BEST OF LAOS & NORTHERN THAILAND

DAY 1 CHIANG MAI ARRIVAL

A local representative will greet you at Chiang Mai Airport, and you will be transferred to the Rachamankha Hotel, a journey of approximately ten minutes by vehicle. Upon arrival, you will check in to your Superior room, where you will be accommodated for two nights, with breakfast provided each morning. The Rachamankha Hotel is highly regarded for its beautiful Lanna architectural design and its peaceful courtyard ambiance, creating a serene and relaxing environment within the bustling city of Chiang Mai.

Overnight at Rachamankha
Meals: none

DAY 2 DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK

Following breakfast, please meet in the hotel lobby for your excursion to Doi Inthanon National Park, which is roughly a one hour and thirty-minute drive. The day will be dedicated to exploring the scenic landscapes, traditional practices, and cultural heritage of the local Hill Tribe people. Our journey begins at Mae Klang Luang Village, where you will have the opportunity to observe the picturesque terraced rice fields. You will then have the chance to interact with the residents and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the late afternoon, we will return to the hotel. Doi Inthanon National Park is renowned for being home to Thailand's highest peak, displaying lush forests, spectacular waterfalls, and a wide variety of plant and animal life. Mae Klang Luang Village provides a glimpse into the traditional agricultural methods of the area's hill tribes.

Overnight at The Rachamankha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 FANG

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and embark on a three-hour drive to Fang. Upon arrival, check in at the Phumanee Lahu Hotel. After Lunch, you will receive a briefing on the historical significance of the forgotten city and then visit Doi Phu Muen, which is situated within the Doi Pha Hom National Park. Subsequently, we will venture into the mountainous terrain by 4WD to visit a Lahu Village. Here, you will have the opportunity to witness the daily routines of the villagers and learn about their traditional methods of tea and coffee cultivation. In the evening, we will return to the hotel. Doi Phu Muen is known for its stunning mountain scenery and provides valuable insights into the traditional lifestyle of the Lahu people, particularly their cultivation of tea and coffee.

Overnight at Phumanee Lahu Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 CHIANG RAI

Following breakfast, we will depart for Chiang Rai. The drive will take us higher into the hills of Doi Mae Salong, towards the Santikhiri Kuomintang village, a journey of approximately one hour and twenty minutes. Here, you will learn about the village’s establishment in the 1960s as a refuge for Chinese soldiers who were expelled from Myanmar. You will see how they have maintained their cultural traditions and observe their current way of life. We will then have lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the hotel, a drive of approximately 50 minutes, where you will have free time in the afternoon.

Doi Mae Salong is famous for its unique fusion of Chinese and Thai cultures, its tea plantations, and its historical role as a former settlement for Kuomintang soldiers.

Overnight at Katiliya Mountain Resort & Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 CHIANG KHONG

After breakfast, check out and meet in the lobby for your transfer to the Golden Triangle. You will learn about the area's history related to the opium trade, followed by lunch at Banrai Sabaidee. We will then visit the site of the former Thai Kingdom and explore its riverside towns and ancient ruins. Subsequently, you will be transferred to your Pandaw ship in Chiang Saen or Chiang Khong, with arrival scheduled for approximately 16:00. The Golden Triangle is historically significant as the meeting point of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, and is known for its past opium trade and beautiful views of the Mekong River. The ancient ruins near Chiang Saen provide a window into the kingdoms of the past.

Lunch will be provided at Baan Rai Sabai Dee (or similar). Continue to Chiang Khong to embarkation to Pandaw Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (dinner aboard your Pandaw)

Embark your ship by 16.00 and enjoy welcome drinks on the sundeck with traditional Thai dancing.

DAY 6 INTO LAOS

Pass through immigration formalities at the Thai/Laos border and re-join the ship. Set sail downstream on the beautiful Upper Mekong River, Morning presentation on the Lao language. After lunch, if time allows, sightseeing on foot in Pak Sith.

DAY 7 PAK BENG ELEPHANT SANCTUARY

Morning walk at Ban Luang Tong Lao Lowland village. Laos is known as ‘The land of a million elephants’ and after Lunch we will visit a rescue sanctuary that is helping to preserve the elephants of Laos and provide sustainable alternative employment for Mahouts who once trained and rode these beautiful creatures. In the evening we moor at a sandbank for a special riverside barbecue and cocktail party. Light paper lanterns with the crew and enjoy a dance in remote Laos.

DAY 8 BAN BOR AND YOI HAI KHMU VILLAGES

Today we discover the Khmu minority group and learn about their remote way of life. In the morning we will visit Ban Bor village, home to the Lao & Khummu people. We will have the opportunity to support locally produced handicrafts and walk through the Khummu village of Yoi Haoi in the afternoon.

DAY 9 PAK OU CAVES

Continue cruising downstream to Pak Ou, sightseeing by local boat exploring the unique Pak Ou Caves, a Buddhist sanctuary with spectacular limestone cliff faces. See the production of local Laos whisky at the Whisky village and shop for locally produced handicrafts before sailing into the World Heritage City of Luang Prabang. Moor overnight in central Luang Prabang.

DAY 10 LUANG PRABANG CRAFTS & CULTURE

Today we explore the various handicrafts of Laos in more detail. We start with a morning walk up the 228 steps to Phousi temple where the best views of Luang Prabang can be found. After lunch aboard the ship, we visit Ock Pop Tok, a social enterprise providing sustainable employment and training for the women of local weaving villages. We then head to TAEC (Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre) to understand more about Laos musical instruments. Cocktail hour is accompanied by a traditional Bacci ceremony onboard highlighting some of the instruments seen in the afternoon.

DAY 11 LUANG PRABANG

Early morning walking tour to observe the morning alms offering by local people to the hundreds of monks who walk around the city every morning. We continue after breakfast to the morning market before taking tuktuks for a city tour of this well preserved and unique world heritage site with its many Buddhist temples, libraries and royal palace. The afternoon is free to explore the beauty and unique atmosphere of Luang Prabang.

DAY 12 KAUNG SI WATERFALL

After breakfast sail downstream to Ban Chan where we take part in a pottery demonstration at the local pottery workshop. After Lunch we moor at Ban Mouang Khai and take a short drive to see the deep jungle pools at the Khaung Si Waterfall where you can swim in the crystal-clear waters. We then stop at the Laos Buffalo Farm, a social enterprise utilizing the abundant buffalo in Laos before rejoining the ship. We sail downstream for a sunset cruise and moor overnight at Ban Na San.

DAY 13 XAYABOURI DAM

Morning walk through Ban Na San Hmong Village. In the afternoon we pass through Xayabouri Hydroelectric Dam and take an inside look of the workings of this somewhat controversial attraction as we pass through the locks. Afternoon walk at Ban Khok Fark and moor overnight.

DAY 14 BAN PAK YUN TO PAK LAY

Explore Ban Pak Yun Mixed minorities tribe in the morning, a rural local village before setting sail to Pak Lay, our final destination. Enjoy a tour of your Pandaw ship and fruit carving demonstration on the sundeck in the afternoon before farewell cocktails and dinner in the evening.

DAY 15 VIENTIANE ARRIVAL

Disembark at 08:30am followed by a local long-tail boat expedition downstream to Vientiane. Lunch and drinks will be provided on the local boat by your Pandaw chef and bar staff. Arrival to Vientiane around 17:30.

After your disembarkation transfer from the ship, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. We suggest heading to the riverside and exploring the night market.

Meals: none

DAY 16 VIENTIANE FULL DAY CITY TOUR

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

DAY 17 VIENTIANE DEPARTURE

Check out of your hotel and our driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast