Flowing down the spine of Southeast Asia, the Mekong River has played a pivotal role in the region’s history, and nowhere more so than in the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Laos. Savor the magnificent scenery of the Mekong River on a private journey from Chiang Rai – the Thailand’s Golden Triangle into the heart of Laos – Luang Prabang. Cruising along formerly inaccessible stretches of Southeast Asia’s most exciting river. Continue a river trip through the province of Champasak, past coffee plantations, hidden temples and thunderous waterfalls all the way to the Cambodian border – and learn how the river continues to shape Laos’ past, present and future onwards to the magnificent Angkor temple complex and end your journey in the vibrant city of Saigon (Vietnam).
Welcome to Thailand/Chiang Rai!
Meet and Greet: Upon arrival, meet and transfer to resort for check-in or dropping off your luggage (Early check-in is NOT included and subject to hotel’s availability).
The remainder of the day is free at leisure.
Highlights: Arrival and welcome
Dinner
Overnight in Chiang Rai at your selected hotel
After breakfast, enjoy excursion with Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort.
The remainder of the day is free at leisure. Lunch and dinner are inclusive at the resort.
Highlights: Excursion with the Anantara Golden Triangle
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Select hotel in Chiang Rai
After breakfast, enjoy excursion with Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort
The remainder of the day is free at leisure
Lunch and Dinner are inclusive at the resort
Hightlights: Excursion with the Anantara Golden Triangle
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight in Chiang Rai at your selected hotel
After early breakfast, check-out of the hotel at 07.30am and transfer overland from your resort to Houeisay border.
Once guests have done Immigration/ Customs formalities, please look for a welcome signboard with your name on and be picked up and transferred by tuk-tuk to the pier for embarking on local longtail boat – Nagas Mekong boat for a cruise down the Mekong to Pakbeng. En route one stop is made to observe the rural life of the river tribes along the Mekong. There is a buffet lunch en route. Arrival in Pakbeng before sunset and check-in at the Pakbeng Lodge. Dinner is at the lodge
Hightlights: Border crossing by private boat
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight in Pakbeng at your selected hotel
After breakfast at the lodge. (Optional: walk to Pakbeng market, where people from the surrounding villages exchange their goods). At 08:30AM board the boat for the second leg of the cruise. A short stop is made to visit a hill tribe village where you can watch the traditional process of Lao whiskey production before a picnic lunch on the sandbank with umbrella. Continue to Pak Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, where you visit the Tam Ting “Caves of a Thousand Buddha’s”. Arrival at Luang Prabang before sunset.
Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel for check-in or dropping off your luggage. The remainder of the day is free at leisure. ***Under early bird promotion and reservations made 60 days prior to check-in date
HighlightS: Disembarking and explore Luang Prabang
Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Luang Prabang at your selected hotel
After breakfast, visit this sacred city of temples with a visit to the National Museum (closed on Tue), the former Royal Palace which was built in 1904 by the French in a fusion of European and Lao design, now is housing a collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue and gifts from foreign dignitaries. Other must-see places include Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple that served as a small museum for religious artifacts.
Continue to visit Vat Phou and Vat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps represent two characters from the Ramayana – Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa. If time permitting, visit the UXO Laos visitor centre, a museum explaining the devastation Laos suffered in the Second Indochina War and how nearly 40 years later death or injury from unexploded ordnance remains an everyday reality in several provinces.
Late afternoon, free at leisure OR optional to visit to Phousi Hill climbing up 328 steps to the summit of Phousi Hill which dominates the sky-line of Luang Prabang offering the finest panoramic view in the whole Luang Prabang, and is a wonderful place to watch the sunset.
Evening, free at leisure or you can walk to the buzzing night market
Hightlights: Explore Luang Prabang
Breakfast
Overnight in Luang Prabang at your selected hotel
You have the option to wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks – an awe-inspiring sight for many travelers. Please tell your guide if you wish to make an offer so he/she can prepare some food for you. This early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning and then return to hotel for breakfast.
