Anouvong, Golden Triangle Traverse (Upstream) ex Luang Prabang to Huay Xai – 23 Dec 2021

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Heritage Line was founded in 2008 and provides luxurious cruise journeys on the Mekong River between Vietnam and Cambodia. The company is la Swiss-Vietnamese Joint Venture and located in Saigon – now called Ho Chi Minh City.

As the sun slowly sets…Step out on to your private balcony…sip on your drink and become part of the river life unfolding around you.

Start your day on the Mekong with Thai Chi lessons on the Sun Deck. Or bathe in the rays of dawn shining through your balcony as you lay in bed. A journey full of reverberating sights, colors and sounds awaits you.

Whether it is a refreshing sundowner drink at the lounge or a pampering time at the “Apsara” beauty salon, this is a time for reflection and relaxation.

When night falls, dancers perform and dinner is served. The ship changes hue at night and the staff emerge the following morning in their exquisite Cambodian traditional outfit.

Anouvong’s four Deluxe Staterooms (1 double, 3 twins) sit on the main deck and have 20 sqm (215 sqft) of floor space. Panoramic sliding doors with a French balcony flair allow for unobstructed, breath-taking views of the riverscape. The gentle colour tones create the ideal backdrop for local artwork and the hand-painted Laotian patterns adorning the backdrop of the bed. The FrenchColonial charms paired with the spirituality of Laos unfold through the immaculate furniture and décor. Two lovely wooden chairs with a small table invite guests to enjoy to a cup of tea whilst taking in the passing scenery. The ensuite bathroom is complete with a walk-in shower and an art-deco vanity with a set of luxurious toiletries.

Amenities: Individually controlled air conditioner, closet, coffee table and chairs, bathroom with walk-in shower, bathrobe, bathroom toiletries, sandals, sun hat, luggage rack, umbrella, hair dryer, in-house phone, tea and coffee facility, safety box, mini bar, Bluetooth music station with loudspeaker, Wi-Fi (subject to mobile network availability).

Four Deluxe Executive Staterooms (20 sqm/215 sq ft, 2 doubles and 2 twins) are designed and equipped equally to the Deluxe stateroom while offering superior views from one floor higher on the terrace deck. These staterooms are also decorated with handpicked Laotian artwork and furniture inspired by the French-colonial epoch.

Amenities: Individually controlled air conditioner, closet, coffee table and chairs, bathroom with walk-in shower, bathrobe, bathroom toiletries, sandals, sun hat, luggage rack, umbrella, hair dryer, in-house phone, tea and coffee facility, safety box, mini bar, Bluetooth music station with loudspeaker, Wi-Fi (subject to mobile network availability).

The two luxurious Signature Suites (two doubles) are the largest rooms aboard Anouvong, offering 30 sqm (323 sqft) total floor space (including a 3 sqm/32 sqft private balcony). Situated at the front of the main deck, the suites each come with a unique design theme and are named after two main tributaries of the Mekong River.

Large floor-to-ceiling windows allow the sun to bathe the whole suite’s living areas in natural daylight. Plush French-Colonial beds facing the windows allow spectacular views of Laos’s pristine riverscapes while drifting away in Laotian reverie. The private balconies with chairs and a coffee table are at the front of the vessel for remarkable open-air bliss and cruising vistas.

The Nam Ming Signature Suite on the portside (left) is decorated with hand-carved traditional Laotian patterns and a stunning brass artwork portraying Buddha’s fingerprints, creating an impressive backdrop to the bed. The Nam Khan Signature Suite on the starboard (right) features a hand-crafted mosaic on the main wall depicting life in a Laotian village.
The suites’ brightly lit ceramic mosaic tiled bathrooms are outfitted with a couples vanity, a large walk-in shower and a Jacuzzi overlooking the passing landscape.

Both Signature Suites are flooded with natural light and decorated with hand-carved traditional Laotian patterns and designs. Stunning brass artwork depicting Buddhist imagery creates an imposing backdrop to the bed.

Amenities: Individually controlled air conditioning, cabinet, mini bar, safety box, balcony with sun chairs and table, LCD screen, movie and music system, separate lounge area, bathroom with walk-in shower and jacuzzi, hairdryer, slippers, bathrobe, tea & coffee facilities, in-house phone, luggage rack, Wi-Fi (subject to mobile network availability).

Anouvong - Main Deck

Anouvong - Terrace Deck

Anouvong is Heritage Line’s first ever vessel to cruise the majestic Mekong River in Laos. This lesser-travelled stretch of one of the world’s most spectacular waterways is home to serene nature, quaint villages and stunning temples. It is only fitting that a boat cruising this pristine and beautiful region of Laos should be named after the Vientiane Kingdom’s last monarch, King Anouvong, who so loved his country that he bravely fought for its independence from neighbouring Siam.

To create a true boutique sailing experience, Anouvong has only eight spacious staterooms and two luxurious suites. All cabins feature floor-to-ceiling windows and open onto elegant French balconies or a private terrace overlooking the verdant shores of the Mekong River.

What makes Anouvong unique is the blend of traditional Laotian artwork with French-colonial accents. From the intimate onboard restaurant to the refined setting of the lounge which opens onto the expansive terrace deck, this design theme creates an atmosphere of luxury and savoir-vivre. Set at the stern of the ship, Anouvong’s luminous spa adds a distinctive lifestyle element for endless hours of blissful relaxation.

