Anouvong Cruise

Early this morning (about 7:30, please check it out in our Dis-/embarkation guide), you will complete the check-in process before our ship leisurely sets sail from Vientiane for an intriguing cruise around the upper Laotian Mekong. You can get around to familiarize yourself with the ship and finally end up in your own room as the ship sails up the stream through tranquil villages and green hills. We will get together for a traditional ceremony called Baci which is held in order to welcome you.

Besides, passengers are invited to join a special treat with refreshments this morning, which lasts from breakfast till lunchtime on the terrace deck. After that, in the afternoon, you will have the chance to enjoy a presentation which gives us insight into the life of King Anouvong, who the vessel was named after. Until we arrive at where we spend the night, you can enjoy your leisure time in the saloon with a glass in your hand and make friends with other passengers under the glow of sunset.

A special dinner will be ready to celebrate the beginning of our cruise. Leave the Anouvong for the deserted sandbank, where waiting for you is a mouth-watering barbecue in the poetic background scenery.

Those who enjoy getting up early in the morning may take interest in our everyday exercise on sundeck. You can choose to practice Tai Chi or Yoga in the background of the awe-inspiring river and gently moving hills. After such a start for your day, you can satisfy your stomach with breakfast.

We will then continue cruising for some more hours, heading towards our next destination at a small village called Phalat, which has a view over the Mekong River right at Thailand. Go for a ride on the local vehicle called “Tuk Tuk” and we will finally arrive at a neighboring Chopstick Manufacturer. A visit to this factory will help you understand why this product has a nicely round shape and all get identical dimensions.  

After lunchtime aboard, we will reach Ban Pak Mane village. At this stage, the Mekong River is known for its gentle flow, thereby, it would be a great experience to go kayaking for exploration by yourself and catch the sight of tiny, sandy islets along the way. In the evening, if you feel like some recreation, you can join with others to watch a well-known classic film.  

As our cruise continues sailing on the river in the morning, make the most out of your leisure time by admiring waterside life. As we cruise up the stream, Pak Lay will meet us on the west side. Westward from Pak Lay situates the Nam Phouy National Biodiversity Conservation Area, which provides shelter to the most populated community of wild elephants in Laos.

In spite of its low ranking, Pay Lak is the biggest town within the adjacent area of a national avenue along the Mekong River, if not considering the province of Luang Prabang – which we will arrive in the next two days and approximately 200 km.

Having finished our lunch, we will have a drop at Don Saynhan village, where we will try a local vehicle called “Tuk Tuk” one circle around Khao Cave. There, we can enjoy the chance to discover this amazing cave, where a vast community of bats have lived for centuries, providing villagers with high-quality organic manure. You may take interest in the karst landscape inside and go further to explore the spectacle of stalagmites and stalactites.

Return to the vessel for the continuation of our cruise towards a peaceful place, where we will spend the night. Enjoy the glow of sun setting on the river with a drink in your hand.  

Start your day by enjoying Tai Chi/Yoga practice on the terrace deck, or just stay in bed a few minutes more until the very first gentle lights of the morning wake you up.

The ship continues northward to our next stop at the well-known national hydroelectric power plant. During the morning hours, an insightful talk will go on about the economic significance of power and how Laos is expected to lead Southeast Asian countries in the field of electricity generation.

As we finish our lunch, you can pick up one out of two alternatives for the morning hours as follows. You can choose to get on a little long-tail boat and sail up the stream to the stunning secluded Nam Fuang River, following an adventurous route through the luxuriant vegetation. This joyful expedition will take you up to half an hour before your arrival at the bank. Here, we will get to understand the thrilling tribal life of the jungle’s inhabitants.

Another choice for you is to take an excursion around a village called Khok Akha to enjoy the distinct local beauty. The village is populated by about 350 people, the majority of whom are “Lao Loum” (which means “lowland Laotian” in the local language). These people’s most important livelihood includes rice cultivation, fishery and wood trading.

Considering the village’s high location on a waterside plateau, you may have to carefully put on some footwear as well as your health is required to be up to a certain degree. However, all your efforts will be rewarded with the stunning scenery there as well as plenty of nice pictures to bring home.

Late in the afternoon, we will finally reach the Xayaburi Hydroelectric Dam. Two ship locks are waiting for our ship to go through, where the water level goes up by about 30 meters. As the vessel gradually reaches here, we will enjoy the opportunity to explore this giant construction with a tour guide. As night falls, the ship stays at a peaceful corner of the river.

