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.
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