Itineraries - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 54

the Mekong to Luang Prabang , stopping overnight in Pak Beng . Soak up the magic be-
fore leaving the river for some relaxation in Vang Vieng .
Continue to Vientiane and reunite with the mighty waterway. The Lao capital is a
sleepy place with some great cafes, restaurants and bars, which you won't be encountering
for a while after here. Board a bus and follow the river southeast, stopping off in Tha
Khaek and Savannakhet before arriving in Pakse . Visit the imposing Khmer sanctuary
of Wat Phu Champasak , in the shadow of Lingaparvata Mountain; explore the villages
of the Bolaven Plateau ; or enjoy the islands of Si Phan Don .
Cross into Cambodia. If you missed the Irrawaddy dolphins near Don Khon in Si Phan
Don, you can see them near the border at Preah Rumkel , or a few hours further south in
the laid-back Mekong riverside town of Kratie . From Kratie, consider peeling off to visit
the mountains of Mondulkiri Province , home to elephants, hill tribes and pristine nature.
Weeks in rural provinces will have you happy to see Phnom Penh , where the Mekong
merges with another vital regional waterway, the Tonlé Sap. Take a sunset boat cruise or
participate in an aerobics session on the riverfront promenade. When you're recharged,
board a fast boat downstream to Chau Doc , Vietnam, gateway to the Mekong Delta.
Check out Can Tho , the Delta's commercial heart. Hotfoot it to Ho Chi Minh City for
some fun; delve deeper into the delta with a homestay around Vinh Long , or make for the
tropical retreat of Phu Quoc Island , a well-earned reward for following the mother river.