All the highlights of the mysterious land on the Mekong River (2026/2027/2028)
starting at 5.320 €

The fascination of Laos

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18-day boat trip through Laos with a 6-day Mekong River cruise from Luang Prabang to the Golden Triangle

Asia

Laos

Thailand

18 - 28 people

18 days

Embark on a journey through time to Laos! Long isolated from its larger neighbors and without access to the sea, Laos has preserved the legacy of ancient Asia to this day: deep spirituality, colorful myths, and legends are reflected in golden temples and palaces. Sheltered by impenetrable jungle and bizarre karst rocks, time seems to have stood still for centuries in the dreamy villages on the banks of the mighty Mekong River.

Stephanie Gräf

Spezialist für individuelle und erlebnisreiche Reisen rund um den Globus.

I am your contact person for questions and bookings regarding your trip.

You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de

Select consultation appointment

HIGHLIGHTS

Our most intensive trip to Laos: All the highlights of the north and south
Insider tip: Laos – authentic Asia away from the tourist crowds
6-day river cruise on the Mekong from Luang Prabang to the Golden Triangle
Three Laotian UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one trip
The royal city of Luang Prabang, one of the most beautiful places in Asia
The magical temple of Wat Phou and the region of 4,000 islands
The mysterious plain of clay jugs
Train journey on the new China-Laos railway from Vientiane to Luang Prabang
Visiting remote villages of ethnic minorities
The Golden Triangle myth: Visit to the Opium Museum

route

itinerary

Day 1 Flight to Asia

Today you will fly from Frankfurt via Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani in the far east of Thailand.

Day 2 Ubon Ratchathani

Your tour guide will welcome you at Ubon Ratchathani Airport and take you to a mid-range hotel where you will spend the night. (D)

Day 3 Off to Laos!

After breakfast, you will cross the nearby border into Laos. Hidden among fragrant frangipani trees on the sacred mountain of Phou Khao lies Wat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest sanctuaries of Khmer culture. You will spend the next three nights at the KomfortHotel near the ancient royal city of Champasak. (FA)

Day 4 Bolaven Plateau

Today we head up to the Bolaven Plateau, once a summer retreat for the French colonial rulers. Here, at a good 1,000 meters above sea level, there are numerous plantations – it is the largest coffee-growing region in Laos. The remote region is home to the Laven mountain people and is known not only for the best coffee in Asia, but also for its impressive waterfalls. (FM)

Day 5: 4,000 Islands

Today, you will explore the fascinating region of 4,000 islands in the middle of the Mekong River by bus and boat. On the car-free islands of Don Det and Don Khone with their traditional stilt houses, time seems to stand still. The relics of a narrow-gauge railway bear witness to the strategic importance of the region during the French colonial era. To round off the day, the impressive Khone Phapheng waterfalls on the border with Cambodia await you. (FM)

Day 6 Picturesque karst mountains

You fly to Vientiane, from where you travel to the beautiful mountain landscape around Vang Vieng. To the right and left, the landscape looks like something out of an ink drawing: karst rocks, stalactite caves, and green rice fields as far as the eye can see! You stay for two nights in a comfortable hotel in Vang Vieng. (FA)

Day 7 Vang Vieng

Today, you will explore the natural landscape of Vang Vieng. The entrance to the Tham Chang stalactite cave can be reached via approximately 200 steps. From up here, you will have an impressive view of the picturesque landscape. If this climb seems too arduous, you may prefer to relax by the hotel pool in front of the bizarre mountain backdrop. A little later, you can enjoy the dreamlike landscape even more from aboard a longtail boat on the Nam Song River. (FM)

Day 8 Plain of Clay Pots

From Vientiane, a short flight over the jungle takes you to the Plain of Jars. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has yet to reveal its secrets. Who built hundreds of mysterious stone jars and why? You will stay in a mid-range hotel in Phonsavan. (FA)

Day 9 Capital city Vientiane

After visiting an authentic market selling local produce and exploring the prehistoric sites, you will fly back to the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Today, you will discover the city's two most striking landmarks: the golden stupa That Luang with its multitude of Buddhist artifacts and the Patuxay Arch, which was erected as a symbol of the country's independence from colonial powers. (FMA)

