February 26 - March 16, 2025

Upper Mekong River

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Escorted By: Janet Williams

19 Days

43 Meals

Leader

CT Rating

Small Group

Book Early

Mekong River Cruises • rv Mekong Pearl

Much has been said about river cruising in Asia, whether on the Lower Mekong, in Myanmar, or India, but the Upper Mekong has for the most part gone unexplored.  Explore the charms of Bangkok before embarking on an exciting journey along this mysterious part of the world. The delightful rv Mekong Pearl will take us from Vientiane, the capital of Laos all the way to the legendary Golden Triangle.

This departure is currently fully booked, but you can still join our waitlist and we'll notify you if any spots become available!

Yes, I'd like to join the waitlist

CT Rating 3.5 CHALLENGING:

This will be an expedition, a journey on a river on which few tourists have travelled. Visits ashore may involve difficult walking conditions over very rough surfaces without safety features etc. Members should expect difficult conditions in a region known for a hot and humid climate - daytime temperatures will exceed 30C. The river boat does not have an elevator. Members must be fully mobile and physically active to fully enjoy this adventure.

Tour Highlights

  • Visit Kuang Si Falls, one of Laos' most beautiful waterfalls
  • Marvel at thousands of Buddha statues in Pak Ou Caves
  • Take boat tour through Bangkok's canals and experience the city's diverse neighbourhoods
  • Meet the inhabitants of a hill tribe village in Laos
  • Learn the art of Thai cooking during a hands-on class

Inclusive Features

  • Return economy group airfare with Air Canada from Canada to Bangkok
  • Enjoy 4-nights in deluxe hotels in Bangkok and a 3-night stay in Chiang Rai, as indicated or similar
  • 10-night cruise in an outside stateroom with private facilities aboard the rv Mekong Pearl
  • Welcome and Farewell Receptions on the cruise
  • Local guides during the cruise
  • Excursions in each village visited on the cruise
  • 43 meals (B - 17 breakfasts, L - 14 lunches, D - 12 dinners)
  • Transfers between airports for domestic flights, hotels and the ship
  • All sightseeing and entrance fees as mentioned
  • Bottled water on board
  • Baggage handling at the hotels and shipside
  • Services of our Journey Leader and Cruise Director
  • Visa fees for Canadian passport holders
  • All gratuities, taxes and fees for included services
  • Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value with purchase of group airfare

Itinerary

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Have any questions? Contact Sharon at sbahadur [at] craigtravel.com or call 1-800-387-8890

Mekong River Cruises

rv Mekong Pearl

This unique boutique ship was built in 2017 and specially designed to sail the roughest sections of the Upper Mekong. It carries a maximum of 27 passengers in 11 main deck staterooms and 4 upper deck cabins.

Beautifully designed, the en-suite staterooms range from 129 to 236 sq. ft. with sliding windows facing the open deck. Relax on comfortable deck chairs and sofa on the Sun Deck as you admire the scenery passing by; treat yourself at the Spa and enjoy an Asian massage after an exciting day of exploration. The caring crew of 18 is here to pamper you throughout your voyage and the onboard chefs will introduce you to unique and local flavours.

Supplements to upgrade to higher category:

Category – Stateroom Description (Deck)

Superior Outside (French Balcony - Upper, Main)

Double / Twin

$750 per person

Category – Stateroom Description (Deck)

Deluxe Outside (Private Balcony - Upper)

Double / Twin

$1,360 per person

Cruise Cost in Canadian Dollars per person

Cruise / Tour Only* (Join / Leave Hotel)
$9,245
Vancouver
$11,195
Victoria
$11,235
Calgary / Edmonton
$11,295
Winnipeg / Regina / Saskatoon
$11,545
Toronto
$11,395
Ottawa / Montreal
$11,545
Halifax / St. John’s
$11,655
Single Supplement Land with Shared Cabin
$1,175
Single Supplement Land with Single Cabin
$4,245

Do you have any questions about this journey? Don't hesitate to contact us!

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Join our waitlist

This departure is currently fully booked, but you can still join our waitlist and we'll notify you if any spots become available!

Yes, I'd like to join the waitlist

Final payment is due November 19, 2024. Deposit is $1, 500 per person.

Singles are extremely limited. Single Supplement rates include either a single hotel room and a shared cruise cabin or a single hotel room and a single cruise cabin. *The price includes the flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai plus Vientiane to Bangkok. Rates are per person based on sharing an outside Classic cabin on Main deck. Airfares from other gateways are available on request. Airfares and air carrier are subject to change and will be confirmed prior to final payment. Refer to Inclusive Features.

Insurance is NOT INCLUDED but is highly recommended. Premiums are calculated based on the individual’s age, destination (country), trip length, and trip booking window – please contact our staff to receive a quote. Your coverage starts on the effective date of your confirmation of coverage. Please discuss your insurance coverage prior to booking. Please discuss your insurance coverage prior to booking. Refer to terms and conditions for more details.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

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Check out some of our frequently asked questions before booking your journey.

What are Craig Journeys all about?

Our goal is to offer meaningful authentic experiences that inspire a deeper understanding of the world we inhabit. Through immersive sightseeing and engaging interactions with local people and cultural sites, we strive to foster a greater appreciation of our global community.

We go to great lengths to ensure the physical comfort of our members, providing excellent accommodations, delicious cuisine, comfortable transportation, and more. At the same time, we encourage them to embrace and engage with local customs.

Why should I book with Craig Travel?

All of our tours are carefully planned to provide a comfortable pace, quality accommodations, in-depth sightseeing, and fully inclusive pricing. We encourage you to compare our offerings with other tours available. Check to see exactly what is included and what extras you may be required to pay.

What do you mean by 'Fully Inclusive' pricing?

Almost all Craig Tours and Cruises include all prepaid costs, encompassing airfare and related taxes, hotel accommodations and/or cruise expenses with taxes and service fees, most meals as described for each departure, sightseeing with entrance fees, gratuities for included services (such as guides, drivers, hotel staff, porters), and even airport transfers. For those residing in southern Ontario, we provide transfers between your home and the airport in most areas, while other passengers receive a special credit or an overnight stay at an airport hotel, depending on the circumstances.

Not included in the published prices are personal services and items such as laundry, telephone calls, room service, and beverages with meals or otherwise (according to local customs; for example, beverages like water, tea, and coffee are typically not included in Europe except during breakfast). Shore excursions on ocean cruises are not included unless specified.

While taxes and fees are included in our prices, they always remain subject to change. Consequently, we may need to collect supplements to cover tax and fee increases that cannot be absorbed.