RV Laos Pandaw 10 Nights (Upstream)
Destination: Vientiane, Chiang Saen, Pak Lai, Ban Park Bor Village, Pakbeng, Chiang Saen
Departure date of itinerary: Contact us for details
Highlights of Itinerary
- Discover the highlights of Vientiane, from Pha That Luang Stupa to Wat Prakeo Temple
- Hike to a secluded Khamo Tribe village and visit a Hmong community, experiencing unique cultures
- Explore UNESCO World Heritage Town, colonial architecture, and night markets
- Witness alms giving ceremony and participate in a cooking demonstration onboard
- Marvel at thousands of Buddha statues nestled inside the sacred Pak Ou Caves
- Enjoy cocktail evenings on sandbanks, traditional dance performances & other leisure activities
Day 1 VIENTIANE (L, D)
PLEASE NOTE: The following itinerary is just an indication of what you can expect on the cruise and subject to change. With the journey to remote land like this, there may be inevitable element that force the cruise to change the plan. Additionally, we provide a design tour service depending on 100% YOUR PLAN, try it here!
The time of check-in is 12:30 and enjoy a warm welcome with a hearty and full lunch.
The afternoon will be the discovery of Vientiane’s highlights such as Pha That Luang Stupa, Sisaket Temple, the President’s Hall, Wat Prakeo Temple and the Phatouxay monument.
Return back on board in the afternoon as we moor overnight near the city.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 CRUISING THE MEKONG (B, L, D)
Spend the day sail against the current of the Mekong. En route, the magical scenery of exotic jungle and little village tucked away by the river side will slowly appear. The morning you can spend learning the basic of Lao language. The afternoon can be reserved for a cooking demonstration. We reach Ban Xanakham in the evening for overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 PAK LAI (B, L, D)
The morning will be leisure on board followed by the afternoon visit to Pak Lai town. Used to be a French Administrative, now it is a lively town with many colonial imprints through the buildings. In February, this town also has one of the biggest elephant festival in South East Asia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 BAN PARK BOR VILLAGE (B, L, D)
Spend the morning hiking to Khamo Tribe Village with Laos River Cruise, a secluded village amidst the jungle that rare gets any visitors. The afternoon trip will lead you to the Xanyaburi Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 BAN MOUANG KHAI VILLAGE AND LUANG PRABANG (B, L, D)
After breakfast, visit a village of Hmong people and then resume the journey northbound to Ban Mouang Khai. The afternoon will be spent on bus to the Khaung Si waterfalls with its sapphire water and lagoons as well as the butterfly garden. Later this afternoon, we reach the UNESCO Heritage Town – Luang Prabang, where you can explore the town with its colonial structures, night markets, and interesting restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 LUANG PRABANG (B, L, D)
After breakfast, take on a tuk tuk ride to the town of Luang Prabang with its many monuments that still retains the original states. First off is the National Museum followed some other Buddhist Temples. Afternoon, you will be free to explore the town on your own. Back on RV Laos Pandaw cruise in the evening to enjoy dinner and a traditional dance performance by the local artists.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 PAK OU CAVES (B, L, D)
Wake up early today to take part in the alms giving ceremony by the locals that donate foods for monks that go around the town every morning. The trip this morning will be to Pak Ou Caves. It holds a special significance to the Buddhists as the spacious cave houses thousands of Buddha images. Enjoy a cocktail on the sandbank by the evening. Then we continue sailing upstream to Ban Bo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 PAK BENG (B, L, D)
Today visit in the morning to a Khamo Village. Then continue sailing toward Pak Sit and passing through Pak Sit.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 BAN HOUAYXAY (B, L, D)
The morning will begin will a hike to a Khamo village. Afterward back on board to continue the journey toward the Laos and Thailand border. Spend the night on the Laos side in Huay Xay.
In case you want to try another itinerary, reference 10-night tour downstream on RV Laos Pandaw!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 CHIANG SAEN (B, L, D)
Morning cruise to Chiang Saen Town in Thailand as we cross the border via Golden Triangle. Tonight will consist of a cocktail and a Thai traditional dance show on board followed by a farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 CHIANG SAEN (B)
Check-out from the cruise at 8:30 AM in Chian Saen and you will be transferred to your hotel or the airport. If time allows, we can make a visit to the Hall of Opium. It takes around 2 hours to reach Chiang Rai and 6 hours to reach Chiang Mai.
Meals: Breakfast
What's Included/Excluded
- Entrance fees
- Guide services (English language)
- Gratuities to crew
- Main meals as mentioned
- Locally-made soft drinks, mineral water
- Local beer and local spirits
- Jugged coffee and selection of teas and tisanes
- Transfers between the meeting point and the ship at the start and end of a voyage
- International flights
- Visa costs
- Phnom Penh Port tax 65 USD/ pax
- Port dues (if levied)
- Laundry
- Fuel surcharges (Policies)
- Imported beverages such as wines, premium spirits, and liqueurs
- Fancy soft drinks like Perrier, espressos, and cappuccinos
- Tips to tour guides, local guides, bus drivers, boat operators, and cyclo drivers