Today’s morning is at your leisure. Savor your big breakfast in the backdrop of the stunning Mekong River. You can either enjoy your time on the sundeck or entertain yourself with a readable book and a cup of coffee in the saloon on board.

As the afternoon starts, we will arrive at a village named Ban Muang Kai, where we will begin our excursion today. To start with, we will pay a visit to the Laos Buffalo Dairy Farm, which is known both for advanced technology application and high responsibility for society. Since dairy products are not really an industry in this country, the majority of local residents don’t know how a buffalo can be milked.

Realizing such an overlooked opportunity, the managers of the farmhouse pay deprived village inhabitants to borrow their expecting female buffaloes for 6 months. During that period, both the mother buffaloes and the offspring are provided with good care, given food and vaccine before being returned to their owners. The milk produced is then used to make a variety of dairy products, such as cheeses of various types, ice-cream and yogurt.

Our next destination is the Kuang Si Waterfall, which is among the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the region, famous for its turquoise-colored water. You will have great fun going on a hike through the natural park, or immerse yourself in the water of the swimming pools (don’t forget to prepare your own swimsuit)

Return aboard and we will now cruise towards Luang Prabang, which we are supposed to reach early in the evening. Until then, your dinner will be ready so that you can enjoy your meal while grasping a good view of the ancient town in the evening atmosphere. Take a stroll around this stunning town, which is quite near where the ship is docked, and find yourself travelling back to the colonial time. 

Our today’s tour will start with an extraordinary expedition to a Southeast Asian city which is well-known for its distinction. Having filled up your stomach with breakfast, we will leave the ship for a stroll around the ancient city of Luang Prabang. In 2015, to mark the 20th birthday of UNESCO is the first release of a book which features multiple facets of this attractive World Heritage Site.

Instead of choosing a conventional way, we will reach our next destination following an unusual pathway. It is an ancient town located on a peninsula, which lies in the meeting point between the Mekong and Nam Khan River. There, you can take the opportunity to admire the local’s unique construction style as well as enjoy being told intriguing lines about whatever you go by.

Along the major street, we will have a stop at a tranquil historical relic under the shadow of mango trees. As you arrive at this Laotian structure, of which construction dates back to a century ago, you will find yourself deeply impressed by its ancient space. Among many buildings there, the Lamache used to be the place where high-class families lived and afterwards the chosen ice-cream provider for members of the royal. This could be the perfect place to enjoy the time with a “Lao Tea Break”, which includes Lao coffee or herbal tea, old-styled refreshments and high-quality ice cream.

Food and drinks for lunch will be ready by the time we go back to the ship. After lunchtime, our afternoon’s tour will start with a stroll around the Royal Palace, or the present National Museum. In this place exhibits a striking collection of indigenous artworks along with many others which were once owned by the Lao royal family.

As the visit comes to an end, you can spend the time at your own leisure. There are various choices for you: you can either relax in a sabai-sabai-concept cafe on the street or discover hidden corners of the city before coming back on board. 

During the first hours of the evening, in the background of the sun setting on the river, you will be offered a drink and a traditional dance by local artists on the sundeck. This is then followed by a wonderful dinner. This is not on board as usual but at one of the city’s top restaurants, where you will have the opportunity to taste amazing delicacies in an alluring Lao-featuring atmosphere. 

You can spend the rest of the evening wandering around the night market or enjoy the time on board. 

Today, early birds are welcome to enjoy an amazing delight called “Tak Bak''. This is a centuries-old religious ritual in Luang Prabang which is still practiced commonly now. Before the very first lights of sunrise reach the ground, leave your bed for a sight of innumerable saffron-robed monks moving slowly in line, receiving alms from people around.

After experiencing such a pure spiritual ceremony, you can go for a stroll around the market to observe the local daily life as a new day begins. Back on board to find your breakfast has been ready! Leaving Luang Prabang, our ship continues up the stream. Except for a morning meeting with Mr Francis Engelmann, an author and a former consultant on UNESCO's 1994 projects of heritage conservation.

Though being a Parisian when he was born in 1947, Mr. Engelmann has settled down in this country for more than 2 decades, which explains his profound understanding of Laos. During his delivery, you can enjoy the opportunity to learn about the nation’s valuable culture, its struggling history as well as the daily life of local residents. 

Our next destination is a small village called Muang Keo. There, you can get first-hand experience of the local’s long-established weaving occupation. After that, we will continue our day with a short, effortless trek to the well-known Pak Ou Caves, which is situated on the rough bank of Mekong River, facing the Ou River’s mouth.

