Overview – Mekong Cruise Golden Triangle (11 or 12 Days)

Our route: Chiang Rai – Huay Xai – Pak Tha – Pakbeng – Pak Ou – Luang Prabang – Kuang Si – Tha Deua – Pak Lay – Vientiane

Day 1. Mekong Cruise Golden Triangle – Embarkation in Chang Rai (Thailand)

You are collected from Chiang Rai Airport or your hotel within city limits between 08.00 – 09.00 hrs* and brought to the once-notorious Golden Triangle region.  Enjoy a sightseeing city tour, which includes the Golden Buddha of Sop Ruak and the Hall of Opium Museum. The Hall of Opium, sponsored by the royal family of Thailand, provides an in-depth look at the history and politics of the opium trade and health impact of opium use. Later you board your vessel, a boutique German–Laotian river ship, and settle into your comfortable cabin and unpack for an 11-day cruise. In the evening, enjoy the ship’s spacious decks and lounge before attending a welcome dinner and reception.

Overnight: All overnights aboard your boutique river cruise ship.
Meals included: (D)

*We recommend that you arrive the day before.

Mekong Cruise Golden Triangle

Day 2. Mekong Cruise Golden Triangle – Huay Xay – Pak Tha
This morning your grand voyage on the mighty Mekong River really gets underway, with your departure from the Golden Triangle region, where Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Thailand meet. Today’s destination is the nearby Laotian town of Huay Xay on the Laotian-Thai border, where you will officially enter the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos. Your voyage then takes you into northern Laos amid stunning scenery and on to the small village of Pak Tha. Here you take a long-tail boat excursion on the Namtha River to visit a local village of the ethnic minority Khmu. You then continue downstream aboard your cruise ship and anchor at a sand or river bank.

Overnight: onboard
Meals included: (B,L,D)

Day 3. Astonishing Landscapes & remote Villages
The river traffic increases as you pass through a densely populated region accessible only by water. Here you will discover some of this still-untamed river’s most beautiful landscapes: hills covered with tropical vegetation, dramatic rock formations, and a fascinating mixture of fast currents and more placid stretches of river. The power of the mighty Mekong lends your cruise the feeling of a real expedition. Relax on deck, in your cabin, or in the lounge as you absorb the remoteness of these spectacular surroundings. A short while later you arrive in Oudomxai Province.

Overnight: onboard
Meals included: (B,L,D)

Day 4. The Pak Ou Caves
After a relaxing morning onboard, we stop at a small riverside village for a visit of the famous Pak Ou Caves, with thousands of small Buddha statues inside the caverns. From here, you can optionally go on a short jungle trek through the forest to a local village to see their local distillery. Alternatively, you can reach the village comfortably by boat as well. Nearby you can see elephants in action (unless they are employed elsewhere at the time of your visit). Enjoy your Dinner onboard surrounded by impressive limestone mountains.

Overnight: onboard
Meals included: (B,L,D)

Days 5. Luang Prabang – UNESCO World Heritage town  
Today you reach Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin with a city walk to the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple with its Golden tiled roofs will surely leave you in awe. Explore other highlights during this full day excursion through Luang Prabang. In the evening walk up Phou Si-hill, which offers a spectacular view over the Mekong as well as the Khan river and the surrounding mountains, enjoy strolling along the Mekong promenade or visiting the colorful night market of the local Hmong minority. As Luang Prabang offers many opportunities for fine dining, tonight you are free to choose from the numerous offerings in town or along the Mekong River.

Overnight: onboard
Meals included: (B, L)

Day 6. Luang Prabang – the ancient royal capital
In the early morning you can visit the traditional giving of alms in the streets of Luang Prabang and explore the traditional morning market. After your breakfast onboard join in for our guided city tour including the former royal palace, the nowadays National Museum, a local handicraft village and many more. After exploring the city center the afternoon is free at leisure. You can choose from dozens of local restaurants and eateries. Before having dinner onboard, you are celebrating this evening with a local dancing performance and a traditional Lao Baci-friendship ceremony.

Overnight: onboard
Meals included: (B, D)

Day 7. Kuang Si Falls
After breakfast on board, enjoy the beautiful view and spot local fishermen onshore as you cruise further downstream. After a few hours of cruising down-river, you will stop and continue by local Tuk Tuk-Trucks to visit the famous Kuang Si-waterfalls, some of the most remarkable waterfalls in Laos.
In the afternoon don’t miss passing the log of the Xayabouri dam, the biggest hydropower facility in the whole of Laos. This evening we enjoy our famous Mekong River Cruises BBQ dinner in a beautiful riverside location.

Overnight: onboard
Meals included: (B,L,D)

Mekong Cruise Golden Triangle – Kuang Si Waterfalls

Day 8. The farming village Ban Don Saingam  
On the way today, you will visit an almost forgotten cave and experience nature on some easy hiking trails. Enjoy the beautiful view and possibly watch local fishermen along the shore. We also offer presentations on the history and culture of Laos that you are free to join or relax on deck. Enjoy the comfort and service onboard: exclusive, yet casual.

Overnight: onboard
Meals included: (B,L,D)

Day 9. Fascinating rapids & the district town Salakham
Further downstream 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. During the day you will visit the dreamy district town Salakham. The power of the mighty Mekong will give your cruise the feeling of a real expedition. Enjoy the beautiful views and watch nature’s wonders along the riverbanks before you head further downriver and stop for the night.

Overnight: onboard
Meals included: (B,L,D)

Day 10. The Laos capital of Vientiane 
You continue downstream along the “mother of all waters”, as the Mekong is known to the Thais and Laotians. Today’s destination is the Laotian capital of Vientiane, where you will see Pha That Luang Temple, the Lao national symbol, as well as the picturesque Arc de Triomphe. This last evening of your cruise is celebrated with a farewell dinner on board, together with your ever-friendly crew, cruise director, and captain.

Overnight: onboard
Meals included: (B,L,D)

Day 11. Disembarkation in Vientiane (Laos)

After breakfast, say goodbye to your Laotian crew as you check out and disembark (by 10.00 hrs).
Your memorable river journey ends with your transfer to the airport in Vientiane (Laos) or to your hotel (within city limits).

 Meals included:(B)

Mekong Cruise Golden Triangle Route Map (11 Days Downstream):

Golden Triangle

NOTE: Every river cruise on the upper Mekong is a pioneering experience and is subject to constantly changing river conditions, including floodwaters, low water levels, and morning fog. Therefore, please understand that we must reserve the right to alter the itinerary of this tour because of the logistical complexities involved. Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather and river conditions. For safety reasons arising from the existing navigating conditions, these programs may be amended without previous notice.

This journey is generally not for guests with limited mobility or who depend on CPAP machines. If this applies to you, please discuss with us your specific requirements before booking.

• 10 or 11 overnights in selected cabin type aboard your boutique river cruise ship
• Local English- and/or German speaking guides
• Entrance fees for sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary
• Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
• Tours and transfers as mentioned, by air-conditioned vehicles
• Water in the vehicles and on the ship
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
• Coffee, tea, and table water during meal times onboard your boutique river cruise ship
• Presentations and lectures onboard by the cruise director
• Transfers from/to Chiang Rai and Vientiane airports or hotels within city limits (only guaranteed if information was correctly provided 4 weeks prior to embarkation, at the latest)