Winding its way down the iconic waters of the Mekong River, the charming Gypsy is a vessel laden with rustic character but artfully transformed into a beautiful and supremely comfortable accommodation. Large windows in the two cabins afford sublime views of the passing countryside, flooding the rooms with light. At separate ends of the boat and opening onto a central lounge, the two cabins each come with their own ensuite shower with bathrobes, slippers, and a hairdryer. A mini-bar, iPod docking station, Wifi and air-conditioning bring the boat firmly into the 21st century, yet the overall ambiance calls to mind the glory days of river travel, of impossibly elegant explorers charting a path into unknown territory.
A generous ratio of staff to guests ensures a level of service above that of many luxury hotels. An onboard chef fuses French and Laotian cuisines into a range of delicious dishes, served either al fresco on the sundeck or in the charming dining room. Enjoy pre-dinner cocktails as the sun sets, the water gently laps the edge of the boat and the jungle landscape slips by at a languid pace.
Booked on an exclusive basis, Gypsy becomes your very own vessel and the Mekong is yours to explore. With two sailings, either 3-nights/4-days from Luang Prabang to the Golden Triangle, or the shorter reverse journey taking 2-nights and 3-days, the boat sails through an exquisite landscape of rice paddies, mist-veiled mountains and hill tribe villages. Trek through lush jungle, sample local whisky, visit ancient temples or simply sit back in an oversized lounger and watch the spellbinding scenery as you drift by. Onboard you could try your hand at Laotian cooking, pick up a few words of the language, or soak in the sun on deck.
