Highlights of Laos

Good morning! Your Laos adventure starts early with a beautiful cruise. We will pick you up from the hotel in Chiang Rai, Thailand, and give you a lift to the immigration office – an entry point to Laos and your cruise meeting point. Anouvong’s team will meet you to assist you with all immigration procedures on both the Thai and Laotian sides. After all formalities, we transfer you to the vessel, which is moored at Huay Xai pier. Settle in your room as we start the downstream journey.

The first stop today is Huay Palang village, home to the Khmu minority. The locals’ lifestyle here depends fully on the Mekong as a means of transportation and a primary food source. PM: As the sun sets over the Mekong River, we will hold a Baci Ceremony, traditionally performed by the village elders as a Laotian welcome. It’s a ceremony of spirit-calling practiced at special occasions in life.

Meals: (B, L, D)

Early birds are welcome to join the daily morning exercise on the terrace deck (Tai Chi or Yoga). 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.

After lunchtime, we arrive in the small town of Pakbeng. We pass by the local market scene and visit a beautiful hilltop 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 cannot now survive in the wild.

Back on board, the journey continues for a few more hours – lay back and enjoy the scenic views as the Anouvong proceeds towards her next destination. At a secluded sandbank, the local ethnic Lao, Khmu, and Hmong residents welcome us to the tiny village of Kop Aek. Dive into centuries-old traditions and practices as you immerse yourself in a unique Laotian experience.

As we remain at the sandbank into early evening, kick back with an aperitif accompanied by a classical dance performance by the local people. After the show, we have another highlight in store for our guests – a barbecue dinner on the terrace deck as we take in the sights and soothing sounds of nature.

Meals: (B, L, D)

After breakfast, join the lecture about the Laotian culture of the diverse tribes living along the upper Mekong. Next up – the cooking class. The rest of the morning is at your disposal as Anouvong sails through lush vegetation and gently rolling verdant hills.

In the afternoon, we arrive at another little village named Muang Keo. Here you can observe the local weavers honoring their timeworn traditional crafts.  From Muang Keo, we take a short and easy trek to the famous Pak Ou Caves on the Mekong’s rocky shore. There are two spacious grottoes with approximately 4,000 sacred Buddhist statues.

Back on board, you can the peaceful waters of this part of the Mekong. Get refreshed before the evening, where we get to meet Mr. Francis Engelmann, a writer and retired consultant to UNESCO on heritage preservation projects since 1994. He will share some insights into the country’s rich cultural heritage, the turbulent history, and the day-to-day life of the Lao people. 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. The ship moors this evening near Pak Ou.

Meals: (B, L, D)

Anouvong arrives in central Luang Prabang just after breakfast. Your guide will be waiting for you at the pier, and you will transfer to the resort in Luang Prabang. 

After lunch, we’ll pick you up from the airport and transfer you to the airport, where you board the Aeroprakt 22LS Light Sport aircraft. Surrounded by seemingly endless mountain ranges, Luang Prabang, the Mekong, and the waterfalls are breathtaking from above.

The laid-back jaunt soars high above the historic Luang Prabang town and moves at the perfect pace for you to take it all in. The airplane is known for its panoramic visibility to maximize the experience.

You’ll be picked up in the early evening for an evening of traditional storytelling and local dinner.

In an intimate theatre in Luang Prabang’s historic old town, listen as a Lao storyteller presents stories in English, with the live accompaniment of the khene, a Lao folk mouth instrument. After the performance, transfer to a local restaurant.

After dinner, return to your hotel by private car.

Meals: (B, D)

After breakfast we take you on a discovery of Luang Prabang’s most charming charm architecture. Taking guidance from Mr Francis Engelmann’s book, published to commemorate the town’s 20th anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site we’ll set out on foot for an off-the-beaten-track walking tour.

The route has been designed by connoisseurs of Luang Prabang who have been involved for many years in researching, documenting, and preserving the town’s traditions and treasures.

Observe Luang Prabang’s distinct architecture and let your guide regale you with stories about the houses you see and the places you pass.

After the tour, stroll along the main road and stop at the 3 Nagas by MGallery Hotel, bookended by mango trees and vintage cars. The 100-year-old Lao-style building brims with an old-world atmosphere. One of the houses, the Lamache, was once home to nobility families and later the appointed ice cream supplier to the royal family. Step into the hotel’s garden and enjoy a ‘Lao Tea Break’ with Lao coffee or herbal tea and traditional snacks or artisan ice cream.

In the evening, we’re taking you to the theatre!

The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic poem that narrates the struggle of the divine prince Rama to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. Watch a visualization of this epic saga combining dance and drama performed by the provincial government troupe of some 60 artists. The show takes place at the Luang Prabang Theatre which was reestablished in 2002 after a 1975 ban on the theatre and master artists.

The Theatre is located in the garden of the National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace.
Return to your hotel for dinner.

Meals: (B)

Spend a full day in a Tai Lu village, an ethnic group who migrated from Yunan, China in the late 18th century.

The Tai Lu have preserved much of their traditional way of life as it was before their expansion into Indochina. Early morning 3hr drive to the small village of Ban Nayang, home to about 500 Tai Lu people.

Notice the distinctive stilt houses, many with two or three weaving looms underneath. Stroll around the village and observe the women weaving and doing embroidery while the men grow wet rice using wooden equipment drawn by buffalo.

