Best of Laos & Northern Thailand

From $7,500 per person

11 days

Ship: RV Laos Pandaw

Best of Laos & Northern Thailand
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Explore the beauty and culture of Laos and Northern Thailand with Pandaw on our new and exclusive river and land tour. Experience all that Laos has to offer along the scenic and serene upper Mekong where local life remains unchanged for centuries aboard your expertly crafted and luxuriously comfortable small Pandaw vessel. We also venture high into the mountains of Northern Thailand to discover the rich culture and diversity of the hilltribe peoples that have inhabited this area for centuries. This unforgettable 16 night adventure is sure to be the trip of a lifetime..

Journey Summary

  • Day 1 - Chiang Khong
  • Day 2 - Into Laos
  • Day 3 - Pak Beng Elephant Sanctuary
  • Day 4 - Ban Bor And Yoi Hai Khmu Villages
  • Day 5 - Pak Ou Caves
  • Day 6 - Luang Prabang Crafts & Culture
  • Day 7 - Luang Prabang
  • Day 8 - Kaung Si Waterfall
  • Day 9 - Xayabouri Dam
  • Day 10 - Ban Pak Yun To Pak Lay
  • Day 11 - Vientiane

Detailed Itinerary

Day-by-day description of your cruise and cruise activities.

Day 1 - September 28, 2025

Chiang Khong

Embark your ship by 16.00 and enjoy welcome drinks on the sundeck with traditional Thai dancing.

Day 2 - September 29, 2025

Into Laos

Pass through immigration formalities at the Thai/Laos border and re-join the ship. Set sail downstream on the beautiful Upper Mekong River, Morning presentation on the Lao language. After lunch, if time allows, sightseeing on foot in Pak Sith.

Day 3 - September 30, 2025

Pak Beng Elephant Sanctuary

Morning walk at Ban Luang Tong Lao Lowland village. Laos is known as ‘The land of a million elephants’ and after Lunch we will visit a rescue sanctuary that is helping to preserve the elephants of Laos and provide sustainable alternative employment for Mahouts who once trained and rode these beautiful creatures. In the evening we moor at a sandbank for a special riverside barbecue and cocktail party. Light paper lanterns with the crew and enjoy a dance in remote Laos.

Day 4 - October 01, 2025

Ban Bor And Yoi Hai Khmu Villages

Today we discover the Khmu minority group and learn about their remote way of life. In the morning we will visit Ban Bor village, home to the Lao & Khummu people. We will have the opportunity to support locally produced handicrafts and walk through the Khummu village of Yoi Haoi in the afternoon.

Day 5 - October 02, 2025

Pak Ou Caves

Continue cruising downstream to Pak Ou, sightseeing by local boat exploring the unique Pak Ou Caves, a Buddhist sanctuary with spectacular limestone cliff faces. See the production of local Laos whisky at the Whisky village and shop for locally produced handicrafts before sailing into the World Heritage City of Luang Prabang. Moor overnight in central Luang Prabang.

Day 6 - October 03, 2025

Luang Prabang Crafts & Culture

Today we explore the various handicrafts of Laos in more detail. We start with a morning walk up the 228 steps to Phousi temple where the best views of Luang Prabang can be found. After lunch aboard the ship, we visit Ock Pop Tok, a social enterprise providing sustainable employment and training for the women of local weaving villages. We then head to TAEC (Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre) to understand more about Laos musical instruments. Cocktail hour is accompanied by a traditional Bacci ceremony onboard highlighting some of the instruments seen in the afternoon.

Day 7 - October 04, 2025

Luang Prabang

Early morning walking tour to observe the morning alms offering by local people to the hundreds of monks who walk around the city every morning. We continue after breakfast to the morning market before taking tuktuks for a city tour of this well preserved and unique world heritage site with its many Buddhist temples, libraries and royal palace. The afternoon is free to explore the beauty and unique atmosphere of Luang Prabang.

Day 8 - October 05, 2025

Kaung Si Waterfall

After breakfast sail downstream to Ban Chan where we take part in a pottery demonstration at the local pottery workshop. After Lunch we moor at Ban Mouang Khai and take a short drive to see the deep jungle pools at the Khaung Si Waterfall where you can swim in the crystal-clear waters. We then stop at the Laos Buffalo Farm, a social enterprise utilizing the abundant buffalo in Laos before rejoining the ship. We sail downstream for a sunset cruise and moor overnight at Ban Na San.

Day 9 - October 06, 2025

Xayabouri Dam

Morning walk through Ban Na San Hmong Village. In the afternoon we pass through Xayabouri Hydroelectric Dam and take an inside look of the workings of this somewhat controversial attraction as we pass through the locks. Afternoon walk at Ban Khok Fark and moor overnight.

Day 10 - October 07, 2025

Ban Pak Yun To Pak Lay

Explore Ban Pak Yun Mixed minorities tribe in the morning, a rural local village before setting sail to Pak Lay, our final destination. Enjoy a tour of your Pandaw ship and fruit carving demonstration on the sundeck in the afternoon before farewell cocktails and dinner in the evening.

Day 11 - October 08, 2025

Vientiane

Disembark at 08:30am followed by a local <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pandaw.com/vessels/rv-laos-long-tail-pandaw"><strong>long-tail boat</strong></a> expedition downstream to Vientiane. Lunch and drinks will be provided on the local boat by your Pandaw chef and bar staff. Arrival to Vientiane around 17:30.

Dates and Prices

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Feb 06, 2027Feb 08, 2027Feb 17, 2027Feb 19, 2027

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RV Laos Pandaw docked at a sandy riverbank, surrounded by lush greenery, with passengers preparing to board.
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