Best of Laos & Northern Thailand - River & Land Tour

Upon arrival the airport, our driver will wait you at the airport and transfer to your hotel for the evening. We suggest heading to the riverside and exploring the night market.

Meals: none

Depart with your local guide for a full day city tour exploring Laos' French colonial capital. Visit Talaat Sao - Vientiane's Morning Market, Wat Sisaket, Haw Phra Kaew and Putousay, the victory gate inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris. After lunch at a local restaurant, head out of town to visit one of Laos' slightly stranger attractions - Xieng Khuan Buddha Park which is home to over 200 statues including a 40-metre reclining Buddha.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Check out of your hotel and be picked up at 08:00am for the transfer to your Pandaw ship.

Embark our local long-tail boat expedition to your Pandaw vessel upstream. Lunch and drinks will be provided on the local boat by your Pandaw chef and bar staff. Embark your Pandaw in the afternoon for a welcome briefing and welcome drinks. We moor overnight at Pak Lay.

Cruise upstream on the Mekong, passing lush jungle scenery and tiny riverside villages. Morning presentation on the Lao language after a short walk at Pha Laeb village. If time permits, we will also enjoy an afternoon walk at Ban Khok Fark.

Morning walk at Ban Pak Bor Khummu village before passing through Xayabouri Hydroelectric Dam, taking an inside look of the workings of this somewhat controversial attraction as we navigate the locks. Afternoon visit to Ban Na San village, a Hmong minority village.

In the morning we moor at the village of Ban Mouang Khai and visit the dramatic Kaung Si waterfall. On the way back to the ship, we stop at the Laos Buffalo Farm, a social enterprise utilizing the abundant buffalo in Laos. Arrive in the heart of the temple city of Luang Prabang mid-afternoon where there is a buzzing night market and many great cafes and local restaurants. Traditional Laos Bacci ceremony and dancing on the upper deck during happy hour. Moor overnight in central Luang Prabang.

Today we explore the various handicrafts of Laos in more detail. We start with Ock Pop Tok, a social enterprise providing sustainable employment and training for the women of local weaving villages. We then head to TAEC (Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre) to understand more about Laos musical instruments. After lunch aboard the ship, we sail toward Ban Chan and take part in a pottery demonstration at the local pottery workshop. We finish the day with a sunset cruise on the Mekong alongside Luang Prabang, returning to moor overnight in the centre of town.

Early morning walking tour to observe the alms offerings to the hundreds of monks who walk around the city every morning. We continue after breakfast to the morning market before taking tuktuks for a city tour of this well preserved and unique world heritage site with its many Buddhist temples, libraries and royal palace. The afternoon is free to explore the beauty and unique atmosphere of Luang Prabang.

Morning at leisure in Luang Prabang before setting sail at midday upstream. Afternoon sightseeing by local boat exploring the unique Pak Ou Caves, a Buddhist sanctuary with spectacular limestone cliff faces. See the production of local Laos whisky at the Whisky village and shop for locally produced handicrafts.

Day of sailing upstream along the Mekong with morning walk through Ban Ton village. In the evening, we moor alongside a sandbank for a special riverside barbecue and cocktail party. Light paper lanterns with the crew and enjoy a dance in remote Laos.

Laos is known as ‘The land of a million elephants’ and today we will visit a rescue sanctuary that is helping to preserve the elephants of Laos and provide sustainable alternative employment for Mahouts who once trained and rode these beautiful creatures. Afternoon walk at Ban Pak Sith Khummu village.

Today we sail the final leg of our journey upstream toward Huayxay. Cross over into Thailand via the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge before rejoining your ship in Chiang Khong. Enjoy a ship tour of your Pandaw vessel and fruit carving demonstration from your Pandaw Chef. Farewell cocktails and Thai traditional dance on board for your last evening.

Disembark after breakfast by 8.30 in Chiang Khong.

Upon arrival at Chiang Khong, meet and greet by our local guide for pick up and transfer to Mae Chan Mountain and your resort for the eveining. (approx. 90 minute drive)

Overnight at Katiliya Mountain Resort
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast. Drive to Chiang Saen, a small crossroads town on the banks of the Mekong. Scattered throughout the town are the ruins of the Chiang Saen Kingdom, founded in 1325, including chedis, images of the Buddha, and earthen city ramparts. Continue to visit the Golden Triangle where the Ruak river empties into the Mekong river bringing together the boundaries of Thailand, Burma and Laos. Next visit is the Hall of Opium which was built to educate people about the dangers of the drug through an entertaining exhibition which traces opium’s history from its first use 5,000 years ago to current issues of drug abuse and addiction.

