BESTOFLAOS&NORTHERNTHAILAND

Upon arrival the airport, our driver will wait you at the airport and transfer to your hotel for the evening. We suggest heading to the riverside and exploring the night market.Meals: none

Depart with your local guide for a full day city tour exploring Laos' French colonial capital. Visit Talaat Sao - Vientiane's Morning Market, Wat Sisaket, Haw Phra Kaew and Putousay, the victory gate inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris. After lunch at a local restaurant, head out of town to visit one of Laos' slightly stranger attractions - Xieng Khuan Buddha Park which is home to over 200 statues including a 40-metre reclining Buddha.Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Check out of your hotel and be picked up at 08:00am for the transfer to your Pandaw ship.Your journey begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Vientiane, the charming, old French capital of Laos known for its relaxed atmosphere and colonial architecture. You will board a traditional Laotian long-tail boat for an expedition upstream, a lovely introduction to river life before you even step on board your Pandaw vessel. As the city recedes, enjoy lunch and drinks served by our Pandaw chef and bar staff while watching the lush jungle scenery and tiny riverside villages unfold. In the afternoon, you will embark your ship, settle in, and join the crew for a welcome briefing and drinks as we moor for the night at Pak Lay.

Today is dedicated to pure river immersion as we sail upstream against the Mekong's powerful current. From the sundeck, meditate on the unfolding panorama of stunning mountain scenery and deep, verdant gorges where the river carves its path through the landscape. In the morning, join a presentation on the Lao language to learn more about the local culture. We also stop for a short, invigorating walk at Pha Laeb village to stretch our legs and meet some of the friendly locals in this remote region.

After a morning walk through the Khummu minority village of Ban Pak Bor, prepare for a fascinating encounter with modern engineering. You will experience passage through the Xayabouri Hydroelectric Dam, getting an inside look at the workings of this massive structure as your ship expertly navigates the locks. In the afternoon, we visit Ban Na San, a Hmong minority village, offering a precious opportunity to learn about the culture and traditions of one of Laos' most distinct ethnic groups, known for their vibrant textiles and silver jewelry.

We moor at the small village of Ban Mouang Khai to visit one of Laos’ most spectacular natural wonders: the Kuang Si Waterfalls. These falls cascade down multiple tiers into a series of stunningly beautiful, turquoise-blue pools where you are welcome to take a refreshing swim. On the way back, we stop at the Laos Buffalo Farm, a social enterprise working to improve the local farming community through sustainable dairy production. In the afternoon, we arrive in the heart of the enchanting, UNESCO-protected city of Luang Prabang, where we will moor for the next three nights. We then climb the 328 steps to Mount Phou Si Temple, where the best views of Luang Prabang can be found, followed by an orientation tour before returning to the ship.

Today is dedicated to exploring the rich artistic heritage of Luang Prabang. We begin at Ock Pop Tok, a wonderful social enterprise that provides sustainable employment and training for women from local weaving villages, preserving traditional Lao textile techniques. We then visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) to understand more about the diverse ethnic cultures and musical instruments of Laos. After lunch back on board, we take a short trip to the village of Ban Chan for a pottery demonstration at a local workshop. The day concludes with a serene sunset cruise on the Mekong alongside the city before returning to our central mooring.

Your day begins before dawn with a truly unforgettable experience: a walking tour to witness the sacred and silent morning alms-giving ceremony (Tak Bat), where hundreds of saffron-robed monks walk through the streets to collect offerings from the local people. After breakfast, we visit the bustling morning market before taking tuk-tuks for a tour of this incredibly well-preserved heritage city, exploring its many dazzling Buddhist temples, historic libraries, and the former Royal Palace (now the National Museum). In the afternoon, we take a tuk-tuk to visit Ban Xang Khong, a village famous for its traditional paper making. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the unique, peaceful atmosphere of Luang Prabang at your own leisure.

After a final morning at leisure in Luang Prabang, we set sail at midday, continuing our journey upstream. In the afternoon, we board a local boat to explore the unique Pak Ou Caves. Set in a dramatic limestone cliff face at the confluence of the Mekong and Ou rivers, these two caves are a Buddhist sanctuary filled with thousands of Buddha images of all shapes and sizes, left by pilgrims over hundreds of years. Afterward, we visit the nearby "Whisky Village" (Ban Xang Hai) to see the production of the local lao-lao rice spirit and browse for local handicrafts.

