LAOS CRUISING PRIVATE TOUR TO GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Best places to visit: GOLDEN TRIANGLE – HUAY XAI – PAK THA – PAKBENG – PAK OU – KUANG SI – LUANG PRABANG
8 days
Daily Tour
20 people
English, Cezch
During this trip, the Mekong Sun cruises downstream from the Golden Triangle back to Luang Prabang. This tour also includes visiting traditional villages and natural beauties such as the Pak Ou caves. Reflect on the natural and cultural impressions while relaxing on the spacious decks of the Mekong Sun enjoying the marvelous landscape.
Itinerary :
DAY 1: LAOS CRUISING TOURS FROM GOLDEN TRIANGLE – EMBARKATION (-/-/D)
In the afternoon, you will embark on the Mekong Sun, a new and comfortable Laotian Cruise ship. (Check-in is at 4:00 PM) This unique vessel is the first German-Laotian river ship with cabins on the upper Mekong. Settle into your comfortable cabin and unpack for an eight-day cruise. A sightseeing tour gets you acquainted with this once-notorious region, including visits to 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 insight into the history and politics of the opium trade, as well as its health effects. In the evening you can enjoy the spacious decks, lounge on board and attend your evening welcome reception. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 2: LAOS CRUISE TOURS: VISIT THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE (B/L/D)
Breakfast on board, as will be the case every morning. The morning starts with 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. You will also go on a city tour of Chiang Saen with its temples and old city wall. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 3: LAOS CRUISING TOURS FROM GOLDEN TRIANGLE TO HUAY XAI (B/L/D)
This morning your cruise will take you from the Golden Triangle region between Burma, Laos and Thailand deeper into Laos. Today’s destination is the nearby town of Huay Xai on the Laotian – Thai border, where you will officially enter the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos. From here on, your voyage leads into northern Laos amidst beautiful scenery. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 4: LAOS CRUISING TOURS: SIGHTSEEING TOURS IN HUAY XAY – PAK THA (B/L/D)
The river traffic increases as you pass through a densely populated region accessible only by water. Relax on the deck, in your comfortable cabin or in the lounge and soak up the remote scenery. Today is full of scenic highlights, including the small village of Pak Tha, where you will disembark for a long-tail boat excursion on the Namtha River to visit a Khmu village. You will visit a small village school sponsored by guests of the Mekong Sun. Once back on the Mekong Sun you will continue downstream and anchor at a sandbank. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 5: LAOS CRUISING TOURS IN PAK THA – PAKBENG – PAK OU SIGHTSEEING EXCURSION (B/L/D)
Just a short while after leaving the sandbank, you will arrive in Pakbeng, where you will have a small coffee break at a lodge. Time permitting, you will visit the market before you continue your cruise. The famous Pak Ou Caves are next, with thousands of small Buddha statues inside deep caverns. A short walk through the forest leads to a small village, where you can see the traditional production of the local liquor Lao-Lao. You will spend the night again on a beautiful sand bank. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 6: LAOS CRUISING TOURS: PAK OU – KUANG SI – LUANG PRABANG (B/L/D)
This morning, you cruise further into the south. An excursion will take you to the Kuang Si-falls, one of the most attractive waterfalls in Laos, followed by a visit to an elephant camp, where you will be able to see the big creatures in action(Unless they are busy with an off-site contract by the time of your visit). Today you reach Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 7: LAOS CRUISING TOUR IN LUANG PRABANG – THE UNESCO HERITAGE SITE (B/L/D)
In the early morning, you will able to visit the traditional giving of alms in the streets of Luang Prabang. Breakfast is on board. Today you will experience the town during a full day visit. You will get to know some of the many highlights of this beautiful city, incl. the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple and enjoy the unique atmosphere provided by the abundance of well-preserved French colonial architecture mingling with traditional Buddhist temples. You will celebrate this last evening on board with a farewell dinner. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun.
DAY 8: LAOS CRUISING TOURS: DISEMBARK LUANG PRABANG (B/-/-)
After breakfast, you will say goodbye to your Laotian crew. Check-out and disembark. End of services.
End of Service!
NOTE: Every river cruise on the upper Mekong is a pioneering experience and is subject to constantly changing river conditions, including 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, river and/or road conditions. For safety reasons and according to navigation conditions, these programs may be amended without previous notice.