Note: With the Morning Alms Giving, if you do not wish to make an offering, please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Dress appropriately – shoulder, chest and legs should be covered.
After breakfast, take a drive (approximately 30km) to Kuang Si Waterfalls, which, although not very high, is spectacular and really beautiful with its green surroundings. Stop en-route to visit a fresh produce market named Talad Phosy, where most of food you will be eating comes from and also visit Ban Na Oune, a small village of a hill-tribe group “H’mong”, probably the best-known minority group in Laos. Just before arriving at Kuang Si waterfalls, visit another village of the K’mu minority group, Ban Tha Pane. On arrival at the waterfalls, a picnic lunch is served. There is plenty of time for relaxing and a swim in the cool water, before heading back to Luang Prabang with the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
Hightlights: Explore Kuang Si Waterfall
Breakfast, lunch
Overnight in Luang Prabang at your selected hotel
After breakfast, free at leisure. 12.00pm check-out of the hotel and free on your own until transferring to the airport for flight to Pakse.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred by land (1 Hour) directly onto boat pier and then take the ferry (20 Minutes) to Done Daeng where the accommodation at La Folie lodge is located next to the ancient town of Champasak, known as Champa Kingdom and Wat Phou, another World Heritage Site in Laos, which became recognized by UNESCO in 2002.
Highlights: Fly to Pakse
Breakfast
Overnight in Pakse at your selected hotel
After breakfast, depart our lodge to visit Pha Suam waterfall and to stroll around the ethnic minority villages of Lao Teung. Then, continue to visit the ruins of Wat Phu, the pre-Angkorian temple, one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatically situated temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao. Wat Phu is one of the Lao World Heritage sites recognized by UNESCO in 2001, this wonderful archeological site of Khmer civilization dates back to the 10th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Here we also have a chance to visit some nearby Khmer temples and Buddhist shrines.
Highlights: Explore Four Thousand Islands
Breakfast
Overnight in Pakse at your selected hotel
After breakfast, enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside by car, and then embark on a long tail boat tour at Hat Say Khoun boat pier of the Don Khone area where during the dry season the waters recede and leave behind thousands of islets, giving this area a lovely name ”Si Phan Done”. We explore the local peaceful villages of Ban Khone, where you will see an array of relics from the French colonial era and retrace the old colonial past, including old French colonial buildings and the remnants of the first Lao railway with it’s locomotive. We continue discover the 4,000 islands area by boat at our leisure to visit the marvelous Liphi waterfall, also called the “Corridor of the Devil” one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the end of Lao border to Cambodia. Then drive to visit Khone Phapheng waterfall, Khone Phapheng is considered the largest waterfall in South East Asia, known as Niagara of the east. Set within an area which is teeming with wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos.
Hightlights: Explore Four Thousand Islands
Breakfast
Overnight in Pakse at your selected hotel
After breakfast, free at leisure. 12.00pm check-out of the hotel and free on your own until transferring to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel for check-in or dropping off your luggage (Early check-in is NOT included & subject to hotel’s availability).
The remainder of the day is free at leisure
Hightlights: Fly to Siem Reap/Cambodia
Breakfast
Overnight in Siem Reap at your selected hotel
In the early morning around 06.00am we wake up early to take a trip to Angkor Temple architectural marvel. In the pond that surrounds it we see reflected mintra see the sunrise.
***Please check with your guide to see what time you would like to enjoy sunrise at Angkor Wat and your guide will be flexible to you and accommodate as per your request
Then, we walk to the backdoor to visit Angkor Wat Temple at level 1, level 2 and level 3, an architectural marvel, one of the world’s most impressive ruins to understand in depth Khmer Culture and Civilization. The temple has fine carvings of Apsaras in stone made during the Angkor period. Return to the hotel for your own breakfast.
