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Vat Phou Cruise

Description

The Mekong is the artery of life in Laos: a trading route, a source of food and water, and a social center for the settlements along its banks. Known locally as The Mother of Waters, the Mekong river has been venerated and worshiped for thousands of years.

The Vat Phou Cruise offer a fantastic opportunity to discover the splendor of the Mekong River and the Unesco World Heritage Vat Phou Temple on a delightful three-day voyage aboard a luxurious floating hotel.

Since 1999, our custom built river cruiser has traveled on the Mekong in Laos between Pakse, Champasak and Don Khong Island.
The boat is appointed with everything for your comfort, safety and enjoyment.

Our boat staff and guide are always available to help you with any need you may have during your cruise on the Mekong.

  • Vat Phou Cruise
  • Launch 2000
  • 12 cabins
  • Steel
  • Mekong River
  • Laos

Vat Phou Cruise's Facilities

  • 24-hour Security
  • Boutique Library
  • Observatory
  • Restaurant
  • Tender for sightseeing

Travel Map

Cruise Itineraries

Note*: Cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather and operating conditions.

Up River: PAKSE-PHAPHENG WATERFALL-KHONE ISLAND-KHONG ISLAND- HUEI THAMO-OUM MUONG TEMPLE-VAT PHOU-CHAMPASAK – PAKSE

PAKSE – Departing 09h30 – 10h00:
After meeting at the Sinouk Coffee House in central Pakse at 9:30am, you will board a bus to travel Route 13 to the historically significant PhaPheng waterfalls.
PHAPHENG WATERFALL / LUNCH: 12h00:
Visit the Khong PhaPheng waterfalls, the “Niagara of the East”. You will then be driven by bus to the Nakasang pier, you board a small wooden boat, which will take you to Don Khone Island for lunch at local restaurant on the banks of the river.
DON KHONE: 14h00:
You will visit the old French railway, the French colonial house and walk across the bridge that links Khone and Det Islands.
KHONG ISLAND > SUNSET CRUISES > DINNER: 17h00:
After this fascinating glimpse into the not so distant past, your small wooden boat continues cruising among the 4,000 Islands to the Vat-Phou boat at Ban Dong Veuthong in Don Khong Island.
At 17:30 pm, check into your cabin while the boat sets off. Enjoy dinner onboard as the sun is setting. We will dock riverside for the night.

Meals: Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Vat Phou Cruise

BAN DEUA TIA / KHONG ISLAND: Departing 07h00:
Breakfast is on board the Vat Phou boat as we set sail to Ban Deua Tia. You will walk through this small village, seeing centuries old traditions still being used. You will also visit the school and share some time with the local students.
The Vat Phou boat then continues to cruise north on the Mekong, past the island of Don Xai, and many other small islets in the river archipelago.
CRUISE / LUNCH: 12h00:
Lunch is on the deck, while we leisurely sail up the Mekong River. All meals are included on the Vat Phou Mekong cruise and the galley produces the finest of Laotian, Vietnamese and Thai dishes, lovingly prepared and beautifully presented.
TOMO VILLAGE: 16h00
Late afternoon we disembark from the boat to walk through the village of Tomo and the mysterious Oum Muong forest temple, just a few minutes walk way. Dinner is aboard Vat Phou, then you have the rest of the evening to relax and enjoy the silence.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation:  Vat Phou Cruise

VAT PHOU TEMPLE: Departing 7h00 –
While enjoying breakfast on board, the Vat Phou continues its Mekong cruise to Champassak. The highlight this morning is the Vat Phou ruins – the majestic pre-Angkorian 10th century temple complex and our boat’s namesake.
LUNCH: 12h00 –
After your visit of Vat Phou temple, you return to the boat for one last meal as we cruise to our final desination.
CHAMPASAK / PAKSE: 13h00-16h00
A long-tail boat will return you to Pakse, arriving around 4.00pm in the afternoon. This is the end of your cruise, and the beginning of whatever is next on your itinerary.
(There is a possibility to connect with the flight from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok the same evening).

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: N/A

Down River: PAKSE-CHAMPASAK-VAT PHOU TEMPLE-HUEI THAMO > OUM MUONG TEMPLE > KHONG ISLAND-DON KHONE-PHA PHENG WATERFALL-PAKSE

PAKSE– Departing 09h30 – 10h00 –
After meeting at the Sinouk Coffee House in central Pakse at 9:30am, we transfer you to our cruise boat via long tail riverboat, for your 2.5 hour journey to Champassak.
CHAMPASAK / LUNCH– 12h30 –
Upon boarding at the Vat Phou boat, we help you to your cabins to unpack, before serving lunch on deck. All meals are included on the Vat Phou Mekong cruise and our galley produces the finest of Laotian, Vietnamese and Thai dishes, lovingly prepared and beautifully presented.
VAT PHOU TEMPLE– 14h30 –
The highlight of the afternoon is the Vat Phou ruins – the majestic pre-Angkorian 10th century temple complex and our boat’s namesake. You have time to visit the museum at the ruins site, walk up to the highest temple and take as many photos as you would like.
SUNSET CRUISE– 17h00 –
As dusk falls, we transfer you back to the Vat Phou boat for a chance to enjoy the tropical sunset on the deck. Dinner is served on board, while the boat docks for the night alongside a remote Laotian village.

