LAOTIAN SERENITY (SOUTHBOUND)
DAY 1: HUAY XAI – PAK NGUI
After travelling from Chiang Rai, Thailand, to the Thai-Laos border, our ship’s crew will meet us and assist with immigration procedures on both the Thai and Laos sides of the border. After the formalities are finalised, we will continue to Huay Xai pier, where we will board our luxury river ship, Anouvong. After check-in, we have time to relax and get acquainted with our ship as we start our journey.
As we enjoy our first hours onboard on our southbound cruise, you may notice that the Mekong River in this area is quite broad. Our captain has to watch for rocks and stones or sandbanks while navigating, making the sailing interesting to observe from the open deck. After a few hours, you will notice that the landscape has become mountainous, and the river has narrowed.
Our first stop in the afternoon is Khon Teun, a relatively modern Laotian village showcasing various wooden sculptures and home to roughly 800 residents belonging to the Tai Lu ethnic minority. The village elders welcome us with a time-honoured “Baci ceremony”, a traditional Laotian greeting wishing us a safe journey.
Here, the villagers practice long-held traditions, including weaving handmade garments with
distinguishing patterns. Making their living from it, the families here have passed their weaving knowledge from generation to generation.
The village also has a lovely temple nearby in which we can arrange an optional meditation session. Resident monks and novices (boys who typically pledge to adopt a monk’s lifestyle for at least a few months but often much longer) are eager to interact and socialise with visitors.
After taking in a bit of ‘Zen’, the ship cruises to our overnight mooring spot. Our local expert guide hosts a lecture about Laotian elephants. You will learn about their cultural importance and current situation, which places them on the brink of extinction. It is an informative session and a good preparation for meeting these fascinating animals this tomorrow.
Dinner is served in Anouvong’s elegant De-Lagree Dining Hall. Afterwards, you might like to relax in the lounge or join the cinema-under-the-stars on the open terrace deck. The movie “Chang” (Laotian for elephant) was shot in this region in 1927 and was made by the same producer as the first King Kong movie.
Enjoy your night’s sleep moored mid-river.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2: PAK NGUI – BAN GAENG HANG NGAI
Wake up early to catch your first sunrise in Laos on the Mekong River. Early birds can join our daily morning exercise on the terrace deck (Tai Chi or Yoga). The stunning river provides an excellent backdrop for some morning exercise to start the day. This energetic open-air activity is offered daily around sunrise.
After breakfast, we arrive in the small town of Pakbeng. This riverside settlement is halfway between our embarkation at Huay Xai and Luang Prabang. Many locals also stop here when they travel or transport goods between these two hubs on the river.
Opposite the town is the country’s most sustainably managed elephant sanctuary. If we arrive early enough, we might still see elephants freely walking along the shoreline and taking a bath. All the elephants at the conservation sanctuary used to work as logging elephants but now live in peace and safety. After their time as working animals, they cannot live and survive in the wild. The sanctuary is fully committed to the tenets of ecotourism and sustainability.
During lunch, we continue our cruise with stunning views of the shores from the comfort of the dining room.
This afternoon we arrive at a secluded sandbank. The local ethnic Lao, Khmu and Hmong live in a tiny village named Kok Aek. These residents have committed themselves to the organic growth of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. They have set up a small parcel of land at the riverside as an organic garden, caringly maintained and enclosed by bamboo fences.These plots are unusable at certain times of the year due to flooding. However, the nutrientrich Mekong irrigation ensures bountiful annual harvests. As we get to know the villagers who proudly display their gardening achievements, we sample a local specialty, kai paen. Made of dried freshwater seaweed and topped with sesame and vegetables, it is wholesome, unique, and
delicious!
Back on board, we have time to relax and take in the amazing scenery or enjoy some pampering time in the spa and wellness area. We drop anchor overnight near another small and secluded village. Subject to our arrival time and daylight availability, we may explore this tiny village with around 300 inhabitants. It has no electricity or any semblance of modernity, but it still has an abundance of charm.