Day 10 On the China-Laos Railway

Laos' tranquil capital has a charm all of its own. See for yourself at the Ho Phra Kaeo Museum and Wat Si Saket Temple with its thousands of Buddha statues. After a detour to the COPE project, a rehabilitation center for landmine victims, take the new China-Laos railway, which winds spectacularly through the green karst mountains, on your journey to the venerable royal city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There you will stay for two nights in a comfortable hotel. (FM)

Day 11 Royal City of Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is considered one of the most beautiful places in Asia. Temples, palaces, colonial villas, and monks in saffron-yellow robes characterize the town. In the former royal palace, you can admire the treasures of the National Museum. In addition to numerous temples, French colonial architecture also enriches the city. See for yourself. Afterwards, head to Mount Phou Si – a magical experience! (FM)

Day 12 Jungle Book feeling

A morning excursion takes you to the Kuang Si Falls, which are among the most impressive in Laos. Turquoise-shimmering natural pools surrounded by bamboo and teak invite you to take a refreshing dip. In the afternoon, your charming boutique river cruise ship, the Mekong Sun, awaits you at the pier in Luang Prabang. After the traditional Lao Baci ceremony, enjoy exotic dances and music on board in the evening. You will spend the next five nights aboard the Mekong Sun. (FMA)

Day 13 Cast off on the Mekong!

Today, your river cruise ship sets sail for the largely unexplored heart of Laos. Your first shore excursion takes you to the Pak Ou Caves, home to over 1,000 Buddha statues. If you wish, you can hike from here to a village where Lao schnapps is distilled using traditional methods. Tonight, the Mekong Sun will anchor at a beautiful sandbank surrounded by nothing but untouched nature. (FMA)

Day 14 Land of a Million Elephants

Enjoy a river cruise on a stream that winds its way through a wild lunar landscape of rocks and sandbanks. Tropical forests rise above it, with exotic flame trees, rain trees, and duckfoot trees, teak groves, and bamboo thickets. Keep an eye out for working elephants, which still make everyday life on the Mekong easier today. At night, your ship will moor again on a sandbank. (FMA)

Day 15 Mekong Blues

The magnificent natural landscape of karst rocks and tropical jungle along the river becomes increasingly secluded. An excursion takes you to a Khmu village, whose school has been supported by the Lernidee Foundation for many years. The friendly Laotians are just as interested in you as you are in them. In the evening, enjoy an unforgettable barbecue under the stars on a sandbank in the middle of the Mekong River. (FMA)

Day 16 From Laos to Thailand

A new day on the Mekong: dreamy villages, water buffalo, tropical jungle. You feel as if you have stepped back in time. In the afternoon, you reach Chiang Khong and the border with Thailand. At a farewell dinner together, you can look back on your fascinating journey through the land of a million elephants. (FMA)

Day 17 In the Golden Triangle

After breakfast, bid farewell to your boutique ship Mekong Sun and its friendly crew. From the pier, drive to Chiang Saen, where the Opium Museum brings the infamous history of the Golden Triangle to life. Then head to the airport and fly back home via Bangkok. (FM)

Day 18 Arrival in Germany

Information

Included services:

h3. Travel option with flights
Flights Frankfurt – Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Rai – Frankfurt in Economy Class
Domestic flights Pakse – Vientiane and Vientiane – Phonsavan – Vientiane in Economy Class
6-day Mekong River cruise with 5 nights aboard your comfortable Mekong Sun river cruise ship
8 nights in comfortable hotels in Champasak, Vientiane, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang
One night each in a mid-range hotel in Ubon Ratchathani and Phonsavan
Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
Water, coffee, and tea on board
Experienced German-speaking cruise director on board
Qualified local German-speaking tour guide
Excursions, lectures, and sightseeing tours in German according to the itinerary
Excursions with longtail boats as per itinerary
All entrance fees for the visits as per the itinerary
Transfers and excursions in modern vehicles with air conditioning
Comprehensive travel information material