WAT PHOU CRUISE DOWN RIVER WAT PHOU CRUISE DOWN RIVER
Tour Code: LDE-VPCR1A
Pakse - Champasack - Wat Phou - Khong Islands    Journey Map
Leisurely Cruise along the Fascinating Mekong River in Southern Laos
Cruise the "Mother of Waters" to the wild paradise of the "4,000 islands" on the Vat Phou, your comfortable floating air-conditioned teak hotel, with twelve cabins, each with twin beds and private hot and cold running water in the bathrooms.


TOUR HIGHTLIGHTS
   Beautiful landscapes, historical Khmer temples and ruins

   Impressive and spectacular Khone Phapeng falls

   Activities include cruising, walking and sightseeing

Day 1: Pakse – Champassak - Vat Phou
Departure from Pakse for Champassak, heading south aboard a Local longtail riverboat, zigzagging through mild rapids and sand banks.
Arrive at Champassak in time for a riverside lunch, followed by a guided tour of the mysterious pre-Angkorian 10th century temple of Vat Phou, the boat’s namesake. As dusk falls board the Vat Phou for a relaxing cruise down-river, enjoying the tropical sunset on the deck.
Dinner is served on board, while the boat docks for the night alongside a remote Laotian village.

Day 2: Huei Thamo - Oum Moung Temple - Khong Island
Breakfast on board as well as sail for the village of Huei Thamo, only a few minutes walk away from the spectacular hidden forest temple of Oum Moung.
Afterwards rejoin the boat for a cruise southwards and lunch on the deck, while we continue our leisurely sail further south to the wild paradise of the “4,000 islands”, visiting Khong Island and the village of Muang Khong, where the traditional way of life has not changed in centuries.
Back on board for a sunset cruise and a quiet dinner, under the stars, serenaded by the songs by the songs of the buffalo toads.

Day 3: Ban Veuthong - the "Niagara of the East" - Xieng Di – Pakse
07.00 Breakfast on the deck, while cruising to the small village of Ban Veuthong, where we board a local car-ferry to reach the mainland and the amazingly scenic splendor of the Khong Pha Peng waterfall, “the Niagara of the East”, close to the Cambodian border.
On arrival at the small fishing village of Xieng di, we will board a small long-tail boat to Khong Island, at the very south of this natural water dam, where if you are very lucky, you might glimpse a rare glimpse of the river dolphins!
p.m. Lunch amid the bygone splendid of another age; colorful French colonial houses and an old customs post, alongside a stone quay. Back to “civilization, for the two hours ride to Pakse. Arriving at about 4 p.m.

INCLUSIVE:
Excursion tours through cruise portion
2 -night accommodation in twin cabin
Meals: full board
Entrance fee
EXCLUSIVE:
Domestic air ticket Bangkok/ Ubon Ratchathani/ Bangkok or Vientiane-Pakse-Vientiane
Travel insurance and other that not mentioned above
Laotian visa and visa fee - USD 30.00 net per person
Transportation to/from Pakse, Drinks on board

PRICING:
Price per person in USD 2 PAX 3 - 5 Pax Single Supplement
Standard 0 0 0.0000
*The above prices are based on the group from 4 - 6pax and valid until Sep, 2008. All prices might be changed subject to your group size and travel period. Some tours have Deluxe Option available. Please contact us for further information.
Note:
This tour must be booked at least 5days in advance of your travel date

JOINING INSTRUCTION
How to get to Pakse:
In case that you do not start the trip in Laos, we would recommend you enter Pakse from Thailand. Flying from Bangkok Don Muang Airport to Ubonratchathani Province by Thai Airways flight TG 1020 (at 06:00 - 07:05 am) - please recheck for the correct time table, and cross the border at Chong Mek once the gate is open (Distant from Ubon airport - Chong Mek is 1.20 hrs and from Chong Mek - Pakxe is 45 minutes.) Additional charge for transfers from / to Ubon airport to boat landing in Pakse is available upon request.
Please note that a Laos visa is required to enter Luang Prabang and other provinces in Laos. We suggest you apply for the Laos visa in your country (if available) or at the Laos consulate in Bangkok before arrival.

Boat schedule:
• From 01 Nov - 30 Apr: departs every Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday on a cruise down or cruise up.
• From 01 May - 31 Oct: departs every Saturday
• No operation (dry dock) 01 - 30 June.