ROUTE: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU – THA DEUA – KUANG SI – LUANG PRABANG

DAY 1: EMBARKATION IN LUANG PRABANG   (-/-/D)
After lunch you will embark on your Mekong Cruise vessel, a comfortable new boutique-cruise ship. (Check in is after 2 PM). This unique boutique vessel is a German-Laotian owned river ship with stylish cabins. Settle into your accommodating cabin and unpack for a six-day cruise. Begin with a guided walk up Phou Si-hill, which offers a spectacular sunset view over the Mekong as well as the Khan River and the surrounding mountains. In the evening, enjoy strolling along the Mekong promenade or visiting the colorful night market of the local Hmong minority. Enjoy the spacious decks, lounge on board and attend our welcome reception this evening. A selection of Asian and European food will be provided throughout the cruise. Overnight in your cabin aboard your river vessel.

DAY 2: DEPARTURE FROM LUANG PRABANG  (B/L/D)
In the early morning you will able to observe the traditional giving of alms in the streets of Luang Prabang. Breakfast is on board and the rest of the morning will be spent on a guided city tour with visits of the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple, Wat Khili and the Wat Sene temple as well. Your spectacular cruise begins with the departure from Luang Prabang after lunch from where you will cruise north through beautiful scenery. The night is spent on a secluded river bank or sandbank. Overnight onboard your river vessel.

DAY 3: PAK OU CAVES  (B/L/D)
After breakfast on board you will explore the famous Pak Ou Caves, with thousands of small Buddha statues inside the caverns. After a short walk through the jungle (optional) you visit a Laotian village. In the village you can observe how the local liqueur Lao-Lao is being distilled traditionally. Before returning to your Mekong vessel, you will see elephants in action (unless they are busy with an off-site contract by the time of your visit). After re-embarkation you will enjoy a few hours of cruising down the Mekong River amidst beautiful landscapes. Overnight onboard your river vessel.

DAY 4: WILD NATURE ALONG THE MIGHTY MEKONG (B/L/D)
The ship will head south to the Mekong ferry crossing at Tha Deua, connecting Luang Prabang Province with the Sayaboury province. Further downstream you will discover some of the most remarkable, most
impressive landscapes of this still-untamed river. The landscape becomes more and more spectacular: hills covered with tropical vegetation, awe-inspiring rock formations along the river banks, and a fascinating array of fast currents and slower river parts. The power of the mighty Mekong will give your cruise the feeling of a real expedition (due to sudden drops in water level on some days, it may be necessary to make the afternoon excursion down south and upstream again – the wildest and possibly most exciting part of the Mekong – in a local Lao slow boat before returning back onboard). You will visit a local village school, which is supported by guests of the Mekong River Cruises fleet. Enjoy the beautiful views and watch nature’s wonders along the shores before you head north again and stop at a sandbank for the night. Overnight onboard your river vessel.

DAY 5: KUANG SI – LUANG PRABANG  (B/L/D)
After breakfast on board, enjoy the beautiful view and spot local fishermen onshore as you cruise upstream again. After a few hours of cruising up the river, you will stop and continue by bus to visit the famous Kuang Si-waterfalls, some of the most remarkable waterfalls in Laos. On the way you will stroll through the small village of Tha Pan, where you can observe how the local communities live in Northern Laos. In the afternoon you will return to Luang Prabang. This last evening on board will be celebrated with a farewell dinner with a traditional Lao Baci-friendship ceremony.

DAY 6: DISEMBARKATION  (B/-/-)
After breakfast you will say goodbye to your Laotian crew. Check-out and disembark. End of service with the transfer to the airport.

NOTE: Every river cruise on the upper Mekong is a pioneering experience and is subject to constantly changing river conditions, including floodwaters and shallows. Therefore please understand that we must reserve the right to alter the itinerary of this tour due to the logistical complexities involved. Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather and river conditions. For safety reasons and according to navigating conditions, these programs may be amended without previous notice.