Afternoon, take a tuk tuk ride to explore the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom. Its 50-tower temple is an awesome sight. Enter at the Victory Gate before uniquely walking along the 8m high wall through the forest to the less touristy Death Gate. Passing behind the Terraces of Elephants and Leper King walk though the shaded parkland to Phimeanakas and Baphuon temples, learning about the trees and fruits used locally. End our sightseeing this afternoon with a visit to Bayon temple with its iconic carved faces.
If it is desired, enjoy sunset at a less touristy – Pre Rup temple. Alternatively, enjoy a leisurely gondola boat ride on the moat of Angkor Thom and refresh yourselves at glorious sunset with a signature cocktail mixed by a secret recipe.
Highlights: Explore Angkor Temples
Breakfast
Overnight in Siem Reap at your selected hotel
Rise early and beat the crowds at the photogenic Ta Prohm temple of “Tomb Raider” fame, the temple that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. Undisturbed by crowds of tourists you can better appreciate the interplay of man and nature at this magical site. Then, walk through the Sra Srong village – just behind Ta Prom temple exploring the villagers making wooden carvings and palm leave weaving. Enjoy a coffee break & breakfast at one of the villager’ house – Traditional Khmer House and opportunity to interact with the local family.
After breakfast, take a drive to Kampong Khleang FLOATING VILLAGE, a lesser visited part of Tonle Sap Lake. Living on water is an art the Khmer people have mastered over the course of time. Pass through local villages, paddy fields and connect closely with the rural life that surrounds the peaceful town of Siem Reap. Here you will be able to learn about Cambodian village life as well as interacting with the local family /villagers who are making their living from the lake. Continue to explore the small island that forms the heart of Kampong Khleang. It is home to a bustling market, a pagoda, a school and a health centre.
An opportunity to experience Cambodian life style by taking ox cart ride in the village – an old means of Cambodia’s transport. Enjoy home hosted lunch in the village. Head back to Siem Reap with a stop en route to visit the smallest, but magnificent, Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining.
Highlights: Explore Angkor temples
Breakfast, lunch
Overnight in Siem Reap at your selected hotel
After breakfast, free at leisure. 12.00pm check-out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel for check-in or dropping off your luggage (Early check-in is NOT included & subject to hotel’s availability).
The remainder of the day is free at leisure.
Highlights: Fly to Phnom Penh
Breakfast, lunch
Overnight in Phnom Penh at your selected hotel
Highlights: Explore Phnom Penh
Breakfast, lunch
Overnight in Phnom Penh at your selected hotel
Highlights: Embarking Mekong River cruise
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Select boat cruise Aqua Mekong or Jahan cruise
Welcome to the fish sanctuary of Vietnam.
Once arrived on-shore, we hop on “xelois” to see Tan Chau’s vibrant town-life. A “Xe Loi” is a local vehicle which is still used as a taxi in this area. Your personal xeloi driver slowly navigates through the streets to observe all the workshops, houses and shops while feeling the laid-back vibe of this place. We stop at the colourful, local market near one of the town’s temples. This is a great opportunity to interact with the vendors of this friendly town and try your hand at bargaining with them. To see what Tan Chau is famous for, we board local boats and head to a floating fish farm. You are about to get an exclusive look into the world’s largest inland aquaculture industry. Each of the floating structures has netting hanging down into the water to enclose the fish, which are raised and fed on a daily basis. The region’s specialties are tilapia and the Basa catfish, or Pangasius, which is unique to the Mekong River basin and rapidly gaining popularity on the international seafood market.
