MEKONG WATERWAYS 21D

Welcome on board. The boat leaves Houeisay pier at 09.30am.

Serene, timeless Laos is one of Asia’s most unvisited, unchanged countries. This once-powerful kingdom known as Lane Xang (Million Elephants) was founded in the 14th century with the help of the Khmers, and it went on to become one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia until its demise in the late 19th century. Bisected and bordered by the Mekong River, omnipresent symbol of Indochina, Laos today is an amalgam of cultural influences; Theravada Buddhism, animism, France, and the socialist ideal. It is a peaceful place, and the legendary hospitality, resilience and friendliness of the Lao people is much in evidence

Arrive in Pakbeng before sunset, hotel check in and relax in peaceful moments.

Overnight in Pakbeng.

Option: For those want to explore the town, visit local market; experience daily lifestyle of colorful hill tribe traders exchanges their goods

08:00 board the boat and cruise down to Luang Prabang. A short stop is made to visit a hilltribe village where you can watch the traditional process of Lao whiskey production before having a buffet lunch on board.

Continue to Pak Ou cave’s. Locally called Tam Ting, are filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues. The caves are noted for their miniature Buddha sculptures. Hundreds of wooden Buddhist figures take many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and reclining (nirvana).

Arrive Luang Prabang in the late afternoon,

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Option: early wake-up call will allow you to join the locals lining up to give food to hundreds of Buddhist monks returning from morning prayers. After taking part in this solemn, everyday ritual, stroll through morning market.

Breakfast at the hotel or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the alms giving ritual.

Today you explore Luang Prabang. Visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, a peaceful temple featuring the much-photographed Watermelon Stupa; Wat Aham, the site of Luang Prabang’s most important spirit shrine; Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang’s largest and most splendid temple, is best known for its impressive Tree of Life mural depicting the Buddhist story.

Continue to the small Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center (closed on Monday) has over 400 objects representing over 30 distinct ethnic groups. You can view the collection, comprised of traditional clothing and domestic textiles, jewellery, religious and ritual objects, and other items.

Visit Phone Say village, just a short drive from Luang Prabang. Phone Say, specializing the weaving textiles, remains one of the most intact traditional Lao villages in the area. Though it cannot be reached by car, it is only a 20-minute walk away from the main road. You will meet Ms. Ting who learned her hand-weaving skills from her mom and who now teaches young Laotian women the valuable skill. After visiting her workshop, you will be treated to a home-cooked lunch by her younger sister Mrs. Bounkhong, who teaches cooking at a college in Luang Prabang. Lunch on the hand-made bamboo terrace by the Mekong River is another memorable experience and a taste of real Lao traditions.

Visit the Ock Pop Tock weaving centre, run by an organization that offers local weavers the chance to earn a decent income with their weaving skills. You also visit Ban Xang Khong village to learn more about Saa paper.

You then climb the 328 steps leading to Phousi Hill. Mount Phousi cuts a distinctive figure in the centre of Luang Prabang skyline. The hill, with spectacular 360 degree views, is a popular as a place to watch the sun rise or set.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

The exploration of Luang Prabang would be not complete with a visit to the National Museum. Housed in the former Royal Palace, uninhabited since the royal family was deposed in 1975, the museum showcases many treasures of Laos’ royal past and allows visitors to glimpse the private and public quarters of Lao royalty. Also displayed here is the Prabang, the sacred Buddha image for which Luang Prabang was named.

You then drive out to the suburb, through beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills, and small villages. En-route stop at a small village which is home to one of the area’s many ethnic minorities. You will have an opportunity to learn about their traditions and culture, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries.

At the famous Kuang Si Waterfall, a short walk brings you down to the abrupt waterfall where you will have time for a swim or simply relaxing by the water’s edge.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Today you will travel by road to Vang Vieng, a journey through stunning landscapes, and you will stop at some villages to interact with the friendly Khmu and Hmong people.

Vang Vieng is a small village nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River, where you will visit the famous Tham Jang Caves, once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders.

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Breakfast at hotel then leave for Vientiane.

In the afternoon, you will visit COPE educational centre, a heartbreaking but compelling place that teaches us about Laos’ Hidden War.

Afterwards you continue on to Wat Sisaket, the city’s oldest temple. Dates back to 1818, Wat Sisaket is the most important heritage temple now standing in Laos. It houses thousand of Buddha images from many countries, long lost architectural styles, sculptures and paintings; Wat Prakeo, former royal temple of the Lao monarchy and originally built in 1565, is home to the Emerald Buddha image, Buddhist sculptures are displayed along the perimeter wall, including a 6th to 9th century Dvaravati-style stone Buddha and several standing and sitting Buddhas.

En route to Lao’s national icon, That Luang Stupa, stop at the Patuxay Monument, an irresistibly photogenic structure which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe.

Dinner is arranged at a cozy French-colonial-style restaurant. Sample the Laos food and enjoy traditional cultural dances

Overnight in Vientiane.