Ship Profile & Stats

  • Length: 48 m
  • Tonnage: 1,000
  • Maiden Voyage: 2020
  • Passenger Capacity (dbl): 20

Ship Facilities

  • De Lagree Dining Hall
  • Sun Deck
  • Cafe-Bar & Lounge
  • Spa


Cruise Itinerary

DateActivityArriveDepart
23 Dec '21
Luang Prabang, Laos
23 Dec '21
Gaeng Hang Ngai, Laos
24 Dec '21
Pak Beng, Laos
25 Dec '21
Huay Palang, Laos
26 Dec '21
Huay Xai, Laos

All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

3 Night Cruise sailing from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai aboard Anouvong.

Day 1
Get acquainted with the facilities on board as you embark on the upstream journey from Luang Prabang in the early morning. After a brief introduction to Anouvong, we meet Mr. Francis Engelmann, a writer and retired consultant to UNESCO on heritage preservation projects since 1994. Born in Paris in 1947, Mr. Engelmann has lived in Laos for over 20 years and knows its many facets like the back of his hand. In his presentation, Mr. Engelmann shares some of his expertise on the country’s rich cultural heritage, the turbulent history and the day-to-day life of Lao people.We arrive in the village of Muang Keo where you get the chance to observe local weavers honouring their timeworn traditional crafts. From Muang Keo, we take a short and easy trek to the famous Pak Ou Caves, located directly on the Mekong’s rocky shore and opposite the mouth of the Ou River. There are two spacious limestone grottoes which house approximately 4,000 sacred Buddhist statues and images ranging from mere centimetres up to 2m (7ft) in height.Once back to the ship we recharge for a little more adventurous action later in the afternoon (optional activity): Take a kayak and discover the peaceful, flowing river on your own and observe life on the shores from a different perspective. We make our way upstream during the late afternoon and find our overnight spot near a local village. You can relax on the sun deck or in the privacy of your room and take in the magnificent views of Laos’ countryside.

Day 2
Early birds are welcome to join our daily morning exercise class (Yoga or Tai Chi) on the terrace deck. After a relaxing practice to the stunning backdrop of rolling hills and the majestic river, breakfast is served. As we cruise along in the morning, our local expert hosts a lecture about Asian elephants, particularly the Laotian species, their cultural importance in the past and the current threats which have brought them to the brink of extinction. In the late afternoon, we arrive in the small town of Pakbeng. This riverside settlement is halfway between Luang Prabang and our final destination, Huay Xai. Many locals also stop here when they travel or transport goods between these two “hubs” on the upper Mekong. We visit a lovely hill-top temple with amazing views of the gently flowing Mekong below.We then have the chance to expand on the knowledge from our morning lecture when visiting an elephant preservation sanctuary. The elephants here used to work as logging elephants and can live in peace and safety here as they now lack the ability to survive in the wild. The sanctuary is designed under the aspects of ecotourism, and its management looks strongly after sustainable tourism while supporting this threatened species. Back on board, we continue cruising upstream with some scenic views before we stop for the night at a sandbank. After dinner, there is a famous Laotian “comedy” movie scheduled in our nightly “on-board cinema”. The movie, called “Chang” (Laotian for “elephant”), was shot not far away from our current location in 1927 and was made by the same producer as the first King Kong movie.

Day 3
Rise early to catch the sun’s first rays and join our Thai Chi or Yoga class on the terrace deck. Enjoy your breakfast as we cruise along. After breakfast, our morning lecture provides you with interesting insights and facts about Laotian culture of the diverse tribes living along the upper Mekong. In addition to the lecture, you are welcome to join an authentic Laotian cooking class to learn how to prepare some of the delightful and easy-to-make local foods. The rest of the morning is at your disposal as we sail through lush vegetation and gently rolling verdant hills. In the afternoon we arrive at Huay Palang village, home of the Khmu minority. The locals’ lifestyle here depends fully on the Mekong as a means of transportation and a primary food source. The village consists of approximately 85 families. Learn about the local art of weaving Bamboo mats, which you can try your hand at it if you like. Local households also produce their own alcohol by distilling rice to make the famous Lao whisky. We are sure you are curious to understand all the steps of the production process.As the sun sets over the Mekong River, we return to the boat for a farewell Baci Ceremony, held by the village elders and meant to send you off on safe travels after spending a final night aboard Anouvong.Our culinary team is pleased to spoil you on your last evening as our chefs have prepared some delectable dishes for dinner. Have a grand time together with your newly made friends and join our staff to celebrate this wonderful journey and dance the night away.

Day 4
The last sunrise aboard paired with a morning Thai Chi is the perfect way to commence your final day. Enjoy the sumptuous breakfast buffet afterwards as we voyage towards the Thai border and Huay Xai. The ship arrives this morning at 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 relax or join our local handicraft workshop before lunchtime. We continue journeying over the last hours until we reach the final destination of Huay Xai (approximately 15:00 o’clock). After check-out, we assist you with border crossings (Laos and Thailand) before bidding you farewell in front of the Thai immigration office. (The process of passing through both immigrations can take up to one hour, please see details in our Dis-/embarkation guide).

vid: 6231 | cfid: 86962-cruise

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