THE MEKONG TO CHINA
Chiang Saen - Jinghong
Overview
We are delighted to announce a new 7 night river recce itinerary on the Upper Mekong River sailing from Chiang Saen, Thailand to Burma, Laos and for the first time crossing the border into China sailing on the emerald green Mekong to the charming city of Jinghong in China’s scenic Yunnan Province.
The recces will sail aboard the Laos Pandaw, specifically designed and built for sailing on the Upper Mekong with 10 main deck staterooms, low draught and extra powerful engines.
Pandaw’s founder, Paul Strachan, said: “it has been a long held dream to sail the length of the navigable sections of the Mekong River; now we can. There is much to explore in this undiscovered region; travellers need to be up for a real adventure as the daily itinerary might change, but with a flexible attitude will have the adventure of a lifetime”.
We are also offering some pre and post cruise extensions visiting Kunming, Dali and Lijiang in Yunnan Province and the hill tribes in Northern Thailand.
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.
Expedition Route
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represented by Sayang Holidays
7 NIGHTS
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CHIANG SAEN
Transfer to Chiang Saen and embark the Laos Pandaw for your 7-night cruise on a full board basis. Proceed upstream on the Mekong for the sunset and moor overnight at Ban Mon village in Laos.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.Transfer information: we are including transfers from Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai airports. Arrivals should be before 13.00pm Chiang Rai or 11.00am Chiang Mai. Late arrivals will also be transferred but may miss the sunset cruise and dinner.Hotel pick-ups from city hotels in Chiang Mai between 10.00 am and 11.00 am. and Chiang Rai between 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm.Please note: There is a surcharge for private transfers if you are not able to meet us at above scheduled pick up times.Please note: For your Chinese visa application please write "Guan Lei" as your entry point to China.
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.
CRUISING THE MEKOMG
Continue up the Mekong with Burma on our left and Laos on our right and stop to explore a jungle village on the Laos side and if possible trek in the jungle.
MUANG LONG
Moor at Xiang Kok and travel inland by car to the town Muang Long and visit Aka tribal villages.
INTO CHINA
After a visit to a local village, we leave Laos and cross the border into China. Here the Mekong River turns to a beautiful emerald green. Continue to Gang Lei where we go ashore for a walking tour.
MENGLUN BOTANICAL GARDEN
A morning 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. After lunch, sail upstream and stop at Mengzhan where we explore Mangza temple.
MANGFEILONG MONASTERY & TEA PLANTATION
Sail to Jinghong. Morning excursion to the impressive Mangfeilong Monastery. After lunch, visit a Chinese tea plantation including tasting and Manting Park Temple, the third most important Buddhist temple in Yunnan province. After our farewell dinner tonight, enjoy a traditional dancing show in Mengbalanaxi theatre.
JINGHONG
Disembark after breakfast and morning transfer to Jing Hong airport or city hotel.Jing Hong Port: Jinghong Port Jetty, No. 51 Xuanwei Road (near Xishuangbanna Bridge).
Available
Extensions
Package Add-ons
What's Included
Included in Your Journey
Cruise Price Includes: Entrance fees, guide services (English language), gratuities to crew, main meals, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes. Transfers between Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai to Chiang Saen.
Not Included
Cruise Price Excludes: International flights, port dues (if levied), laundry, all visa costs, fuel surcharges (see terms and conditions), all beverages except local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas & tisanes and tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators and cyclo drivers.
Joining & Transfers
Embarkation & Disembarkation
Day 1 — Embarkation
Day 8 — Disembarkation
More Information
Visa Information
Share Your Experience
"Your crew, as usual were of a high standard"
My wife and I did the last trip on the Laos Pandaw from Jinghong to Chang Kohng. I would like to commend the ability of the captain of this boat who navigated through waters that a kayaker would have thought difficult. Your crew, as usual were of a high standard (this is my third trip with Pandaw), always smiling and happy to look after our needs. I would also like to mention Ms Nguyen who on all occasions has been ready to answer all my questions and assist me in the three cruises I have done. Our escort on the post Pandaw trip through the hill tribes in Thailand was Jeeranun Phanna who did an excellent job and we learned a lot from her. She made the trip run very smoothly. I am now considering doing your new Borneo trip as I know it will be the same high standard as the other three.
Thanks again to all your staff and all the best for your new initiatives.
Richard and Dena Clark
Australia
Check Availability & Book Online
or call TOLL FREE 1-877-872-6329
represented by Sayang Holidays
7 NIGHTS
CHECK AVAILABILITY & BOOK ONLINE