Mekong Pearl

The trip on the Mekong River begins this morning with the starting point in the Golden Triangle representing the region coinciding with the rural mountains of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.

You will officially come to the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos after stopping near the Laotian town of Huay Xay on the borders of Laos and Thailand.

Then you can visit northern Laos with fabulous views and head to Pak Tha village. The long-tail boat will take you across Namtha River to see ethnic minority Khmu village.

The next destination is a small school funded by the travelers of Mekong River Cruises. Afterward, the cruise ship keeps downstream and anchors the riverbank or at the sand.

Overnight on board.

During the time of passing the populated area reached only by water, you will experience the untamed river’s most fascinating scenery: hills overlaid with tropical plants, breathtakingly unique rock formations, and a stunning mixture of slow and fast water. Mekong makes you feel the expedition in reality. On the way to visit the local village, enjoy the remoteness of the breathtaking landscape on deck, cabin or the lounge.

Overnight on board.

After morning time on board, we will visit the well-known Pak Ou Caves with thousands of small Buddha statues located at a small riverside village. There are two routes to get there. The first option is a short trek across the forest to see their local distillery. The second one is to reach the village by boat and see the elephants in action nearby (They can be employed elsewhere so you might not see them). In the evening, we have a famous Mekong River Cruises BBQ dinner by the riverside. Overnight on board.

You will visit the former royal capital of Laos, named Luang Prabang, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. First, we take a city walk to Wat Xieng Thong temple with its Golden tiled roofs that surely impress you. During the day, we will explore other must-see points. This evening we walk up Phou Si-hill, where you can see over the Mekong as well as the Khan River and the nearby mountains, stroll along the Mekong promenade, or enter the lively night market of the Hmong minority. The Luang Prabang offers several chances for great dining, you can select freely to have dinner in town or along the Mekong River. Overnight on board.

You can visit the common giving of alms in Luang Prabang’s street or discover the habitual morning market in the early morning. After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to the Laotian crew. Check-out and disembark. The journey with many great memories ends after taking you to your hotel or the airport (Limits among the city).

Early start the day today as you make it into the town to participate in the morning alms-giving ceremony as the monks make their ways around the town.

Afterward, back on board for breakfast to energize for the new days. Spend the leisure time on board as the ship make its way southbound towards places you haven’t seen before. Dinner and overnight on board.

As the ship makes its way on the river, there are many opportunities to admire the unique sights of the surrounding and the people living by the shore. The further the sail the more incredible the scenery is. Take in the true green jungle on the towering landscape as you escape from the concrete ones. Overnight on board.

Today excursion is for all nature lover with a journey to the sapphire waterfall of Kuang Si. Start with a short tuk tuk ride to the entrance. Start a short hike up to reach the fall and by the trail, you can find all kind of plants and insects. Admire the fall, and if you are so inclined, take a short dip in the lagoon before going back on board for lunch.

Afternoon today, we return back to the bank of Luang Prabang.

Enjoy the fantastic BBQ on board as the ship sail slowly.

After breakfast, make the trek through the mysterious jungle toward the destination of the day – Pak Ou Caves. There is also the alternative of taking the boat ride to the caves. Arrive at the cave, and marvel at the sheer size of the case and the number of Buddha Images with different depictions.

Return back on board as we make our way back to Luang Prabang. Begin the afternoon with a climb to the Phou Si Mountain. Upon reaching the top, you will be rewarded with a bird’s eye view of the surrounding region.

When the evening approaches, take a walk to the narrow lanes by the Mekong River and take in the life around you. In this town, you can also find the local ethnic minority of Hmong.

Return back on board for the farewell dinner and later Baci ceremony.

After breakfast, check out of the cruise, and you will be taken to either your hotel or the airport in Luang Prabang.

Notice: the itinerary might change at the last minute, and we are not responsible for the replacement. The cause is related to the climatic conditions, alterations to cruise schedules, or other operational factors.

As the ship makes its way on the river, there are many opportunities to admire the unique sights of the surroundings and the people living by the shore. The further the sail the more incredible the scenery is. Take in the true green jungle on the towering landscape as you escape from the concrete ones.

Overnight on board.

Continue north toward the town of Luang Prabang. Admire the spectacular rock formations and the green wild forest covering the grounds. Have a chance to see and participate in life at the village of Salakham. Return back on board then we resume the journey up north against the age-old current of Mekong River.

Overnight on board.

After breakfast, we start the day at Ban Dom Saingam. Leaving the ship and by foot, we will hike to the secluded cave which is reserved only for the passengers on board. On the way, get yourself lost in the tranquil atmosphere with some callings from cattle and the herders as they navigate them toward the feeding ground.

