LUANG PRABANG | Mekong Sun Cruise (6 days)

The Mekong is considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful and wildest rivers. Discovering it aboard our Mekong Sun/Explorer river cruise ships and during numerous stops along the way is an unforgettable experience. A cruise on the Mekong is as exciting, diverse and surprising today as at the time it was explored by Lagreé and Garnier, the two Frenchmen who were the first western surveyors to reach the region. Their expedition of 1866-68 moved up the river in small dugout canoes. As they were at the mercy of the elements – sun and rain, intense heat and cold - their journey was an extremely dangerous and strenuous affair. Today, the journey is considerably more comfortable although the river is still a wild force of nature, and it rarely flows with the same calm and ease as it does near Luang Prabang.

Name	Mekong Sun Cruise
Duration	6 days / 5 nights
Price from	1500 USD / pax (based on cabin sharing)
Itinerary in short	Day 1 : Luang Prabang embarkation Day 2 : Luang Prabang city tour Day 3 : Luang Prabang / Pak Ou Day 4 : Cruising to Taxuang Day 5 : Cruising to Pakbeng Day 6 : Cruising to Huay Sai Day 7 : Cruising to Golden Triangle Day 8 : Disembark

TRAVEL NOTES
• Minimum group size : the cruise requires a minimum of 5 passengers to operate
• Programme subject to modification: Every river cruise on the upper Mekong is a pioneering experience and is subject to constantly changing river conditions, including from flood waters and shallows. Therefore please understand that we must reserve the right to alter the itinerary of this tour due to the logistical complexities involved. Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, local authorities and river and/or road conditions. For safety reasons and according to navigation conditions, these programs may be amended without previous notice.
• Daily schedule : The trip description gives you a good idea of what you can expect of your Mekong River Cruise. You will get a daily schedule with your travel documents. Because the daily agenda depends on river conditions, including water levels and other local factors, we will keep you informed of all new developments and next day’s plans in our daily briefing, which will take place in the evenings. Due to the adventurous nature of the trip, it will not be possible to always stick to the exact schedule for every day. Any trip on the Mekong entails sudden and unexpected changes of plans. In any case we organize an interesting and diverse programme for you.
• Landing docks : There are very few landing stages on the Mekong River. Often you will embark and disembark over the boat’s gangway, occasionally crossing wide sandy riverbanks. We make sure any docks you use are safe. Our staff will always help you arrive safely on land and will see to the transportation of your luggage
• Caution on board : Please be carefull when walking around the ship while en route. Even though there will not be any major waves, the boat does sway back and forth occasionally, and the river presents some narrow bends. The ships have corners you can bump into or thresholds that can trip the unwary. No matter how careful the crew, some spray does occasionally make its way onto the deck, which may make it slippery. Please do not throw anything overboard, including cigarette butts.
• Laundry : There are no laundry facilities on board. You can have your clothes cleaned in bigger towns like Chiang Saen or Luang Prabang
• Shoes and clothing : Please remember that it can get quite cold at night during the winter months (November to February), it can cool down to about 8 degrees Celsius. Make sure to bring warm clothes. Daytime temperatures often reach 23 to 25 degrees Celsius – in the summer temperatures can be even warmer than that. Please also pack a jacket for ocassionally strong winds onboard the ship. You will need comfortable and solid shoes with sturdy soles for all land excursions. When visiting a Buddhist temple or other holy sites, remember to bring footwear that can be taken off and put on easily, as shoes must be removed before entering all temples

DAY 1 : LUANG PRABANG EMBARKATION (-/-/D)
In the afternoon, you will embark at one of the German-Laotian owned river ships Mekong Sun and/ or Explorer. These are comfortable new cabin cruiser on the upper Mekong. (Check in is at 2:00 PM.) Settle into your accommodating cabin and unpack for a four-day cruise. Your program begins with a walk and visit at the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple, Wat Khili and Wat Sene as well. Enjoy the spacious decks, lounge on board and attend our welcome reception, baci ceremony, Lao Dances performance and dinner this evening. A selection of Asian and European food will be provided throughout the evening. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.

DAY 2 : LUANG PRABANG CITY TOUR (B/L/-)
During a full day visit you will get to know some of the highlights of this beautiful city, the National Museum in the morning include. After Lunch trip by minivan for a visit Wat Visoun, Wat Manorom and Sa-Paper-Village at the Nam Khan River outside town. In the late afternoon walk up Phou Si-hill, which offers a spectacular sunset view over the Mekong as well as the Khan river and the surrounding mountains. Enjoy the unique atmosphere provided by the abundance of well-preserved French colonial architecture mingling with traditional Buddhist temples. In the evening enjoy strolling along the Mekong promenade or visiting the colorful night market of the local Hmong minority. For Dinner on your own our Cruisedirector and/ or Lao Staff will recommend you some of the best local and international restaurants in town. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.

DAY 3 : LUANG PRABANG / PAK OU (B/L/D)
In the early morning you will able to visit the traditional giving of alms in the streets of Luang Prabang. Today your spectacular cruise begins with the departure from Luang Prabang. You will cruise north and visit a Laotian village, observe the traditional production of Lao-Lao, the local liqueur. 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. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.

