LAOTIAN SERENDIPITY (NORTHBOUND)
DAY 1: VIENTIANE – MID-RIVER
In the morning, we board our luxury cruise ship Anouvong, docked close to Vientiane’s city centre. After checking in and settling into cabins, we can get acquainted with the vessel as we get ready to commence our cruise adventure. We depart from Vientiane on an incredible journey to explore the Laotian upper Mekong.
Today is a full day of sailing and you can let your mind meander while we travel slowly through the hinterland. A fabulous brunch is served in the late morning, and then over the lunch period, you can either dine alfresco on the terrace deck or inside in the spacious lounge.
In the afternoon, our local expert guide presents a lecture on the history of the Lao royalty, focusing on King Anouvong – our vessel’s namesake.
Later, we have time to relax in our rooms or the comfortable public lounge and bar area. Or, you may like to opt for a wellness treatment in the dedicated spa area.
Dinner is served in the ship’s elegant De-Lagree Dining Hall. Afterwards, while away the time in the lounge or the cinema-under-the-stars on the open terrace deck.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2: MID-RIVER – MID-RIVER
Wake up early to catch your first sunrise in Laos on the Mekong River. Earlybirds can join the
daily morning exercise on the terrace deck – either 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.
Later this morning, we stop at Phalat village, a small hamlet that looks over the Mekong. After
disembarking from the ship, a Tuk Tuk will transfer us 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.
The ship travels along the Thai-Lao border, something we are reminded of by a giant Buddha that greets us from the opposite shore. After lunch on board, the ships sails through an area where the Mekong is very calm and shallow, with many small sandy islands along its shoreline. This is an ideal location to explore the river by kayak, which is this afternoon’s active river excursion.
This evening we moor at a sandbank in the middle of the river, allowing us to treat you to a culinary event. Leave the ship to set foot on one of the deserted islands. Enjoy an aperitif while the sun sets as the crew prepares for a genuinely unique, unforgettable, long-table dining experience.
Afterwards, you may like to continue enjoying the outdoors at the open-air-cinema on the terrace deck, with a popular classic movie.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: MID-RIVER – MID-RIVER
This morning, relax onboard as the ship meanders upstream, giving you time to observe the life along the riverbanks and on the river itself. We will pass Pak Lay on the west bank. To the west of Pak Lay lies the Nam Phouy National Biodiversity Conservation Area (approx 10-15 km from the river), which is home to the largest wild population of elephants in Laos.
Despite its small size, Pak Lay is the last sizeable town for 200 km with access to a national road. The next will be Luang Prabang, two days and nearly 200 km upriver. 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 continue cruising until we reach the area for our mooring for this evening. We will have dinner alfresco style on the terrace if the weather is suitable (otherwise, dinner will be in the restaurant).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: MID-RIVER – MID-RIVER
We cruise towards the nation’s famous hydroelectric power plant this morning. Join a fascinating lecture about energy’s role in Laos’s economy and how the country is set to become Southeast Asia’s battery.
After lunch, you can choose from a long-tail boat excursion or a stroll through a small village for your afternoon’s activity. 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 is mainly comprised 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.
In the late afternoon, we arrive at the Xayaburi Hydroelectric Dam. The ship slowly passes through two locks, raising the vessel by 30 metres. We have a chance to discover this enormous structure during a guided tour.
The vessel moors tonight in a quiet corner of the river several kilometres upstream from the dam.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: MID-RIVER – LUANG PRABANG
Enjoy a relaxed and extended breakfast this morning. Spend time relaxing on the terrace or in
the lounge with a good book and coffee. Perhaps this morning, you could enjoy a spa or wellness treatment.
We set out for today’s sightseeing in the early afternoon and 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 the ship, we now sail towards the enchanting town of Luang Prabang. After 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 6: 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.
You are invited for a sunset aperitif on the terrace deck in the early evening, 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 head back on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7: LUANG PRABANG – BAN KHOK KHAM
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.
This morning we meet Mr Francis Engelmann, who 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.
When we arrive at the confluence of the Mekong and one of its larger tributaries, our adventurous guests have an optional kayak tour on the Nam Ou River. Hop in a kayak, feel the river’s waters carrying you downstream with little effort, and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty. We then explore the famous Pak Ou Caves, located 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 from mere centimetres up to 2m in height.
We arrive first at the lower, impressive cave and then head up the stairs (approx 200 steps) to the smaller chamber. Next, we meet a local medicine man at the cave of a nearby local village. We take a small trek leading into the jungle while our local expert 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.
Our journey takes us further up the river into the golden evening sun in the late afternoon. We will have an opportunity to wander through another local village if we arrive still in daylight. A mixture of Lao Loum and Lao Theun (lowland and midland Laotians) live in this idyllic riverside settlement. The town has a Buddhist temple though many of these tribes and ethnicities in the Golden Triangle are not religious and follow beliefs in ancestorship and nature.
Meanwhile, our culinary team will prepare an impressive dinner – a BBQ on a peaceful sandbank nearby. Tonite, some local villagers will join us and entertain us with a traditional dance and music performance. Soak in this truly unique dining experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8: BAN KHOK KHAM – BAN KOK AEK
Our local expert hosts a lecture with exciting insights and facts about the local Laotian cultures living along the Upper Mekong during our morning cruising.
We arrive at a very rural and charming village inhabited by the Khmu people. The village has a
small primary school for the few children that reside here with their families. We take a leisurely walk into the surrounding neighbourhood of the village. In the simple bamboo huts built on stilts and scattered across rice fields, the local people still perform all work manually, processing agricultural products. Once back on board, the ship continues its slow meandering upriver.
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!
The village also has a little temple where we can arrange an optional meditation session. After
taking in a bit of Zen, 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: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9: KOK AEK – PAK NGUI
Wake up early to catch the sun’s first rays on the river, which is always a magical moment.
Earlybirds can join the morning exercise on the terrace deck (Tai Chi or Yoga).
After breakfast and on our way to Pakbeng, 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 afternoon.
In the early afternoon, 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.
After we visit the sanctuary, we cross the river and look at the town of Pakbeng. We get fantastic river views of the zig-zagging Mekong River at a lovely hill-top temple.
Back on board, we will be cruising for a few hours. Lay back and take in the fantastic scenery or enjoy your downtime in the spa. Tonight we drop anchor at a protected area mid-river. Kick back with an aperitif on the open deck and prepare for your last dinner on board. The culinary team is pleased to spoil you with a gala and farewell dinner in alfresco style on the terrace deck.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10: PAK NGUI – HUAY XAI
Enjoy your last sunrise Yoga or Thai Chi on board, and then enjoy a relaxed brunch as we cruise towards the Thai-Lao border.
Before lunch, the ship passes the junction with the Nam Tha River, one of the Mekong’s major
tributaries. The Nam Tha, which translates to ‘Green River’, begins near the Chinese border, 325 km to the northeast, and ends at this crossing with the Mekong.
Kick back and enjoy these last quiet sailing hours as the river scenery slowly opens up. The river is now broader, and 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.
Join a Lao cooking class onboard and learn how to prepare some of the tasty and easy-tomake snacks and local dishes.
The rest of the cruising time is at leisure until we reach Huay Xai (approximately 15:00). Check-out is on arrival. The crew will assist with luggage and transfer us to the Lao-Thao border. The team will also help with the border crossing before bidding us farewell on the Thai side in front of the immigration building. From here, we will transfer to Chiang Rai.
Meals: Breakfast
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