Happy time on anouvong. Tasty menu we drank a lot
C. Holmes - United Kingdom
Heritage Line Anouvong 9 Nights (Upstream)
Destination: Vientiane, Sandbank, Phalat, Pak Lay, Khok Akha, Luang Prabang, Pak Ou Caves, Gaeng Hang Gai, Pak Beng, Huay Xai
Departure date of itinerary: Contact us for details
Highlights of Itinerary
- Explore temples & markets, catch sunset at Pha That Luang
- Visit Buddhist wonders & colonial elegance; join sunrise alms-giving
- Savor scenic cruise on the mighty river, lush landscapes & hidden villages
- Admire Pak Ou Caves with thousands of Buddha statues
- Emerald cascading beauty, swim in turquoise pools in Kuang Si Falls
- Learn about culture with colorful markets, cooking class,...
- Explore the Golden Triangle, gateway to Laos & Thailand
Heritage Line Anouvong 9 Nights (Upstream)
Early today at around 7:30, you will check-in the cruise to commence the once in a lifetime trip on the Anouvong. Spend the morning touring around the huge vessel if you wish as the ship make it way upstream through many villages and green jungles. Next is a traditional ceremony – Baci – to welcome you on board.
The afternoon will be for a informative presentation to introduce you about the legacy of King Anouvong. Afterward, you can leisure on the sundeck reading a book or simply just gaze at the endless mountains and jungles.
Tonight a special welcome BBQ dinner on the sand bank is due as you make acquaintance with other passengers on board.
For the early bird, you can admire the sunrise at dawn and maybe exercise on the sundeck. There is the selection between Yoga and Tai Chi instructors. After a satisfying workout, energize with a hearty breakfast.
Sailing for a few hours toward a little village named Phalat. With the location on the bank it has a great view of the river in both Laos and Thailand territories. Continue with a ride in tuk tuk to a Chopstick Plantation to learn about the process of making this essential Asian cutlery.
After lunch back on board, we arrive at Ban Pak Mane Village where the ship will dock. This particular part of Mekong is quite gentle so you are free to do your own exploration or go kayaking. There will be a film night after the dinner.
Resume the sailing in the morning we will reach Pak Lay on the west side of the river. It is part of the Nam Phouy National Biodiversity Conservation Area – which possesses the largest amount of wild elephants in the whole country.
Return back for lunch, the afternoon excursion, we pass Don Saynhan Village by tuk tuk and the reach the destination of Khao Cave. This cave is special as it houses a community of exotic bats that have live here for ages. The cave is also impressive for its karst rock formation.
Return back to the cruise to continue slowly to a quiet and gentle point where you will spend the night.
You may begin the day with a workout on a sundeck or a Tai Chi or Yoga session. Enjoy breakfast as the ship navigate to the first stop of today the hydroelectric power plant. On board, you will learn about the economy and the significance of this power plant to the livelihood of the Lao people.
After lunch, there are two options for you to spend the afternoon:
- Longtail boat to a tribe village by the bank Nam Fuan River. Find yourself observing the hardworking villagers on the field of vegetation and the simple yet meaningful life.
- Make an excursion to Khok Akha – a small village with the population of approximately of 400 people of Lao Loum ethnics (“Lowland Laotian”). The village’s main source of income is from the rice fields, fishing and woods.
Finally, some time late this afternoon, we arrive at the Xayaburi Dam. Passing through the two ship locks to pass the dam. You can have a brief moment to admire this huge structure and understand a bit more about the construction with the guide.
Enjoy dinner on board.
Spend the morning at your own leisure, enjoy a cup of tea as you slowly work through or novel or sunbathe in the sun deck and watch as the life goes by.
Commence the afternoon with a trip to Ban Muang Kai village. Here, you can find a special Buffalo dairy farm with surprisingly modern chain of operation and its contribution to the society. The buffalo milk helps create a new corner in the almost nonexistent dairy industry of the country. You can find not only milk but also cheese, yogurt and even ice cream products here.
Next stop is the Kuang Si Falls, which is incredible famous for its aquamarine light blue color and mineral lagoon. Here you can have fun walking through the butterfly garden or take a dip into the blue pool.
Back on board as the ship makes its way to Luang Prabang. Here you can feast on the tasty meal as you observe the gentle lights from the idyllic town by the river.
The today tour will begin with the trip to the UNESCO Heritage Town – Luang Prabang. Instead of taking the main streets, you will make the discovery through a more unconventional way to understand more about this town by the Mekong River with unique architecture and rich history.
