4.8/5 Excellent
Excellent
78
Great
23
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
Mekong River Tour & Trip Ratings
Tour Reviews
Trusted Customer
Feb 2024
Visiting Vat Phou but no local guide provided, just a leaflet handed to us by our Tour Leader!
Susan
Dec 2023
I enjoyed the trip but the amount of travelling involved took up a big chunk of the holiday and I think that the itinerary needs reviewing to lessen this. Three whol...
Sheila
Feb 2023
Luang Prabang, Plain of Jars, waterfalls, seeing the local rural...
Well thought out trip itinerary (particularly the 2 day boat trip down the Mekong), well organised and often the opportunity to get some first hand experience of loc...
The laid back pace of tour, small groups, use of local guides.
This trip is was good for us but some of our friends would like a ...
It was well organised, our tour host- NOK was excellent and it was a wonderful holiday.
Steve
May 2024
Binh was a great leader - very friendly, helpful and professional. The accommodation was if a high standard. The itinerary was good. Personally I would have changed ...
Elizabeth
Apr 2024
The organisation was excellent. Our guide was a great communicator with first class people skills and tremendous knowledge which he shared with us. My highlight w...
Gary
Mar 2024
The best part of the trip, along all the great places we saw and experiences, was the Explore team - our guide as well as local guides that joined us plus our suppor...
Jane
Mar 2024
Very well planned trip. Enjoyable cycling which enabled us to get really close to the 'real people' of Vietnam and Cambodia. Cycling through the street markets is so...
Stuart
Mar 2024
The Explore guide was invaluable! His attention to detail ...
Editor’s Take
Most trip reviews tend to focus on some or all of these 5 key areas, not all of which may be relevant to you: the tour guide, travel company, service level, country or countries traveled in, and the trip itinerary.
Remember, just because you see a 1 star review doesn’t necessarily mean that person disliked the country.
Altogether, travelers on Mekong River cruises are affluent, experienced, and adventurous travelers. Many expect a high standard of service coupled with getting a true cultural experience in the tours.
Positive Mekong River tours highlight the local guides and their in-depth knowledge of their countries. The various activities, such as biking, kayaking, and walking tours, play a major role in the overall experience of the tours. Angkor Wat, the killing fields, and other cultural and historical sites are the main highlights of many travelers to the Mekong River.
Unfavorable reviews may come from travelers’ expectations of comfort in travel. Many of the longer tours, or when the water is too low to travel, include buses or cars to transport travelers to the next destination.
One thing to remember is much of Southeast Asia is underdeveloped and recovering from recent conflicts. Many of the roads and overnight trains will not be in the same quality as those in many Western countries. Travelers with disabilities may find traveling in the rural areas more difficult and may be limited to certain activities.
When visiting Southeast Asia, the cities will be a flurry of people and vehicles. Travelers new to Southeast Asia may find it difficult to adjust to the modes of transport, accommodation, and foods that are uniquely Southeast Asian.
Each Mekong River tour has a preordained itinerary. Due to the water levels of the Mekong River, some scheduled stops may be skipped. Some tours include more cities than rural villages or more temples than activities. The themes of the tours are important to pay attention to because each focuses on something specific to its tour. This can be adventurous activities, city life, or rural villages. Picking the tour theme that best fits you will make your trip on the Mekong River the best it can be.
For a professional take on traveling to the Mekong River, see the Travelstride Mekong River Guide »
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