Kathie

Cali, look at the Pandaw website. They always offer a discount for early booking.

www.pandaw.com

CaliNurse

Thank you, Kathie!! Great to know. Problem is, with life as it is now, I can't book too far in advance. Still, I will check for refund info, and then get travel insurance. That should work, right?

karenclang

@Kathie--If you do choose the Mekong from Laos to China, I'd recommend skipping the Opium museum and taking a taxi to visit the white, blue and black temples near Chiang Rai (less than a hour away).
I haven't decided yet on which Pandaw cruise to take next but I've narrowed it down to the Chindwin or the Nagaland cruises in Burma or the Halong Bay and the Red river-most likely some time in 2018 since I'm currently planning an independent trip with friends to Ladakh and Zanskar in the fall.

Kathie

Hi Karen, Having visited the Opium Museum, the White Temple, etc in 2003, we would skip those.

I would highly recommend the Chindwin Cruise or the Nagaland Cruise. I must admit I have little interest in the Halong Bay/Red River cruise. We are currently looking at the Upper Irrawaddy cruise, but have not yet made a decision.

I have looked at going to Ladkah and Leh, and they look like fascinating destinations. Have a wonderful trip! I hope you will post a trip report.