Cruise Upper Mekong, Laos

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The Upper Mekong River where it flows through Laos and Cambodia has become a popular location for travelers wanting to sample the offerings of this Southeast Asian country from the comfort and convenience of a river ship. The Upper Mekong is subject to changeable conditions and requires somewhat more nimble craft to navigate through some of the potentially challenging stretches necessitating smaller vessels, most of which carry from 20 to 30 passengers, but in the style and luxury to be expected from the most comfortable of cabin cruisers. Cruises on the Upper Mekong can also be combined with land extensions and Lower Mekong legs that provide for up to two weeks or more of exploration in this fascinating part of the world. Cruise itineraries take 2 basic forms: A 2 to 3 night cruise through the myriad waterways separating 4,000 islands that comprise the “Mother of Waters” referred to as the Vat Phou cruise. The trip begins and ends in Parkse, Laos navigating the Mekong River in country to include visits to the majestic pre-Khmer ruins of Vat Phou at Champassak (A UNESCO World Heritage Site). Vat Phou was originally built as a Hindu temple but is now used for worship by Theravada Buddhists. Stops also include excursions to the mysterious Oum Muong ruins at Huei Thamo and the Pha Pheng waterfall on the Laos’ border with Cambodia. This cruise provides an opportunity to spot the extremely rare Irrawaddy dolphins, thought to be the reincarnation of ancestors by the local people. These blue-grey river dolphins that inhabit the waters of the Mekong in Southern Laos can reach 2.5 meters in length. Another popular option sees the cruises begin or end in Luang Prabang, Laos. A UNESCO World Heritage Site Luang Prabang, is thought to be on of most beautiful towns in Southeast Asia with the vessel then travelling along the magnificent landscape in northern Laos and into the once notorious region of the Golden Triangle while also visiting the Laotian capital Vientiane. A popular itinerary for this adventure finds passengers checking into the cabin cruiser as a base of operation and then spending a couple of days touring picturesque Luang Prabang and its rich collection of culturally significant sites, returning to the boat at night. After a couple of days the boat casts off in the direction of Pak Ou and the impressive Pak Ou Caves containing thousands of small Buddha statues followed by a call in the market town of Pakbeng. The vessel calls the following day at the small village of Pak Tha where cruisers board a long-tail boat for an excursion on the Namtha River to visit a Khmu village. The unspoiled landscape and land based wildlife viewing will be interrupted infrequently by the occasional appearance of small villages and herds of cattle. Passengers then may proceed to the Thai-Laotian border at Chiang Khong (Thailand) and Ban Huay Xay (Laos). Other ports and places of interest are possible inclusion depending on the itinerary of the particular cruise. Your dream to visit a part of the world that has been experienced by few foreigners and is steeped in ancient traditions may be realized by including Cruise the Upper Mekong River on your list. Start planning the details of this adventure today.

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