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Highlights
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DAY 1: Welcome aboard – embarkation (-/-/D)
Your cruise director and friendly crew await you this afternoon (after 2pm) with a warm welcome upon embarkation on Mekong Explorer near the town of Nong Khai. (Nong Khai can be reached by a short flight or by train from Bangkok to Udon Thani (UTH) as well as onland with a transfer from the Lao capitol of Vientiane across the friendship bridge. Upon request we will be happy to arrange transfers accordingly.) Attend our welcome reception and enjoy Southeast Asian specialties served during your dinner menu on board. Overnight onboard your river vessel.
DAY 2: Your cruise experience begins today (B/L/D)
Breakfast is served on board. In the
morning we will take you on a excursion to the historical park of Phu
Prabat, impressed with natural rocks shaped almost mushroom like. Phu
Phrabat has also been a sacred place for centuries and has recently
enlisted to become a UNESCO world heritage site. From a temple close by
you can enjoy one of the most impressive Mekong-views along the river in
this region. Upon returning aboard your cruise experience begins. Lunch
is served aboard while cruising leisurely in a few hours from the small
town of Sri Chiangmai downriver towards Nong Khai. In the evening you
can stroll along the river promenade or bargain at the colorful
Indochina market in town. Dinner and overnight aboard your cruise vessel.
DAY 3: Bizarre sculptures in Nong Khai (B/L/D)
In the morning, a guided tour will get you acquainted with the bizarre, yet interesting Buddhist-Hindu sculpture park. Upon your return aboard your cruise experience continues. Along both sides of the quiet river banks you may spot every once in a while small golden temple spires, while a presentation on tropical fruits grown in this region provides with possibly surprising insight benefits used in traditional local medicine. This cruise caters especially to those travelers who fancy discovery tours and an authentic Asia more than a fixed cruise schedule without having to miss the comfort and atmosphere of a Boutique river cruise ship such as the Mekong Explorer. At night your vessel is moored at a secluded sandbank or at a small village pier. After dinner, a documentary shows the river flow of the Mekong from the Tibetan highlands all the way to the South China Sea. Overnight onboard your river vessel.
DAY 4-5: Pioneering cruise expedition through remote North-East Thailand (B/L/D)
While enjoying your breakfast on board you will reach the starting point for your next shore excursion. A short drive brings you to an impressive cliff monastery, which stands seven levels high above local rice paddies. Western visitors are welcomed very seldom – just like most of the times during your entire tour. On the fifth day you will go on a short and easy trek (approx. 1 hour) through the tropical environment of Phu Wua National Park. In the afternoon you will cross the river into Laos (as the next immigration office is several driving hours away Mekong River Cruises arranges for a special permit by the provincial Lao government that their guests can enter Laos today without having to pass immigration). Continue to the small village of Pak Khading where we join a long-tail boat for a trip up the Nam Khading River to visit a remote village. Returning back to Thailand and your cruise vessel; continue your cruise further south. Overnight onboard your river vessel.
DAY 6: Nakhon Phanom (B/L/D)
In this region picturesque karst-mountains pass by on the Lao side of the river. After a few hours cruise along the mighty Mekong – “the mother of all waters” as the locals call the river here – you will reach the provincial town of Nakhon Phanom. You will get acquainted with the town during a short city tour on a motor-rikscha/TukTuk or by foot. The governor’s palace was formerly the residence of the Thai kings while visiting this part of the country, today it serves as a local museum. In the late 1920s Ho Chi Minh planned and organized the Vietnamese communist movement from his exile in Nakhon Phanom. Your will visit the house where he lived during these years. In Nakhon Phanom we recommend to join your tour guide to have a drink in a local bar – menus with latin characters will probably be not available anywhere, though. Overnight onboard your river vessel.