Enjoy a BBQ dinner on a spot by the river. Overnight on board.

While enjoying the breakfast, you can take in the gorgeous sights by the river and maybe catch a village doing laundry. Today’s highlight is one of Laos’ biggest dam that provide electricity all around the country – Xayabouri Dam.

Then afternoon visit to a hill tribe that is supported by the cruise.

Enjoy the final dinner on board this evening.

Today excursion is for all nature lover with a journey to the sapphire waterfall of Kuang Si. Start with a short tuk tuk ride to the entrance. Start a short hike up to reach the fall and by the trail, you can find all kind of plants and insects. Admire the fall, and if you are so inclined, take a short dip in the lagoon before going back on board for lunch.

Afternoon today, we make the way to the bank of Luang Prabang. Check-out of the cruise and you will be transferred to your hotel or the airport in Luang Prabang.

Early birds can take part in the Alms giving ceremony this morning - a very sacred ritual of Laotian.

Today's excursion is for all nature lovers with a journey to the sapphire waterfall of Kuang Si. Start with a short tuk-tuk ride to the entrance. Start a short hike up to reach the fall and by the trail, you can find all kinds of plants and insects. Later, I went back on board for lunch.

Afternoon’s highlight is one of Laos’ biggest dam that provides electricity all around the country – Xayabouri Dam.

The ship docks in a sandbank tonight.

After breakfast, we start the day at Ban Dom Saingam. Leaving the ship and by foot, we will hike to the secluded cave which is reserved only for the passengers on board. On the way, get yourself lost in the tranquil atmosphere with some callings from cattle and the herders as they navigate them toward the feeding ground.

Enjoy a BBQ dinner on a spot by the river. Overnight on board.

Continue north toward the town of Luang Prabang. Admire the spectacular rock formations and the green wild forest covering the grounds. Have a chance to see and participate in the life at the village of Salakham. Return back on board then we resume the journey down south along with the age old current of Mekong River. Overnight on board.

As the ship makes its way on the river, there are many opportunities to admire the unique sights of the surroundings and the people living by the shore. The further the sail the more incredible the scenery is. Take in the true green jungle on the towering landscape as you escape from the concrete ones. Overnight on board.

The afternoon today, we make the way to the bank of Luang Prabang. Check-out of the cruise for your onward journey.

In the morning, the once-in-a-lifetime experience officially begins with the first point from the Golden Triangle region where borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. You will visit a place near Huay Xay belonging to Laos on the Laos- Thailand border. Then, you board a ship through the fabulous views of northern Laos to the Pak Tha’s small village. Afterwards, the long-tail boat will take you to Khmu village passing Namtha River. You keep downriver and enjoy the atmosphere there until the cruise vessel anchors on the sand during night time. Overnight on board.

Passing the abundant population area reached by water only, you will explore the most stunning scenery: hills overlaid with tropical plants, breathtakingly unique rock formations, and a fabulous mixture of slow and fast water. You will experience an exploration of reality through the power of the Mekong River. Enjoy the magical atmosphere of these amazing environments in the lounge, your cabin, or on deck. Enter Oudomxay Province after a while. Overnight on board.

After a great morning on board, we will visit the famous Pak Ou Caves, located at a small riverside village, with thousands of small Buddha statues inside. Now, you can go on a boat or trek through the forest to the local village to view the distillery. Not far away, the elephants may work (unless they are employed elsewhere at the time of your visit). It is surrounded by incredible limestone mountains and enjoy your dinner on board. Overnight on board.

Now, we head to UNESCO World Heritage Site- Luang Prabang known as the former capital of Laos. First is the city walk tour to well-known Wat Xieng Thong temple gold-coloured rim tile roofs, which impresses you. You will visit other must-see destinations during this round trip through Luang Prabang. Walking up Mount Phou Si to see breathtaking views of the Mekong and Khan Rivers and the surrounding mountains. You will be attracted by the walkway along the Mekong or join the lively Hmong night market. There are various cuisines in Prabang for you to select from their offerings beside the Mekong River and in town. Overnight on board.

If you wake up early, you can see the common giving of alms in the street of Luang Prabang, and experience the peaceful morning market. After having breakfast on board, the guided city tour will consist of the National Museum of Luang Prabang in an old royal palace and a local handicraft village. After that, you are free to explore the city center with many places such as local shops, restaurants, or cafeterias. Before dinner time on board, you join the Baci friendship commemoration and a celebration of performing a traditional Lao dance. Overnight on board.

