Heritage Line Anouvong Cruise 8 Days 7 Nights (Downstream)

After completing the immigration procedures in Laos, you will be welcomed by Asia Tour Deals staff at the Huay Xai Immigration Office.

The shuttle will take you to the Heritage Line Anouvong, where our staff will assist you with the boarding procedures and luggage arrangements.

Immediately after that, the Heritage Line Anouvong will depart, starting an exciting 3-night journey of discovery on the legendary Mekong River.

While the cruise gently drifts on the water to the first destination, you will be shared interesting knowledge about the cultural diversity of the Lao ethnic groups living along the Mekong River by experienced guides.

In the following days, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the daily life of the local people, discovering the unique features of their culture, customs, and lifestyle.

We will stop at the confluence of the Mekong River and a small river, where you can enjoy the relaxing feeling of the gentle current of the boat.

Next, we will visit Tai Lu Village, a vibrant community of about 800 residents. This village, although modern, still preserves the unique cultural features of the Tai Lu people, an ethnic group spread across many countries in Southeast Asia. You can visit the traditional stilt houses and learn about traditional crafts.

The highlight of the visit is the Baci ceremony, a sacred and meaningful blessing ceremony, performed by the village elders. This ceremony is not only a unique cultural experience but also a wish for peace and luck for you throughout the journey.

At the end of the day, the Heritage Line Anouvong will take you to our overnight accommodation in Huay Ting. We will anchor the boat on a beautiful sandbank, surrounded by lush mangrove forests.

After a long day of exploring, you can relax with a cocktail, watching the sunset over the Mekong River.

A luxurious dinner with a special menu served right on the sand, will mark the beginning of an exciting journey to discover Laos.

 Meals:  Lunch , Dinner

 Accommodation: Overnight on Heritage Line Anouvong Cruise

If you wake up early, you can join a yoga class and enjoy the fresh air, watching the beautiful sunrise over the Mekong River. The graceful yoga postures will help you relax and be full of energy for a day of exploration.

After that, the cruise will dock at the charming town of Pakbeng, where you will visit the Elephant Sanctuary, one of the best-managed elephant sanctuaries in Laos. Deep in the heart of the primeval forest, you will admire the tall, majestic Asian elephants in a nearly complete natural habitat.

In the past, they were reliable companions in logging work. However, thanks to the conservation and careful care of the sanctuary, they now live in a safe and peaceful environment.

Scientists have found that, after many years of work, these elephants have lost some of their ability to adapt to wildlife. Therefore, releasing them back into the wild is not simple. Pakbeng Elephant Sanctuary is a clear demonstration of efforts to conserve wildlife and develop sustainable tourism.

You will have the opportunity to interact directly with gentle elephants and learn about their lives and habits, helping you understand more deeply the importance of protecting wildlife.

If there is enough time, you will be taken to the observation point on the top of the hill in Pakbeng town by a special vehicle. From this height, the whole view of Pakbeng town appears before your eyes, with traditional wooden houses nestled along the poetic Mekong River.

Back on the Heritage Line Anouvong, you will participate in a traditional bamboo weaving class. Under the guidance of skilled craftsmen, you will create beautiful and unique bamboo baskets by yourself.

In the afternoon, the Heritage Line Anouvong will continue to drift on the Mekong River, bringing you a beautiful natural cinema. You can relax, admire the beautiful scenery on both sides of the river, and enjoy the fresh air.

Then, come to a special village, you will have the opportunity to explore the lives of three ethnic groups Hmong, Lao Loum, and Khamo. Each ethnic group has its own distinct culture, expressed through costumes, houses, and lifestyles.

Confidently go to a family house, representatives of each ethnic group will share their stories, customs, and unique features in their daily lives. This is an extremely valuable cultural experience, helping you to understand more deeply the diversity and richness of the local community.

After lunch, you can visit the traditional organic gardens, where farmers diligently cultivate fresh vegetables and fruits.

Back on the Heritage Line Anouvong, when the sun sets, gather at the bar to enjoy drinks and snacks. In a cozy atmosphere, we will learn about the next day's schedule and prepare for the exciting experiences that await.

Before dinner, a special traditional musical performance will be held right on the deck. The melodious sounds of the Kene flute, combined with the graceful movements of the artisans, will bring you to a unique cultural space of the local people.

After dinner, you can relax in the lounge and enjoy the movie "Chiang" - a classic film filmed in this land in 1927. The film not only brings vivid footage of the lives of local people but is also a cinematic masterpiece worth watching.

 Meals:  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

 Accommodation: Overnight on Heritage Line Anouvong Cruise

Wake up early to catch the first rays of sunlight on the river and join a daily yoga class to start your day if you like.