As we remain here overnight, kick back with an aperitif while being serenaded by some local
villagers who have come on board to perform on their ‘Khene’ – a handheld, ancient instrument made of bamboo and originating here in Laos. We end the day with a culinary highlight as we dine tonight on the terrace deck, with nature’s sights and soothing sounds all around us.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: BAN GAENG HANG NGAI – BAN KHOK KHAM
After breakfast, a morning lecture provides us with interesting insights and facts about Laotian culture relating to the diverse tribes living along the upper Mekong. The rest of the morning is at leisure as we sail through lush vegetation and past lush, gently rolling hills.
After lunch, prepare yourself for a unique activity to experience the calmly flowing lower Mekong from a different perspective. Hop in a kayak and paddle in total symbioses with the
peacefully flowing stream. Feel the waters of the Mekong carrying you downstream with almost no effort, relax and enjoy the passing natural beauty and immerse yourself in this exceptional trip. You may like to paddle to the famous caves of Pak Ou, which is our next stop or return to the ship.
We stop close to Pak Ou and go ashore. Here we meet the local medicine man who takes us on a jungle trek and explains various fascinating things about the flora and nature in this area. Arriving in the village, we see traditional weaving and the art of local whisky distilling. A basic fitness level is required for the 45 min trek with relatively easy downhill walking and some short uphill sections.
Guests not wanting to do the walk can return to the ship moored in front of the Pak Ou caves.
The trekking group reaches the caves via the backdoor. The famous Pak Ou Caves are located
directly on the Mekong’s rocky shore and opposite the mouth of the Ou River. There are two
limestone grottoes that house approximately 4,000 sacred Buddhist statues and images ranging in size from mere centimetres up to 2m in height. We arrive first at the upper cave and then take steps down (approx. 200 steps) to the lower, most impressive grotto.
Once back on board, there is just enough time to refresh yourself before lunch.
From Pak Ou, we have about three more hours to sail, and we meet Mr Francis Engelmann during this sailing time. Mr Engelman previously worked for UNESCO on heritage preservation projects. Born in Paris in 1947, he has lived in Laos for over 20 years. In his fantastic presentation, he shares some of his expertise on the country’s rich cultural heritage and fascinating history.
We arrive at the enchanting town of Luang Prabang in the early evening, and dinner is served on board after our arrival. Following dinner, you might like to take a closer look at the mesmerising charm of this old town by taking a stroll through the streets.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG
After breakfast, we head out for a walking tour to discover ancient Luang Prabang.
Our walking tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site explores the old town and its peninsula
where the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers meet. See Luang Prabang’s distinct architecture and hear interesting stories about the houses and the places we pass. We stroll along the crisscross of small roads and streets lined with antique structures and mango trees.
The 100-year-old Lao-style buildings give us a glimpse at a by-gone era. One example that we visit, the Lamache, was once home to noble families and later used as an ice creamery and appointed supplier to the royal family. We stop for a “Lao Tea Break” with Lao coffee and herbal tea, traditional snacks, artisan ice cream and an opportunity to see this historic building. The walk covers primarily flat ground at a leisurely pace and takes around 3.5 hours, including refreshment stops.
We return to the ship for lunch and refreshments before continuing our discovery of Luang Prabang in the afternoon.
This afternoon we visit the former Royal Palace – which is now the National Museum. The museum displays interesting local art and other exhibits which used to belong to the Lao Royal Family. After the museum tour, you have some time on your own to walk around the small city centre further or pick one of the inviting street cafés and enjoy the laid back or “sabai-sabai” atmosphere before returning to the ship.
In the early evening, enjoy a sunset aperitif on the terrace deck accompanied by a classical local dance or music performance. Afterwards, we leave the vessel for an evening out, dining in one of the city’s fine venues for a distinctively Lao-style ambience. After dinner, you can spend the rest of the evening exploring the night market or return to the ship.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG – KHOK AKHA
For the very early risers, there’s a special treat today. Before daylight basks the town in warm
golden tones, we head out to watch the morning alms round. Referred to as ‘Tak Bat’ in Lao, it
is a Buddhist tradition where hundreds of saffron-robed monks walk along the streets.
After the almsgiving, we can stroll through the morning market and watch the town come to life before returning to the ship in time for breakfast. We say goodbye to Luang Prabang and continue our journey further downstream on the Mekong River.