This day is spent sailing through some of the most remote and beautiful parts of the Upper Mekong. We'll take a morning walk through Ban Ton village to experience life in a place that few outsiders get to see, observing the daily rhythms of the local community. In the evening, a special Pandaw experience awaits, we moor alongside a secluded sandbank for a riverside barbecue and cocktail party. As darkness falls, you will light and release paper lanterns with the crew, their soft glow floating into the night sky over the river—a truly magical moment.

Laos is famously known as ‘The Land of a Million Elephants’, and today we visit a sanctuary that is helping to preserve these majestic animals. The Pak Beng Elephant Sanctuary is a rescue center that provides a sustainable and ethical alternative for elephants and their mahouts who once worked in the logging industry. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see these gentle giants in a more natural environment. In the afternoon, we take a walk through the Khummu village of Ban Pak Sith to learn about the traditions of this ethnic group.

Today we sail the final leg of our journey, continuing upstream towards the Thai border. The scenery remains just as spectacular as the river carves its way through the mountains. You'll have time for a ship tour to see the inner workings of the vessel and a fruit carving demonstration from your talented Pandaw Chef. As we approach our final mooring in Chiang Khong, Thailand, you'll cross over the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge. Tonight, we celebrate our incredible journey with farewell cocktails and a traditional Thai dance performance on board.

After a final breakfast, you will disembark in Chiang Khong. Before your transfer, you will explore the historic Golden Triangle region, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. This includes a fascinating visit to the Hall of Opium Museum, which details the area's notorious past and the history of the opium trade. Afterwards, you will be transferred to your hotel or the airport in either Chiang Rai (a 2-hour drive) or Chiang Mai (a 6-hour drive).Arrive from your Pandaw ship at Chiang Khong border and be transferred to Chiang Rai via Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge. Learn about the area's infamous past, when it was at the centre of Asia’s opium trade. Visit Chiang Saen, the site of a former Thai kingdom. Explore the sleepy riverside town and its magnificent ancient ruins.Lunch at Banrai Sabaidee, located in the Golden Triangle area.Continue to Chiang Rai, heading towards your accommodation in Doi Mae Salong. Dinner at the hotel.Overnight: Chiang Rai

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive higher into the hills at Doi Mae Salong to the Santikhiri Kuo Min Tang village. Hear how this village was founded in the 1960s as a refugee camp for Chinese soldiers who had been expelled from Myanmar. See how, 50 years later, the residents retain the traditions of their ancestors, speaking their own language and practicing ancient beliefs. These days the Kuo Min Tang descendants are successful farmers, growing tea and other produce. They also make their own wine from the village’s fruits.Lunch at a local restaurant.Return to the hotel, and free afternoon at leisure. Dinner at the hotel.Overnight: Chiang Rai

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Chiang Mai, with an en-route stop at Suan Lahu Organic Coffee Farm, an organic highland coffee farm and community eco-project located in Wiang Pa Pao District, Chiang Rai Province. It's operated with and by indigenous Lahu farmers, focusing on sustainable organic agriculture and cultural preservation. Visit the farm, witness production and processing of coffee, tea, herbs, and fruits. Homemade vegetarian lunch is served at the farm.Continue to Chiang Mai in the afternoon. Arrive in Chiang Mai, check in and have dinner at the hotel.Overnight: Chiang Mai

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a day out of Chiang Mai to the region of Doi Inthanon National Park where you will spend a day exploring nature, local life and culture of hilltribe people.The full-day excursion begins at the Royal Agricultural Station Doi Inthanon, one of the royal projects initiated by King Rama IX. Wander through a beautiful garden with a wide variety of flowers and plants, as well as an agricultural farm, and learn about the entire process, from planting seeds to harvesting.Next, arrive at Ban Phamon Village, where you’ll meet your Pga K'nyau guide, who will take you to explore an authentic taste of nature, culture, and local lifestyle. First, visit a traditional house to learn how to cook traditional food using organic ingredients. Then, enjoy a delicious lunch. After lunch, get a hands-on experience of roasting JorPa coffee the traditional way. Try grinding the coffee for the freshest and best flavor. Here, learn from a local coffee expert who was born in the area and has returned to work for his community. Enjoy a local coffee before proceeding to observe locals weaving traditional cloth.Optional: After the coffee experience, you may have an option to embark on a hike to Dok Seaw Waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the national park. Walk along the 3.5 km trail, passing several layers of waterfalls and seeing locals working on farms. Then return to the village and enjoy a local coffee break before making your final stop to observe locals weaving traditional cloth.After this full day of experiences, return to your hotel in Chiang Mai.Overnight: Chiang Mai

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Chiang Mai airport for your onward flight.