Cruising Down the Upper Mekong River 9 Days

Day 1: Chiang Khong/Houei Say/Pakbeng (L, D, G)

Upon arrival at Chiang Khong airport, Thailand, you’ll be met and taken across the Mekong River to Houei Say in Laos where your Lao guide will be waiting to greet you. You will then board a traditional boat for a trip down the Mekong River to visit Pakbeng, here, you’ll see the daily life of the local hill tribe villagers as they trade their goods at the vibrant local market. You’ll spend the night in Pakbeng.

Day 2: Pakbeng/Pak Ou Cave/Luang Prabang (B, L, D, G)

After breakfast, you will pass areas of un-spoilt forest and riverside villages, including a fishing village rice-wine making village. Later, we will visit the Pak-Ou caves, where thousands of Buddha statues are stored. Arriving in Luang Prabang around sunset, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. You’ll have time to relax before your car arrives to take you to a fine restaurant for dinner. You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang (B, L, G)

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will take you to visit the Wat Xieng Thong the roofs of which sweep low to the ground, typical of the classical architecture of Luang Prabang. The morning will culminate with a stroll around Wat Mai temple and a visit to the ‘Day Market’.

After lunch, a climb up the steps to the top of Mount Phousi provides a panoramic view of the ancient royal city and the Mekong River - the evening views can be spectacular if there’s a good sunset. Mount Phousi also has many shrines and votive statues, topped by a large gilded stupa. The rest of the day will be free. You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

In the evening, you’ll be free to stroll around the city’s Night Market, where you can purchase items hand woven by the local people from the ethnic minority communities in and around Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang/Kuangsi Waterfall/Luang Prabang (B, L, G)

This is the morning when you need your alarm clock! Early in the morning after a sustaining beverage and a small snack, you’ll witness one of Laos’ unique ceremonies – the daily ‘alms giving’ ritual of saffron-clad monks walking in a long line holding black bowls to receive offerings from local people. The traditional gift is a handful of ‘sticky rice’, but nowadays money is equally acceptable. You’ll then return to your hotel for a proper breakfast.

Later, you’ll cycle to the Kuangsi Waterfalls, a serene beauty spot where you can splash around in the pools or stroll the forest paths. From there, you’ll return to Luang Prabang and continue to the weaving village of Ban Phanom. It’s quite commercial, but if you look carefully you can pick up some authentic hand-woven material – they make good souvenirs.

Day 5: Luang Prabang/Vientiane (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll be driven to the airport for your morning flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, you’ll be taken to your hotel. After a short rest, you will start your walk to the Lao Capital. You’ll visit Wat Sisaket, a temple hosting thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo. You’ll also visit Luang Stupa, stopping to take some pictures of the Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Your overnight accommodation will be in Vientiane.

Day 6: Vientiane/Pakse/Champassak/Wat Phou (B, L, D, G)

In the early morning, you’ll board a flight to Pakse, upon arrival you’ll be met and taken to board the Vat Phou cruise, a boutique floating hotel, journeying south for Champassak, in time for a riverside lunch. In the afternoon you’ll have a guided tour of the mysterious pre-Angkorian 10th century temple of Wat Phou. As dusk falls you’ll board the Vat Phou for a relaxing sunset cruise down-river. Dinner will be served on board as the boat docks for the night alongside a remote Laotian village, spending the night on board.

Day 7: Huei Thamo/Oum Moung Temple/Khong Island (B, L, D, G)

Enjoy breakfast on board, as you set sail for the village of Huei Thamo, only a few minutes walk away from the temple of Oum Moung. Afterwards rejoin the boat for a cruise southwards and lunch on the deck, while we continue our leisurely sail further south to the region of the “4,000 islands” at Ban Dua Tae,a Laotian Village where the traditional way of life has not changed in centuries. Returning on board for dinner under the stars, perhaps accompanied by the songs of buffalo toads. You’ll spend the night on board the Vat Phou.

Day 8: Ban Veuthong/Khonphabeng waterfall/Pakse (B, L, G)

Today we will cruise to the small village of Ban Veuthong where we will board a small long-tail boat to Khone Island, followed by lunch on the main land amid the by-gone splendid of another age; colourful French colonial houses and an old customs post. Later, we’ll take a drive to Khong Pha Peng waterfall, “the Niagara of the East“, close to the Cambodian border after which you’ll find a private vehicle waiting to return you to Pakse and your hotel.. You’ll spend the night in Pakse.

Day 9: Pakse/Vientiane departure (B, DP)

Free time until transferred to the airport for your flight to Vientiane in good time to connect your departure flight. Tour ends.