Today, you will have an early morning flight to Pakse, the provincial capital of Champasack where the Mekong and Sedon rivers meet. (Suggested flight: QV512 VTE – PKZ @ 0630 – 0715)

09:30 you transfer to a longtail riverboat for 2.5-hour-journey to Champassak. Upon arrival at the Vat Phou boat, cabins check-in.

The highlight of the afternoon is the Wat Phou ruins. Built by the Khmer, Wat Phu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 5th century, and a highlight of Southern Laos. You have time to visit the museum at the ruins site, walk up to the highest temple and take as many photos as you would like.

As dusk falls, transfer back to your boat, enjoy the tropical sunset on the deck. Dinner is served on board, while the boat docks for the night alongside a remote Laotian village.

Overnight on board.

Breakfast is on board as setting sail for the village of Huei Thamo. This is a small village a few minutes’ walk away from the mysterious hidden forest temple of Oum Muong.

Afterwards you rejoin the boat to continue your cruise southwards. Lunch is on the deck, while leisurely sailing closer to the wild paradise of the “4,000 Islands”. Here, the Mekong can reach up to 14km wide during the rainy season and it is dotted with thousands of islands of various sizes.

Late afternoon disembark from the boat to walk through Ban Deua Tia, a small Laotian Village where the traditional way of life has not changed in centuries. Your day’s cruise finishes at the most northern tip of Don Khong, the largest inhabited island in the river archipelago.

Overnight on board

While you breakfast on the deck, the boat cruises the Mekong to the small village of Ban Veuthong, where you board a small boat to meander among the 4,000 Islands to Khone Island. You will visit the old French railway and walk across the bridge that links Khone and Det Islands.

Continue on the boat back to the mainland for lunch at a local restaurant in a small fishing village, Xieng Di, on the banks of the Mekong.

You then transfer by bus to the historically significant Pha Pheng waterfall, Southeast Asia’s biggest waterfall and is known as the Niagara of the East.

Later back to Champassak and spend the rest day at your leisure.

Overnight in Champassak.

Transfer to Pakse Airport for your Flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia where guide and driver await you and accompany you to the hotel.

In the afternoon you further explore Angkor Wat, easily the most famous and best-preserved of all temples within the Angkor complex. It is a massive three-tiered structure crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. The centrepiece of any visit to the temples around Siem Reap, Angkor offers many iconic sights for amazing pictures.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Wake up early, have breakfast at the hotel and head out with your cameras for a day filled with amazing sights and experiences.

Explore the amazing temple complex and spend most of the day in what this UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom, surrounded by an 8m high wall. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. Continue to Bayon Temple in the exact centre of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur, its exterior gallery walls featuring extensive, superb bas-reliefs, particularly the East and South Galleries.

You also visit the Ta Prohm Temple, unlike most other Angkor temples, has been left just it was when rediscovered: a photogenic and atmospheric maze of trees growing out of temple ruins amidst jungle surroundings, making it one of Angkor’s most popular temples with visitors.

Banteay Srey, the citadel of the women, displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, an ideal medium for the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. The buildings themselves, unusual among Angkor era structures are miniature in scale.

The trip to Pre Rup Temple will reward you with a spectacular sunset over the Angkor Archaeological Park and its surroundings.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

In the morning, you will head out to Kompong Kleang “floating village”, which is, in fact, a stilt house settlement of over 20,000 people where structures can tower up to ten meters above the water. Greeted by waves of the friendly locals, here you can glimpse Cambodia’s countryside culture and traditional family lifestyle.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in Kompong Kleang.

From Kompong Kleang, Head for the hidden jungle temple of Beng Mealea. Just a short walk through dense jungle brings you to this overgrown temple, whose wonders lay undiscovered for centuries.

This evening you will visit the NGO Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS). PPS was founded in 1994 and is dedicated to taking care of vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the Battambang community. They do this through their quality artistic schools, teaching the children theatre and circus arts, visual arts and music. Since 1998, PPS has produced numerous acts and shows performed all over Cambodia as well as abroad. You will learn about their program and enjoy a revue show afterwards including live music, choreography, acrobatics, poetry and burlesque.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Leaving Siem Reap after breakfast, you will head to Battambang by boat trip through the biggest fresh water lake Tonle Sap.

Upon arrival in Battambang check in to the hotel and enjoy a refreshing shower. Time to relax, you are free to go to dinner in town or try the hotel’s excellent restaurant.

Overnight in Battambang

Your first visit today is Battambang Market. Battambang is the largest rice producing province in Cambodia and its local market is full of fresh fish, meat, vegetables and fruit.

Take a ride on the famous bamboo train, consisting of 2.5m x 4m raft-like platforms of bamboo fixed on trolleys fitted to the derelict rail line, first used by local villagers to transport their goods. A unique and fun outing, this is a ride you must experience while in Battambang

Continue your visit to Wat Ek Temple, built in 1027 during the reign of King Sorayak Varman I (1002-1050). It is located at Piem Ek commune, some 14 km from Battambang in a beautiful area of many small scenic villages and ancient Wats (temples). Explore the surrounding villages and hilltop temples; the local people are very welcoming and friendly, making this a highlight of any journey to Cambodia. Next is visit Phnom Banan, an 11th century mountaintop Angkorian ruin consisting of five temples, and features dramatic views of the area.

