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EXCLUSIVE DEPARTURES IN MARCH AND APRIL 2016 ONLY

THE MEKONG: FROM LUANG PRABANG TO CHINA

10 NIGHTS

The Mekong River is perhaps one of the most scenic rivers in Asia, with cliffs, jungle, and remote villages and caves making for the most beautiful and interesting of river adventures. We are very pleased to offer the opportunity to travel for a few days by day river cruiser from Luang Prabang to Chiang Saen (staying in charming riverbank lodges) before embarking on the beautifully crafted new Laos Pandaw for a 7-night Pandaw cruise to China.

Not only is this arrangement exceptional value, you will experience the mighty and magical Mekong in 4 countries (Laos, Burma, Thailand and China) and enjoy this great river from the perspective of a luxury river ship as well as well appointed country lodges.

You will also be the first to sail the Upper Mekong into China’s Yunnan Province where there is so much to discover, from China’s second largest botanical garden to tea plantations and local villages.

Exclusive departures in March and April 2016 only.

IMPORTANT NOTE: These are reconnaissance voyages and the itinerary is indicational only subject to daily revisions and many a change. Travellers should be up for a real adventure and be prepared for such uncertainties. This will be the first time a river expedition ship will have made this four country expedition and there may be delays at border crossing points when dealing with formalities. Travellers who might find sudden changes of plan or delays stressful should not book this trip. Our guides will do their best to ensure that we cover as much of this indicational itinerary as possible but some excursions may be changed for others. We can assure we will see and do as much as we can, hopefully more than indicated in the itinerary below.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR THIS EXPEDITION

All departures are currently sold out. We are currently working on new departures to be added soon. To register your interest for this expedition please click the button below and complete your details, we will contact you to discuss your arrangements once departures are available.

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IMAGES

EXPEDITION MAP

YOUR SHIP

OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS

POST CRUISE EXTENSIONS

2 Nights at Kiridara Luang Prabang Post Tour

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OPTIONAL PACKAGE ADDONS

Private Dining

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ITINERARY

Upstream      Downstream

DAY 1 JINGHONG

Note: A taxi from Jinghong airport to the jetty takes about 30 minutes in normal traffic conditions.

Embark the Laos Mekong from 1600. Afternoon at leisure. Opportunity to explore charming Jinghong.

PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary for this expedition is indicative only and subject to reconnaissance. As we travel to remote areas, changes to the itinerary will inevitably occur. A flexible approach is required if you book this cruise.

More about Jinghong

DAY 2 MANGFEILONG MONASTERY & TEA PLANTATION

Morning excursion to the impressive Mangfeilong Monastery. After lunch, visit a Chinese tea plantation including tasting and Manting Park Temple. After dinner tonight, enjoy a traditional dancing show in Mengbalanaxi theatre.

More about Mangfeilong Monastery and Tea Plantation

DAY 3 MENGZHAN

Sail downstream on the emerald green Mekong River arriving at Mengzhan, where we enjoy a walk ashore and visit to Mangza temple.

More about Mengzhan

DAY 4 MENGLUN BOTANICAL GARDENS

Visit to the famous Menglun Botanical Garden, built in 1959 and one of China’s most important botanical research centres. Explore the impressive gardens, home to many rare, exotic and endangered plant species here such as the dragon tree, the poisonous upas tree; the " Clock Flower " that opens and closes along with the sunrise and sunset and the " Dancing Grass " that responds to sound. Rejoin the Laos Pandaw at Guang Lei where we overnight.

More about Menglun Botanical Gardens

DAY 5 MUANG LONG

We cross the border into Laos and continue to Xiang Kok and travel inland by car to the town Muang Long and visit Aka tribal villages.

More about Muang Long

DAY 6 CRUISING THE MEKONG

Continue down the Mekong with Burma on our right and Laos on our left and stop to explore a jungle village on the Laos side and if possible trek in the jungle.

More about Cruising The Mekong

DAY 7 TACHILEIK, BURMA

Visit The Shwedagon Pagoda in Tachileik, one-fifth the size of the more famous original in Yangon. We also visit the local market and the Two Dragon Monastery, a Chinese Buddhist temple. Bright colours and ornate carvings made the temple an enchanting place. Finally, visit the Chinese Monastery, built in 1999, and perhaps the largest and most beautiful in Tachileik.

More about Tachileik, Burma

DAY 8 CHIANG SAEN TO PAKENG

Disembark after breakfast and cross the border into Laos at Huay Xai and embark your river cruiser for your 2-night cruise and stay journey on a full board basis to Luang Prabang. Set sail downstream and stop for a walking tour of a traditional village where we observe rural life along the Mekong and witness the daily life of ethnic minorities and their talented craftsmanship. After lunch on board continue very scenic cruising before arriving at Luang Say Lodge (or similar) near Pakbeng before sunset. A Laotian dinner is served on the open-air terrace overlooking the Mekong River.

More about Chiang Saen

DAY 9 SCENIC MEKONG RIVER CRUISING AND VILLAGE STAY

Today enjoy the sights of the Mekong with granite cliffs and sparkling sandy shores. We stop at the hill tribe village of Baw, where we take a walking tour and watch the traditional process of making Lao whiskey. We arrive at Kamu Lodge (or similar) for a one-night stay. After lunch, you can participate in a variety of activities: visiting Kamu village, archery contest, rice planting and harvesting, traditional fishing and gold panning. Dinner is served at the lodge.

DAY 10 LUANG PRABANG

Sail to Pak Ou village where visit the Tam Thing cave, famous for housing over 2,500 Buddha statues of all sizes and for being a place of pilgrimage for local people. We arrive in Luang Prabang in time for lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to the Kiridara Hotel (or similar) located where the Nam Khan River meets the Mekong River for a 1-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Afternoon explore relaxed and inspiring Luang Prabang at your leisure.

More about Luang Prabang

DAY 11 LUANG PRABANG

After breakfast, transfer to the airport or extend your stay in Luang Prabang.

More about Luang Prabang

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WHATS INCLUDED

Cruise Price Includes: Port dues, transfers to/from Luang Prabang airport, 1-night stay at the Bela Rive Boutique Hotel (or similar) on a bed and breakfast basis, 2-night Mekong River cruise from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai including lunch on board and all excursions, 2-night stay at the Mekong River Lodge including dinner and breakfast, transfer to/from Huay Xai to Chiang Saen, 7-night Pandaw cruise including all meals, all excursions, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes and crew gratuities.

Cruise Price Excludes: International flights, visas, travel insurance, all tips on the Luang Prabang to Huay Xai cruise and tips to tour guides and all non-ship drivers and guides on the Laos Pandaw cruise, all drinks on the non-Pandaw cruise element of this trip, transfers to Jinghong airport.

TESTIMONIALS

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