When you arrive in the main street, visit an important historical sites underneath the safe of the trees. Be amazed at the shinning buildings and engravings that was adorned centuries ago. Make a stop at the Lamache that was used as living space for nobilities and later for the ice cream maker of the royalties. Complete the morning with a tea break to enjoy the local take on coffee and tea and other refreshing drinks and ice creams.
After lunch on board, we resume the exploration with a walk to the Royal Palace or National Museum. This museum houses some of the precious artifacts along with the documents about the history and culture of Laos.
Toward the end of the day, spend the time at your own agenda. You can either kick back at one of the cafes on the streets or browse some hidden shop along the narrow alleys before going back to the cruise.
Before your dinner as the sun sinks into the horizon, enjoy a special traditional dance performance on the sundeck followed by dinner.
The evening can be spent leisure on board or you can leave for the famous night markets on the town’s main streets.
Early morning today, if you wish, you can participate in the alms giving ceremony or “Tak Bak” as the local call it. Line up by street and giving donations to the monks as they make their way around town each day.
Afterward, you can once again take a look at the morning market to see a closer look at the local life before going back on board for breakfast. If time allows, we will have a meeting with Mr. Francis Engelmann, a former specialist of UNESCO’s during 1994 and his efforts on preserving the charm and history of this ancient town. Having been living in the country for over 20 years, Mr. Engelmann is no stranger to the culture and the history of the town, and his knowledge exceeds many of the residents in town.
The ship will continue its journey on the river as we reach Muang Keo. Witness the process of textile weaving. Next, make a trek to the Pak Ou Caves by the bank of the Mekong River. The sacred saves houses almost four thousands of Buddhist Images of all shapes and sizes. Then we return back to the cruise for some refreshing drinks and if you wish, you can kayak through the gentle stream of this part of the Mekong.
Later, the cruise continues upstream as the sun sets and arrive by the bank of Gaeng Hang Ngai Village. The ship will dock here for the night.
After breakfast, we will have an informative talk with the local expert about the elephants and the local effort in protecting their habitats. The expert also reflects on the old ways the elephants used to be treat and the actions the authority has been taking to preserve the elephants’ safety.
In the afternoon, we arrive in a quaint town called Pakbeng. This town is a halfway stop of our trip to Huay Xai. Here you can find a gorgeous temple on the hilltop where a grand vista can be seen.
An informative trip will be next on the schedule as we traverse to an elephant sanctuary. The sanctuary is the homes for the senior elephants who were used in the logging industry and nowadays they get to rest and exercise instead of struggle through the day.
Return back on board as we continue the voyage to a sandbank where the ship docks for the night.
Following the dinner is a cinema night with a classic comedy – “Chang” produced in 1927 and co-directed by the talented Merian C. Cooper who also directed the original King Kong.
After breakfast, join in a lecture about the diverse ethnics that live beside the river and amidst the endless jungle of Laos. Later, there is also a chance of participating in the cooking demonstration with the instruction of the chefs. The rest of the morning will be on your own occupation.
We arrive in Huay Palanga in the afternoon with the majority of the population are of Khmu ethnic minority. Learn about the dependence of the people here on the river and the occupations of the 90 household village. Give a taste of Lao whiskey made from rice in fermentation.
As we reach the end of the day, take part in the traditional ceremony organized in the village called Baci. The village seniors will personally lead the ceremony to bless you a safe journeys and good luck before you leave the Anouvong.
Feast on the farewell dinner prepared lovingly by the staffs and celebrate a wonderful adventure with the crew.
As you enjoy the last breakfast on board, the sip will slowly make its way to Huay Xai – border town to Thailand.
As we reach the intersection with the Nam Tha River, you can have the chance to visit one of the local house to learn about the process of making the handicraft here.
The ship will reach the final point in Huay Xai at around 3 PM. The staffs will help you with the process in the border checkpoint in Thailand before the farewell in the Immigration office.
What's included
Comfortable accommodation throughout your cruise
Entrance fees to all destinations featured in the itinerary
Daily group shore excursions with transfer to and from the ship
English-speaking tour guides at each destination
Taxes, fuel, and river pilot fees ensure a seamless journey
Live onboard entertainment as per the program schedule
Welcome cocktail, all meals and dining (as noted in the program)
Complimentary mineral water, tea, and brewed coffee as you wish
Passenger liability insurance
Internet access (based on network signal)
Additional complimentary room benefits depend on chosen cabin
Port and anchorage fees
Crew and guide gratuities (a nice way to say "thank you"!)
Visa fees, private transfers, and personal expenses like souvenirs
Any drinks outside those listed within the included meals and dining
Fuel surcharges, medical services, and spa treatments
