Mother Mekong
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Overview
The mighty Mekong runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It's the seventh longest river in Asia. We take a Mekong Cruise. It would be kinda rude not to.
(Was Beyond the Mekong)
Itinerary
Day 1-2 - Bangkok
After a little meet 'n' greet, grab your new mates and hit the city. Jump on the Skytrain or head to the floating markets for a bit of people watching. The overnight train to Chiang Mai will expose the snorers.
Day 1
Arrive in Bangkok and get to grips with this awesome city
Day 2
- Visit some of Bangkok’s most famous sights, including the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha
- Enjoy the rest of the day to further explore the city
- Shop for bargains, eat in exotic restaurants and perhaps hit some bars or nightclubs
BreakfastDay 3 - Chiang Mai
Free time. Last one up the 300 steps of Doi Suthep buys the Chang beer.
- Spend a free day exploring the northern city of Chiang Mai, with over 120 temples in the centre alone
- Visit the Tribal Research Institute and gain excellent background information on the cultures and customs of the various inhabitants of the hill regions Thailand and Laos
- Set off on an excursion to the top of Doi Suthep, with fantastic views over the city
- Perhaps get a traditional Thai massage or even partake in a cooking class
- Why not visit the Night Bazaar a great chance to practice those bargaining skills
Day 4 - Huay Xai
There's a bit of travel today, so charge your iPod. Tonight we arrive in Laos, and this chilled out little town on the banks of the Mekong. Tuck into some local whiskey and a bit of sticky rice (they love their sticky rice here).
- Take a small boat across the Mekong River to Huay Xai, the first stop in Laos
- Enjoy time to wander around this small place and perhaps ascend the Naga stairs to Wat Jom Khao Manilat
- Perhaps visit a nearby minority village, where they make rice whiskey, noodles and handicrafts
Day 5 - Mekong River - Pakbeng
They don't call it a slow boat for nothing. Meander down the river to a little place called Pakbeng. It's back to basics tonight when we sleep in a local guesthouse.
- Board a slow boat for a trip down the Mekong River
- Arrive in the late afternoon at Pakbeng; a colourful village situated at the junction of the Mekong River and the smaller Beng River
Day 6-8 - Luang Prabang
Stu, our favourite Destination Manager (he bribed us to say that) says when it comes to food you’re spoiled for choice. If you want to splash out head to L’Elephant or just grab a deckchair and lose track of time at Utopia bar on the river.
- Continue on the private slow boat, stopping to stretch your legs and explore the Pak Ou Caves, which contain hundreds of Buddha statues
- Arrive in Luang Prabang in the evening and wander the streets of ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’
- Trek to the beautiful Kuang Si Falls
Day 9-10 - Vang Vieng
Mountains. Villages. Lime karst cliffs. Caves. Kayaking. The end.
- Transfer to a local fan cooled bus and head toward the village of Vang Vieng, located on a bend in the Nam Song River
- Cross the river to explore the huge caves that line the West Bank
- Enjoy plenty of time to make your own discoveries or partake in an optional kayaking day trip along the Nam Song
Day 11-12 - Vientiane
Embrace a bit of pedal power in the capital of Laos. Buddha Park is pretty cool and you can't beat a tour of the Beer Lao Brewery followed by a cold one as the sun goes down.
- Continue to the Lao capital, located on the banks of the Mekong River
- Arrive in Vientiane and explore this small and laid-back capital on bicycle or on foot
- Set off on a walking orientation tour takes you to the oldest remaining temple in Vientiane, Wat Si Saket
- During free time, further explore Vientiane’s other historical sites, including Haw Pha Kaew
Day 13-14 - Lak Sao - Vinh
The term “really, really, super remote” might not cut it, because Lak Sao is about as far off the grid as you can get. Once we get to Vietnam, there's another chance to laugh at the snorers on the Reunification Express sleeper train.
Day 13
- Travel through stunning mountain scenery and a Stone Forest to the town of Lak Sao
Day 14
- Cross the border into Vietnam and head for the port city of Vinh, birthplace of Ho Chi Minh
- Board the Reunification Express sleeper train for the 300-kilometre train journey to Hanoi
Day 15-16 - Hanoi
Make the most of your local tour guide in Hanoi, because it's nearly home time. Why not challenge them to find you the city's best bun cha?
- Begin by visiting the One Pillar Pagoda near the Soviet-inspired mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh
- Walk to the Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first educational institute
- Visit the Hoa Lo Prison, probably better known to most as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’
- Enjoy a free afternoon to wander around town and check out the lifestyles of Hanoi’s people
- Perhaps stop by the city’s Old Quarter, situated to the north of the lake
- Board the Reunification Express in the evening for the trip to Hue
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What to Know
What's Included
An experienced local tour guide, and there will be the services of local site guides at some sites. All transportation, accommodation, meals and sightseeing as indicated.
Not Included
- International flights, arrival and departure transfers, departure and airport taxes, visas, all other meals, all optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Show more departures...Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price 22 Jun 2013 - 07 Jul 2013 7 Closed US $1,650 Closed 06 Jul 2013 - 21 Jul 2013 7+ Available US $1,455 Book Now 03 Aug 2013 - 18 Aug 2013 7 Available US $1,455 Book Now 05 Oct 2013 - 20 Oct 2013 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 19 Oct 2013 - 03 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 02 Nov 2013 - 17 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 16 Nov 2013 - 01 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 30 Nov 2013 - 15 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 14 Dec 2013 - 29 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 28 Dec 2013 - 12 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 04 Jan 2014 - 19 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 11 Jan 2014 - 26 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 18 Jan 2014 - 02 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 25 Jan 2014 - 09 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 01 Feb 2014 - 16 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 08 Feb 2014 - 23 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 15 Feb 2014 - 02 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 22 Feb 2014 - 09 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 01 Mar 2014 - 16 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 08 Mar 2014 - 23 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 15 Mar 2014 - 30 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 22 Mar 2014 - 06 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 29 Mar 2014 - 13 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 05 Apr 2014 - 20 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 12 Apr 2014 - 27 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 19 Apr 2014 - 04 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 26 Apr 2014 - 11 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 03 May 2014 - 18 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 10 May 2014 - 25 May 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 17 May 2014 - 01 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 24 May 2014 - 08 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 31 May 2014 - 15 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 07 Jun 2014 - 22 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 14 Jun 2014 - 29 Jun 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 21 Jun 2014 - 06 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now 28 Jun 2014 - 13 Jul 2014 7+ Available US $1,650 Book Now -
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