Vat Phou – Cruise along the fascinating Mekong River in Southern Laos


Vat Phou – Cruise along the fascinating Mekong River in Southern Laos
3 Days/2 Nights cruise

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 bathrooms. Shaded upper deck for lounging, restaurant on board serving the finest Laotian, Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. Beers, wines and spirits are also available on board.

Price per person in US$

Validity

2-8 pax

9-24 pax

Single sup

1 May 08 – 30 Sep 08 414 397 171
1 Oct 08 - 31 Oct 08 528 500 187
1 Nov 08 - 30 Apr 09 591 560 206
1 May 09 - 30 Sep 09 444 427 180
1 Oct 09 - 31 Oct 09 591 560 206

Prices include:
• 3 days cruise with stops and visits as mentioned in the program with English-speaking escort
 • 2 nights accommodation on board.
 • Meal plan as mentioned in the tour program.
 • Coffee, tea & drinking water on board and during meals.
 • Admission fee at visiting points as mentioned in the program.
 • Services of qualified crews during the cruise.
• Group insurance

Prices exclude:
• Visa approval and fees for Laos
• Transfer from hotel / airport to pier in Pakxe or v.v.
• Other drinks and meals not mentioned in package.
• Other personal expenses

Remarks:
• For safety reasons and according to weather conditions, the program may be amended without prior notice.
• Child age 2-12 years old discount 50% when sharing cabin with parents. Infant (less than 2 years old) = free of charge.
• The above tour prices exclude current VAT.


Itinerary:

Cruise Down River:
• 01 May’08 to 31 Oct’08 Departures every Saturday for cruise down
• 01 Nov'08 to 30 Apr'09 Departures every Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday on a cruise down or cruise up
• 01 May'09 to 31 Oct'09 Departures every Saturday for cruise down and Tuesday for cruise up.

From Pakse to the “Niagara of the East”, the discovery of one of the wonders of the world, the treasures of Khmer architecture.

Day 1: Pakxe/Champassak/Vat Phou (L, D)
Early morning 10h30 a.m. departure from Pakse for Champassak, heading south aboard a local longtail riverboat, zigzagging through mild rapids and sand banks, arriving 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 (B, L, D)
Breakfast on board as we set 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”, arrived in the afternoon closed to Khong Island (the birthplace of the President of the Peoples republic of Laos) at Ban Dua Tae, and visit this traditional Laotian Village where the traditional way of life has not changed in centuries. Back on board for 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 (B, L)
Breakfast on the deck, while cruising to the small village  of Ban Veuthong where we will board a small long-tail boat to Khone Island. After visit, take a long tail boat back to the main land for lunch amid the by-gone splendid of another age; colorful French colonial houses and an old customs post, alongside a stone quay. Take a minivan to amazingly scenic splendor of the Khong Pha Peng waterfall, “the Niagara of the East“, close to the Cambodian border. Back to “civilization, for the two hours ride to Pakse, arriving in the afternoon, around 3:50 p.m.

Cruise Up River (the same tour but in reverse):
• 01 May’08 to 31 Oct’08 Departures every Tuesday for cruise up
• 01 Nov'08 to 30 Apr'09 Departures every Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday on a cruise down or cruise up
• 01 May'09 to 31 Oct'09 Departures every Tuesday for cruise up

From Pakse to the “Niagara of the East” the discovery of one of the wonders of the world, the treasures of Khmer architecture.

 Day 1: Pakse/ Xieng Di / Khone Island (L, D)
On arrival at Pakse, drive to the spectacular roaring falls of Khone Pha Pheng, the “Niagara of the East” and the fishing village of Xieng Di for lunch at local restaurant and where you will board a long tail boat for a visit to Khone Island. After visit, take long tail boat to the Khong Island village of Ban Veuthong, where you will board the waiting Vat Phou for a sunset cruise and dinner, docked riverside for the night.

Day 2: Khong Island / Oum Moung Temple / Huei Thamo (B, L, D)
Breakfast on board Vat Phou as we set sail to Ban Dua Tae, and visit this traditional Laotian Village after the visit we sail North, past the island of Don Xai, and into a myriad of islands of all shapes and sizes, the wild paradise of ‘4,000 islands.' Enjoy the lunch during cruising North to the island of Don Daeng , to visit the village of Huei Thamo and the mysterious Oum Moung forest temple, just a few minutes walk way. Dinner. “Under the stars”, aboard Vat Phou.

Day 3: Ban Wat Luang Kao / Vat Phou / Champassak (B, L)


While enjoying breakfast on board, the Vat Phou continues its cruise to Ban Wat Luang Kao, where you will join a guided tour by bus to the tenth century pre-Angkorian temple of Vat Phou , after which you will return by bus to Champassak in time for lunch, and the final cruise to Pakse, with arrival in the afternoon


Specific information

- Please note that the temperatures can occasionally rise to 38 degree Celsius, but from November to through February it can be cool a night and it recommended to take a light pullover.
- Basic behavior visiting minority. Do not buy antique jewelry and family heirlooms from villagers. Try to support village income by buying new handicraft items. Do not encourages begging by distributing gifts (especially sweets). Try to locate the school or the mayor house in the village to donate paper, books, pens, etc. Always announce yourself and ask permission before entering a house. If you pass through a village, stop and visit for a while. If not villagers may think that you are bad spirit. Entering an area of forest dedicated to the spirits is not allowed. Touching spirit items is not allowed. Always ask your local guide before doing any thing wish may cause offense to the villagers.

The Vat Phou Boat
A 34-metre steel hulled craft converted into a floating hotel, the Vat Phou was launched with the support of the World Bank in Vientiane in 1993. Each of the 12 comfortable and elegant air-conditioned cabins offers two single berths and a private western style bathroom.

Charmingly appointed, it also offers:
· Modern safety equipment and lifejackets
· A large front deck with a wide open area for relaxation.
· A lower deck with an air-conditioned dining room.
· A set menu combining both Laotian and Continental cuisine.
· French, English and Thai speaking staff.
· A fully-stocked bar

Access
Supplemental:
Transfers from Ubon Rachatani by mini-van to Pakse are available with pick ups from either hotels or the airport.

Specific information

1. The Vat Phou cruises stop in some villages on the journey. At these villages we encourage our guests to contribute money for the construction of schools, the purchase of school books and pencils, and also the purchase of sporting equipment for the children of the villages. The Vat Phou Company also donates money for these causes.
2. In Laos, there is a tradition to feed the monks every morning. This has the two fold purpose of ‘making merit’ and also providing the monastery with food for the day. The Vat Phou Company offers meals for the temples in the areas that we travel through.
3. Where possible, our chefs will buy local produce from the communities for the meals on board the Vat Phou boat.
4. In Wat Ban Dong, the Vat Phou Company donated pipes to help in the road construction in this area.
5. All leftover food from our cruises is given to local villagers to help feed their livestock, while all cans, bottles and plastic are recycled.


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