Gypsy

Constructed of local hard timber and capped with thatched roofs in the traditional style of the slow boats found in Laos, the intimate Gypsy Boat Mekong is an ultra-exclusive river vessel that invites you to discover the secrets of the upper Mekong in luxury.

Accommodating only four guests at a time, this chartered cruiser sails from Luang Prabang up the Mekong, stopping at villages and attractions along the way in accordance with your whims and wishes.

Only two suites

With only two, surprisingly spacious suites positioned on opposite ends of the 135-ft-long boat, Gypsy allows you to lose yourself utterly to the tranquil charms of the river. The suites have plush beds ‒ one with a king-size bed and the other with a pair of twins, making it ideal for older families or small groups.

High quality bed linens and en-suite bathrooms with showers, bathrobes, slippers, and hairdryers, as well as a mini-bars, iPod docking stations, Wi-Fi and air-conditioning bring the boat firmly into the 21st century, yet the overall ambiance calls to mind the glory days of river travel. Large windows flood these rooms with light, affording sublime views of exquisite landscapes, padi fields and mist-veiled mountains.

Life on board

The mid-ship shared spaces consist of a dining room, bar, and an open-air lounge with couches that are easy to sink into for an entire languid afternoon as you watch the spellbinding scenery drift by. Open decks and an alfresco platform at the bow presents the ultimate place to settle in and watch the changing scenery of the Mekong.

The interior design is stylish and homely, showcasing a soothing mix of contemporary and traditional finishes such as polished timber and carved wooden furniture, alongside bamboo daybeds, dark leather, and Thai silk recreating the romance of a glamorous bygone era.

Dining

Your on-board chef will serve up the most delicious local and international fare, which can be customized to suit your palate, and enjoyed in the dining room or alfresco. Meals feature locally-sourced produce cooked with Thai, Lao and French flavors, such as a bouillabaisse brimming with Mekong River fish and river prawns. You can even try your hand at Laotian cooking with an on-board cooking class.

Excursions

All of the excursions offered on the Gypsy Cruise Mekong are completely tailored to your interests and abilities. All are conceived to provide the best way to take in various villages and experiences along the river, including mountain biking through rural Laos, guided jungle treks to the karst formations of the Pak Ou caves, visits to the Lao and Hmong tribes at Khok-Ek, the village of Pak Beng, and the weaving workshops at Kamu village.

Visit ancient temples, sample the local firewater at a distillery, and enjoy cocktails and canapés beside a bonfire on a sandbank. Booked on an exclusive basis, Gypsy will become your very own vessel and the Mekong will be yours to explore, stopping as and when you wish to curate a voyage of discovery. The Gypsy is by far the most luxurious vessel in the water, but she’s not floating above the local culture. Rather, she is immersed in it.