Day 01、Today our spectacular river cruise begins with embarkation the Mekong Sun in Luang Prabang at approx. 08:00h. The unique, new Mekong Sun, the first German-Lao owned river cruise ship on the upper Mekong River. After leaving Luang Prabang, you will visit a local Lao-distillery at Ban Xang Hay before continuing to the famous Pak Ou Caves with thousands of small Buddha statues inside deep caverns. Enjoy the spacious deck and lounge on board and attend our Welcome Reception and dinner this evening. A selection of Asian and European food will be provided throughout the cruise.
( L/D ) Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Sun
Day 02、 Relax on deck or in the lounge and soak up the remote scenery. Today is full of scenic highlights. The river traffic will slower as we proceed upstream and the beautiful landscapes will impress you. Around noon we will stop and visit an elephant camp, where we can see logging elephants in action. Later, that day we will have a short stop in Pakbeng.
( B/L/D ) Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Sun
Day 03、The landscapes will continue to impress you with diversity with tropical hills in the background. Enjoy the tranquility of northern Laos , a real retreat from the hustle of our daily lives at home. Along the green hills your river cruise takes you upstream towards Pak Tha. Along the way we will also be able to visit a local minority village of the Hmong hill tribe.
( B/L/D ) Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Sun.
Day 04、In the morning we will do a shore excursion with long tail boats on the Namtha River to visit a Khmu village. After arrival on the Mekong Sun we will proceed to the Thai-Lao border at Chiang Khong( Thailand ) and Ban Huay Xay ( Laos ).
( B/L/D ) Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Sun.
Day 05、After clearing customs and a short sightseeing in and around Huay Xay, your river cruise takes you westwards into the once notorious region called the Golden Triangle. In the afternoon you will arrive in Thai Chiang Saen, where we need to check in at Chiang Saen immigration to Thailand . An organized sightseeing tour leads you to visit the Golden Thai Wats (temples) and visit the Golden Buddha of Sop Ruak.
( B/L/D ) Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Sun
Day 06、This morning we will disembark from the Laotian Mekong Sun to visit the Hall of Opium. Then visit the Doi Tung Royal Orchid Botanical Gardens and if time permits we will also visit the Monkey Cave . After returning form the shore excursion you will embark on the Chinese excursion cruise ship, the Mekong Prince. After checking out at the immigration we continue our cruise upstream to the small settlement of Muang Mom, where we stay overnight.
( B/L/D ) Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Prince.
Day 07、This morning we will visit the temple forest close to Muang Mom on the Burmese side. Then, you will cruise through the primitive tropical rain forests in this almost inaccessible no mans land between Burma and Laos, where wild nature seems unaffected on the Burmese side and an occasional border guard post under multi-colored sunscreens appears on the Laotian side. We arrive today at the northern Lao village of Xieng Kok .
( B/L/D ) Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Prince.
Day 08、 The landscape becomes more and more spectacular with hills covered with tropical vegetation, impressive rock formations along the river banks and rapid and slow currents on the river. Today we will arrive in Guanlei where we clear Chinese customs. In the afternoon the vessel will arrive near Ganlaba, a small market town. Spend a last relaxing evening aboard and enjoy our farewell dinner at night.
( B/L/D ) Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Prince.
Day 09、pectacular river cruise ends with our arrival in Jinghong in the southern Yunnan province, where we will disembark after breakfast. Please understand that we must reserve the right to alter the itinerary of this tour due to the logistical complexities involved. transfer to the hotel.
(B/LD) Overnight in Jinghong
Day 10、08:30 leave the hotel. 09:20 arrive at Galanba, visit local morning market, Water Dai people village, rubber garden and Burmese temple. 12:00 have lunch in the Red House Restaurant. 14:00 visit Botanic Garden. 17:00 have dinner in the hotel.
(B/L/D) Overnight in Jinghong
Day 11、 08:30 drive to visit Wild Elephant Valley ( natural reserve area ), take single way cable car to enjoy the raining forest. On the way back visit Dry Dai people village and Jinuo people village. In the afternoon take flight from Jinghong to Lijiang. Meet the local guide and transfer to the hotel. 18:30 have dinner in the hotel.
(B/L/D) Overnight in Lijiang
Day 12、 08:30 set out to take cable car to Jade Dragon Mountain for glacier. 12:30 have lunch in Suhe Old Town and then visit it. 18:30 have dinner in the Lijiang Old Town. 20:00 enjoy Mr. Xuanke' s Naxi Ancient Music.
(B/L/D) Overnight in Lijiang
Day 13、 08:30 bus to Shangri-la. 10:00 visit Tiger-Leaping Gorge on the way, 12:00 have lunch in Tiger-Leaping Gorge Town. 14:30 arrive in Shangri-la and check in the hotel. In the afternoon visit Songzanlin Tibetan Buddhism Monastery and Tibetan villages outside of the city. 16:30 visit the local market and Zhongdian Old Town. 18:30 have dinner in the typical Tibetan restaurant named Nanka Mingdian.20:00 enjoying the folk dancing in the square in the old town.
(B/L/D) Overnight in Shangri-la
Day 14、 08:30 leave the hotel for Dongzhulin Monastery . 09:45 stop for photo at the Fulong Bridge ( Yangtze Bridge, km1980 ). 10:10 stop for photo at panorama point of First Bend of Golden Sand River ( Yangtze River, km1960 ). 10:45 visit Dongzhulin Monastery ( km 1952 ). 11:30 leave the Monastery for Bengzilan Town. 12:15 have lunch in Bengzilan Town. 13:30 leave Bengzilan Town for Shangri-la. 16:00 back to Zhongdian City and transfer to airport to take flight back to Kunming.Meet the local guide and transfer to the hotel.
(B/L/D) Overngiht in Kunming
Day 15、 After breakfast take flight for leaving. (B)
NOTE: 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, road and/or river conditions, and room availability. For safety reasons and according to navigation conditions, these programs may be amended without previous notice.