DAY 4 : TAXUANG (B/L/D)
Today is a day to take it all in – relax on deck, in your comfortable cabin or in the lounge and soak up the untouched scenery. The river traffic thins out as you proceed upstream, and you can enjoy the fantastic landscapes along the river. In the afternoon, you will visit a small village school sponsored by guests of the Mekong Sun/ Explorer. Overnight on the boat.

DAY 5 : PAKBENG (B/L/D)
The diversity of the landscape is astonishing, now shifting to tropical hills in the background. Enjoy the tranquility of northern Laos, a real retreat from the hustle-and-bustle of daily life. Later, that day you will have a short stop in the market town of Pakbeng. As you cruise along the green hills, you will start heading upstream towards Pak Tha. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.

DAY 6 : PAK THA / HUAY SAI / CHIANG KHONG (B/L/D)
As you cruise along the green hills, you will start heading upstream towards Pak Tha. At Pak Tha, a small village, you will take off on a long-tail boat excursion on the Namtha River to visit a Khmu village. You will also visit a small village school sponsored by guests of the Mekong Sun/ Explorer. The purely natural landscape is only broken by the seldom sights of small villages and local herds of cattle. Enjoy the comfort and service onboard: exclusive, yet casual, you’ll share the boat with no more than 26 fellow guests. Today you proceed to the Thai-Laotian border at Chiang Khong (Thailand) and Ban Huay Sai (Laos). You will then spend a last relaxing dinner and evening in Laos. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.

DAY 7 : GOLDEN TRIANGLE (B/L/D)
Today is spent on an excursion to the Golden Triangle area at Chiang Saen, where you will visit the Golden Buddha of Sop Ruak and the new Hall of Opium. This fascinating museum, sponsored by the royal family of Thailand, gives a deep background on the history and politics of the opium trade and the health effects of opium abuse. This last evening on board will be celebrated with a farewell dinner. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.

DAY 8 : DISEMBARK (B/-/-)
After breakfast you will say goodbye to your Laotian crew. Check-out and disembark

Depending on season and water level the check-out will either be at Chiang Saen or Chiang Khong. (Regularly until early December the check-out will be at Chiang Saen, afterwards until May it will be Chiang Khong.)

This is a sample itinerary so the cost really depends on the number of people in your group and time of travel. Please send us your enquiry for availabilities & the most up dated price.

INCLUSION
• Transfer in private shuttle or tuk tuk to boat pier in Luang Prabang
• 7 overnights on board Mekong Sun/Mekong Explorer with daily breakfast (B)
• Meals: as indicated in above itinerary (L = Lunch, D =Dinner)
• Complimentary coffee, tea and water during meal time
• Complimentary water and tissues on coach
• All excursions and necessary admission fees
• Presentation and lectures by your cruise director
• Local English- speaking guide
• 24/24h assistance from our company
• Service charges and government tax

EXCLUSION
• Travel insurance
• Visa to Laos and Thailand
• Drink and beverage
• Personal expenses
• Camera fees (if any)
• Tips for guide & driver
• Surcharge in peak season (Christmas, New Year, local public holidays)
• Other items than mentioned in the program
• Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.

ACCOMMODATION
The river vessel Mekong Sun is a very comfortable ship capable of mastering the wild sections of the upper Mekong. Accommodation and service is top level and guests enjoy a very exclusive yet casual travelling experience, while they reside in comfortable cabins or enjoy the services of the reataurant or bar . A selection of Asian and continental food is provided throughout the cruise. Special requirements can be catered for and wine, beer as well as spirituous beverages are available.

On the Mekong Sun there will be neither captain’s dinner nor any entertaining games like bingo. Rather than that, guests will go on exciting offshore excursions and enjoy a programme with profound travel information in form of presentations, speeches and films on relevant topics. Among many others, the French Mekong Expedition of the 1860s, the daily life of a Buddhist novice or the plants and fruits of the Mekong region will be the subjects.

The exclusive river vessel Mekong Sun (built in 2006) enables you to go on a comfortable journey, which seemed impossible for ages: over 450 miles of travelling along fantastic river landscapes, passing by World Heritage Sites and aboriginal villages. Safe and comfortable travelling with only 28 guests on board is guaranteed, while you watch the incredible landscapes of this partly untamed river pass by.

The upper Mekong is one of the most difficult rivers in the world to navigate. Your comfortable cruise ship Mekong Sun masters tight gorges, labyrinths of sandbanks and mounts violent chutes. Water levels are prone to drop or rise about 2 m overnight on this part of the Mekong and quiet and calm parts of the river alternate with most dramatic and exciting shore sceneries: Tropical lush green mountains, impressive rock formations and secluded villages along the river banks.

The Mekong Sun facts
• Built in Laos in 2006
• 2 decks with 11 classic cabins on the main deck (12 m²/129 sq ft), all facing out onto the water and with wide sliding windows with a French balcony providing a fantastic view of the passing landscapes
• 3 superior cabins, one in the bow of the main deck (16 m²/172 sq ft), two on the upper deck (18 m²/194 sq ft). The two cabins on the upper deck have their own small private balcony; the one in the bow has a superb panoramic view to the front
• All cabins with en-suite shower/WC and air-conditioning
• Large sun deck with bar service and restaurant/bar area
• All guided offshore excursions and meals are included