Lunch is at a local restaurant before we drive uphill to visit Doi Tung Royal Project, Hall of Inspiration and Mae Fah Luang Garden. Doi Tung Royal Project is a sustainable project founded by Princess Mother of King Rama IX aiming to support communities in Chiang Rai.

Overnight at Katiliya Mountain Resort & Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before we head to an Akha hill tribe village called Ban Lorcha. This community-based tourism (CBT) project at Ban Lorcha was established in the mid-1990s and ensures that money from tourism activities is distributed evenly throughout the village. Continue to Doi Angkhang National Park. The area has a cool climate all year round, particularly from December to January. We visit Doi Angkhang Royal Agricultural Station which is a site for planting and researching for flowering plants, temperate fruit trees, vegetables and other crop under the patronage of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX).

After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the Muser Hill tribe at Baan Khob Dong village who believe in ghosts and spirits and still hold on to simple ways of life.The next stop will be Baan Nor Lae village, located on the Thai-Burmese border it is home to the No Lae people who migrated from Myanmar about 15 years ago. They speak their own language and are Buddhists. From here we continue to the villages of Baan Khum located near the Royal Agricultural Station. It is a small community comprising of people from various races such as Burmese, Hwa, and Thai Yai. They settled in the area and run souvenir shops and restaurants.

Overnight at the Rachamankha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast we travel to the outskirts of town to Mae Tang area to visit a traditional Lisu Village. Our Lisu guide will take you for a guided walk through the village, observing village life as it happens. If we are lucky, we may have a chance to meet the village Shaman and learn about his traditional and spiritual healing methods.

In the afternoon we visit Araksa Tea Garden and plantation. Your local guide and our resident plucker will lead you to the tea bushes where they will show you how to pluck tea leaves. At the roasting station, we will demonstrate the art of making tea by hand from kneading to roasting tea leaves. During the process, learn from your guide about the different processes and methods used to cultivate young tea plants.

Overnight at the Rachamankha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today will be your own leisure until check out time at noon. We will transfer you to boarding either flight or train depending on your selection of transportation to next destination. Rachamankha to Chiang Mai Airport: 15-20 min.

Meals: Breakfast

Itineraries are subject to change. 

Vessel Type: River Boat

Length: 44.50 metres

Passenger Capacity: 20

Built: 2015

The RV Laos Pandaw, launched in November 2015, was uniquely constructed on the Upper Mekong using a converted 40-meter barge to navigate the river’s fast currents. Accommodating 20 guests in ten main deck staterooms, each 14 m² (150 sq ft) and finished in teak and brass, cabins feature panoramic sliding doors, air-conditioning with individual control, Nespresso machines, minibars with complimentary drinks, glass bottled water, expedition flasks, spa-branded amenities, premium mattresses with dual pillow options, yoga mats, electric safes, multi-configuration plugs, hair dryers, mirrors, nightly turndown service, and 24-hour laundry service. Complimentary evening canapés are served in each cabin, and quality mountain bikes are available for independent exploration.

Dining is bistro-style with al fresco options, led by a local master chef and international culinary team, offering personalized service, lean menu options, local mineral water, jugged coffee, teas, and an extensive premium wine list. Public spaces include an open-air lounge and bar, and onboard bakery with daily fresh breads. Excursion support includes bottled water, cold towels, shoe cleaning, and refreshing drinks. Safety and security are maintained with certified crew, fire detection and fighting systems, an expert marine superintendent, and a 24-hour watch. Cultural performances, educational talks, cooking classes, and ship tours complement the expedition experience.

Vessel Type: River Boat

Passenger Capacity: 28

Built: 2018

RV Sabaidee Pandaw is a purpose-built river expedition vessel designed to navigate the demanding waterways of the Laos gorges and the historic Laos–China route across Yunnan. Launched in 2018 as the seventeenth ship in the Pandaw fleet, she reflects the company’s long-standing expertise in operating in remote river environments, with a robust double-deck design engineered for manoeuvrability through narrow channels and rapids. Handcrafted in teak and brass, the vessel maintains Pandaw’s signature colonial-style aesthetic while delivering the personalised service and operational reliability expected on exploratory river journeys.

With just 14 classic staterooms accommodating 28 guests, RV Sabaidee Pandaw offers an intimate onboard atmosphere centred around an open-plan saloon with flexible indoor and outdoor dining. Cabins feature panoramic French windows, premium linens, modern amenities, and thoughtful expedition comforts, while onboard dining is led by a local master chef with regionally inspired menus. Public spaces include a library and guest services desk, and quality mountain bikes are carried for independent exploration ashore. Comprehensive safety systems, a highly trained crew, and well-supported shore excursions position RV Sabaidee Pandaw as a refined yet practical base for immersive river exploration in Southeast Asia.