Heritage Line Anouvong Cruise Mekong River

Morning

• Welcome clients to Heritage Line Pier from 8:30 at Luang Prabang River Side, Khem Khong Street, Luang Prabang, Laos. 
• Please process check-in, and our staff will bring your luggage directly into your room before departing at around 9:00. 
• The journey starts with stories about Luang Prabang's rich cultural heritage and fascinating history through Mr. Francis Engelmann's narration; who used to work for UNESCO on heritage preservation projects and lived in Laos for over 20 years as he understood Luang Prabang like the back of his hand. 
• And discover Lao cuisine with our varied lunch on board. 

Afternoon

• The ship dock at the confluence and one of its largest tributaries of the Mekong, it's time for explorers to challenge with the kayak on Nam Ou River. Float along the peaceful stream and view the gorgeous mountains and natural charm. 
• After the paddling time, continue to climb deep into the Pak Ou Caves right opposite the mouth of the Ou River, and a magnificent scene of approximately 4,000 sacred Buddhist statues and images up to 2m high appears.
• Reach the first majestic cave and head up to the smaller chamber. Follow a "medicine man" from a nearby local village and get lost on a small trek into the jungle amid explanations of flora and astounding nature. 
• The village gradually emerges behind the forest, where traditional weaving and the age-old 'art of local whiskey distillation' will be unforgettable experiences for cultural researchers and tourists. 

Optional: Guests can skip the hike and return to the ship moored in front of the Pak Ou caves if impossible response for requiring essential fitness for 45 min trek.

• Return the ship when the sun starts going down and catches up in your eyes the most miraculous and glamorous dusk on the Mekong stream.

Optional: If the sun still shines when being back, we will set on another treasured local village idyllic riverside settlement where Lao Loum and Lao Theun (lowland and midland Laotians) live to learn about traditional basket weaving and visit the Buddhist temple, although other tribes and ethnics in Golden Triangle don't religious and follow this ancestorship belief. 

Night

• Our chef will invite all of you to a special BBQ dinner on a romantic sandbank under the starry night. Soak in villagers' classical, traditional dance and melody of music performance. It is genuinely a one-in-a-lifetime moment and atmosphere with new friends in Laos. 

Morning

• Enjoy a pure atmosphere through each breath in a Yoga or Tai Chi class among the marvelous Mekong River scenery. 
• While cruising along the upper Mekong, a full light breakfast will help you recharge energy, and our expert will introduce insights and facts about the Laotian cultures that last inside each diverse tribe for so long.
• A visit to pretty Khmu people's village is a peaceful time to play with primary school kids residing here remotely with their families and walk around through bamboo huts built on stilts and rice fields, seeing how local life and agricultural processes. 
• Back to the ship where tasty lunch awaits you, the vessel starts meandering upriver slowly. 

Afternoon

• Arrive at the tiny village of Kok Aek where local ethnic Lao, Khmu, and Hmong live. In there, locals commit themselves to the organic growth of vegetables, fruits, and herbs thanks to nutrient-rich Mekong irrigation.n
• Try the specialty name "kai paen," made of dried freshwater 'seaweed" topped with sesame and vegetables.

Night

• This night, we stay nearby this peaceful village

Optional: A "Zen" can be arranged in a little temple (limited availability) 

• After taking a bit of "Zen," savor dinner in Anouvong's elegant De-Lagree Dining Hall. 
• Relax in the lounge or join the outdoor cinema to watch a "movie" called "Chang" produced in 1927 under the starry night and sleep in the middle of a river in the middle of nowhere. 

Morning

• The third-day start with a Tai Chi or Yoga session in the magnificent moment of the sun’s first rays on the Mekong river 
• After breakfast and on the way to Pakbeng, you will listen to the lecture about Laos’ elephants and their vital role in the past and their brink of extinction now 
• Enjoy yourself, and your lunchtime will be served while cruising over mid-day 

Afternoon

• Dock in the small town of Pakbeng, known as the “border” in the middle of this journey. Many locals stop here to exchange goods between these two “hubs” on the river. 
• Visit the conservation sanctuary to expand the knowledge about elephants lecture that you knew in the morning 
• Then cross the river and drive up to a lovely hill-top temple, catch up all the scenery of the zig-zagging Mekong river in your eyes
• Back to the ship and continue the voyage for some hours. Now it's your unwind time or recharge your energy in our tucked-away spa.

Night

• Opening the last dinner on the cruise with an aperitif
• Taste the gala and farewell dinner in al-fresco style on the terrace deck. It is truly a unique atmosphere among newly made friends, sights, and soothing sounds of nature.

Morning 

• Relish the last Mekong River's sunrise with a morning exercise again 
• Enjoy your own leisure time and taste brunch (available serve on the terrace deck) as cruising toward the Thai-Lao border 
• Before lunchtime, you can view the junction with Nam Tha River - one of the Mekong's significant tributaries and chill out in quiet sailing hours 
• The ship begins to the wider area where to have to be careful with rocks and sandbanks but not less
• Enjoy your last sunrise aboard with a morning exercise again. This morning you can take all the time for a long and relaxed brunch (which we can serve to you also on the terrace deck) as we voyage along and towards the Thai-Lao border.
• Pre-lunch, the ship passes at the junction with the Nam Tha River, one of the Mekong’s major tributaries. Kick back and enjoy these last quiet sailing hours as the river scenery slowly opens up a bit.
• The rest of the cruising time, until we reach Huay Xai (approximately 15:00 o’clock), is to your liking. Upon arrival and check-out, we assist you with your luggage and transfer you to the Lao-Thao border. We also help you with the border crossing before bidding you farewell on the Thai side in front of the immigration building. We thank you very much for cruising with Heritage Line on the upper Mekong in Laos and wish you a pleasant onward journey.
  
  (Please note that we can arrange transfers to Chaing Rai city or airport or to a resort/hotel in Chiang Sean if you extend your stay in the Golden Triangle on the Thai side.)