Southern Laos Cruise by RV Mekong Island – 5 days

In Pakse your ever-friendly Laotian crew awaits you at boarding with a welcome cocktail (Check in is after 2pm). During a guided city walk you will explore Pakse itself, the capital of Champasak province. Among others this first excursion includes a visit of the main temple Wat Luang with its adjoining convent school as well as a stroll along the Mekong River promenade. Afterwards you will start your cruise experience with the departure northwards to the village Sapai were you will get to know more about the local textile weaving art (During the driest months of the year the water level of the Mekong River can drop significantly so that this excursion may have to be organized overland by bus instead by boat).

After cruising downriver you will stop further south to go on a shore excursion to the impressive temple complex of Wat Phou, relics of the great Khmer empire reining the region from the 8th to 13th century. This UNESCO World Heritage site is located at the foot of the 1,500 m high Kao Mountain. With its mystical atmosphere these ruins are among the most inspiring archaeological tour destinations of Laos. Returning aboard your can lean back and enjoy the beautiful sunsets from your cabin or the sundeck while cruising deeper into the so called region of the 4,000 Islands. Here in the deep south of the country the Mekong has its widest expansion of up to 16 km during the annual high water period. In thousands of years nature created a landscape that seems almost surreal with thousands of islands appearing in the river bed when the high water declines annually. Some of theses islands are bigger with a magnitude of a few square kilometers; other uninhabited ones are only a few square meters wide. With a bit of luck you may spot some of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins when they are hunting in the evening. During your cruise in this remote nature escape you will also see the mighty Khone waterfalls, the biggest falls in Asia. When the sun has set and your cruise vessel is moored safely at the river shore you will get to know more about Laos and its people as well as the nearly 5,000 km long Mekong river during exciting presentations and lectures held by your cruise director. Enjoy Southeast Asian delicacies for dinner on board or an atmospheric barbecue on the riverbank. (3x BLD)

After cruising downriver you will stop further south to go on a shore excursion to the impressive temple complex of Wat Phou, relics of the great Khmer empire reining the region from the 8th to 13th century. This UNESCO World Heritage site is located at the foot of the 1,500 m high Kao Mountain. With its mystical atmosphere these ruins are among the most inspiring archaeological tour destinations of Laos. Returning aboard your can lean back and enjoy the beautiful sunsets from your cabin or the sundeck while cruising deeper into the so called region of the 4,000 Islands. Here in the deep south of the country the Mekong has its widest expansion of up to 16 km during the annual high water period. In thousands of years nature created a landscape that seems almost surreal with thousands of islands appearing in the river bed when the high water declines annually. Some of theses islands are bigger with a magnitude of a few square kilometers; other uninhabited ones are only a few square meters wide. With a bit of luck you may spot some of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins when they are hunting in the evening. During your cruise in this remote nature escape you will also see the mighty Khone waterfalls, the biggest falls in Asia. When the sun has set and your cruise vessel is moored safely at the river shore you will get to know more about Laos and its people as well as the nearly 5,000 km long Mekong river during exciting presentations and lectures held by your cruise director. Enjoy Southeast Asian delicacies for dinner on board or an atmospheric barbecue on the riverbank. (3x BLD)

After cruising downriver you will stop further south to go on a shore excursion to the impressive temple complex of Wat Phou, relics of the great Khmer empire reining the region from the 8th to 13th century. This UNESCO World Heritage site is located at the foot of the 1,500 m high Kao Mountain. With its mystical atmosphere these ruins are among the most inspiring archaeological tour destinations of Laos. Returning aboard your can lean back and enjoy the beautiful sunsets from your cabin or the sundeck while cruising deeper into the so called region of the 4,000 Islands. Here in the deep south of the country the Mekong has its widest expansion of up to 16 km during the annual high water period. In thousands of years nature created a landscape that seems almost surreal with thousands of islands appearing in the river bed when the high water declines annually. Some of theses islands are bigger with a magnitude of a few square kilometers; other uninhabited ones are only a few square meters wide. With a bit of luck you may spot some of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins when they are hunting in the evening. During your cruise in this remote nature escape you will also see the mighty Khone waterfalls, the biggest falls in Asia. When the sun has set and your cruise vessel is moored safely at the river shore you will get to know more about Laos and its people as well as the nearly 5,000 km long Mekong river during exciting presentations and lectures held by your cruise director. Enjoy Southeast Asian delicacies for dinner on board or an atmospheric barbecue on the riverbank. (3x BLD)

Breakfast is served in the morning while you cruise leisurely upstream again towards Pakse, where your unique cruise ends with disembarkation.End of services. Finish your Pakse & Siem Reap Along the Mekong tour