Laos Meandering the Mekong

Laos Meandering the Mekong 9 Days

From $2450 USD

Trip URL: www.adventurelink.com/

1 reviews

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Laos Meandering the Mekong
Laos Meandering the Mekong
Laos Meandering the Mekong
Laos Meandering the Mekong
Laos Meandering the Mekong
Laos Meandering the Mekong
Laos Meandering the Mekong
Laos Meandering the Mekong
Laos Meandering the Mekong
Laos Meandering the Mekong
Laos Meandering the Mekong
Laos Meandering the Mekong

Overview
Itinerary
Nuts & Bolts
Experts
Operator
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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 9 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 80.0%
Trip ID: 125486
Start Location: Ban Nong Khiao Nuea, Thailand
End Location: Ban Sithan Nua, Laos

Guaranteed:
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Primary Activities: Urban Exploration, Walking Tour
Other Activities: Local Culture & Cuisine, Religious and Spiritual Sites, Historical Sites, Temples & Shrines, Local Markets, museums, caves, boating
Activity Level: Basic

Board a local river launch for a comfortably-paced, guided two-day trip down the Mekong with frequent stops for villages, nature, temples, or whatever you fancy. This a great way to see and phtograph life and nature along this famous river. Explore the sites of scenic Luang Prabang, then fly on to Vientiane. Your guide speaks fluent English and knows the local people you will meet. There are opportunities for casual exploration of temples, markets, and villages.

Notes:

Flights within Laos add $100 (estimated)
Group sizes 2-3 add $400
Small group surcharges apply

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Chiang Rai, Thailand: You will be met at the airport in Chiang Rai and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to experience an afternoon cyclo ride through town.

This evening, we recommend a Kantok dinner and cultural show. You'll be treated to an authentic northern Thai dinner while being entertained by traditional dancers dressed in decorated costumes. This is the best way to get some insight into a local dining experience. The dinner and show are not included in the land cost and are an additional $25 per person.

Meals: None
Day 2: Huay Xay / Pakbeng: You arrive at the Thailand/Laos border by road in mid-morning, cross the Mekong River, and meet your guide at Huay Xay, the immigration checkpoint for Laos. Travel with your guide down the Mekong for about four hours by local boat to your overnight guesthouse in Pakbeng. Pakbeng is an active, rough-around-the-edges river village with many shops, restaurants, boats, and trucks. The guesthouse is quite basic, with a great view of the Mekong, outside facilities, and part-time electricity.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Tribal Villages: After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven to the villages of Ban Lao Sung and Ban Done Keo. Your trip takes you through a scenic gorge and sparsely populated mountain country. The villages are very friendly in this area, and we will introduce you to local people who are happy to show you how communities are organized, invite you to visit their homes, and discuss and show you some of their traditions. You will sample some local foods and gain a good feeling for the simple life of rural Laos. Return to your guesthouse in Pakbeng for your overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Boat to Luang Prabang: After breakfast, continue by chartered, powered riverboat to Luang Prabang with a picnic lunch along the way. The boat offers a broad deck for panoramic viewing and a sheltered area in case of sun or rain. The day will be busy with visits to the villages of Ban Hat Kham, Ban Hat Mad, and Ban Sang Hay, known for jars and a special locally fermented and distilled beverage. You will also visit Tham Ting Cave and Pak Ou Cave. You may decide to stop to observe and photograph fishermen, elephants hauling logs from the forest, gold panning, riverbank agriculture, and rich natural forests. Dock at a temple in Luang Prabang and walk to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Luang Prabang: After breakfast, take a city tour where you will be able to visit the temples, then head onward to the weaving village of Ban Phanom. You will enjoy the pace and uncrowded space of Luang Prabang, which is the favorite Asian city of many people. Most sites are within walking distance and the climate is moderate. Today, we have included the opportunity to witness a local Baci ceremony, which celebrates a special time in a Loatian's life such as a marriage, homecoming, a birth, etc.

Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Luang Prabang: Today is yours for exploring in Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Luang Prabang / Vientiane: Early this morning, witness the alms offering to the monks. This ritual is a way for Buddhists to "make merit" and how the monks obtain their meals for the day. Your hotel will provide you with sticky rice. We suggest avoiding purchasing food from the local "alms vendors". As a group of around 200 monks walks by, you and villageers will give them your offerings. Women should cover their arms and legs if giving alms. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Vientiane where you spend the rest of the day visiting some of its many wonderful local sights, including amazing temples, an interesting museum, and a colorful and active riverfront.

Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Vientiane: You'll have the day free to explore on your own.

Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Vientiane / Onward: You may have time for a visit to the temples and souvenir shops after breakfast before you transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

Meals as noted
each night in double occupancy accommodations
land transfers between components
English speaking guides
park or site entry fees
surface transport
equipment other than personal gear
government tax
airport transfer assistance
in-country ticket reconfirmation and check-in assistance (where permitted)
complete pre-departure packet
toll-free pre-departure phone assistance.

Trip Excludes

Meals not noted as included
gratuities
beverages (except tea or coffee at meals)
international or domestic airfare unless specified
airport departure taxes not included with air tickets
visas
itinerary changes after confirmation
any services not included in itinerary
any costs incurred due to canceled or delayed flights
acts of nature or other happenings beyond our control
other costs as are more fully described in JOURNEYS Terms & Conditions.

Trip ID#: 125486

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Operator

For the specifics on this tour operator, please contact AdventureLink directly.

Reviews (1)

Lori B.

“Really, it was a perfect trip! The guides were amazing, the hotels were great and the river trip was fascinating. We met great people, ate great food, and had so much fun!”
- Overall Rating
  90%
- Guide Rating
  100%
- Value Rating
  90%
- Itinerary Rating
  100%
- Accomodation Rating
  70%

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