In Thailand's north east, the Mighty Mekong River forms a border between the country's least developed and most unspoiled region, Isaan, and the exotic landlocked country of Laos. With relatively undeveloped infrastructure, a river cruise aboard a luxury house boat proffers a wonderful opportunity to explore this great river and the life along its banks.
The River itself varies in depth and flow rate depending upon the season, swelling during the monsoon season from June to October as local rains combine with melting snows descending from the Himalayas upstream.
During the dryer months from November to May, sandbanks appear making navigation an adventure while silting river banks bring lush richness to farmers living along the Mekong's route. This is also a time when fishermen compete to catch the world's largest freshwater fish, the Mekong Catfish.
A relic of the power struggles between ancient kingdoms on both sides of today's border, there are several ancient cities along the mekong's route with gilded temples displaying the differing achitectureal styles that reflect histroy's influences.
Notes
Every tour and river cruise along the upper Mekong is a pioneering experience and is subject to constantly changing road and river conditions, including flood waters and shallows. Therefore please understand that we must reserve the right to alter the itinerary of this cruise 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.
Nong Khai/Mukdahan
ROUTE: UBON – KONG CHIAM – THAT PHANOM – PAK KHADING – NAKHON PHANOM – PHU PHRABAT – NONG KHAI*
DAY 1: WELCOME TO ISAAN (D)
Today welcome at Ubon Airport and transfer to Kongchiam, where you will spend a night in your hotel with great views of the mighty Mekong. Dinner and overnight in your hotel.
DAY 2: NAKHON PHANOM - EMBARKATION (B,L,D)
You will continue today to the holy pilgrim centre of That Phanom. Legend has it that Buddha himself came here to command that after his death one of his breastbones be treasured in That Phanom as a reliquary. The devoutness of the local pilgrims, which you will notice during your visit of the temple and its Buddhist mural-walls and well kept garden is quite impressive. Afterwards drive to Nakhon Phanom. Ho Chi Minh planned and organised the Vietnamese communist movement from his exile in Nakhon Phanom, you will visit the house where he lived during these years. By a short bus ride along the mighty Mekong – “the mother of all waters” as the locals call the river here – you will reach the Mekong Explorer boat.
Your cruise director and friendly crew await you this afternoon with a warm welcome upon embarkation Attend our welcome reception and enjoy the Southeast Asian specialties served during your dinner menu on board. Overnight onboard your river vessel.
DAY 3&4: PIONEERING EXPERIENCE THROUGH REMOTE NORTH-EASTERN THAILAND (B,L,D)
While enjoying your breakfast on board you will reach the starting point for your first shore excursion. You will cross the river back into Laos (As the next immigration office is several driving hours away, Mekong River Cruises arranges for a special permit by the provincial Lao government that their guests can enter Laos today without having to pass immigration). Continue to the small village of Pak Khading, where we join a longtail boat for a trip up the Nam Khading River to visit a remote village. Returning back to Thailand and your boat, you will continue your cruise.
This cruise caters especially to those travellers who fancy discovery tours and an authentic Asia more than a fixed cruise schedule without having to miss the comfort and atmosphere of a Boutique river cruise ship such as the Mekong Explorer. At night your vessel is moored at a secluded sandbank or at a small village pier. After dinner, a documentary shows e.g. the river flow of the Mekong from the Tibetan highlands all the way to the South China Sea.
The next day a short drive brings you to an impressive cliff monastery, which stands seven levels high above local rice paddies. Western visitors are sighted very seldom – just like most of the times during your entire tour. Overnights onboard your river vessel.
DAY 5: INDOCHINA MARKET IN NONG KHAI (B,L,D)
Today your cruise experience continues. Along both sides of the quiet river banks you may spot every once in a while small golden temple spires, while a presentation on tropical fruits grown in this region provides with possibly surprising insight benefits used in traditional local medicine. Lunch is served aboard while you cruising leisurely in a few hours towards Nong Khai. In the afternoon you can stroll along the river promenade or bargain at the colorful Indochina market in town. Overnight onboard your river vessel.
DAY 6: ROCK FORMATIONS IN PHU PHRABAT NATIONAL PARK (B,L,D)
After exploring Nong Khai’s exotic morning food market you reach to the westernmost point of the cruise near Sri Chiang Mai. In the afternoon we will take you on an excursion to the historical park of Phu Prabat, impressing with natural rocks shaped almost mushroom like. Phu Phrabat has also been a sacred place for centuries and has recently enlisted to become a UNESCO world heritage site. The rocks most likely provided shelter for prehistoric people 2,000 to 3,000 years ago, but statues show that the area later became a place of Buddhist worship. One legend associated with the rock formations is of a beautiful princess forced by her overprotective father to live in a rock formation that looks like an upturned shoe.
DAY 7: BIZARRE SCULPTURES (B,L,D)
From a temple close by you can enjoy one of the most impressive Mekong-views along the river in this region. Cruising back to Nong Khai, you will stop at Tha Bo Buddhist temple, the oldest temple along your route. In Nong Khai, a guided tour will get you acquainted with the bizarre, yet interesting Buddhist-Hindu sculpture park. Back on board you will celebrate your farewell dinner together with your crew and captain at night!
DAY 8: FAREWELL! (B)
After breakfast you will disembark (checkout is 10am). End of service with the transfer to Nong Khai hotel (within city limits) or the nearby Thai-Laotian friendship bridge (from where guests can continue overland to the Lao capitol of Vientiane; transfers in Laos are not incl.). *
* The cruise is also operated in the opposite direction starting with the transfer within Nong Khai and ending with the transfer to Ubon Rathchathani. All services are identical; the program will then be conducted from north to south.
NOTE: Due to high and low water level of Mekong River our Cruises will be held from April to October from/to Nakhon Phanom. In November to March from/to Ban Na Khae only.
Every tour and river cruise along the upper Mekong is a pioneering experience and is subject to constantly changing road and 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.
