21 days

Departure Dates

2 January 10

25 December 10

* denotes departed trips

We Visit:

China, Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia

Costs:

from £7,995 (details below)

Trip Summary:

• Yunnan Province and Shangri-La in China
• Golden Triangle on the border of Burma, Laos & Thailand
• Mystical Luang Prabang
• Angkor Wat – greatest temple complex in the world
• INCLUDES 6 night Mekong River cruise expedition
• Limited to 24 guests

China’s Yunnan Province boasts some of the nation’s finest scenery and historic cities. The mighty Mekong River flows through six countries and, until recently, has been unnavigable in its upper reaches. Join this adventure featuring the Yunnan Province and Shangri-la in China; the Golden Triangle on the border of Burma, Laos and Thailand; a six night expedition cruise on the upper Mekong River, sailing through remote waters and stopping at local villages; a visit to mystical Luang Prabang, the Laotian Royal capital; plus the wonders of the greatest temple complex in the world, Angkor Wat. This true adventure tour is limited to 24 guests aboard our privately chartered Mekong River ship, ‘Mekong Sun’. The Captain’s Choice Tour is proud to offer a unique experience for travellers seeking to explore some truly remote destinations. This fully escorted tour includes all of your meals, wine with dinner each evening (except dine-around nights) and all sightseeing 

Day 1

Depart UK

Join our evening flight to Bangkok.

Day 2

Arive Bangkok

Today we arrive in Bangkok after our overnight flight from the UK. We stay in Bangkok for one night.

Day 3

Bangkok - Kunming (China)

W arrive in Kunming, captial of Yunnan Province - one of China's most fascinating regions. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner at our hotel, the five star Grand Park Hotel.

Day 4

Kunming

Today we visit the Stone Forest, regarded as having ‘the most fantastic scenery under Heaven’. The massive collection of grey limestone pillars, split by rain and eroded to their present fanciful shapes, covers a huge area southeast of Kunming. There are small and large stone structures in the shape of pagodas, walls, swords, animals and vertically carved, fantastically shaped limestone pillars. There are numerous stone peaks, rock pillars, stone flowers, rock flows, lakes and waterfalls. The Sani people inhabit the area and produce numerous handicrafts.

Select from a choice of restaurants and enjoy a dine-around dinner this evening.

Day 5

Kunming - Zhongdian

We take a morning flight to Zhongdian, known as ‘Shangri-La’. The region adjoins Tibet and abounds in Tibetan culture. Soak up the atmosphere as we visit the old town, featuring streets and houses of Tibetan influence. This morning we drive to Gedan Songzanlin Monastery, built in 1679 and still home to 700 monks.

This afternoon there is time to relax and stroll around the town; alternatively, take a stunning mountain drive along the Tibet Highway to Dong Zhu Lin Monastery, built in 1667 in a remote mountain setting. The monastery contains numerous large and small Buddha images. We will also visit the First Bend of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Before dinner you can see the local people dancing in the main square of the old town – an affirming scene of life and colour.

Day 6

Zhongdian - Lijiang

We travel south, following the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, before reaching Tiger Leaping Gorge.

At the gorge, choose from a hike or visit a local school. After a spectacular drive we reach Lijiang. Ancient Lijiang has preserved its magnificent wooden buildings amid a maze of cobbled streets, canals and a bustling market life. It is a living museum and photographer’s paradise. Tonight enjoy a Naxi music show, performed by venerable musicians. Two nights at the spectacular Treasure Harbour Hotel.

Day 7

Lijiang

This morning we will drive further into the mountains to take a cable car for the awe inspiring trip up the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, a truly memorable experience. Take a walk on the Spruce Meadow and breathe the crisp, fresh air. Later we will visit Long Quan Naxi ethnic village and the Museum of Naxi Culture.

Dine-around evening at any of the hotel’s restaurants.

Day 8

Lijiang - Dali

Travel south to another historic city, Dali, on the shores of Erhai Lake and amidst beautiful mountain scenery. We tour the centre of the Bai minority people and visit the Three Pagodas of the Chong Sheng Shrine. There will be time to shop for marble, clothes, jewellery and batik (a traditional textile). Dali evokes the feeling of entering China's historical past. 

Day 9

Dali - Jinghong

Fly to Jinghong this morning. The Xishuangbanna region is renowned as possessing one quarter of China’s animal species and one sixth of its plant species. We will visit a game reserve where wild elephants roam in the jungle, plus a typical Dai village and a market.

Day 10

Jinghong - Chiang Saen (Thailand)

The upper Mekong, through Southern China, Burma and Laos, has recently opened to foreigners. The river is too low for our luxury cruise ship to pass through so we join a privately chartered, high speed express boat for the spectacular daytime journey to the Golden Triangle. Relax in comfortable airline type seats or enjoy the back deck as we are whisked past remote villages, jagged rocks and previously inaccessible wonders along the upper Mekong. The land south of the Chinese border at Guanlei is truly spectacular; hills are covered with tropical vegetation, impressive rock formations loom on the horizon, and rapid and slow currents move down the river. We cruise through primitive tropical rainforests in this almost inaccessible ‘no man’s land’ between Burma and Laos, where nature seems unaffected on the Laotian side and an occasional border guard post, under multi coloured sunscreens, appears on the Burmese side. We hope to land at a Burmese village this afternoon. After our exhilarating boat ride we reach the Golden Triangle region between Burma, Laos and Thailand and disembark at Chiang Saen for a night at the Imperial Golden Triangle Resort.