Although shy by nature, the villagers are open to talking about their daily activities and life in the village. Learn more about their efforts to preserve their traditional working methods and crafts. Enjoy lunch cooked by the villagers and served in a local home.

Spend the afternoon mingling with the locals and exploring more of the area before returning to Luang Prabang in mid-afternoon for your leisurely evening.

Meals: (B)

Today we bring you to one of the most amazing Elephant Sanctuaries in SE Asia – the Mandalao Reserve.

Start your elephant bonding adventure with a stroll through picturesque rice fields to a peaceful forest clearing where you can rest, relax, and eat lunch sitting on bamboo mats in traditional Lao fashion.

Journey on with the elephants to Tad Kuang Song Waterfall, named after a Golden Deer spirit seen standing on its crest many centuries ago. Feel free to take a refreshing dip in its cool waters or stand under the waterfall’s gentle flow; take your time to meditate and admire the stunning beauty of this rarely seen natural treasure.

While the elephants eat their lunch, visit a small village to encounter the Khmu, one of the many different ethnic groups living in Laos with their language and religious beliefs; they will offer you a warm welcome and proudly present their traditional handmade crafts.

After the elephants have had their fill (for now!), you and the mahouts will walk with them to their nighttime feeding grounds.

Enjoy a few moments to recall your day’s rewarding experiences as you look out at the vast Luang Prabang mountain range from the terrace at MandaLao. We will then drive you back to town.

Meals: (B)

After breakfast embark on a beautiful journey through the Laotian countryside, through valleys and passages along the Mekong River.

Arrive at your quaint hotel right at the riverbank, with the mountain ranges in sight. Take the remainder of the day to rest, enjoy the spa treatments, and immerse the beautiful surroundings.

Meals: (B)

The stunning limestone mountains that tower over Vang Vieng are home to caves of all sizes and varieties just waiting to be explored.

Spend a full day trekking in the Lao countryside visiting caves and remote farms. Visit a few significant caves including Tham Chang, notable for sheltering villagers during the Chinese Haw invasion in the 19th century, and again during Laos’ civil war; Tham Hoi which winds its way deep into the mountain with a crystal clear spring at the end, swimmable when the cave is lit up by candles; and Tham Loup, the area’s most beautiful, known for its amazing stalagmites and stalactites.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot surrounded by limestone hills. In the afternoon, trek for two more hours, visiting an organic farm where mulberry tea and a variety of fruit wines are produced.

Return to Vang Vieng in the late afternoon.

Meals: (B, L)

Start your day very early, with a beautiful adventure of an air- balloon flight over Vang Vieng and the valley of Nathong.

Watch the sensational views of dramatic karst cliffs in the first rays of the sun.
This will be an approximately 45 minutes flight, followed by a light meal.

We return to the resort and the remainder of the day is at your disposal – with many activities available at the hotel – cycling, kayaking, cooking, or just relaxing by the beautiful pool.

Meals: (B)

After relaxed breakfast embark on a 2 hours drive to the Laotian capital –  Vientiane. Arrive to your beautiful hotel and relax before the evening food adventure.

Let us take you out for an adventurous dinner safari by Tuk Tuk, the three-wheeled taxi of Laos. Enjoy a meal at a bustling Vientiane evening food market where hordes of hungry locals pick up their takeaway dinners! Visit the market to explore the interesting, traditional Lao food on offer. Select some delicious dishes and enjoy your authentic feast while watching the busy market around you.

After dinner we’ll take a short walk downtown, past local petanque courts, to visit the well-known intersection with dessert and drink night markets. Try hot soy milk, fresh juices, and some unusual local beverages such as rosella or longan drinks. There are also carts with delicious traditional Lao sweets, many made with coconut or sticky rice, and Lao-style roti with banana and coconut milk.

Return to your hotel in the late evening.

Meals: (B. L)

After a leisurely morning we’ll take you on a trip to the famous Buddha Park. Your guide will meet after lunch at the hotel lobby.

Park is located 25km (15mi) southeast of the city. Built in 1958, it is a fanciful sculpture garden containing more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues including a quirky giant concrete pumpkin with a three-level interior representing Hell, Earth, and Heaven.

Enter through the mouth of a 3m (10ft) tall demon head and climb staircases from Hell to Heaven. View sculptures at each level with a panoramic viewpoint at the top level. Stroll around the park to observe the many concrete sculptures scattered throughout including characters from Hindu mythology, as well as animals, humans, and demons. Most are larger than life and carved with intricate and often bizarre details.

Back to the hotel for dinner.

Meals: (B)

Meet your guide in the early afternoon.

The weaving traditions in Laos stretch back as least as far as the 14th century. Visit the weaving home-studio of Mrs. Carol Cassidy is an American expert in textiles who arrived in Vientiane in 1989 as part of a United Nations project to promote traditional weaving. So impressed by the quality and diversity of weaving throughout Laos, she set up the Lao Textiles Studio which now employs over 40 local weavers who create naturally dyed and woven silk pieces reflecting traditional Lao designs.

Carol will personally escort you on a tour through her studio where she will explain the process of producing silk as well as share some of her fascinating life experiences and memories of living in Laos. The visit takes about one hour and finishes with a cocktail in her beautiful garden.

Take the remainder of the day to explore on your own, find souvenirs and pack, before tomorrow’s departure.

Meals: (B)

Your guide will meet you at your hotel lobby to escort you to the airport. It’a a very short drive from your hotel, so if you wish and have time, feel free to stop on the way to pick up last local snacks and souvenirs.

Meals: (B)