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19-Day (Laos) Louangphrabang-Yunnan(China) Cruise Tour map tours photo

19-Day (Laos) Louangphrabang-Yunnan(China) Cruise Tour

Tour Code:TE-YNM-1901
Start in:Xishuangbanna
End in: Kunming
Destinations:(Laos) Louangphrabang → Golden Triangle → Xieng Kok → Guanlei → Jinghong → Lijiang → Shangri La → Kunming(China)
Day 1  Arrival - Vientiane
Meet on arrival and you are welcome to Vientiane, the city of the moon – an ancient city, situated on the bend on the left bank of the Mekong as the largest city and the capital of Laos. Transfer to hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, we take a sightseeing tour of Vientiane, to visit religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues; Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane; That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the land-mark of Vientiane.
Breakfast:ExcludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:Vientiane
Day 2  Ventiane-Nam Ngum Lake
Breakfast at hotel, we depart to visit the Morning Market, the biggest shopping center in Vientiane and we take a full day trip by road No. 10 to Nam Ngum Lake (90 km N), with hundreds of small islands. We en route stop to visit a cottage-salt factory, where natural salt are extracted at Ban Bor village.

After arriving at Nam Ngum Lake by noon, we enjoy our Lao food lunch at a restaurant by the Nam Ngum Lake.
In the afternoon, we relax by taking a boat ride about 1 hour for panoramic view around small islands.

