Golden Triangle Traverse

In the morning, meet at the Lao immigration office and transfer by minivan to Huay Xai Pier to board the Heritage Line Anouvong. The crew assists with check-in and luggage before the ship begins its 3-night voyage along the Upper Mekong.

As you sail, your guide shares insights on the ethnic groups living along the river. Stop at the confluence of the Mekong and a major tributary, then visit Huay Phaluang village, home to the Khmu people. Take part in a traditional Baci ceremony led by local elders.

Before dinner, join an onboard talk about Laos’ history and former royal dynasties. In the evening, relax in the lounge for a screening of Chiang, a 1927 Laotian film about elephants, shot in the region.

Early risers can join a morning yoga class on the terrace deck with views of the Mekong. In the morning, arrive in Pakbeng and visit Laos’ sustainable elephant sanctuary, where retired logging elephants live in a natural environment.

After lunch, participate in a hands-on cooking class to learn traditional Lao-Thai dishes. In the afternoon, visit Ban Khok Aek, home to Hmong, Lao Loum, and Khmu families, and see how each group lives and works.

In the evening, enjoy snacks at the bar and a performance by villagers featuring the Kene instrument or a traditional dance. Later, watch The Rocket, a 90-minute Lao film, in the lounge.

Embrace the early morning as the river bathes in the sun's initial rays, offering an open invitation to partake in the daily yoga class.

After breakfast, your morning sojourn leads you to a picturesque village inhabited by the Khmu people. Simplicity defines this locale, with bamboo huts elevated on stilts amidst vast rice fields. In this serene setting, you can mingle and meet with different generations - old and young - in the village, both deeply rooted in the land, sustaining their livelihood through manual agriculture. Peel back the layers of their daily existence, observing their way of life, and engage in insightful conversations to garner a profound understanding of their unique experiences.

You go back to the ship for lunch, to resume the meandering journey down the river, eventually docking at the overnight mooring spot. Here, you explore the captivating 200-year-old village of Khok Phou, perched just above a splendid expansive white sandbank. Inhabited predominantly by the ethnic Lao, this is a very nice hamlet with a nice square to observe the afternoon life unfolding.

Upon returning to the ship for a refresh, the evening unfolds with a cocktail on the sandbank, followed by a farewell dinner meticulously arranged in this perfect setting. Revel in the ambiance of your last evening on the Laotian Mekong River, as the hues of the blue hour gracefully give way to the tranquility of the night.

To conclude your exhilarating 3-night cruise, you approach the illustrious Pak Ou Caves, a prelude to your arrival in Luang Prabang. Today's breakfast, thoughtfully curated with a streamlined à la carte selection, paves the way for a diverse culinary brunch before guests disembark.

Arriving at the Pak Ou Caves, nestled along the rocky shore of the Mekong, there are two grottoes sheltering approximately 4,000 sacred Buddhist statues and images. You delve into the lower cave, the most impressive and easily accessible. Post-cave visit, continue the adventure with a scenic kayak ride along the serene Nam Ou River, an unforgettable way to soak in the natural beauty of the region.

Back on board, relax and relish the concluding tranquil hours of your voyage, with lunch served until approximately an hour before arrival.

You arrive in the late afternoon. Upon check-out, assistance with luggage and any additional requirements is provided, bidding you farewell at the pier in the town center, wishing you a pleasant onward journey.