Cruise the Mekong River through Laos

Your journey begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Vientiane, the charming, old French capital of Laos known for its relaxed atmosphere and colonial architecture. You will board a traditional Laotian long-tail boat for an expedition upstream, a lovely introduction to river life before you even step on board your Pandaw vessel. As the city recedes, enjoy lunch and drinks served by our Pandaw chef and bar staff while watching the lush jungle scenery and tiny riverside villages unfold. In the afternoon, you will embark your ship, settle in, and join the crew for a welcome briefing and drinks as we moor for the night at Pak Lay.

Meals:  L,D

Today is dedicated to pure river immersion as we sail upstream against the Mekong's powerful current. From the sundeck, meditate on the unfolding panorama of stunning mountain scenery and deep, verdant gorges where the river carves its path through the landscape. In the morning, join a presentation on the Lao language to learn more about the local culture. We also stop for a short, invigorating walk at Pha Laeb village to stretch our legs and meet some of the friendly locals in this remote region.

Meals:  B,L,D

After a morning walk through the Khmu minority village of Ban Pak Bor, the journey continues with a striking contrast as we approach the impressive Xayabouri Hydroelectric Dam. Experience the ship’s passage through the locks and gain insight into one of Laos’ largest modern engineering projects. This afternoon, we visit Ban Na San, a Hmong minority village, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the traditions and daily life of one of Laos’ most distinctive ethnic communities, renowned for their colourful textiles and intricate silver jewellery.

Meals:  B,L,D

We moor at the small riverside village of Ban Mouang Khai before travelling inland to one of Laos’ most celebrated natural sights, the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Here, water tumbles over limestone tiers into a series of vivid turquoise pools, with time to swim or simply enjoy the surrounding forest. On the return journey, we visit the Laos Buffalo Farm, a social enterprise supporting local farming communities through sustainable dairy production. This afternoon, we arrive in the heart of Luang Prabang, the UNESCO-listed former royal capital, where we moor for the next three nights. We round out the day with a climb of Mount Phou Si’s 328 steps for sweeping views across the town and surrounding rivers, followed by a short orientation walk before returning to the ship.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is devoted to Luang Prabang’s artistic and cultural traditions. We begin at Ock Pop Tok, a respected social enterprise supporting women from local weaving communities while helping preserve traditional Lao textile skills. We then visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC), offering deeper insight into the country’s diverse ethnic groups, crafts and musical heritage. After lunch back on board, we travel to the nearby village of Ban Chan for a pottery demonstration at a local workshop. This evening, enjoy a peaceful sunset cruise on the Mekong as the city glows in the fading light, before returning to our central mooring.

Meals:  B,L,D

Your day begins before dawn with the chance to witness one of Luang Prabang’s most meaningful traditions: the quiet morning alms-giving ceremony, or Tak Bat, as saffron-robed monks walk through the streets receiving offerings from local residents. After breakfast, we visit the lively morning market before travelling by tuk-tuk to explore this beautifully preserved heritage city. Discover Luang Prabang’s renowned temples, historic libraries and the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. This afternoon, we visit Ban Xang Khong, a village known for its traditional paper-making craft. The remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy Luang Prabang at your own pace, soaking up its calm and distinctive atmosphere.

Meals:  B,L,D

After a final relaxed morning in Luang Prabang, we set sail around midday as our journey continues along the Mekong. This afternoon, we travel by local boat to the remarkable Pak Ou Caves, set high within a limestone cliff at the meeting point of the Mekong and Ou rivers. These sacred caverns are home to thousands of Buddha images, placed here by pilgrims over centuries. We then visit nearby Ban Xang Hai, often known as “Whisky Village”, where the local lao-lao rice spirit is produced, with time to browse traditional handicrafts before returning to the ship.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is spent cruising through some of the Upper Mekong’s most remote and scenic stretches. This morning, we take a gentle walk through Ban Ton village, offering a rare glimpse into daily life in a riverside community far from the usual tourist trail. This evening, we enjoy a special onboard highlight as we moor beside a secluded sandbank for a relaxed barbecue dinner and cocktail gathering under the open sky. As night falls, join the crew in lighting and releasing paper lanterns, their warm glow drifting quietly above the river — a memorable final touch to the day.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we visit the Pak Beng Elephant Camp, a rescue sanctuary supporting elephant conservation and sustainable livelihoods for mahouts. Encounters here are strictly respectful, with no riding or bathing, and elephants are cared for in a free-roaming environment, gently re-trained to forage naturally and live with minimal human intervention. In the afternoon, we take a walk through the Khmu village of Ban Pak Sith, gaining insight into the traditions and daily life of this local community..

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we sail the final stretch of our journey, continuing along the Mekong toward the Thai border. The scenery remains dramatic as the river winds through forested mountains and remote valleys. During the day, enjoy time onboard for a behind-the-scenes ship tour, along with a fruit carving demonstration by our talented chef. As we near our final mooring in Chiang Khong, we pass beneath the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge. This evening, we mark the end of our voyage with farewell cocktails and a traditional Thai dance performance on board.

Meals:  B,L,D

After a final breakfast, you will disembark in Chiang Khong. Before your transfer, you will explore the historic Golden Triangle region, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. This includes a fascinating visit to the Hall of Opium Museum, which details the area's notorious past and the history of the opium trade. Afterwards, you will be transferred to your hotel or the airport in either Chiang Rai (a 2-hour drive) or Chiang Mai (a 6-hour drive).

Meals:  B