DAY 7: Thailand and Laos - two worlds apart yet so close (B/L/D)
This morning you will cross the river
into Laos (see below for visa requirements for Laos). In the town of
Thakhek you will find many remaining buildings from the French colonial
era. Once planned to become the capitol of Laos under French rule,
today’s Thakhek is a typical charming and sleepy Lao provincial town
that you get acquainted with during a guided stroll. In the surroundings
of the city at the foot of a karst mountain panorama a Buddhist-grotto
was discovered only a few years ago in 2004 and will also be part of
your visit. After returning back to Thailand you will reach the holy
pilgrim center of That Phanom. Legend has it that Buddha himself came
here to command that after his death one of his breastbones be treasured
in That Phanom as a reliquary. The devoutness of the local pilgrims
which you will notice during your visit of the temple and its Buddhist
mural-walls and well kept garden is quite impressive. At night you will
celebrate your farewell dinner together with your crew and captain!
Overnight onboard your river vessel.
DAY 8: Farewell to Isaan! (B/L/-)
After breakfast you will disembark and
leave with your entire luggage. You can leave towards Ubon Ratchathani
(UBP) from where frequent flights to Bangkok are offered by Thai
Airways. If time allows you will be visiting the Ubon national museum
after your lunch in a local restaurant. End of service in the afternoon
upon reaching Ubon Ratchathani airport. *
There are many other possibilities to continue your exploration of
Thailand and/or Laos, e.g. spend a night in a lovely river lodge in
Khong Chiam or cross the Mekong Bridge
into Southern Laos to Pakse (where you can enjoy another fantastic
cruise through the region of 4,000 islands on the Mekong Islands river
vessel). Whatever you prefer, we will be happy to arrange your
individual tour services upon request!
NOTE: Every river cruise on the Mekong
is a pioneer experience and is subject to constantly changing river
conditions, including from 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, local
authorities and river and/or road conditions. For safety reasons and
according to navigating conditions, these programs may be amended
without previous notice.
Get a free night (R.O.H) at Tohsang Khongjiam Resort after the cruise
Contact Mekong River Boats
info@mekongriverboats.com | |
Web | Mekong River Boats |
Mobile | +84 912217448 |
Working Hour | Mon- Fri: 8:00- 17:30 GMT+ 7 |
Departures
Mon, 02 Jan 2014 | 8-days Mukhdahan - Nong Khai | Explorer | done |
Tue, 17 Jan 2014 | 8-days Mukhdahan - Nong Khai | Explorer | |
Sun, 05 Feb 2014 | 8-days Mukhdahan - Nong Khai | Explorer | |
Sun, 04 Mar 2014 | 8-days Mukhdahan - Nong Khai | Explorer | |
Tue, 04 Dec 2014 | 8-days Mukhdahan - Nong Khai | Explorer | |
Tue, 25 Dec 2014 | 8-days Mukhdahan - Nong Khai | Explorer | |
Tue, 15 Jan 2015 | 8-days Mukhdahan - Nong Khai | Explorer | |
Mon, 04 Feb 2015 | 8-days Mukhdahan - Nong Khai | Explorer | |
Tue, 26 Feb 2015 | 8-days Mukhdahan - Nong Khai | Explorer |
The Observatory is situated as well on the terrace deck of the Jahan. The Observatory is an elegant, tasteful and welcoming library and lounge with comfortable large sofas. It is the ideal place to “observe” life on the Mekong through the panoramic windows on the Observatory. Guests may also book this area for a private candle light dinner in the evening. It is an idyllic setting to play board games, read and relax on specially designed Indian comfy sofas whilst munching on some fruit. You are not blamed if you feel like the Shah Jahan himself
Inclusion & Exclusion
Includes
Sightseeing, shore excursions, admission fees and onboard programs by English-speaking guides. Meals as shown by BLD, drinks at meal time (mineral water, juice, coffee, tea). Accommodation onRV Mekong Explorer with private facilities.
Excludes
Flights, tips, visa, drinks with the exception of drinks mentioned above.
Port tax if any
Fuel surcharges if any