As we arrive there, you will find the two great limestone caves in which place nearly 4 thousand holy Buddhist statues and images of various heights, ranging from just a few centimeters to 2 meters (7 ft). We will then return to the ship to refresh ourselves and prepare for a bit more thrilling experience in the late afternoon (not included in our main agenda): Go kayaking along the calm flow of the river by yourself and see life on the waterside from a distinct viewpoint.

Our cruise continues up the stream as the sun heads towards the horizon to arrive at the place where we will spend the night, in the nearby area of Gaeng Hang Ngai village. You can enjoy the wonderful view of countryside landscapes on the terrace deck or in your own, private space.

Those who enjoy getting up early in the morning may take interest in our everyday exercise on sundeck. You can choose to practice Tai Chi or Yoga in the background of the awe-inspiring river and gently moving hills.

After such a refreshing start for your day, you can satisfy your stomach with breakfast. Along our morning cruise, you can get an insight into Asian elephants or the Laotian ones in particular through a talk delivered by our local expert. Specifically, the talk will provide detailed information about the species’ cultural significance in the old days and present dangers that have pushed them to the verge of extinction.  

Late in the afternoon, we will head for a little town called Pakbeng. This waterside residence offers a stop during our long voyage from Huay Xai to our destination in Luang Prabang. This is also a common layover for the local as they travel between the two focal points. Along our cruise, we can pay a visit to a stunning temple atop of a hill and enjoy the spectacular view over the tranquil Mekong River. 

You can further what we have learned from the morning talk through a field trip to an elephant natural reserve. The elephants in the sanctuary were once used in the logging industry and now enjoy their life here since they can no longer deal with struggling in the wild. The managers who take charge of this ecotourism-featured sanctuary strictly oversee tourism activities as well as provide support to the endangered animal.  

After that, we will return to the ship to resume our voyage which will last a few hours more. As the ship heads towards our overnight spot at a remote sandbank, just relax and admire picturesque scenery alongside.

After filling up your stomach with a dinner, you can take your time enjoying a renowned Laotian comedy which is available every night in our on-board cinema. The movie, named “Chang” (which means elephant in local language) was produced in 1927 by the same film maker of the first King Kong movie and surprisingly, all the scene-setting is quite near our present place.  

Having satisfied your stomach with a breakfast, you will join the audience of an intriguing talk, where you can broaden your mind about the tribal culture of various Laotian peoples inhabiting the upstream Mekong River. Besides, awaiting you then is a chance to participate in a cooking session which will teach you ways to make a simple and captivating Laotian meal.

Spend the rest of the morning at your leisure as the ship cruising through luxuriant greenery and smoothly moving green hills. Our afternoon will begin with a visit to another small village called Huay Palang, where most local residents belong to the Khmu minor ethnic group.

For the indigenous people, the Mekong River plays an important role as both their major food supply and mode of transport. In the village now there are around 85 families living. There, you can enjoy the chance to see the artistic weaving process of bamboo mats as well as experience making it by yourself if you wish to.

Another local product is the well-known Lao whisky. Its production involves rice distillation and many other stages which you must be eager to know about. 

As the glow of sunset appears on the Mekong River, a traditional ceremony called Baci will take place, in which senior villagers take part to wish you safe journeys after your last night spent on the board of Anouvong.

A special dinner will be made ready by our kitchen staff in order to finish our cruise on a high note. Savor every mouthful with delicious local delicacies cooked by our high-qualified cooks and enjoy every moment with your travel mates. You are welcome to celebrate this amazing cruise and join the night dance with our staff.

The last day of our tour will have an impeccable beginning with practicing Tai Chi or Yoga on the sundeck under the very first sunlight of the morning. Then, satisfy your stomach with an extravagant breakfast buffet as the ship heads towards the Thai border and Huay Xai.
 
Anouvong continues forward until the ship reaches its destination this morning at the joining point with the Nam Tha River, which is among the Mekong’s main branches.

The Nam Tha, which means “Green River” in the local language, has its origins just 325 km northeast from the Chinese border, and reaches its final point at the junction with the Mekong River. Enjoy the time at your leisure or visit the local workshop where handicrafts are made.

Our cruise goes on till the end in Huay Xai, in which we arrive at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Our staff will offer you help with formalities at the border checkpoint with Thailand before we can say goodbye at the front of Thai Immigration office. (The procedure may last for one hour at most, please check it out in our Dis-/ embarkation guide).

Our warm welcome will await you at the Thai immigration office in the morning you arrive (please check it out in our Dis-/embarkation guide). Our guides will offer you direct help with any difficulty you may have in immigration procedures, no matter if it is on Thai or Laotian border.