Back on board and before lunch is served, you may take a dip in the pool. After the meal, our expert guides offer a presentation about life in the Mekong Delta as the ship continues to My An Hung near Sa Dec province. Time stands still here and we receive wonderful insights into the private household of a local family and visit the seasonal vegetable fields to see what they are currently cultivating. We are invited to their house for a Vietnamese tea tasting. Vietnamese tea is often bitter, so locals sweeten it with honey, a regional delicacy also produced by our hosts. The family then presents a huge variety of fruits growing in the delta, freshly cut from the tree. And as an artist group performs a traditional, artistic dragon dance, we snack on these “vitamins bombs”. The sun sets and the light now bathes everything in a golden hue. The surrounding natural beauty is a perfect backdrop for a riverbank gathering with cocktails and dancing with the crew in this remote, secluded location.
Highlights: Mekong River cruise
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Select boat cruise Aqua Mekong or Jahan cruise
In the morning we arrive the island of Binh Thanh, one of the larger islands in the vast stream of the Mekong. Some communities have settled here and make their living by growing water hyacinths. We exclusively visit one of those untouched areas. By wandering through the village we get a deep understanding of the native life. But moreover, we can follow the whole process of their traditional mat making. You can try to experience traditional handicrafts and all ear a story of this island.
Back on-board lunch is served and you have some time to leisurely spend onboard while we cruise along the Mekong. In the early afternoon we arrive in Cai Be, a charming town which is famous for its Catholic French church and their manufacturing of traditional crafts and food products. The floating market of Cai Be is getting smaller every year, since trading on the water is shifting more and more to the modern central markets. We can still see some boat to boat trading of local goods, such as fruits and agricultural products. Our guide will explain all the particulars of this long lasting trading culture. Each boat has a special marker that lets buyers know what goods they are selling. Afterwards we go on-shore to visit a workshop where we learn how rice paste, rice paper, rice cookies and rice wine is manufactured. Cai Be and its surrounding areas are covered by palm trees and hence the region is also famous for the production of coconut candies.
As the sun sets, we invites you to a farewell event. Before dinner, you can enjoy dances and music together with the crew. The ship moors at My Tho.
Highlights: Mekong River cruise
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Select boat cruise Aqua Mekong or Jahan cruise
Highlights: Disembarking and move to Saigon
Breakfast
Overnight in Saigon at your selected hotel
Highlights: Explore Saigon
Breakfast
Overnight in Saigon at your selected hotel
Breakfast
End of services
21 Days – 20 Nights
Year round and best time from December to September of next year
Chiang Rai, Luang Prabang, Pakse, Siem Riep, Phnom Penh, Mekong Delta, Saigon
Accommodation with daily breakfast in the program *Check-in & Check-out time: generally, check-in time is after 02.00pm and Check-out before 12.00pm (noon). Eerly check-in and late checkout are subject to room availability and may generate additional full rate room rate.
Private cruise in Halong/Lan Ha: **cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change upon weather conditions.
Transportations with guide services: all transfers and transportation on tour by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver and stationed English speaking guide in each city.
Air-tickets as mentioned in the itinerary: REP-HAN, HAN-DAD, DAD-CXR & CXR-SGN (Economy class and included airport taxes, 20-23kg checked luggage and 7-12kg hand luggage).
Entrance fees of the scenic spots as per program
Meals as indicated in the itinerary. Not include drinks in the meals
1 bottle of mineral water (500 ml) per pax on airport pick-up and see-off day
2 bottles of mineral water (500 ml) per pax per tour day
Visas and visa stamping fees
Early check-in or late check-out at all hotels
Meals where not indicated in the program
All drinks
One-way sharing seaplane flight from Hanoi to Ha Long
Other air-tickets and train tickets not mentioned in the program and in the inclusion column
International airport taxes
Overweight luggage
Gratuities/ Tipping to guides, drivers, boatman, bellboys...etc (*we recommend USD5-8 per traveller per day as tips for your guides and USD3-5 for your driver, however you might pay more or less depending on their services)
Travel insurance (*we strongly recommend you to buy full coverage travel insurance from your country of origin in advance)
Personal expenses (such as room services, laundry, optional activities …etc)
Optional tours and extra activities
Other services not mentioned in the program and in the inclusion column
Ready to learn something new before starting a journey!
