RV Pandaw Laos Cruise Upstream 11 days: Vientiane - Chiang Khong

Morning

Around 08:00, you will transfer from a hotel in Vientiane to Paylak by a local long-tail boat.

Upstream to meet our RV Pandaw Laos Cruise with crews and captain and savor the delicious lunch on board. 

Afternoon & Evening

In the afternoon, a welcome reception with various foods and drinks where passengers will have the opportunity to mingle and chat with friendly staff. It's a gathering to warm up everyone's spirits before a long day's journey.

Stay overnight onboard at Pak Lay.

Morning

After a leisurely meal, RV Pandaw Laos sailed upstream to the vast Mekong River.  

Tourists on the deck admire the poetic scenery on both sides of the river while crossing lush orchards and peaceful villages. Listen to the Lao language in a morning demonstration on a short walk to Pha Laeb village.

Afternoon

Following lunchtime, we take a leisurely walk at Ban Khok Fark to explore Laos's rich cultural daily life and the natural beauty of the Mekong area. 

Evening

As the sun sets, the ship moors overnight, providing a peaceful and tranquil setting for a good night's rest. Dinner and stay all night onboard.

Morning

Enjoy the delicious breakfast on the board before departing to Ban Pak Bor Khummu Village. Visitors can explore by traditional wooden stilt houses and observe the unique architectural styles.

We continue passing the Xayabouri Hydroelectric Dam, a monumental structure that produces the power of the Mekong River to generate electricity, providing vital energy resources for this region. 

Re-embark on the cruise for lunchtime with many local foods served by our chefs. 

Afternoon

On an afternoon excursion to Ban Na San Village, home of Hmong minority communities, we participate in cultural activities like craft workshops or cooking classes to immerse ourselves in the village's way of life. 

After sightseeing, visitors get back on the cruise to prepare for dinner while admiring the breathtaking sunset views on the deck.  

Evening

Dinner and stay overnight onboard while anchoring at the river shore.

Morning

Our RV Pandaw Laos Cruise continues its journey to the Ban Mouang Khai Village, which has one of the most famous waterfalls in Laos, Kuang Si Waterfall. 

The waterfalls Kuang Si Waterfall features beautiful turquoise pools and cascading tiers of water on limestone. Visitors can swim, hike, and enjoy the scenic forest surroundings.

During our return journey to the ship, we make a pit stop at the Laos Buffalo Farm, an interesting initiative that makes use of Laos' plentiful buffalo resources for agriculture. 

Afternoon

Embark on the cruise and continue the voyage to the ancient city of Luang Prabang. The city is an outstanding sample of a combination of tradition and colonial architecture, as buildings have wooden structures. 

The rest of the afternoon, we go back to the cruise and attend the Baci Ceremony. Participants come together to offer blessings and good wishes to the individual or individuals being honored.  

Evening

Dinner and stay overnight onboard while anchoring at Luang Prabang.

Morning

Enjoy a healthy breakfast on the deck before starting our journey to explore the heart of Luang Prabang. 

Depart to Ock Pop Tok, or “East Meets West” in Lao, blending Eastern traditions with Western innovation to enhance the profile of Lao weaving and support their preservation. 

The next destination is the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn more about Lao traditional music and instruments. 

Re-embark on the cruise for lunch while navigating toward Ban Chan. 

Afternoon & Night 

After the meal, we engaged in a captivating pottery demonstration hosted at the village's renowned pottery workshop at Ban Chan. 

We enjoy a picturesque sunset cruise on the Mekong River alongside the charming city of Luang Prabang. Afterward, we returned to the dock for the night in the bustling center of town.

Morning

In the early morning, we will attend a traditional almsgiving ceremony for the monks walking around the town. 

Following the breakfast, we explore the bustling morning market, experiencing the vibrant sights and sounds of this lively hub of local commerce. 

Afterward, we get on an exciting tuk-tuk to watch ancient Buddhist temples, intricate libraries, and the magnificent royal palace, all of which serve as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of this unique destination.

Afternoon

Passengers are free to discover the unique attractions around Luang Prabang, including ancient stone streets of the city, local artisan souvenir shops, or sample authentic local cuisine. Return to the cruise for rest on the ship deck. 

Evening

Food is served, and we settle in for the evening, spending the night onboard the vessel.

Morning

The ship will sail upstream to Pak Ou Caves all morning after breakfast. Therefore, guests can relax on board or experience health care services available at RV Pandaw Laos Cruise such as spa, massage, and fitness center. 

Lunch with local foods will be served onboard. 

Afternoon

In the afternoon, embark on a sightseeing journey aboard a local boat to explore the extraordinary Pak Ou Caves. Here, you can witness a 16-century cave decorated with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

Witness the craft of local Laos whisky production at the local village and browse for locally made handicrafts. Travelers can choose these wines as exquisite gifts.

Evening

Dinner and sleep on board while docked at the shore.

Morning & Afternoon

A leisurely breakfast with people on the cruise before sailing through Ban Ton Village. We immerse ourselves in the authentic rural lifestyle of northern Laos, attend attractive activities, and interact with local people. 

We can engage in various activities such as interacting with local villagers, observing craftsmanship weaving, biking the surroundings, and participating in cultural exchanges such as traditional dance performances or cooking classes. 

Evening

When the night falls down, we dock our boat by a scenic sandbank for a special barbecue and cocktail party right by the riverside. 

We'll join the crews to light paper lanterns and enjoy some traditional dancing on the deck. Stay all night on the cruise.

Morning

Enjoy a healthy breakfast on board and prepare for the next excursion to Pakbeng. 

Embark on a journey to Pak Beng Elephant Sanctuary to engage in unforgettable interactions with the elephants, participating in activities such as feeding, bathing, and learning about elephant conservation efforts. 

Afternoon

In the afternoon, we stroll through the charming village of Ban Pak Sith Khummu Village and observe the daily activities of the residents and interact with them, gaining insights into their way of life.

Prepare to embark on the cruise for dinner. Admire the majestic scenery of the sunset of the Mekong River near the shore.    

Evening

Savoring a sumptuous dinner onboard, followed by a tranquil night's sleep on the ship.

Morning & Afternoon

After enjoying breakfast on the boat, we took the final leg of our journey to Houayxay.

Upon completing some immigration procedures, we continue our journey to the Thai-Lao border by coach, crossing the Friendship Bridge connecting the two countries before boarding a boat to Chiang Khong.

Rejoining the ship in Chiang Khong, passengers can continue their exploration of the Mekong River aboard the vessel, and witness fruit carving performance. 

Evening

As we bid farewell to our journey, we gather on board for an evening of farewell cocktails accompanied by captivating Thai traditional dance performances.

Stay onboard overnight while the ship anchors at the river shore.

Morning

After having a leisurely breakfast on the deck, we prepared luggage to check out the rooms around 8:30 in Chiang Khong. 

On the way to your hotel, we will visit the Halls of Opium and the Golden Triangle to learn more about the rich history of this town. 

Proceed to Chiang Rai (2 hours) and Chiang Mai (6 hours) airports or city hotels.