|
DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU
(-/-/D)
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 four-day
cruise. Today your spectacular cruise begins with the
departure from Luang Prabang from where you will cruise
north and visit a Laotian village. In the village you
can observe how the local liqueur Lao-Lao is being
distilled traditionally. After a short walk through the
jungle you will explore 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.
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.
DAY 2: LAND OF THE THOUSAND ELEPHANTS (B/L/D)
After breakfast on board you will go on an excusion by
local slowboat up the Ou-River to visit rice paddies
cultivated by the local Khmu minority. Before returning
to the Mekong Sun, you will see working elephants in
action near (unless they are busy with an off-site
contract by the time of your visit). After reembarkation
you will enjoy a few hours of cruising down the Mekong
River amidst beautiful landscapes. Overnight aboard the
Mekong Sun.
DAY 3: WILD NATURE ALONG THE MIGHTY MEKONG (B/L/D)
Further south you will discover some of the most
remarkable, most impressive landscapes of this
still-untamed river. The landscape becomes more and more
spectacular: hills covered with tropical vegetation,
awe-inspiring rock formations along the river banks, and
a fascinating array of fast currents and slower river
parts. The power of the mighty Mekong will give your
cruise the feeling of a real expedition. The ship will
then head further south to the Mekong ferry crossing at
Tha Deua, connecting Luang Prabang Province with the
Sayaboury province. (Due to sudden drops in water level
on some days, it may be necessary to make the afternoon
excursion down south and upstream again – the wildest
and possibly most exciting part of the Mekong – in a
local Lao slowboat before returning back to the Mekong
Sun) You will visit a local village school, which is
supported by guests of the Mekong Sun. Enjoy the
beautiful views and watch nature’s wonders along the
shores before you head north again and stop at a
sandbank for the night. This last evening on board will
be celebrated with a farewell dinner.
Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 4: THA DEUA – LUANG PRABANG (B/L/-)
After breakfast on board, enjoy the beautiful view and
spot local fishermen onshore as you cruise upstream
again. After a few hours of cruising up the river, you
will stop and continue by bus to visit the famous Kuang
Si-waterfalls, some of the most remarkable waterfalls in
Laos. On the way stroll through the small village of Tha
Pan, where you can observe how the local communities
live in norther Laos. In the afternoon you will return
to Luang Prabang where you will say goodbye to your
Laotian crew. Check-out and disembark. End of service.
NOTE: Every river cruise on the upper Mekong is a
pioneer 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, river and/or road
conditions. For safety reasons and according to
navigating conditions, these programs may be amended
without previous notice.
|
