7-DAY LAOS CRUISING ON MEKONG RIVER FROM THAILAND

DAY 1: LAOS CRUISING TOURS THROUGH REMOTE NORTH-EAST THAILAND (-/-/D)

After arrival at the Ubon Ratchathani airport transfer by minivan along an international trade route. First, you will visit southern the town of Mukhdahan the national park of Pha Taem, impresses with natural rocks shaped almost mushroom-like. Mukdahan itself is well known for its wide assortment of goods from Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Observe the hustle and bustle of the local market and try your own negotiating skills on the local traders. Your cruise director and friendly crew await you (after 2pm) with a warm welcome upon embarkation. 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 Sun. Welcome reception and enjoy Southeast Asian specialties, served during your dinner menu on board. Overnight onboard your river vessel.

DAY 2: LAOS CRUISING TOURS: RELIGION DISCOVERY TOUR IN THAT PHANOM (B/L/D)

This morning your cruise begins! After cruising for a few hours you will reach the holy pilgrim center of That Phanom. Legend has it that Buddha himself came here to command that after his death one of his breastbones be treasured in That Phanom as a reliquary. The devoutness of the local pilgrims, which you will notice during your visit to the temple and its Buddhist mural-walls and a well-kept garden is quite impressive. On board of a motor-rikscha, you continue your tour via a Lao-style Arc De Triomphe to a local weaving village. A neat handicraft market is held regularly at the nearby temple tower. Overnight onboard your river vessel.

DAY 3: LAOS CRUISING TOURS: THAILAND AND LAOS COMBINATION TOUR (B/L/D)

This morning you will cross the river into Laos. In the town of Thakhek, you will find many remaining buildings from the French colonial era such as the governor’s palace from the 19th century. Once planned to become the capital of Laos under French rule, today’s Thakhek is a typical charming and sleepy Lao provincial town with an interesting small town market life. In the surroundings of the city at the foot of a karst mountain panorama, a Buddhist-grotto was discovered only a few years ago in 2004 and will also be part of your visit. Returning back to Thailand and your boat, you will continue your cruise further south. Overnight onboard your river vessel.

DAY 4-5: LAOS CRUISING TOURS: NAKHON PHANOM AND PHU WUA NATIONALPARK (B/L/D)

While enjoying your breakfast on board picturesque mountains pass by on the Lao side of the river. A short drive brings you to an impressive cliff monastery, which stands seven levels high above local rice paddies. Western visitors are welcomed very seldom – just like most of the times during your entire tour. Along the mighty Mekong – “the mother of all waters” as the locals call the river here – you will get to know the region with its grand nature, pristine villages and Buddhist pilgrim sites while cruising in style and comfort, well catered for by your crew and European cruise director.

Before reaching the town of Nakhon Phanom you will go on a short and easy trek (approx. 1 hour) through the tropical environment of Phu Wua Nationalpark. In Nakhon Phanom, we recommend joining your tour guide to have a drink in a local bar – menus with Latin characters will probably be not available anywhere, though. Overnight onboard your river vessel.

DAY 6: LAOS CRUISING TOURS: FOREST MONASTERY AND BUDDHIST MONKHOOD (B/L/D)

Breakfast is served on board. Along both sides of the quiet river banks, you may spot every once in a while small golden temple spires, while a presentation on tropical fruits grown in this region provides with possibly surprising insight benefits used in traditional local medicine. An excursion takes you to a beautiful forest monastery, where lavish ornaments at the temple and belfry are contrasting with the asceticism of the Buddhist monkhood. At night your vessel is moored at a secluded sandbank or small village pier. After dinner, a documentary shows the river flow of the Mekong from the Tibetan highlands all the way to the South China Sea. At night you will celebrate your farewell dinner together with your crew and captain! Overnight onboard your river vessel.

DAY 7: LAOS CRUISING TOURS: NONG KHAI – DISEMBARKATION (B/-/-)

Arrival in the town of Nong Khai. A guided tour will get you acquainted with the bizarre, yet very interesting Buddhist-Hindu sculpture park. After a short stroll along the river promenade, you need to say goodbye to your friendly Laotian crew. (From Nong Khai can go by a short flight back to Bangkok. Or transfer to Udon Thani, where you can reach flights to UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. Or cross the friendship bridge for a visit to the Lao capital of Vientiane. We will be happy to arrange transfers accordingly).

There are many possibilities to continue your exploration of Thailand and/or Laos, e.g. spend a night in Vientiane before starting a flight to Southern Laos in Pakse (where you can enjoy another fantastic cruise through the region of 4,000 islands on the Mekong Islands river vessel). Whatever you prefer, we will be happy to arrange your individual tour services upon request!

Kindly note: This cruise will be operated the first time in early 2010. Until today there are no cruise schedules yet as never before has there been an overnight 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.