The river vessel Mekong Sun is a very comfortable ship capable of mastering the wild sections of the upper Mekong.  Accommodation and service is top level and guests enjoy a very exclusive yet casual travelling experience, while they reside in comfortable cabins or enjoy the services of the reataurant or bar . A selection of Asian and continental food is provided throughout the cruise. Special requirements can be catered for and wine, beer as well as spirituous beverages are available.

On the Mekong Sun there will be neither captain’s dinner nor any entertaining games like bingo. Rather than that, guests will go on exciting offshore excursions and enjoy a programme with profound travel information in form of presentations, speeches and films on relevant topics. Among many others, the French Mekong Expedition of the 1860s, the daily life of a Buddhist novice or the plants and fruits of the Mekong region will be the subjects.

The exclusive river vessel Mekong Sun (built in 2006) enables you to go on a comfortable journey, which seemed impossible for ages: over 450 miles of travelling along fantastic river landscapes, passing by World Heritage Sites and aboriginal villages. Safe and comfortable travelling with only 28 guests on board  is guaranteed, while you watch the incredible landscapes of this partly untamed river pass by.

The upper Mekong is one of the most difficult rivers in the world to navigate. Your comfortable cruise ship Mekong Sun masters tight gorges, labyrinths of sandbanks and mounts violent chutes. Water levels are prone to drop or rise about 2 m overnight on this part of the Mekong and quiet and calm parts of the river alternate with most dramatic and exciting shore sceneries: Tropical lush green mountains, impressive rock formations and secluded villages along the river banks.

Your journey includes visits to the lovely UNESCO World Heritage Site Luang Prabang, one of the most beautiful towns in South-East Asia, travelling along the secluded and impressive landscapes in northern Laos and into the once notorious region of the Golden Triangle. As of today, the Mekong Sun and Mekong Explorer are the only cabin cruisers sailing between Thai Chiang Saen and the Laotian capital Vientiane. Guests can lean back and indulge themselves unworried during this extraordinary trip. With 14 exclusive passenger cabins and high quality full board service, the Mekong Sun is perfectly suited for travelling in small groups with a most unique character.

Kindly note: Every river cruise on the upper Mekong is a pioneering experience and is subject to ever changing river conditions, e.g.  flood waters or shallows. Therefore, changes to the itinerary or schedule are not unusual and each journey will be individually adapted to ensure that all highlights are included.

DAY 1: EMBARKATION IN LUANG PRABANG  (D)
After lunch you will embark on your Mekong Cruise vessel, a comfortable new boutique-cruise ship. (Check in is after 2 PM). This unique boutique vessel is a German-Laotian owned river ship with stylish cabins. Settle into your accommodating cabin and unpack for a six-day cruise. Begin with a guided walk up Phou Si-hill, which offers a spectacular sunset view over the Mekong as well as the Khan River and the surrounding mountains. In the evening, enjoy strolling along the Mekong promenade or visiting the colorful night market of the local Hmong minority. Enjoy the spacious decks, lounge on board and attend our welcome reception this evening. A selection of Asian and European food will be provided throughout the cruise. Overnight in your cabin aboard your river vessel.

DAY 2: DEPARTURE FROM LUANG PRABANG  (B/L/D)
In the early morning you will able to observe the traditional giving of alms in the streets of Luang Prabang. Breakfast is on board and the rest of the morning will be spent on a guided city tour with visits of the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple, Wat Khili and the Wat Sene temple as well. Your spectacular cruise begins with the departure from Luang Prabang after lunch from where you will cruise north through beautiful scenery. The night is spent on a secluded river bank or sandbank. Overnight onboard your river vessel.

DAY 3: PAK OU CAVES (B/L/D)
After breakfast on board you will explore the famous Pak Ou Caves, with thousands of small Buddha statues inside the caverns. After a short walk through the jungle (optional) you visit a Laotian village. In the village you can observe how the local liqueur Lao-Lao is being distilled traditionally. Before returning to your Mekong vessel, you will see elephants in action (unless they are busy with an off-site contract by the time of your visit). After re-embarkation you will enjoy a few hours of cruising down the Mekong River amidst beautiful landscapes. Overnight onboard your river vessel.

DAY 4: WILD NATURE ALONG THE MIGHTY MEKONG (B/L/D)
The ship will head south to the Mekong ferry crossing at Tha Deua, connecting Luang Prabang Province with the Sayaboury province. Further downstream you will discover some of the most remarkable, most impressive landscapes of this still-untamed river. The landscape becomes more and more spectacular: hills covered with tropical vegetation, awe-inspiring rock formations along the river banks, and a fascinating array of fast currents and slower river parts. The power of the mighty Mekong will give your cruise the feeling of a real expedition (due to sudden drops in water level on some days, it may be necessary to make the afternoon excursion down south and upstream again – the wildest and possibly most exciting part of the Mekong – in a local Lao slow boat before returning back onboard). You will visit a local village school, which is supported by guests of the Mekong River Cruises fleet. Enjoy the beautiful views and watch nature’s wonders along the shores before you head north again and stop at a sandbank for the night. Overnight onboard your river vessel.

DAY 5: KUANG SI – LUANG PRABANG  (B/L/D)
After breakfast on board, enjoy the beautiful view and spot local fishermen onshore as you cruise upstream again. After a few hours of cruising up the river, you will stop and continue by bus to visit the famous Kuang Si-waterfalls, some of the most remarkable waterfalls in Laos. On the way you will stroll through the small village of Tha Pan, where you can observe how the local communities live in Northern Laos. In the afternoon you will return to Luang Prabang. This last evening on board will be celebrated with a farewell dinner with a traditional Lao Baci-friendship ceremony.

DAY 6: DISEMBARKATION (B)
After breakfast you will say goodbye to your Laotian crew. Check-out and disembark. End of service with the transfer to the airport.

NOTE: Every river cruise on the upper Mekong is a pioneering experience and is subject to constantly changing river conditions, including 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 and river conditions. For safety reasons and according to navigating conditions, these programs may be amended without previous notice.