Later this morning, we set out to visit an innovative and socially responsible Buffalo dairy farm. Laos had barely any dairy industry in the past, but these milk-based products have become more and more popular in recent years in Laos and Asia. It is interesting to see how various dairy products, such as cheeses, ice cream and yoghurt, are made locally and distributed to local markets.
We continue with a visit to a breath-taking local sight, the cascading Kuang Si waterfall with its
rushing turquoise waters. It is a delight to hike leisurely through the surrounding nature park, and if you like, you can also take a swim in the natural pools at the waterfall’s base.
Back onboard, we cruise towards the nation’s famous dam and hydroelectric power plant. Before we arrive at the dam, you can join a fascinating lecture about energy’s role in Laos’s economy and how the country is set to become Southeast Asia’s battery.
When we arrive at the Xayaburi Hydroelectric Dam, the ship slowly passes through two ship locks, bringing the vessel down about 30 metres. We also have the chance to discover this enormous structure through a guided tour.
After some additional sailing time, we moor near the southern side of the dam midstream at a sandbank. Enjoy some cocktails with the sand under your bare feet before heading to a lovely dinner on the terrace deck.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6: KHOK AKHA – PAK LAY
After breakfast, you can choose from a long-tail boat excursion or a stroll through a small village for your morning’s activity. Choose to set out in a long-tail boat and go on an exploratory and adventurous joyride upstream through the lush jungle along the remote, beautiful Nam Fuang River. We stop at the shore to explain some facts about the fascinating jungle life of the local tribes residing in this area.
The long-tail boat will take you on an adventurous joyride upstream through the lush jungle along the remote and beautiful Nam Fuang River. Onshore you will learn about the exciting jungle life of the local tribes that reside in this area.
Alternatively, you can stroll through the small village of Khok Akha, sitting on the riverside plateau. Khok Akha’s population comprises mainly of ‘Lao Loum’ (which translates to ‘lowland Laotian’), whose primary income comes from planting rice, fishing and selling wood. The elevated location of the village allows for some great views along the meandering Mekong, and it’s a great place to take photos of the river.
As we continue our cruise, you will notice that the shoreline has now become a bit rockier with some very narrow channels to navigate through.
This afternoon we stop at Don Saynhan village, from where we take a short local “Tuk Tuk” ride to visit the Khao Cave. The cave has been home to a large bat population for many generations and supplies the village with very potent fertiliser. You can venture inside and discover stalagmites and stalactites.
Back on board, we keep cruising until we reach Pak Lay village, where we stop for the night. After dinner, our daily cinema is held open-air, under the stars on the terrace deck, with another classic movie being played.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7: PAK LAY – MID-RIVER
Prepare yourself with a hardy breakfast for this morning’s exciting kayaking excursion. The Mekong is very calm and shallow in this area, with many small sandy islands along its shoreline, making it ideal for exploring.
The ship then travels along the Thai-Lao border, something we are reminded of by a giant Buddha that greets us from the opposite shore.
After lunch, we stop at Phalat village, a small hamlet that looks over the Mekong, in sight of
Thailand. Once again, we travel by Tuk Tuk as we trundle to a nearby chopstick factory. Have you ever wondered how chopsticks become perfectly round with identical dimensions? Here we learn the answer to this question while getting a behind-the-scenes view of this local factory.
After Phalat, we make our way to one of the deserted sandbanks. Your kitchen team will prepare a culinary treat to end your journey on a high note. Step off Anouvong onto the sandbank and savour a barbecue dinner in a wonderfully remote and romantic setting. We will remain moored here for our final night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8: MID-RIVER – VIENTIANE
Enjoy your last sunrise aboard with Thai Chi or Yoga. Relax with a leisurely breakfast as we cruise towards Vientiane. During the morning, our local expert guide presents a lecture on the history of the Lao royalty, focusing on King Anouvong – our vessel’s namesake.
Around midday, we arrive in Laos’ capital, Vientiane, where our cruise journey ends.
Meals: Breakfast
Loatian Serenity Cruises Dates
From AU$4,575 per person (twin share)
CRUISES SELL OUT QUICKLY
INQUIRE NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!
