4.8/5 Excellent
Excellent
78
Great
23
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
Mekong River Tour & Trip Ratings
Tour Reviews
"Everything in the planning truly was flawless. As I told my friends before we went, if the execution is anything like planning, this is the best travel agency I hav...
Everything in the planning truly was flawless. As I told my friends before we went, if the execution is anything like planning, this is the best travel agency I have...
My father and I did a tour of Vietnam ( Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Phu Quoc, and Ho Chi Minh), as well as three nights in Siem Reap Cambodia. I worked with Mai Phu...
My father and I did a tour of Vietnam ( Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Phu Quoc, and Ho Chi Minh), as well as three nights in Siem Reap Cambodia. I worked with Mai Phu...
"Can't say enough positive comments about the trip planned by Hoa Tran and Exotic Voyages. It exceeded expectations in the variety of experiences... response to a su...
Can't say enough positive comments about the trip planned by Hoa Tran and Exotic Voyages. It exceeded expectations in the variety of experiences... response to a sud...
NEVER will we go on a multi-person tour again (and we have been on many). There were only 2 of us (middle age American women-friends) and the itinerary they put toge...
NEVER will we go on a multi-person tour again (and we have been on many). There were only 2 of us (middle age American women-friends) and the itinerary they put toge...
Trusted Customer
Feb 2024
This trip wasn't up to the normal Explore standards - quality of the tour leader could have been better, itinerary also has room for improvement (especially the ridi...
Trusted Customer
Feb 2024
I have used Explore many times, but this trip was very disappointing in comparison with all previous ones. Laos itself was fantastic, but the organisation of the iti...
Trusted Customer
Feb 2024
Visiting Vat Phou but no local guide provided, just a leaflet handed to us by our Tour Leader!
Susan
Dec 2023
I enjoyed the trip but the amount of travelling involved took up a big chunk of the holiday and I think that the itinerary needs reviewing to lessen this. Three whol...
Sheila
Feb 2023
Luang Prabang, Plain of Jars, waterfalls, seeing the local rural...
The trip was full of things to do, and the accommodation was good throughout. There was no day without interesting activities, the group atmosphere was very good and...
Editor’s Take
Most trip reviews tend to focus on some or all of these 5 key areas, not all of which may be relevant to you: the tour guide, travel company, service level, country or countries traveled in, and the trip itinerary.
Remember, just because you see a 1 star review doesn’t necessarily mean that person disliked the country.
Altogether, travelers on Mekong River cruises are affluent, experienced, and adventurous travelers. Many expect a high standard of service coupled with getting a true cultural experience in the tours.
Positive Mekong River tours highlight the local guides and their in-depth knowledge of their countries. The various activities, such as biking, kayaking, and walking tours, play a major role in the overall experience of the tours. Angkor Wat, the killing fields, and other cultural and historical sites are the main highlights of many travelers to the Mekong River.
Unfavorable reviews may come from travelers’ expectations of comfort in travel. Many of the longer tours, or when the water is too low to travel, include buses or cars to transport travelers to the next destination.
One thing to remember is much of Southeast Asia is underdeveloped and recovering from recent conflicts. Many of the roads and overnight trains will not be in the same quality as those in many Western countries. Travelers with disabilities may find traveling in the rural areas more difficult and may be limited to certain activities.
When visiting Southeast Asia, the cities will be a flurry of people and vehicles. Travelers new to Southeast Asia may find it difficult to adjust to the modes of transport, accommodation, and foods that are uniquely Southeast Asian.
Each Mekong River tour has a preordained itinerary. Due to the water levels of the Mekong River, some scheduled stops may be skipped. Some tours include more cities than rural villages or more temples than activities. The themes of the tours are important to pay attention to because each focuses on something specific to its tour. This can be adventurous activities, city life, or rural villages. Picking the tour theme that best fits you will make your trip on the Mekong River the best it can be.
For a professional take on traveling to the Mekong River, see the Travelstride Mekong River Guide »
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