Dine-around dinner at our hotel or a local restaurant.

Day 11

Chiang Saen & the Goldne Triangle

Enjoy a leisurely day to enjoy the wonderful facilities of our resort and the town of Chiang Sean.

You may wish to participate in a Thai Cooking Class; or take an elephant ride (options at additional cost).

Day 12

Golden Triangle - Join 'Mekong Sun'

Enjoy a relaxing morning before visiting the Doi Tong Botanical Gardens in a beautiful hilltop setting within this notorious region, where the King and Queen of Thailand have encouraged modern crops to replace opium poppies. We will also visit the smugglers’ town of Mai Sai on the Thai/Burmese border, where thousands of stalls sell contraband. We take a scenic drive on to Chiang Khong to join our new and beautiful river ship, the ‘Mekong Sun’. Our ship was custom built for cruising the Mekong in 2006 by a German company. The ‘Mekong Sun’ provides a superb way of cruising this remote region. Settle into your wood panelled cabin and enjoy a Welcome Reception on the sun deck. Our crew of 17 provide great Asian and European food and friendly service during our voyage.

Day 13

Golden Triangle - Huay Xai (Laos)

This morning we will visit the Hall of Opium to learn about this notorious crop in a spectacular underground setting. We also visit the Giant Buddha, overlooking the Mekong at Sop Ruak. This afternoon we rejoin our ship and enter into Laos at Huay Xai, a remote riverside village. We will sail on and anchor at a sandbank this evening. Enjoy drinks beside a blazing fire on the sandbank before dinner on the open deck of our boat.

Day 14

Pak Tha

The river traffic increases as we pass through a densely populated region accessible only by water. Relax on deck or the lounge and soak up the peaceful isolation. Continue to the small village of Pak Tha, where we join a longtail boat for a trip up the Namtha River to visit a remote Khmu village. We will be welcomed to the Mayor’s house and we visit the school to learn more about the way of life in this amazing region. We rejoin ‘Mekong Sun’ for lunch and a pleasant afternoon of sailing. Enjoy drinks on a sandbank and dinner on board this evening.

Day 15

Pak Beng

After breakfast our voyage continues to the small town of Pak Beng, where we go ashore for coffee at a lodge overlooking the Mekong and visit the market and small stalls and shops along the one main street. This afternoon we hope to stop to see working elephants beside the river and visit another small village.

Day 16

Pak Ou Caves

After a relaxing morning on board we stop at a small riverside village for a visit and to see their local distillery, before walking through the forest to the famous Pak Ou Caves with thousands of small Buddha statues inside the caverns. This evening we will enjoy our dinner in a beautiful riverside location.

Day 17

Luang Prabang

We sightsee in the former royal capital of Laos, Luang Prabang. This beautiful town contains numerous Buddhist monuments, French and Laotian style houses and has a charming centre with few cars and a wonderful laid back atmosphere. Visit Wat Xieng Thong with its striking buildings of tiled roofs and gold and red colours. Tour the Royal Palace with its elephant throne and traditional musical instruments and enjoy sunset from Phousi Hill. This evening visit the Night Market in the main street.

Day 18

Luang Prabang - Siem Reap/Angkor Wat (Cambodia)

Rise early, if desired, to see the hundreds of monks walking to their temples and receiving alms from the faithful in the early morning light. After a free morning amid the wonders of Luang Prabang we fly from one incredible area to another. Our tour concludes with two nights at the sumptuous Le Meridien Angkor in Siem Reap, near Angkor Wat. 

Enjoy a dine-around dinner at our hotel or an excellent local restaurant.

It is possible to return home after Luang Prabang. Please enquire for details.

Day 19

Angkor Wat

This morning you may like to rise early and view the spectacular sunrise over Angkor Wat, returning to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast we visit Angkor Wat, arguably the world’s greatest temple, dating from the 12th century. It is the largest religious building in existence and a true wonder of the world. We enter the temple by crossing the moat and passing through two huge outside walls, pausing to marvel at the towers that lie ahead. We will explore the three levels of the temple which has only recently reopened to tourists. After lunch we explore some other outstanding temples in the complex. Wonderful Ta Prohm, still embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers, is a truly amazing sight. We continue to mystical Angkor Thom and the Bayon, pausing to see the Elephant Terrace and the ornately carved gates.

Day 20

Depart Angkor Wat

 

This morning is free to visit some of the smaller but equally ornate temples that make this region unique; alternatively, stroll beside the river and enjoy the small town of Siem Reap.

Depart this afternoon for Bangkok and your connecting flight home.

Day 21

Arrive UK

Arrive in the UK this morning. 

Please note: This tour travels to some very remote destinations, where accommodation and services are not what you expect at home. Our ship, ‘Mekong Sun’, is a newly built, comfortable, four star vessel. Join us on this adventure beyond the Golden Triangle.

Shorter Tour option
If you would prefer to return home after visiting Luang Prebang please call our office for details.

 

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