Meals: Lunch/ Dinner
Accommodation: Vat Phou Cruise

TOMO VILLAGE– Departing 07h00 – 10h30 –
Breakfast is on board as we set sail for the village of Tomo. This is a small village a few minutes walk away from the mysterious hidden forest temple of Oum Muong. Afterwards we rejoin the boat to continue our cruise southwards.
CRUISE / LUNCH– 12h30 –
Lunch is on the deck, while we leisurely sail closer to the wild paradise known as the 4,000 Islands All meals are included on the Vat Phou Mekong cruise and the galley produces the finest of Laotian, Vietnamese and Thai dishes, lovingly prepared and beautifully presented.
BAN DEUA TIA / KHONG ISLAND– 16h30 –
Late afternoon we disembark from the boat to walk through Ban Deua Tia, a small Laotian Village where the traditional way of life has not changed in centuries, you will also visit the local school and share some time with the students.
Our day’s cruise finishes at the most northern tip of Don Khong, the largest inhabited island in the river archipelago. After dinner, the evening is yours to relax and enjoy.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Vat Phou Cruise

DON KHONE– Departing 7h00 –
While you have breakfast on the deck, the Vat Phou boat cruises down the Mekong to the small village of Ban Veuthong, where you board a small boat to meander among the 4,000 Islands to Khone Island. You will visit the old French railway, the French colonial house and walk across the bridge that links Khone and Det Islands.
LUNCH– 12h00 –
Enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant on Don Khone Island along the banks of the river.
PHAPHENG WATERFALL / PAKSE– 13h00-16h30 –
This afternoon you will visit the Khone PhaPheng waterfalls, the “Niagara of the East”. After your visit to Phapheng waterfall you will be transferred back to Pakse by bus where the tour will end.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: N/A

Important note*

  • PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASING ON ACTUAL SITUATION.
  • For overnight registration, we will need passport information (Full name, sex, Nationality, passport number, date of birth) of passengers at least four weeks prior to cruise date.

Cabins & Rates

Cabintype Rates
(US$/person)

Vat Phou Cruise
  • 12sqm
  • Lower deck
  • Double/twin beds
  • Max 2 persons


Contact us for price

Vat Phou Cruise
  • 12sqm
  • Upper deck
  • Double/twin beds
  • Max 2 persons

Note*: The price would vary depending on your selected itineraries, date of departures, number of passengers. Please book the tour or contact us for best rate of your itinerary.

Booking Policy

  • All meals included in selected program by Vat Phou Cruise
  • Accommodation on board based on twin share
  • English speaking guide during the cruise
  • Sight-seeing of Mekong Delta
  • Coffee, tea and water during meal times on board
  • All excursions and necessary entry fees according to itinerary
  • Presentations and lectures by your cruise director
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks other than mentioned
  • Meals and services other than those noted in the itinerary
  • Visas for Thailand and Laos
  • Laundry, telephone calls and personal expenditures
  • Gratuities for guides, drivers, porters, boat crew, and personal, non-itinerary services
  • Video or photography fees (if requested during excursions)

Cancellation by Customer
For cancellations of bookings, the following charges will apply:

  • 30 days before departure: 25% of total rates
  • From 15 to 29 days before departure: 75% of total rates
  • Under 15 days before departure: 100% of total rates

Note*: Please contact us for more details if you are travelling with kids.

Vat Phou Cruise’s deck plan

Lao-Vat-Phou-Cruise-12

Vat Phou Cruise Amenities

  • Air-conditioner
  • Cabinet
  • Hair Dryer
  • Non Smoking Rooms
  • Private Bathroom
  • Seating Area
  • Tea & coffee facility
  • Toiletries

Questions & Answers


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The rivers you will sail on are subject to seasonal rises and falls of water level, in some places as much as 30 metres. Water levels can change dramatically overnight and a sudden rise can impede our progress upstream considerably and even prevent us from passing under certain bridges. A sudden fall can result in our being unable to get into certain places or go as far upstream as we would hope. Groundings on sandbars are not infrequent and are part of the
excitement of any expedition. Published itineraries are indicational only and subject to sudden change. In such events alternative itineraries will be provided and we do our best to ensure that if a stop is missed we make up for it with another stop.

