Tailor-made Tour 11 days from £3575 per person
Places Visited: Vientiane, Sanakham, Ban Paklay, Pak Lai, Tha Deua, Luang Prabang, Pak Ou Caves, Nam Ou River, Pak Beng, Chiang Khong (Thailand)
This expedition traverses Laos to touch Thailand and Burma at the once notorious Golden Triangle. The cruise stops for two nights at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, with its dazzling wood carved monasteries and then ventures deep into the mountains, through rapids and gorges.
About the ship
At forty meters long with only ten cabins, Laos Pandaw is essentially an enlarged version of the Kalay in Burma. The design shares the same features including an owner’s state room on the upper deck. The other nine cabins have louvred French windows that open to the promenades on either side of the ship so they are very light and airy and much larger than the traditional Pandaw cabin. There is an indoor bar and dining area, but passengers can choose to dine on deck outside.
Holiday Types
Cultural Holidays River Cruising Holidays
Suggested itinerary
Vientiane
Join the ship for lunch and an afternoon exploration of Vientiane. Evening in port for dinner on board or ashore in the many cafes, bistros and elegant restaurants of this charming city.
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Sanakham
Cast off up the Mekong with a stop at Ban Sanakham, an important border crossing between Laos and Thailand.
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Ban Paklay
Leaving the cultivated plains of Vientiane the ship enters a dramatic landscape of jungle and mountains where the river flows fast and wild. Amazing rock formations straddle the river banks. Moor on a sandbank overnight.
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Pak Lai
Stop at Pak Lai, a former French administrative town, with many colonial buildings and a bustling local market. This town boasts the largest elephant festival in Southeast Asia, usually in February.
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Tha Deua
Take a walk ashore at this important crossing as you further explore Laotian village life. Continue upstream into Sayabouri Province.
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Luang Prabang
Moored in the heart of Luang Prabang you will explore this well-preserved and unique world heritage site, with its many Buddhist temples, libraries and royal palace. There is also a buzzing night market, many delightful cafes and some good restaurants.
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Luang Prabang
Observe the morning alms with a thousand monks collecting door to door. You will then head inland to explore Hmong villages and swim in the deep jungle pools at the Khaung Si waterfall and, for the fit, trek forest trails. This evening is at leisure to further explore the city.
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Pak Ou Caves, Nam Ou River
The cruise stops to explore these Buddhist sanctuaries and enters the Nam Ou River, with its spectacular cliff faces. Continue on the river for the rest of the day.
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Pak Beng
Stop for a walk in this market town deep in the Laos jungle. At Pak Tha take a side trip up the Namtha River by local long tail boat to visit a Khmu village.
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Chiang Khong (Thailand)
This is the Thai-Laos border post and the end of your voyage. In the afternoon travel by coach to the Golden Triangle tourist area with its Opium Museum and, if security permits, cross into Tachilek the notorious Burma border town with its fascinating black market where you can buy literally anything.
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Chiang Khong
Disembark the ship and continue onwards.
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Tailor-made Tour 11 days from £3575 per person
What's included
✓ 10 nights accommodation
✓ English-speaking guides
✓ Full board, cocktail hour and tipping for crew
✓ Daily Excursions
✓ Cultural performances
✓ Entrance fees to sites and monuments listed in tour itinerary
Places and Experiences in this tour
Plan your Next Adventure
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