You don’t need to worry about your baggage as our team will take responsibility for delivering it to your room on board. All this stuff may last for one hour at most; afterwards, you will be taken to a ship which is waiting for you at Huay Xai pier. While completing the check-in process, you can get around to familiarize yourself with the ship and finally end up in your own room as our trip down the stream begins. 

We will reach our very first destination today at Huay Palang village, where most local residents belong to the Khmu minor ethnic group. For the indigenous people, the Mekong river plays an important role as both their major food supply and mode of transport. In the village now there are around 85 families living. There, you can enjoy the chance to see the artistic weaving process of bamboo mats as well as experience making it by yourself if you wish to. Another local product is the well-known Lao whisky. Its production involves rice distillation and many other stages which you must be eager to know about. 

As the glow of sunset appears on the Mekong River, a traditional ceremony called Baci will take place in order for the senior villagers to welcome you. 

After filling up your stomach with dinner, you can take your time enjoying a renowned Laotian comedy which is available every night in our on-board cinema. The movie, named “Chang” (which means elephant in local language) was produced in 1927 by the same film maker of the first King Kong movie and surprisingly, all the scene-setting is quite near our present place.  

Those who enjoy getting up early in the morning may take interest in our everyday exercise on sundeck. You can choose to practice Tai Chi or Yoga in the background of the awe-inspiring Mekong River. This would be a great start for your day. 

Along our morning cruise, you can get an insight into Asian elephants or the Laotian ones in particular through a talk delivered by our local expert. Specifically, the talk will provide detailed information about the species’ cultural significance in the old days and present dangers that have pushed them to the verge of extinction.  

Having filled up our stomachs with lunch, we will head for a little town called Pakbeng. This waterside residence offers a stop during our long voyage from Huay Xai to our destination in Luang Prabang. This is also a common layover for the local as they travel between the two focal points. Along our cruise, we can admire the scenic local market as well as pay a visit to a stunning temple atop of a hill and enjoy the spectacular view over the tranquil Mekong River. 

You can further what we have learned from the morning talk through a field trip to an elephant natural reserve. The elephants in the sanctuary were once used in the logging industry and now enjoy their life here since they can no longer deal with struggling in the wild. The managers who take charge of this ecotourism-featured sanctuary strictly oversee tourism activities as well as provide support to the endangered animal.  

After that, we will return to the ship to resume our voyage which will last a few hours more. As the ship heads towards the following stop, just relax and admire picturesque scenery alongside. On your arrival at a remote sandbank, you will receive a warm welcome from local inhabitants who belong to Lao, Khmu and Hmong ethnic groups.

Now you are in a little village called Kop Aek, where you can gain a real sense of Laotian time-honored traditions and rituals that exist nowhere else. Stay at the sandbank until the first evening hours to get rewarded with a local drink and a folk dance. 

After the performance finishes, a barbecue will be ready on the sundeck. You will have a wonderful night enjoying the meal in the background tranquility of nature. 

Having satisfied your stomach with a breakfast, you will join the audience of an intriguing talk, where you can broaden your mind about the tribal culture of various Laotian peoples inhabiting upstream Mekong River. Besides, awaiting you then is a chance to participate in a cooking session which will teach you ways to make a simple and captivating Laotian meal. Spend the rest of the morning at your leisure as the ship cruising through luxuriant greenery and smoothly moving green hills. 

Our afternoon will begin with a visit to another small village called Muang Keo. There, you can get first-hand experience of the local’s long-established weaving occupation. After that, we will continue our day with a short, effortless trek to the well-known Pak Ou Caves, which is situated on the rough bank of Mekong river, facing the Ou River’s mouth. As we arrive there, you will find the two great limestone caves in which place nearly 4 thousand holy Buddhist statues and images of various shapes and sizes. 

We will then return to the ship to refresh ourselves and prepare for a bit more thrilling experience in the late afternoon (not included in our main agenda): Go kayaking along the calm flow of the river by yourself and see life on the waterside from a distinct viewpoint. 

Recharge your batteries while waiting for the evening meeting with Mr Francis Engelmann, an author and a former consultant on UNESCO's 1994 projects of heritage conservation. Though being a Parisian when he was born in 1947, Mr. Engelmann has settled down in this country for more than 2 decades, which explains his profound understanding of Laos. During his delivery, you can enjoy the opportunity to learn about the nation’s valuable culture, its struggling history as well as the daily life of local residents. 

Dinner will be served onboard. The ship moors a night near Pak Ou

Enjoy your breakfast onboard. Then, prepare your luggage to check out at around 10 a.m when we reach Luang Prabang.