Flight: TG574 Bangkok - Vientiane 19.35 - 20.45

Meet & greet: Upon arrival at Vientiane airport, you will be welcomed to Laos by a private English-speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ansara (Savvy Room)

Transfer from your hotel to the jetty: Between 10.30 and 11am this morning, you will be met at your hotel by representatives from Pandaw and transferred to the jetty to board your cruise boat for your 10 night cruise.

Please note: The itinerary for this expedition is indicative only and subject to reconnaissance. As you travel to remote areas changes to the itinerary will inevitably occur. A flexible approach is required if you book this cruise.

Mekong River Cruise: On arrival, check-in to your cabin before being served lunch on-board. This afternoon, you will be taken on an excursion to see the highlights of this charming little riverside capital. The tour will include a visit to Sisaket Temple, the President's Hall, Wat Prakeo Temple and Phatouxay monument. Return to the ship in the late afternoon to enjoy a welcome dinner and set sail up the mighty Mekong River.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the RV Laos Pandaw (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Mekong River Cruise: Today you will cruise upstream on the Mekong, passing by lush jungle scenery and tiny riverside villages. There will be a morning presentation on-board with an introduction to the Laos language and in the afternoon there will be a Laos cooking demonstration on the upper deck. Arrive in the village of Ban Xanakham in the afternoon where the ship will moor up for the night.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the RV Laos Pandaw (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Mekong River Cruise: Continue upstream today, stopping for a visit to the old French colonial administrative town of Pak Lai with its many interesting colonial buildings and a bustling local market. This town is also home to the largest elephant festival to take place in South East Asia (usually in February or March each year). Return to the ship and continue upstream, mooring at the village of Ban Muang for the night.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the RV Laos Pandaw (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Mekong River Cruise: Today you will stop for a walking tour of Ban Park Bor Village, home to members of the Kmu tribe. This is a typical Mekong Village, set on the banks of the river amidst lush jungle.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the RV Laos Pandaw (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Mekong River Cruise: This morning, you will pass through a newly constructed lock that forms part of the huge Xanyaburi Hydro Electric Power Plant which was constructed as a joint project with China. Continue upstream to the village of Ban Mouang Khai where you will moor up for the night.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the RV Laos Pandaw (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Mekong River Cruise: This morning, you will head ashore and transfer by mini-bus to the nearby Kuang Si Waterfall where you can take a walk around the impressive falls (and if you choose have a swim) before continuing to a visit a nearby butterfly garden and elephant camp. In the afternoon you will continue to the ancient city of Luang Prabang, Laos' cultural capital. After lunch, explore the city by tuktuk. Luang Prabang is a well preserved world heritage site with many Buddhist temples and an interesting former royal palace. Later on there is also a buzzing night market to explore and many delightful cafés and restaurants.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the RV Laos Pandaw (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Mekong River Cruise: Today you have the chance to see more of Luang Prabang. Start the morning with an optional early start to see the alms being offered by local people to the hundreds of monks who walk around the city each morning. You are invited to join them in the alms giving procession. Later, continue your exploration of Luang Prabang on foot with a visit to the National Museum and the morning market. This afternoon is free to soak up the atmosphere and explore independently or relax back on the ship. In the late afternoon there will be a traditional display of Laos dancing back on-board, followed by dinner.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the RV Laos Pandaw (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Mekong River Cruise: This morning, you will stop to visit the Pak Ou caves, a Buddhist sanctuary with hundreds of Buddha images before continuing upstream towards the village of Ban Bo. After lunch on-board you can enjoy a cooking demonstration on the upper deck.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the RV Laos Pandaw (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Mekong River Cruise: Head ashore this morning for a walking tour of the market town of Pak Beng, on a scenic bend in the mighty Mekong River. After lunch, if time permits, you can explore the traditional riverside village of Ban Pak Sip which is full of local charm and character.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the RV Laos Pandaw (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Mekong River Cruise: Today you will continue cruising upstream towards the border with Thailand at Huay Say. On arrival, disembark and pass through immigration into Thailand, where there will be suitable transport waiting to transfer you back to the ship in the bustling and pretty Thai port town of Chiang Khong. This evening, farewell cocktails and dinner will be served on-board.

Accommodation: Stay tonight on board the RV Laos Pandaw (Main Deck Cabin)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Journey from Chiang Khong to Chiang Rai: Disembark at around 8.30am this morning and say your farewells to the crew. After disembarking, you will be met by a private guide and driver, and transferred by road to Chiang Rai airport in time to check in for your flight. This will be a journey of around 2 hours.

Flight: TG2133 Chiang Rai - Bangkok 13.45 - 15.05

Private transfer to Hua Hin: On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to Hua Hin, the journey of approximately 3 hours. On arrival, check into your hotel and relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Centara Grand Beach Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

At leisure: These days are at leisure to relax by the beach and enjoy the hotel facilities, or explore more of the local area independently.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Centara Grand Beach Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: In the early evening, you will be transferred back to the airport in Bangkok where you will check in for the Thai Airways flight to London Heathrow.

Meals: Breakfast