Passengers are thus forewarned and expected to be flexible and patient. River cruising in Asia can be a dramatic and adventurous experience – not like cruising the controlled waterways of Europe or America. Note also that we operate in areas with little or no developed infrastructure and subject to the strictures of local officialdom. Be prepared for this and it is all more the fun!

For itineraries that include flights in the price of the ticket it should be noted that regional airlines can change departure times or cancel flights at very short notice. In such an event we endeavour to arrange alternative flights but note that this can result in delays often resulting in embarking or disembarking on a different day to that indicated in the itinerary. In such an event the company will cover the cost of hotel accommodation and main meals only, but will not be liable for any claims for compensation for missed days on board a ship, drinks or curtailment of the said itinerary.

We recommend wearing loose and comfortable clothing made of cotton or modern material that can readily cool off sweat and body hear. The type of shoes will depend on the excursion types so best to have both light, open toed shoes as well as good walking/hiking shoes with you. A sun hat is always a good idea to bring along.
Southern Vietnam and Cambodia are warm all year-round, but our other cruise destinations can get chilly during the winter months (Laos, Myanmar or northern Vietnam). Therefore, it is always recommended to bring a pullover or a warm jacket with you during this period.
Many of our cruises include visits to local temples or pagodas. When visiting these holy sites, make sure to wear appropriate clothing which covers your shoulders and knees.

Generally speaking, the rivers we are cruising on in Southeast Asia are very calm and there is hardly any motion on any of our ships. A bit of motion can occur during monsoon rains with stormy winds, but the amount of motion is much less than one would feel during bad weather on the open ocean.
Sea cruises as we offer in Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay can sometimes encounter heavier waters and ship motion, although this happens very rarely and port authorities will most likely not allow sailing under any such circumstances anyway.
If you are new to cruising or prone to motion sickness, it does not hurt to bring along some motion sickness medication. Drinking a nice hot fresh ginger tea is a natural remedy and tasty alternative our staff is always happy to make for you.

All food and beverage on board is completely safe to eat and enjoy, including the ice cubes you enjoy in your chilled drinks. We do not recommend drinking water straight from the tap anywhere, including onboard. We provide you with complimentary clean drinking water throughout your cruise.
You may want to be bit careful with local dishes as they can be spicier than you are used to from home. Approach new dishes slowly and carefully. If you have a sensitive stomach, then you may like to double check with our chef or onboard managers about specific dishes or meals.
On excursions, it may be a good idea to avoid local foods and snacks unless offered by our tour guides. Besides the above, in general we recommend the following motto for your pre- and post-cruise travelling in the Southeast Asian tropics: boil it, peel it, cook it, wash it or forget it!

The most effective protection from personal contamination is ensuring strict attention to personal hygiene and in particular, frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water and refraining from hand-to-mouth contact. Colds and other viruses can spread quickly in an enclosed area such as a ship. Continue to practice common-sense hygiene and respiratory courtesy. Wash your hands often and cover your coughs and sneeze. It is recommended that passengers carry anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, which does not require rinsing with water. Use sanitizer frequently and throughout the day, particularly after shore excursions and prior to meals. If you have any questions regarding your health or safety, please do not hesitate to ask your cruise director.

Motion sickness can be a problem for some people when cruising, flying or travelling on coaches and trains and it is a good idea to take precautionary measures. Over-the-counter drugs for treating motion sickness can be purchased at pharmacies in most countries, though a side effect can by drowsiness. Alternatives such as ginger tablets and acupressure wristbands are also available and work well for some people.

Cambodia visas are easily obtained for most travelers on arrival. Note that passports must have a validity of at least 6 months after your last date of travel in Cambodia.
Because travel restrictions across Southeast Asia are constantly changing, we recommend checking with the Cambodia embassy/consulate in your home country for the latest information.

With the exception of visa exemptions, all travelers must arrange their visa prior to arrival in Vietnam. Passports must also have a validity of at least 6 months after your last date of travel in Vietnam.
Because travel restrictions across Southeast Asia are constantly changing, we recommend checking with the Vietnam embassy/consulate in your home country for the latest information.

We recommend at least purchasing travel health insurance which covers both in- & outpatient visits and medical repatriation. Buying additional trip cancellation and interruption coverage may also be beneficial in case you have to cancel your travel plans due to unforeseen circumstances.

We always recommend bringing a travel adapter as a standard item in your travel kit. You can borrow an adapter on board, but these may be limited.

It is customary in Asia to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected - though not compulsory - and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $3-$5 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service.

Indochina Countries use 220V, and a mixture of flat 2-pin, round 2-pin or 3 pin plugs. It is recommended to bring a universal plug adapter.

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from $0 /pax
22/12/2024

Owner

Do Ha

Member Since 2022