Relive the pioneering experience of the French Mekong-Expedition of 1866 during your cruise aboard the newly built boutique cruise vessel Mekong Explorer! From December 2009 onwards passengers of the exclusive Mekong Explorer can enjoy this unique cruise expedition through mainly unexplored regions of central Laos in a most comfortable manner. Be one of the first travelers to get to know a truly unspoiled nature along the banks of the Mekong as well as during fascinating shore excursions to local villages on the route between the Lao capitol of Vientiane and the lively market town of Savannakhet. Cruising without a fixed schedule, guests of the boutique
cruise vessel Mekong Explorer can expect stunning and sometimes surprising excursions to remote villages and off the beaten track colonial towns like Thakhek and Savannakhet as well as natural wonders such as the 7 km long cave of Konglo, which you will traverse on small long tail boats. The cruise is available upstream from Savannakhet to Vientiane as well as vice versa. Apart from being located just across a bridge over the Mekong River from the Thai town of Mukdahan, flights between Savannakhet and Vientiane as well as to Bangkok and Pakse open numerous possibilities to include this unique cruise in tour itineraries to Laos or Southeast Asia in general.

The Mekong Explorer Cruise Vessel – Facts

• Built in Laos in 2008/2009
• Starting operations in December 2009
• Two decks with 16 cabins in three different categories
• All cabins twin bedded, with en suite shower/WC and air conditioning
• Eight Classic cabins (approx. 12,5 m2) and four Junior Suites (approx. 15,5 m2) on the main deck as well as two Junior Suites (approx. 15,5 m2) on the upper deck, all with wide sliding panoramic windows and a French balcony providing a fantastic view of the surrounding landscapes
• Two Suites (approx. 21 m2) with a private balcony on the upper deck
• Large sun deck on the top deck
• Restaurant/bar area on the upper deck
• All offshore excursions guided in English
• European Cruise director on board (English and German speaking)

Services included:

* Seven nights aboard your cruise vessel Mekong Explorer
* Full board starting with dinner on day one and ending with breakfast on day eight
* All visits and excursions as per program with English speaking guide
* All applicable admission and entrance fees
* Presentations and lectures by English speaking cruise director

Not included:
Lao visa fee, any flights, tips and expenditure of personal needs.

8- day cruise itinerary: Expedition through Central Laos:

Day 1: Welcome aboard in Vientiane!

Your cruise director and friendly Laotian crew await you with a warm welcome upon embarkation in the Lao capitol (after 2pm). During a guided city tour in the afternoon you will get to know some of the highlights of Vientiane such as the That Luang temple and the picturesque Arc de Triumph. In the evening attend our welcome reception and enjoy the Lao and Southeast Asian specialties served during your dinner menu on board. (D)

Day 2 – 6: Pioneering cruise expedition through remote Central Laos

Breakfast is served in the morning while your cruise experience begins with the departure from Vientiane. Your first stop features an excursion to the odd Buddha Park on the banks of the Mekong. Further visits along your expedition include a shore excursion to the catholic center of Laos in Paksan as well as a guided city walk in the town Thakhek, in which you will find many remaining buildings from the colonial era. Aproximately 100 km north from Savannakhet, Thakhek once was planned to become the capitol of Laos under French rule. Grand nature awaits you along the river banks as well as during your visit of the 7 km long Konglo caves or on the Khading-River, a small sidearm of the Mekong, which you travel on with small long tail boats. For sure there will be some smaller or bigger sensations during the coming days of your cruise expedition with real first encounters in remote villages to be expected frequently. This cruise caters especially to those travelers who fancy discovery tours and an authentic Asia more than a fixed cruise schedule without having to miss the comfort and atmosphere of a boutique river cruise ship such as the Mekong Explorer. A well comforted cruise with full service by your friendly Laotian crew members and your cruise director awaits you! While the Mekong Explorer is moored on the river bank at night you enjoy a delicious dinner menu and informative presentations and lectures by your Englishspeaking cruise director with topics like the French Mekong-Expedition or Elephants in Laos. (5x BLD)

Day 7: Lively Savannakhet

The arrival in Savannakhet is planned for today. You will visit the colonial relicts of the provincial capitol during a guided city walk and explore the Dinosaur-museum with paleontology findings of Central Laos. Being the second biggest town of Laos and separated from modern Thailand only by a bridge across the Mekong, Savannkhet today is a lively market town for inner-Asian traders from Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Observe the hustle and bustle of the local market and the quieter hours during a stroll along the mighty Mekong after sunset. (BLD)

Day 8: Farewell

After breakfast you will say goodbye to your crew and cruise director at disembarkation. (B)

There are many possibilities to continue your exploration of Laos, e.g. go on a short flight to Pakse in Southern Laos (where you can enjoy another fantastic cruise through the region of 4,000 islands on the newly built Mekong Islands river vessel) or fly to Bangkok or Vientiane. Just across the Mekong Bridge is an international border point into Thailand. Whatever you prefer, we will be happy to arrange your individual tour services upon request. This cruise is also available upstream starting in Savannakhet and ending in Vientiane. All services and visits will be identical regardless of the cruise direction.

Kindly note: This cruise will be operated the first time in winter 2009/2010. Until today there are no cruise schedules yet as never before has there been a cruise vessel on this strip of the Mekong. Therefore small changes in the itinerary must be expected and in fact contribute to the expedition atmosphere of this exclusive cruise.

Available Cruise Dates 2009-2010

To be continued (further dates available approx. from JAN2009 onwards)

Season: DEC – MAR 2010

FIT Rack-rates (these rack-rates are commissionable for tour operators and travel agents by 15 %)

Exclusive charter Net-rates:

8-day cruises from Savannakhet to Vientiane (or vv.) net: 53,300 EUR (high season only)