Enjoy the splendour of Laos on Pandaw's 10 night expedition on the Upper Mekong. Sailing between Chiang Khong on the Thai-Laos border, and through Laos toward Vientiane, the old French capital, witness stunning scenery, meet amazingly warm and friendly locals and learn about Laos’ national animal, the majestic elephant. Stop for three nights at the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang with its dazzling wood-carved monasteries before heading deep into the mountains, through rapids and gorges on our high-powered little Pandaw vessels.
Itinerary
Pick-up and transfer from airport/hotel in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.
En-route, enjoy lunch at Ban Rai Sabaidee Farm and guided visits to the Golden Triangle and the infamous Opium House.
Embark the cruise by 16:00 and enjoy welcome drinks on the sundeck with traditional Thai dancing.
Note:
Hotel pick-up timings and transfer duration:
From Chiang Mai: 06:00 – 08:00, 6 hours
From Chiang Rai: 08:30 – 10:00, 2 hours
If arrival is after the above-mentioned times, pick up from Chiang Rai airport (arrival must be before 13.00) or Chiang Mai airport (arrival must be before 13.00) and straight transfer to the cruise. This transfer will not include any visits to Golden Triangle, Opium House and Lunch due to time limit.
Overnight in Chiang Khong at On-board Pandaw Cruise
Inclusions:
🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Pass through immigration formalities at the Thai/Laos border and re-join the ship. Set sail downstream on the beautiful Upper Mekong River, Morning presentation on the Lao language. After lunch, if time allows, sightseeing on foot in Pak Sith. Pass by Ban Huay Xai, the province capital of Bokèo, on the border with Thailand. The town lies on the Mekong River opposite Chiang Khong in Thailand.
Overnight On-board Pandaw Cruise
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Morning walk at Ban Luang Tong Lao Lowland village. Laos is known as ‘The land of a million elephants’ and after lunch, visit a rescue sanctuary that is helping to preserve the elephants of Laos and provide sustainable alternative employment for Mahouts who once trained and rode these beautiful creatures. In the evening, moor at a sandbank for a special riverside barbecue and cocktail party. Light paper lanterns with the crew and enjoy a dance in remote Laos.
Overnight On-board Pandaw Cruise
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Discover the Khmu minority group and learn about their remote way of life. In the morning, visit Ban Bor village, home to the Lao & Khmu people. Get the chance to support locally produced handicrafts and walk through the Khmu village of Yoi Haoi in the afternoon.
Overnight On-board Pandaw Cruise
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Continue cruising downstream to Pak Ou, sightseeing by local boat exploring the unique and sacred Pak Ou Caves, a Buddhist sanctuary with spectacular limestone cliff faces. See the production of local Laos whisky at the Whisky village and shop for locally produced handicrafts before sailing into the World Heritage City of Luang Prabang. Moor overnight in central Luang Prabang.
Overnight On-board Pandaw Cruise
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Today, explore the various handicrafts and the vibrant textile world of Laos in more detail. Start with a morning walk up the 228 steps to Phousi temple where the best views of Luang Prabang can be found. After lunch aboard the ship, visit Ock Pop Tok, a social enterprise providing sustainable employment and training for the women of local weaving villages. Head to TAEC (Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre) to understand more about Laos musical instruments. Cocktail hour is accompanied by a traditional Bacci ceremony onboard highlighting some of the instruments seen in the afternoon.
Overnight On-board Pandaw Cruise
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Early morning walking tour to observe the morning alms offering by local people to the hundreds of monks who walk around the city every morning. Continue after breakfast to the morning market before taking tuktuks for a city tour of this well preserved and unique world heritage site with its many Buddhist temples, libraries and royal palace. The afternoon is free to explore the beauty and unique atmosphere of Luang Prabang.
Overnight On-board Pandaw Cruise
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
After breakfast, sail downstream to Ban Chan and take part in a pottery demonstration at the local pottery workshop. After lunch, moor at Ban Mouang Khai and take a short drive to see the deep jungle pools at the Kuang Si Waterfalls, a perfect place for a cool swim in the crystal-clear waters. Stop at the Laos Buffalo Farm, a social enterprise utilising the abundant buffalo in Laos before rejoining the ship. Sail downstream for a sunset cruise and moor overnight at Ban Na San.
Overnight On-board Pandaw Cruise
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Morning walk through Ban Na San Hmong Village. In the afternoon, pass through Xayabouri Hydroelectric Dam and take an inside look of the workings of this somewhat controversial attraction passing through the locks. Afternoon walk at Ban Khok Fark and moor overnight.
Overnight On-board Pandaw Cruise
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Explore Ban Pak Yun Mixed minorities tribe in the morning, a rural local village before setting sail to Pak Lay, our final destination. Enjoy a tour of your Pandaw ship and fruit carving demonstration on the sundeck in the afternoon before farewell cocktails and dinner in the evening.
Overnight On-board Pandaw Cruise
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner
Disembark at 08:30am followed by a local long-tail boat expedition downstream to Vientiane. Lunch and drinks will be provided on the local boat by the Pandaw chef and bar staff. Arrival to Vientiane around 17:30 with drop off at the hotel or Vientiane airport.
Inclusions:
☕ Breakfast
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Nick Ghosh
Global Director of SalesEXO Sales Team
Having spent much of his childhood between Southeast Asia and the UK, Nick has the passion and destination knowledge of a true local. After teaching English at Shanghai University in 2006, Nick returned to the UK to work for a top tour operator for ten years. Serving as a Southeast Asia Product Manager prior to joining EXO, Nick became our UK Sales Director in 2016 and since August 2018 our Global Sales Director based in the UK.
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Sophie's passion for travel began when she was young, joining her parents for trips abroad. Captivated by the allure of new destinations and diverse cultures, she went on to pursue a degree in International Tourism and Hospitality Management. After a decade working for a renowned UK travel agent, she transitioned to her role as EXO’s Sales Manager for the UK & Ireland.
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General Manager German MarketEXO Sales Team
Born in Bangkok, Pantanida began her career in the travel industry in the early 2000's. After travelling around Southeast Asia for a period of time, she moved to Ho Chi Minh City to help start up the German department for EXO Travel. She has been based in Germany since 2008, where she looks after our German-speaking clients.
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Kate Winslow
Sales Manager, North AmericaEXO Sales Team
Kate joined EXO Travel in 2023 as North American Sales Manager. With a history of extensive travel in Asia and a proven track record as a Virtuoso advisor, she enriches the travel planning process and promotes EXO's diverse destinations with a fresh perspective. Her passion for unique journeys is a boon for both EXO and our partners.
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Alice caught the travel bug early, accompanying her parents on cultural and architectural trips as a young child. She went on to study tourism and work for a well-known tour operator before taking a solo trip across three continents. In 2017, Alice joined EXO Malaysia as Inbound & Product Manager and, in 2023, returned to Paris as Sales Manager to support EXO's partners in the French-speaking market.