The Mekong: From Laos To China
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Overview
Highlights
- Enjoy watching lush jungle scenery and tiny riverside villages
- Cherish moments in walking tour of Ban Park Bor (Kmu Tribal) Village
- Visit the jungle pools and dramatic Khaung Si waterfall
- Enjoy the beauty and unique atmosphere of Luang Prabang on your own explorations ashore
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Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- Cruise Price Includes: Entrance fees
- Guide services (English language)
- Gratuities to crew
- Main meals
- Locally made soft drinks
- Local beer and local spirits
- Jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes
- Mineral water
- Transfers from Vientiane or Udon Thani to ship in Vientiane or v.v. Transfers from Jinghong airport/hotel to ship in Jinghong
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Itinerary
Please note this cruise is not suitable for those with walking difficulties.
Low Water Itinerary: Passengers booking in the low water season months of December to March are advised that in the event that the ship's master decides that the water is too low, it w...
Today we cruise upstream on the Mekong, passing lush jungle scenery and tiny riverside villages. Morning presentation on the Lao language. Afternoon cooking demonstration on the upper deck. Arrive in Ban Xanakham where we more overnight.
Afternoon visit to the French administrative town of Pak Lai with many colonial buildings and a bustling local market. This town boasts the largest elephant festival in South East Asia, usually in February. We return to the ship at Ban Muang where we overnight.
Afternoon visit and walking tour of Ban Park Bor (Kmu Tribal) Village, a typical village, set on the banks of the Mekong amidst lush jungle.
In the morning we pass the newly constructed lock that forms part of the Xanyaburi Hydro Electric Power Plant. Continue upstream to the village of Ban Mouang Khai.
Morning sightseeing by mini coach to visit the jungle pools and dramatic Khaung Si waterfall. We also visit a butterfly garden and elephant camp. Arrive in the heart of the temple city of Luang Prabang. After lunch, explore by tuktuk this well-preserved and unique wor...
Early morning walking tour to see the alms offering by the local people to hundreds of monks who walk around the city every morning. Passengers are invited to join in with offerings we provide for the alms giving. Morning walking tour visiting the National Museum and ...
Morning sightseeing by local boat exploring the unique Pak Ou Caves, a Buddhist sanctuary with spectacular limestone cliff faces. Sail upstream on the beautiful Mekong towards Ban Bo. After lunch, enjoy a cooking demonstration on the upper deck.
Morning walking tour of the market town of Pak Beng. After lunch, if time permits, we explore Ban Pak Sip, a traditional riverside village full of charm and life.
Scenic cruising to the border between Laos and Thailand at Huay Say. Here we cross into Thailand where our waiting transport takes you to re-join the ship at the bustling and pretty Thai port town of Chiang Khong. Afternoon visit the Golden Triangle and Opium Museum. Enjoy farewell cocktails and dinner on board the Champa Pandaw tonight.
Sailing on the dramatic upper Mekong arriving at Ban Pha Khao. Afternoon village walk up steep track up a hill with a small temple and stunning panoramic views of the surrounding jungle and valleys. Continue to Ban Don Moon where we overnight.
Continue up the Mekong with Burma on our left and Laos on our right. Arrive at Ban Na Kor (Sob Luoy Port) for sail on to a remote sand bank where we moor for the night. Tonight experience sandbank canapés and cocktails followed by local Laos folklore stories and traditional floating fire lanterns
Arrive in China at Guan Lei Port, take a walking tour and pass immigration. We are now in Yunnan Province, China - the only luxury ship to make this incredible journey. Continue on the Mekong in China past magnificent scenery of dramatic, scenic hillsides.
Arrive in Jinghong, founded in 1180 by Tai King Phanya Coeng. Its turbulent history has been influenced by Thai, Burmese and Chinese occupations, which can be seen in the buildings and the local language. After lunch, visit the Tropical Plants Research Institute and M...
Disembark after breakfast.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Pandaw.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Julie
Jan 2017
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Tour Operator
The Pandaw experience is all about exploring remote and often hard-to-navigate rivers and coasts in specially-designed luxury small ships.
Each ship, hand-crafted in brass and teak, is an object of beauty in itself. A Pandaw adventure is very different from that offered on an ocean-going cruise. The ships are small scale, and the atmosphere is informal, and very friendly.
Our Ships
We have sixteen beautifully crafted Pandaw ships in operation that we built ourselves – plus our first coastal ship the Andaman Explorer. Each ship, hand-finished in brass and teak by traditional craftsmen, is itself an object of great beauty.
The secret of our success is that, whilst luxury and comfort are ever-present, on our ships it is the colonial-era character and friendly atmosphere that predominate. All our Pandaws have ultra-shallow drafts and can travel to remote areas, which are unreachable by other passenger-carrying vessels, let alone overland.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Cruise Price Excludes: International flights
- Port dues (if levied)
- Laundry
- All visa costs
- Fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions)
- Imported beverages such as wines, premium spirits and liqueurs
- Fancy soft drinks like Perrier, espressos and cappuccinos at bar and
- Tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers
Transportation & Flights
Transportation & flights
The Champa Pandaw, sister ship of the Laos Pandaw, began cruises on the Upper Mekong from September 2016. The ship has quality mountain bikes for your independent exploration. Accommodation 12 main deck & 2 upper deck staterooms Staterooms are 16 square meter (170 sqf), finished in teak and brass Panoramic french sliding doors Kimonos and slippers Spa-branded amenities Unlimited mineral water Electric mini safe Imported quality linens with duvet and two kind of pillows Premium mattresses Convertible bed configuration Welcome flower arrangement and welcome gift Mirror Multi-configuration plugs Generous closet space and under-bed storage Hair dryer Daily nightly turndown service 24hr laundry service Complimentary evening canapés
Built in 2016 in Thailand Berths: 28 pax Length: 44.50 m Beam: 8.90 m Draft: 1.20 m
Cruise Cancellation and Refund
Cancellations for all or any part of the trip will not be effective until received in writing in the offices of Pandaw. Should you have to cancel, the following terms will apply:
From time of booking until 61 day prior to departure non-refundable deposit
From 60 days and less till departure, no show, late arrival or early return 100% cancellation fee
Note: We strongly recommend for your protection that you purchase a trip cancellation insurance.
Burma, China & Thailand
Cancellation of a Pandaw Pre or Post Reservations is cancellation is subject to 10% of total amount or a $50 per person administrative fee (whichever is higher) from the time of booking through 93 days prior to your scheduled Pandaw trip.
From 92-63: the penalty fee is 30% of the total Trip Cost
From 62-33: the penalty fee is 50% of the total Trip Cost
From 32 days to "no show" the penalty fee is 100% of the total Trip Cost
Because these cancellation policies are strictly enforced, we strongly recommend for your protection that you purchase trip cancellation insurance.
Low Water Season December - April (Upstream)
Passengers booking in the low water season months of December to April are advised in the event that the ship’s master decides that the water is too low it will be necessary to transfer passengers from as close to the China border as the ship can reach to Jinghong by speed boat and stay at the InterContinental or similar for two nights in order to complete the Yunnan sightseeing.
Low Water Season December - April (Downstream)
Passengers booking in the low water season months of December to April are advised in the event that the ship’s master decides that the water is too low it will be necessary to stay at the InterContinental or similar for two nights in order to complete the Yunnan sightseeing and then join ship by speed boat transfer from Jinghong to a position as close to the Laos - China border as the ship can safely reach.
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