• Today is an exciting day as we watch the sun rise over the mighty Mekong – the “Mother of Waters”. Following breakfast, we pack up and set off aboard a charter boat for a full days adventure on Southeast Asia’s largest river and one of the worlds richest in biodiversity. Only the Amazon and the Congo Rivers contain more fish species than the Mekong.

• In southern Laos the Mekong reaches an astonishing 14-km in width with thousands of forested islands and sandbars where we can stop to enjoy a swim or visit a remote fishing village. Very few people ever see this well off-the-beaten-path part of the river.

• After 5-hours lounging in hammocks from our large launch and having talks on the river’s geography, history and biodiversity, we will stop on Don Khong for a delicious lunch and a chance to stretch our legs.

• Following an hour ashore, we will transfer to a smaller boat for the final 1.5-hour journey to Don Khone, a historically significant isle in the days of French colonial rule but a quiet backwater today.

• Checking into our riverside guesthouse on Don Khone, there will be time to bicycle or stroll the quiet lanes of this magical little isle before we sit down to a great group dinner.

Overnight: Pan’s Guest House - Don Khone, Laos