The Mekong Explorer, Mekong Delta Cruises, Mekong Delta Trips

Be one of the first travelers to get to know a truly unspoiled nature along the banks of the Mekong as well as during fascinating shore excursions to local villages on the route between The Golden Triangle  and Luang Prabang in the north,  the Lao capital of Vientiane and the lively market town of Savannakhet in the south.

 

Cruising without a fixed schedule, guests of the boutique cruise vessel Mekong Explorer can expect stunning and sometimes surprising excursions to remote villages and off the beaten track colonial towns like Thakhek and Savannakhet Natural wonders such as the 7 km long cave of Konglo, which you will traverse on small long tail boats are also parts of the unique experience. The cruise is available upstream from Savannakhet to Vientiane and vice versa. Apart from being located just across a bridge over the Mekong River from the Thai town of Mukdahan, flights between Savannakhet and Vientiane as well as to Bangkok and Pakse open numerous possibilities to include this unique cruise in tour itineraries to Laos or Southeast Asia in general.

 

The Mekong Explorer - Facts

• Built in Laos in 2008/2009
• Starting operations in December 2009
• Two decks with 16 cabins in three different categories
• All cabins twin bedded, with en suite shower/WC and air conditioning
• Eight Classic cabins (approx. 12,5 m²) and four Junior Suites (approx. 15,5 m²) on the main deck as well as two Junior Suites (approx. 15,5 m²) on the upper deck, all with wide sliding panoramic windows and a French balcony providing a fantastic view of the surrounding landscapes.
• Two Suites (approx. 21 m²) with a private balcony on the upper deck
• Large sun deck on the top deck
• Restaurant/bar area on the upper deck
• All offshore excursions guided in English
• European Cruise director on board (English and German speaking)

 

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.

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.

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.

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.