade or visiting the colorful night market of the local Hmong minority. Enjoy the spacious decks, lounge on board and attend our welcome reception and dinner this evening. A selection of Asian and European food will be provided throughout the cruise.

Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.

LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI – PAK OU (B/L/D)

DAY 2: In the early morning you will able to visit the traditional giving of alms in the streets of Luang Prabang. Breakfast is on board. This morning your spectacular cruise begins. You will head south and disembark for a shore excursion to some of the most attractive waterfalls in Laos, the Kuang Si-falls. Your program also includes a visit to an elephant camp, where you will be able to see elephants in action.

Afterwards you will head north to visit a local Laotian village, where you can observe how the local liqueur Lao-Lao is being distilled traditionally. After a short jungle walk you will continue upstream to the famous Pak Ou-caves, with thousands of small Buddha statues inside the caverns. The night is spent on a secluded river bank or sandbank.

Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.

TAXUANG (B/L/D)

DAY 3: Today is a day to take it all in – relax on deck, in your comfortable cabin or in the lounge and soak up the untouched scenery. The river traffic thins out as you proceed upstream, and you can enjoy the fantastic landscapes along the river. In the afternoon, you will visit a small village school sponsored by guests of the Mekong Sun.

Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.

PAKBENG (B/L/D)

DAY 4: The diversity of the landscape is astonishing, now shifting to tropical hills in the background. Enjoy the tranquility of northern Laos, a real retreat from the hustle-and-bustle of daily life. Later, that day you will have a short stop in the market town of Pakbeng. As you cruise along the green hills, you will start heading upstream towards Pak Tha.

Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.

PAK THA – HUAY XAY (B/L/D)
DAY 5: At Pak Tha, a small village, you will take off on a long-tail boat excursion on the Namtha River to visit a Khmu village. Upon reboarding the Mekong Sun you will proceed to the Thai-Laotian border at Chiang Khong (Thailand) and Ban Huay Xay (Laos). You then will spend a last relaxing dinner and evening in Laos.

Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.

CHIANG SAEN (B/L/D)
DAY 6: Along the Thai-Lao borderline your river cruise takes you westwards into the once notorious region called the Golden Triangle. Today, your spectacular river cruise reaches Chiang Saen. The afternoon is spent on 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 and go on a guided city tour of Chiang Saen. This last evening on board will be celebrated with a farewell dinner.

Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.

DISEMBARK CHIANG SAEN (B/-/-)
DAY 7: After breakfast you will say goodbye to your Laotian crew. Check-out and disembark. In the morning you will visit 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 background on the history and politics of the opium trade and the health effects of opium abuse. Services end with the return to Chiang Saen.

NOTE: Every river cruise on the upper Mekong is a pioneering experience and is subject to constantly changing river conditions, including from 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.

Extensions/pre-nights available on hotel boat Mekong Sun in Luang Prabang and Vientiane possible at certain dates.

Rack rates per additional overnight incl. buffet breakfast (in high and green season):
p.P. in DBL Classic: 68 USD
p.P. in DBL Superior: 90 USD
SGL surcharge in Classic: 30 USD
SGL surcharge in Superior: 43 USD