On the way back, visit Phnom Sambov Mountain, a place steeped in legend, you will visit Wat Sampeou at the peak, and a group of caves used as “killing caves”by the Khmer Rouge.

Overnight in Battambang.

After breakfast at the hotel, you take a scenic drive to Phnom Penh

In the afternoon, you visit Phnom Penh’s main attractions including the National Museum, a treasure chest of Angkorian and pre-Angkorian artefacts. Just cross the road, you explore the famous Royal Palace, built in 1866 under the French protectorate and King Norodom. The adjoining Silver Pagoda, built in 1962, is famous for its lavish decorations, silver paved floor and several Buddha statues made from precious metals & stones.

Scale the steps up this small hill to see Wat Phnom Temple, the birthplace of Phnom Penh. You then have time for coffee break at the riverfront. Rest, relax, enjoy coffee and watch the local life goes by. Close your day at “Russian Market”, wander around and purchase nice handicraft for your friends and relatives. The Toul Tom Pong Market (Russian Market) is the city’s best place to shop for art objects, including textiles, antiques, wood and marble carvings, ritual objects and old Indochinese coins.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Morning is free till we transfer you to the pier for your boat trip to Chau Doc, Vietnam. Later, you set off to the Vietnamese border for the requisite cross border paperwork. Chau Doc arrival, our waiting staff will welcome you and transfer to your hotel in town.

Overnight in Chau Doc

One of the special features of Chau Doc is its floating fishing villages on the Mekong River. People depend on the river to raise many kinds of fishes, especially catfish. Catfish are so important in Chau Doc that you will find a Catfish statue in the town. Later you visit village of the Cham people, you will see people still using their traditional clothing, and village houses built on stilts because the area often floods in rainy season.

In the afternoon, you head out to Can Tho. Pay a visit to Binh Thuy Ancient House, a rare and well-preserved example in Can Tho City of a characteristic Mekong Delta house. Here, you will find not only an ancient structure demonstrating a unique combination of French and Vietnamese design features, but also a lush garden with a wide range of plants, including orchids and a record cactus.

Overnight in Can Tho

Today start with Cai Rang Floating Market, features local fruits and vegetables such as pineapple and dragon fruit, as well as garden tools, crafts and local breakfast favorites like noodles. One thing you’ll notice here are the “Cay Beo” – each boat has a bamboo pole standing up and tied to the end is a sample of what they are selling. It is cheap and effective advertising!

You then have time for shower before check-out and transfer to Ninh Kieu Pier. Boarding on boat and cruise downstream of the Hau River. Passing Tra On floating market, turning into Nicolai canal, towards the Mang Thit and Co Chien rivers. Rest on the upper deck in a scenery of rice fields, sugar cane, woods on the near banks. By mid-afternoon, the Bassac casts anchor for a visit on shore: past the first tree line, quiet discovery of the peaceful life in the delta’s countryside, of rice fields, fruit trees and the welcoming inhabitants.

Boarding back, complimentary drink as a welcome back on board. Rest on the deck or around the bar enjoying the sunset. The crew will serve dinner while the cruise is cruising Mang Thit river towards her anchorage point for the night.
Overnight on board.

Today you towards Cai Be. Your boat crosses Co Chien river then branches into Cho Lach canal for 30 minutes through the traffic of sand and rice barges, in a scenery of fruit drying facilities and wooden ship building yards.

Arrival in Cai Be, check-out and transfer to a rowing boat for a quiet visit through a small canal to the local handicraft. Drive back to Saigon. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Saigon.

Today you first visit Cu Chi Tunnels, stopping en route to visit a rice paper making village. After an introductory video, viewing various mantraps, the remains of an American tank and numerous bomb craters, you will spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels to see how the Viet Cong survived in this underground network.

In the afternoon, your walking tour following the Graham Greene’s Trail takes you on a journey from colonial to modern Saigon. The Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883, most materials for Saigon’s Notre Dame Cathedral were imported from France. Neo-Romanesque in form, it is a major centre of Catholicism in modern Vietnam, and one of the city’s major landmarks. Next to the cathedral stands the Saigon Post Office, a classic French colonial structure, is still a functioning post office today and features huge ceilings, a giant portrait of Uncle Ho, and many beautiful details. Continue along the former Rue Catinat to the Hotel Continental – famous from the ‘Quiet American’ novel and film. Your final stop is at Caravelle Hotel. This hotel and its bar were home to many foreign reporters and secret agents during the Vietnam War. Head up to its rooftop bar to try one of Saigon’s many local beers and enjoys a panoramic view of the city.

Overnight in Saigon

This morning is free as leisure in Ho Chi Minh City and does some last-minute shopping before flying back home or on to your next destination.

End of service.