The breakfast served on board, you savor the amazing views and may see the spot local fishermen onshore when you board farther downriver. After a couple of hours, you will travel by tuk-tuks to see the breathtaking Kuang Si Falls, considered the most beautiful masterpiece of nature in the whole country. In the afternoon, do not forget the Xayaburi Dam, the largest hydroelectric power plant in Laos. You can enjoy a delicious Mekong River Cruises barbecue dinner along the river bank. Overnight on board.

Now, you will discover the hidden cave and feel natural by some simple hiking trails. In the afternoon, you see the stunning scenery on the sun deck or join the talk about Laos’s history and culture. Then, you take a rest on board, and have a good time served by a boutique ship in a particular but casual air. Overnight on board.

The landscapes become more and more remarkable when downstream with the hills covered by tropical plants, dramatic rock formations along riversides, and different array speeds of rivulets. Then head to the magnificent town of Salakham. You can feel the real expedition by the power of the mighty Mekong. You enjoy the splendid scenery and see the wonders of nature along the riversides before the vessel goes downstream and anchors for the night. Overnight on board.

You keep downriver along with the Mekong, and is considered the “Mother of All Waters”. Laotian capital-Vientiane is the next stop where you see the Pha That Luang stupa known as an architectural symbol of Laos, and Patuxai is considered the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane. Last is the evening celebration of your cruise with a bon voyage dinner on board, with the kind crew, cruise director, and captain. Overnight on board.

After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to your Laotian crew. You check out and disembark your boutique ship before transferring to the airport or your local hotel. What an unforgettable experience!

The experience on the Mekong River begins with an upriver route where travelers can see the most breathtaking and stunning scenery. In the afternoon, you enjoy the splendid landscape and the wonders of nature along the Mekong riversides before the vessel anchors at a peaceful place to have a night off. Overnight on board.

The views are more and more astounding in further north: hill overlaid tropical plants, dramatic rock formations, and fast currents and sluggish rivulets. You have a day to discover the dreamy town of Salakham and you will feel like an expedition in reality by the power of the impressive Mekong. Do not forget to enjoy the scenic landscape and nature’s wonders along the riverside before the boutique reaches the north and stay there for a night. Overnight on board.

Go upriver, you will visit Ban Don Saingam, where the trekking in 30 minutes to discover the cave takes place by Mekong River Cruises guests. The entirely natural environment is only broken by the rare sightings of tiny communities and local livestock herds. Overnight on board.

You can catch the wonderful landscape and local fishermen along the bank when having breakfast on board. Remember to visit the largest hydroelectric power plant in Laos called Xayaburi Dam. During the afternoon, you see the life of a small tribe living in the hill, who are often visited by tourists and assisted by funds. Overnight on board.

The tour guide will take you to Kuang Si Falls, one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Laos in the morning. The afternoon is for Luang Prabang, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former royal Laotian capital. Walking up Mount Phou Si at night to see the stunning view of the Mekong and Khan Rivers and then mountains around. Afterwards, you can take a walk along Mekong bank and join the Hmong night market before dining on board and participating in a Lao dance and a Baci friendship celebration. Overnight on board.

You can experience the common giving of alms in Luang Prabang’s street  and local morning market in the early time. Then you have an on board breakfast and guided city tour, including the National Museum, located in an old royal palace then a traditional handicraft village. The afternoon is for you to discover the city by yourself. There are many offers for dining in Luang Prabang so you can select one of the famous restaurants within town or Mekong’s riverside. Overnight on board.

While you have breakfast, go upstream and head to the must-see Pak Ou Caves where the thousands of small Buddha statues are placed. From this, you can trek acrossing the forest or by boat to the riverside village and see the distillery. The elephants are nearby unless they go somewhere else to work. Upstream to Oudomxay Province in the afternoon. Overnight on board.

There is less traffic to the upstream and you can have a great time in peaceful surroundings. Relax on your accommodation, lounge or deck and feel the atmosphere as the great views get more fabulous: hills overlaid tropical flora, dramatic rock formations in riverside, fast currents and sluggish rivulets. You can feel the exploration in reality by the power of the strong Mekong. Overnight on board.

Avoid the speedy daily life and relax on deck to see the views around and the peace of northern Laos. You will reach Pak Tha when the ship passes the green hills.

Join a long-tail boat excursion on the Namtha River, which takes you to a nearby Khmu village, whose school has been sup-ported by donations from Mekong River Cruises guests for many years. In the evening, in an ideal riverbank location, you have a tasty Mekong River Cruises barbecue dinner. Overnight on board.

Say goodbye to the Laotian crew after breakfast and check out. Before noon you reach Ban Huay Xay and disembark your boutique ship. After visiting the temple and traditional market you will pass the Thailand-Laos border at Friendship Bridge before transferring to the airport or your local hotel at Chiang Rai city limits. It is difficult to say goodbye and the voyage will instill in your memory.