Then, the Heritage Line Anouvong will take you to explore the mysterious outskirts of the Golden Triangle. During this journey, experts will share fascinating historical stories about this area, from fierce wars to the diverse cultural exchanges of the ethnic groups. You will hear little-known stories about the formation and development of the Golden Triangle, about the profound impacts of colonization and the opium trade.

Then, come to the beautiful village of Kok Luang, and you will experience the simple life of the Khum ethnic people. The village is located among green rice fields, with traditional stilt houses built from bamboo. You will meet friendly people, learn about their daily lives, and discover the unique cultural features of the community.

Continuing the journey, the Heritage Line Anouvong will take you deep into the small canals, watching the daily life of the people along the river.

After lunch, we will depart to Pak Ou Cave - one of the most sacred places in Laos, nestled on the steep cliffs on the banks of the majestic Mekong River, right at the mouth of the Ou River.

Pak Ou Cave consists of two natural limestone caves, hidden inside thousands of bronze and wooden Buddha statues. These statues, ranging in size from a few centimeters to Buddha images up to 2 meters high, have been carefully preserved and cared for by Buddhist followers for centuries.

Together we will explore the lower cave, the larger and more accessible cave, where most of the exquisite Buddhist sculptures are concentrated.

After admiring the mysterious beauty of the cave, BR invites you to choose one of the following two interesting activities to continue your journey of discovery:

For adventurous travelers: We will join together in the gentle flow of the Nam Ou River on small kayaks. The journey to explore the mountains and rivers will bring visitors wild natural scenery and fresh air. You will admire the majestic mountain ranges, and peaceful villages on the riverbanks and explore hidden corners with many interesting things.

For travelers who love relaxation: You can choose to explore the peaceful village life in Ban Muang Keo village, where there are rustic stilt houses and lush fruit gardens. In particular, you will have the opportunity to learn about the famous traditional silk-weaving art of the local people. Skilled craftsmen will guide you through each step, from choosing silk threads, and dyeing natural colors to weaving soft silk with sophisticated patterns. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to meet a local “healer” who will explain traditional and local treatments using simple nature as a natural medicine.

In the afternoon, we will depart for Luang Prabang, one of the most charming cities in Southeast Asia.

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you will have free time to explore this ancient city. Let’s walk along the small streets, and admire the ancient temples, old French houses and traditional markets.

After a long day of exploring, you can stop at a small cafe on the banks of the Mekong River, enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, and watch the beautiful sunset over the river.

 Meals:  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

 Accommodation: Overnight on Heritage Line Anouvong Cruise

Start your day with a peaceful sunrise on the Mekong River, and you will be invited to the lounge bar to enjoy the rich taste of Lao coffee and premium teas. In a quiet space, your body and soul will be relaxed with a gentle yoga class on the deck, right at the foot of one of the oldest temples in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, the journey to explore the heritage city will officially begin. With an experienced tour guide, you will stroll through the ancient streets, where the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers meet peacefully. Unique traditional architecture and ancient houses bearing the mark of time will gradually reveal themselves before your eyes, along with fascinating historical stories about this Buddhist land.

An impressive stop is “Lamache”, which used to be the residence of noble families and later became a supplier of royal ice cream. You will enjoy "Lao afternoon tea" with traditional snacks and handmade ice cream, a unique cultural experience not to be missed.

After a morning of exploring, you will return to the boat for lunch and rest, ready for the next activities.

After lunch, you will board the Heritage Line Anouvong and depart for one of Laos' most famous cultural destinations: the Old Royal Palace. This place, once the residence of Lao kings, has now been restored and turned into the National Museum. At the museum, you will admire the precious collections of art and artifacts, from ancient Buddha statues to traditional royal costumes.

After the museum tour, you will have free time to explore the center of Luang Prabang city. Discover the bustling atmosphere of the city, visit ancient temples, or take a stroll along the poetic Mekong River. Don’t forget to enjoy a strong cup of coffee at one of the small, charming roadside cafes, where you can sip your drink while watching the daily life of the locals.

As the sun sets, you will be invited to one of Luang Prabang’s most famous restaurants: Le Caloa, where you will enjoy Lao specialties in a romantic and cozy atmosphere.

After dinner, you can join in entertainment activities such as listening to live music or watching ethnic cultural performances.

At the end of the day, you will return to the Heritage Line Anouvong to rest or continue exploring the city at night. One of the destinations not to be missed is the Luang Prabang night market, where you will find countless handicrafts, souvenirs, and especially delicious street food.

 Meals:  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

 Accommodation: Overnight on Heritage Line Anouvong Cruise

Before dawn turns the town golden, we will immerse ourselves in the sacred atmosphere of the “Tak Bat” alms round. Hundreds of monks in golden robes will quietly stroll on the ancient streets, creating a peaceful and emotional scene.