On the way of returning to Vientiane along the road No. 13, we make a few stops at Ban Phone, a village where most people weaving bamboo-baskets, dinning tables, besides we will see how Lao traditional rice-whisky to be distilled, and we can have a taste and take a way. Before getting back to Vietniane, we also stop at Vang Xang, an archaeological site containing the 11th century stone carvings of Buddha sculptures hidden in the forest.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:Vientiane
Day 3  Vientiane - Luang Prabang
Breakfast, excursion by car to visit Buddha Park. On the way, stopover to visit cultural Ethnic Park and Friendship Bridge. Lunch at the hotel and transfer to the Airport for departure to Luang Prabang. Arrive Luang Prabang, transfer to the Villa Santi Hotel or similar. p.m. Visit Wat Visoun, Wat Aham, Wat Phousay hill for overlooking the city and Wat Mai. Dinner and accommodation.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:Luang Prabang
Day 4  Luang Prabang - Mekong Cruise- Pak Ou
Today our spectacular river cruise begins with embarkation the Mekong Sun in Luang Prabang at approx. 08:00h. The unique, new Mekong Sun, the first German-Lao owned river cruise ship on the upper Mekong River. After leaving Luang Prabang, you will visit a local Lao-distillery at Ban Xang Hay before continuing to the famous Pak Ou Caves with thousands of small Buddha statues inside deep caverns. Enjoy the spacious deck and lounge on board and attend our Welcome Reception and dinner this evening. A selection of Asian and European food will be provided throughout the cruise.
Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Sun
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:on board
Day 5  Mekong Cruise- Pak Ou-Pakbeng
Relax on deck or in the lounge and soak up the remote scenery. Today is full of scenic highlights. The river traffic will slower as we proceed upstream and the beautiful landscapes will impress you. Around noon we will stop and visit an elephant camp, where we can see logging elephants in action. Later, that day we will have a short stop in Pakbeng.
Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Sun
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:On board
Day 6  Pakbeng-Pak Tha
The landscapes will continue to impress you with diversity with tropical hills in the background. Enjoy the tranquility of northern Laos , a real retreat from the hustle of our daily lives at home. Along the green hills your river cruise takes you upstream towards Pak Tha. Along the way we will also be able to visit a local minority village of the Hmong hill tribe.
Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Sun.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:On board
Day 7  Pak Tha-Chiang Khong( Thailand ) and Ban Huay Xay
In the morning we will do a shore excursion with long tail boats on the Namtha River to visit a Khmu village. After arrival on the Mekong Sun we will proceed to the Thai-Lao border at Chiang Khong( Thailand ) and Ban Huay Xay ( Laos ).
Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Sun.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:On board
Day 8  Huay Xay- Golden Triangle-Chiang Saen
After clearing customs and a short sightseeing in and around Huay Xay, your river cruise takes you westwards into the once notorious region called the Golden Triangle. In the afternoon you will arrive in Thai Chiang Saen, where we need to check in at Chiang Saen immigration to Thailand . An organized sightseeing tour leads you to visit the Golden Thai Wats (temples) and visit the Golden Buddha of Sop Ruak.
Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Sun
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:On board
Day 9  Chiang Saen-Muang Mom
This morning we will disembark from the Laotian Mekong Sun to visit the Hall of Opium. Then visit the Doi Tung Royal Orchid Botanical Gardens and if time permits we will also visit the Monkey Cave . After returning form the shore excursion you will embark on the Chinese excursion cruise ship, the Mekong Prince. After checking out at the immigration we continue our cruise upstream to the small settlement of Muang Mom, where we stay overnight.
Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Prince.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:On board
Day 10  Chiang Saen-Muang Mom-Xieng Kok
This morning we will visit the temple forest close to Muang Mom on the Burmese side. Then, you will cruise through the primitive tropical rain forests in this almost inaccessible no mans land between Burma and Laos, where wild nature seems unaffected on the Burmese side and an occasional border guard post under multi-colored sunscreens appears on the Laotian side. We arrive today at the northern Lao village of Xieng Kok .
Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Prince.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:On board
Day 11  Xieng Kok- Guanlei- Ganlaba(Oliver Sandbar)
The landscape becomes more and more spectacular with hills covered with tropical vegetation, impressive rock formations along the river banks and rapid and slow currents on the river. Today we will arrive in Guanlei where we clear Chinese customs. In the afternoon the vessel will arrive near Ganlaba, a small market town. Spend a last relaxing evening aboard and enjoy our farewell dinner at night.
Overnight aboard the RV Mekong Prince.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:On board
Day 12  Ganlaba(Oliver Sandbar)-Jinghong
Pectacular river cruise ends with our arrival in Jinghong in the southern Yunnan province, where we will disembark after breakfast. Please understand that we must reserve the right to alter the itinerary of this tour due to the logistical complexities involved. transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Jinghong.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:Jinghong
Day 13  Jinghong sightseeing
In the morning leave Galanba, visit local morning market, Water Dai people village, rubber garden and Burmese temple. Lunch at the Red House Restaurant. Afternoon visit Botanic Garden.
Overnight in Jinghong
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:Jinghong
Day 14  Jinghong-Lijiang
Drive to visit Wild Elephant Valley Natural Reserve Area, take single way cable car to enjoy the raining forest. On the way back visit Dry Dai people village and Jinuo people village. In the afternoon take flight from Jinghong to Lijiang. Meet the local guide and transfer to the hotel. we will have dinner in the Lijiang Old Town and walk arond the town at night.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:Lijiang
Day 15  Lijiang sightseeing
Early morning set out to take cable car to Jade Dragon Mountain for Glacier Park which you can get to 4506 meters high above the sea level.Lunch at Yushuizhai(Jade Water) Village at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.After lunch you will visit Yuhu Naxi Village and Jorseph Rock's Former Residence,Baisha Village.If you would like to enjoy the famous ethnic show "Impression Lijiang",directed by the most famous Chinese director ZhangYimou,also the director of Impression Liusanjie in Guilin,we will book the show tickets in advance. Night enjoy Naxi Orchestral Music and Dance in Dongba Palacein the old town.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:Lijiang
Day 16  Lijiang-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Shangri La
From Lijiang, we'll travel north by road into the mountains stopping at the First Bend of the Yangtze River. The scenery is magnificent as the road running through the Lijiang valley which is filled with wheat fields and drying haystacks. We will visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. With 34 rapids of the Yangtze River, it is called the Jinsha in this area. And the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge looks like that the mighty Yangtze has carved the world's deepest chasm. And then, we'll head for Zhongdian. Upon arrival in Zhongdian, we will have entered the Tibetan cultural area and a landscape of barley fields and yaks scattered in the valleys. Towards evening we'll take yak butter tea and participate in Tibetan dances in the home of a local Tibetan family.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:Shangri La
Day 17  Shangri La sightseeing
In the morning, we'll visit the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan. The snow-covering peak combined with the chanting and incense from the Tibetan monasteries, we may be brought to the life of 'Shangri-La' described in Hilton's Lost Horizon. And afterwards we'll go and visit the tranquil Bita Lake & Shudu Lake. These high mountain lakes are surrounded by alpine meadows and wildflowers on one side with a temperate rain forest on the other. After having finished touring the Bita Lake & Shudu Lake, we'll visit the Old Town of Shangri La and the Guishan Park.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:Shangri La
Day 18  Shangri La-Kunming by air
We'll take a morning flight return to Kunming. Then drive about 80KM to visit the Stone Forest which is welknown as the wonder of the world,Here is Sani ethni people's area which is a branch of Yis,the larges ethnic group in Yunnan.Afternoon, we'll spend some time exploring the bustling Flower and Bird Market.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:IncludedDinner:IncludedLodging:Kunming
Day 19  Kunming by air-Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Kunming International Airport  for returning.
Breakfast:IncludedLunch:ExcludedDinner:ExcludedLodging:Excluded
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