Mekong River Explorer

We take our connecting flight with Thai Airways to Vientiane, the bustling Lao capital. After clearing customs, we meet our local guide and transfer to the Salana Boutique Hotel, our home for two nights.

Modern Vientiane is a relatively young city, rebuilt by French colonists at the end of the nineteenth century, and this morning we discover the sights of Vientiane with our guide. Our first stop is the busy morning market of Talaat Sao. We continue to Wat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane and home to remarkable frescoes and over 6,000 Buddha images. Close by, Haw Phra Kaew contains some of the finest Buddhist sculptures and artifacts in Laos. We also visit Putousay – the huge victory gate, inspired by the Arc de Triumph, and one of the city’s most photographed images. After lunch, we pass the impressive Friendship Bridge, spanning the Mekong River, as we head out of town to one of Laos’ slightly stranger attractions – Xieng Khuan Buddha Park. Built in 1958 and located on the banks of the Mekong River, the park is home to a large collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures.

Following breakfast at our hotel, we take a long-tail boat ride on the Mekong River to reach our vessel, the RV Laos Pandaw, which is moored a little upstream. Hand-built by traditional craftsmen, the Pandaw fleet are traditionally-styled in brass and teak and customised to navigate the flowing waters of the Mekong River. We are welcomed aboard with a briefing and drinks, before settling into our comfortable cabin. Designed to make our stay relaxing and enjoyable, our cabins offer splendid colonial-era character and are equipped with kimonos and slippers and spa-branded amenities. Each cabin offers panoramic windows and sliding doors to absorb the ever-changing scenery. As our Mekong adventure begins, perhaps enjoy a cocktail as the sun sets, before joining fellow guests for a delicious dinner. We moor this evening at Pak Lay, a small town in the Sainyabuli Province.

Less visited than the Lower Mekong, the Upper Mekong is a beautiful area, home to spectacular scenery, local communities and slow river life. Lao people are known for their quiet and gentle nature and we stop at Pha Laeb, where we take a gentle stroll through the village and observe daily life. Returning to our vessel, take the opportunity to join a fascinating talk about the Lao language. If time permits, we take an afternoon walk at Ban Khok Fark. As evening descends, sip on an aperitif in the lounge and bar, before enjoying a delicious dinner al fresco.

Take in the surrounding mountain scenery as we enjoy breakfast this morning, before we visit the remote village of Ban Pak Bor Khummu. Set amidst lush jungle on the banks of the Mekong, we meet the local tribe and learn more about their way of life. Back on board, we pass through the Xayabouri Hydroelectric Dam, before visiting the Hmong minority village of Ban Na San. Wander through the village and observe the unique styles of the homes, taking the opportunity to interact with the locals and learn more of their culture and traditions. Back onboard, we hope to be rewarded with another spectacular Mekong sunset, prior to joining our fellow passengers and crew for dinner.

Awake to the tranquillity of the river as we cruise to our mooring at the village of Ban Mouang Khai. Our destination is the dramatic Kuang Si Waterfall, a breathtaking tiered waterfall of beautiful turquoise waters and incredible surroundings. We visit the Laos Buffalo Farm, where we learn more about this fascinating social enterprise, which utilises the abundant buffalo in Laos to produce delicious mozzarella, ice cream and other dairy produce. Later, we moor in central Luang Prabang, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage town. As evening falls, we enjoy a traditional Bacci ceremony followed by a time-honoured dance performance on the upper deck of our ship.

Today, we discover the traditional handicrafts of Laos, as our morning starts in Ock Pop Tok, at the Living Crafts Centre. Supporting women from local villages, we learn about Lao textiles and handicrafts, and continue to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Lao musical instruments. Returning to our vessel, we sail towards Ban Chan where we have the chance to take part in a pottery demonstration at a local workshop. We finish our day enjoying stunning views of Luang Prabang from the river on a sunset cruise.

Enjoy a final morning in Luang Prabang before we set sail upstream. Transferring to a smaller local boat, we visit the unique Pak Ou Caves, a sacred Buddhist sanctuary nestled within a limestone cliff. The Tham Ting (lower caves) and Tham Theung (upper caves) host over 4,000 miniature sculptures and statues of Buddha. Sculpted from various materials and ranging in size, these statues have been donated over hundreds of years by local fishermen and residents as offerings for protection. We complete today’s exploration with a visit to Ban Xang Hai, where we learn about the production of local Lao whisky.

Our journey continues at a leisurely pace, allowing us to take in the gentle breezes and stunning scenery. We stop at Ban Ton village where we take a gentle stroll, before continuing our journey upstream. Enjoy the onboard facilities; find a quiet spot with a good book, or simply relax and continue to enjoy the passing scenery. As the evening descends, we join our fellow passengers and crew for a special riverside barbecue and cocktail party.

Laos is known as ‘the land of a million elephants’, and today will be a true highlight as we visit the Mekong Elephant Park, a rescue sanctuary, which protects the elephants of Laos. The centre also provides a sustainable type of employment for Mahouts – an elephant rider, trainer or keeper, who would have once trained these majestic creatures. Later, we visit Ban Pak Sith Khummu, where we learn of rural life in the village. As the day draws to a close, settle back on board with a cocktail in hand.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as we slowly cruise past the ever-changing scenery. At Huayxay we bid a fond farewell to Laos and make the border crossing into Thailand, via the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, rejoining our ship in Chiang Khong. This evening, we indulge in farewell cocktails and delight in a traditional Thai dance performance as we enjoy our final night on board.

Following ten days of cruising the Upper Mekong, we bid a fond farewell to our crew. Disembarking, we board our waiting coach and transfer to the Katiliya Mountain Resort and Spa, where we stay for the next two nights. Set in the verdant countryside of the hills of northern Thailand, with a free afternoon to indulge in the hotel’s facilities, we settle into our accommodation and take in the spellbinding landscape.

Following breakfast, we travel south towards Chiang Mai. Our first stop today is Wat Rong Kun, also known as the White Temple, a contemporary Buddhist temple, designed by one of Thailand’s most famous artists, Chalermchai Kositpipat. We take time to admire its stunning design before lunch at a community enterprise restaurant. Later, we visit Wat Pha Lat, a hidden gem of a temple nestled in the lush mountains of Chiang Mai, and the renowned Doi Suthep temple, a must-see attraction in Chiang Mai. Located at the top of Doi Suthep mountain, enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area and receive a monk’s blessing. We continue to our hotel, the Tamarind Village Chiang Mai, where we stay for our final two nights.

Today, we travel to Mae Tang, where we visit the village of a local Lisu hill tribe community. On arrival, we are welcomed with a traditional drink, and our Lisu guide will take us on a walk through the village to uncover their beliefs and culture. We explore the herbal garden of Ton Lung temple and stroll through alleyways, observing village life. We continue to Araksa Tea Garden, where we are met by a resident plucker, who shows us the art of plucking tea leaves and how to make tea by hand. This evening, we enjoy a ‘Khantoke’ dinner, the traditional northern Thai form of dining, at the Old Cultural Centre. As we dine, we are entertained by traditional dance and music performances from the ethnic hill tribes – a spectacular way to end our amazing adventure through Laos and Northern Thailand.

We have a final day at leisure to enjoy the city of Chiang Mai. Perhaps relax by the hotel pool or go hunting for last minute souvenirs. A late check out has been arranged for our convenience. Later in the afternoon, it is time to say goodbye to this magical part of Asia and we travel to the airport for our Emirates flights, via Bangkok and Dubai, to the UK.

Arriving into our chosen airport this morning, with a host of memories, our amazing Southeast Asian journey comes to a close.