Saying goodbye to Luang Prabang, we will continue to explore the beauty of the Mekong River.

The first stop will be a modern dairy farm, which applies organic and sustainable farming methods. Visitors will learn about the process of producing fresh milk, discover unique dairy products, and enjoy the delicious flavors of Laos.

Continuing the journey, we will come to Kuang Si waterfall - one of the beautiful natural wonders of Laos. Visitors will have the opportunity to trek gently on trails through the primeval forest, admire the wild beauty of nature, and enjoy the refreshing feeling when immersing themselves in the cool water of the natural lakes at the foot of the waterfall.

Back on board, the journey will continue to take us to a massive and modern architectural work - the Xayaburi Hydropower Dam.

Before arriving at the dam, we will have an interesting discussion to better understand the role of hydropower in the economic development of Laos. Experts will share detailed information about the electricity production process, the benefits of the project as well as the impacts on the environment.

Finally, we will have the opportunity to witness the Xayaburi Hydropower Dam - one of the largest hydropower projects in Southeast Asia. We will visit the factories, learn about the electricity production technology, and admire the majestic beauty of this project.

At the end of the day, we will return to the cruise and anchor near the dam to prepare for the early journey the next day.

After dinner, we will relax together and enjoy other great movies at the cinema right on the cruise.

 Meals:  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

 Accommodation: Overnight on Heritage Line Anouvong Cruise

Early in the morning, you will witness an impressive engineering marvel: the 32.6-meter-high Xayaburi Dam. The Heritage Line Anouvong will pass this massive structure, a unique experience when witnessing the power of nature and human hands blending.

In the morning, you will participate in two interesting activities on the boat.

First, let's listen to fascinating historical stories about the kingdom of Laos, especially about King Anouvong - who inspired the name of this boat.

Next, our talented chefs will guide you to learn how to cook a traditional Lao-Thai dish.

In the afternoon, the Heritage Line Anouvong will dock at the beautiful Don Saynhan village. After docking, you will have the opportunity to explore the simple life of the local people.

We will travel together by tuk-tuk, a typical means of transport in the region, to visit the mysterious Khao Cave. The journey through lush green forests and rich vegetation will bring you truly new feelings.

Khao Cave is home to millions of bats, creating a unique ecosystem and providing valuable fertilizer for local people. You can freely explore the beautiful stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave.

After a long day of exploring, you will spend the night on the boat.

Enjoy delicious snacks and drinks at the bar, while listening to interesting sharing from the tour guide about the next day's itinerary.

In the evening, you can relax on the deck or choose a massage service to easily fall asleep and prepare for a new day full of energy.

In the following days, what other places in Laos would you like to visit? Let us help you explore the land of a million elephants to the fullest. With Customized Laos Tour Packages, you will enjoy wonderful experiences on the Mekong River.

 Meals:  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

 Accommodation: Overnight on Heritage Line Anouvong Cruise

Today, Heritage Line Anouvong will take us to the beautiful Pha Liep village, a beautiful ink painting with majestic limestone cliffs as the background. Visitors will explore the daily life of the Lao Lum ethnic group, the hard-working farmers.

More specifically, visitors will visit two extremely interesting local "businesses".

First is the traditional long-tail boat workshop, where dugout canoes are completely handcrafted, a characteristic of Lao river culture.

Next, we will visit a handmade whisky distillery, which produces the famous Lao specialty wine. You can enjoy and buy bottles of pure Lao whisky or blend it according to the unique "Laotian whisky cola" recipe.

After experiencing the unique culture of the local people, visitors will continue their journey on the Mekong River.

The Heritage Line Anouvong will take us to a deserted sandy beach where we will have a romantic cocktail party under the sparkling night sky.

In the evening, you will join a BBQ party by the river with fresh seafood, fragrant grilled meat, and cool beers. This will be a great opportunity for visitors to raise a glass to celebrate and share beautiful memories of the trip.

 Meals:  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

 Accommodation: Overnight on Heritage Line Anouvong Cruise

End your Mekong River exploration journey with a relaxing yoga session on the deck at dawn. Enjoy the cool breeze and the beautiful sunrise view on the river, helping you relax and be full of energy for the new day.

After that, you will be invited to have a light breakfast on the deck, enjoy special dishes, and admire the beautiful scenery on both sides of the river.

At around 9:00 am, please prepare your luggage and check out.

The shuttle bus will take you to Vientiane, the estimated arrival time is around 12:30. Have a wonderful trip!

Are you ready for an adventure on the legendary Mekong River? Let us help you plan the most memorable trip with Customized Laos Tour Packages.

 Meals:  Breakfast , Lunch