Starting from autumn 2009 visitors of Laos will have the opportunity to discover the serene beauty of Southern Laos during a cruise aboard the newly built cruise vessel Mekong Islands. Passengers can choose from a 5- or 7-day cruise option, each starting and ending in the capital of Champasak province Pakse, idyllically located along the Mekong shore. A cruise on the Mekong Islands is the most comfortable and exclusive way to explore this unique natural region of the so called 4000 islands, with its thousands of small river islands almost appearing in a surrealistic way. Get to know the life of the locals during visits to riverside villages as well as cultural highlights like the UNESCO protected temple of Wat Phou, silent witness of the ancient civilization of the Khmer. Deep in the south of the country near Cambodia the largest waterfalls in Asia await the visitor. During the 7-day cruise among others guests will enjoy a day trip to the beauty of the plateau of Bolaven with its numerous waterfalls and panoramic views of the surrounding plains of South Laos.

The Mekong Islands Cruise Vessel – Fact

• Built in Laos in 2008/2009
• Starting operations in September 2009
• Two decks with 11 cabins in two categories
• All cabins twin bedded, with en suite shower/WC and air conditioning
• Eight Classic cabins (approx. 11 m2) on the main deck with a big window providing fantastic views of the surpassing landscapes
• Three Superior cabins (approx. 12 m2) on the upper deck all with wide sliding panoramic windows and a French balcony
• 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 during the 5-day cruises:

* Four nights aboard your cruise vessel Mekong Islands
* Full board starting with dinner on day one and ending with breakfast on day five
* All visits and excursions as per program with English speaking guide
* All applicable admission and entrance fees
* Return airport transfers to the Mekong Islands pier from Pakse airport
(Transfers from/to Ubon Rachathani available upon request as well)
* Presentations and lectures by English speaking cruise director

Additional benefits of the 7-day cruise

* Two further overnights on board with additional sightseeing and meals as per program

Not included:

Lao visa fee, any flights, tips and expenditure of personal needs.

5- day cruise itinerary: Cruise Southern Laos:

Day 1: Welcome to Southern Laos!

In Pakse your ever-friendly Laotian crew awaits you at boarding with a welcome cocktail (after 2pm). During a guided city walk you will explore Pakse itself, the capital of Champasak province. Among others this first excursion includes a visit of the main temple Wat Luang with its adjoining convent school as well as a stroll along the Mekong River promenade. Afterwards you will start your cruise experience with the departure northwards to the village Sapai were you will get to know more about the local textile weaving art (During the driest months of the year the water level of the
Mekong River can drop significantly so that this excursion may have to be organized overland by bus instead by boat). (D)

Day 2 – 4: UNESCO-World Heritage and nature delights

After cruising downriver you will stop further south to go on a shore excursion to the impressive temple complex of Wat Phou, relics of the great Khmer empire reining the region from the 8th to 13th century. This UNESCO World Heritage site is located at the foot of the 1,500 m high Kao Mountain. With its mystical atmosphere these ruins are among the most inspiring archaeological tour destinations of Laos. Returning aboard your can lean back and enjoy the beautiful sunsets from your cabin or the sundeck while cruising deeper into the so called region of the 4,000 Islands. Here in the deep south of the country the Mekong has its widest expansion of up to 16 km during the annual high water period. In thousands of years nature created a landscape that seems almost surreal with thousands of islands appearing in the river bed when the high water declines annually. Some of theses islands are bigger with a magnitude of a few square kilometers; other uninhabited ones are only a few square meters wide. With a bit of luck you may spot some of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins when they are hunting in the evening. During your cruise in this remote nature escape you will also see the mighty Khone waterfalls, the biggest falls in Asia. When the sun has set and your cruise vessel is moored safely at the river shore you will get to know more about Laos and its people as well as the nearly 5,000 km long Mekong river during exciting presentations and lectures held by your cruise director. Enjoy Southeast Asian delicacies for dinner on board or an atmospheric barbecue on the riverbank. (3x BLD)

Day 5: Return to Pakse

Breakfast is served in the morning while you cruise leisurely upstream again towards Pakse, where your unique cruise ends with disembarkation. (B)

7- day cruise itinerary: Get to know Southern Laos comprehensively

During this unique 7-day river cruise you will get an even deeper inside of Southern Lao culture and nature life. Your comprehensive program includes additional encounters with the locals in their villages, excursions to little-known temples, elephant riding through the jungle as well as a day trip to the plateau of Bolaven. From this 1,000 m high plateau you can enjoy fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding plains. The pleasant climate is perfect for the cultivation of the delicious coffee Lao. Before returning to your cruise vessel Mekong Islands in the late afternoon you will witness the steep fall of the Tad Fane twin-waterfalls, with 120 m one of the deepest waterfalls in Laos. (2x BLD)

NOTE: Every river cruise in Southern Laos is a pioneering experience and is subject to constantly changing river conditions, including floodwaters 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 navigating conditions, these programs may be amended without previous notice.

Cruise Dates 2009-2010

To be continued… (Further dates available approx. from JAN 2009 onwards)

High Season: 28 SEP– 31MAR / Green Season: 01APR – 27SEP

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

Exclusive charter Net-rates:

5-day cruises from/to Pakse net: 11,200 EUR (in green season), 13,800 EUR (high season)
7-day cruises from/to Pakse net: 13,200 EUR (in green season), 16,300 EUR (high season)