Heritage Line welcomes guests in the morning directly at our ship, Heritage Line ‘Avouvong’ moored in Luang Prabang city centre (see details in our embarkation guide). The team assists with your check-in and takes care of your luggage. Once we are ready, the captain brings ‘Anouvong’ on course to begin its captivating 3-Night voyage along the Upper Mekong.

While ‘Avouvong’ makes its way to its first stop, the famous Pak Ou caves, our expert guide holds an interesting lecture about the intricate tapestry of Laos' diverse ethnic groups living along the Mekong River. Over the next few days, you will get to know all these fascinating varieties of different cultural lifestyles, characteristics, and traditions in real life.

We reach Pak Ou Caves, nestled on the Mekong's rocky shore, just opposite the Ou River's mouth. There are two limestone grottoes that house approximately 4,000 sacred Buddhist statues and images ranging from mere centimetres up to 2m (7ft) in height. We are going to visit the lower cave, which is the most impressive one and relatively easy to reach. After the cave visit, Heritage Line offers two optional choices to continue the excursion: For those seeking adventure, a kayak tour along the serene Nam Ou River offers a riverine experience in total symbiosis with the peaceful flowing stream and the stunning surrounding mountainous scenery. Alternatively, you can opt for a short, tender boat ride to the nearby village of Ban Muang Keo to witness the local artistry of traditional silk weaving and the Lao whisky distillery technique. In the village, we meet a local “medicine man” (if time and availability permit) who explains the local and traditional ways of treatment using simple mother nature as a natural pharmacy.

As the afternoon wanes, we continue to sail, reaching the mooring place for the night. Here, we are going to wander into the absolutely amazing 200-year-old little village of Ban Khok Phou, which is situated just above a beautiful large white sandbank. The villagers here are ethnic Lao. Many villagers are doing mountain farming. Get to know and see how the farmers collect and process their goods. The highlight, however, is the traditional Baci ceremony, a heartfelt Laotian ritual conducted by local elders, gracing your journey with their blessings. Should time permit, we will ascend to see a little temple, and meet the local monk and the novices, who can introduce us to some quiet moments of meditation.

We start the evening with a welcome cocktail on the sandbank, followed by a barbecue dinner in a setting of astounding natural beauty. Welcome to the memorable Laotian Mekong.

Dining: Lunch, Dinner

For those who rise with the sun, our everyday morning yoga class on the terrace deck with a stunning Mekong backdrop is a great start to the day.

The ship departs as early as possible. Enjoy your breakfast while watching the morning life and nature along the river as it passes by. We stop mid-morning at the charming rural village of Had Sako, a hidden gem nestled in the mountains. Here, the Hmong ethnic community thrives, known for their unique method of cultivating corn instead of rice—a special distinction between these ethnic groups and the others in these lands. Follow a picturesque path through the rainforest leading to this secluded village, and you'll get to witness the Hmong people's traditional farming practises and understand why they prefer corn over rice. A highlight of this visit awaits at a local house, where residents adorned in traditional costumes will first explain an odd-looking, traditional instrument named “Kene” and then let us listen to the hypnotic melodies of this flute along with very unique movements.

The sailing time into the mid-afternoon offers again a breathtaking riverine cinema. We arrive at another village, which has a very interesting character to it. In this place, three distinct ethnic groups - Hmong, Lao Loum, and Khamo — live together almost under “one roof”. Each possesses its own unique history, traditions, ways of life, family dynamics, and housing styles. We venture into the village to a family home where representatives from each of these ethnic groups are going to show and explain to us their differences and characteristics in day-to-day life. The theory provided the day before, through our lecture, suddenly comes alive in front of your eyes. If time permits and the season allows, we may offer a glimpse of the organic gardens where villagers nurture their crops (and we can try one or other local produce).

Back on the ship, when the afternoon gives way to the evening, gather at the bar to indulge in snacks while receiving a preview of the upcoming day's program. Prepare for an enriching experience before dinner as a traditional dance performance is held on the terrace deck or the sandbank in front of our ship.

After dinner, feel free to come to the lounge for a cosy cinema setting featuring "Chiang" (Laotian for “elephant”). This cinematic gem, shot in this very region in 1927 and produced by the same visionary behind the first King Kong movie, promises to set you in the mood for our next day’s adventure.

Dining: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake up early to catch the sun’s first rays on the river and join our daily yoga class if you like. While the ‘Anouvong’ meanders upstream, we ask for a touch of creativity: through a bamboo weaving workshop, you can learn this widespread traditional craft and take home your own little bamboo basket as a wonderful memory.

Our voyage brings us, after lunch, to the charming town of Pakbeng. Nestled on the portside lies Laos' best-managed elephant sanctuary. We have the privilege of visiting these magnificent creatures in an almost complete natural habitat. All the elephants residing here were born once in Laos and toiled mostly as logging elephants. Since finding refuge in this sanctuary, they've been embraced by peace and security, living in very natural territory. Why not release them into the freedom of Mother Nature? The answer lies in their past as working animals: they've lost to some extent the ability to thrive in the wild, where few of their kind remain. The sanctuary stands as a beacon of ecotourism and sustainability, embodying a profound commitment to these principles. It is a one-of-a-kind encounter to see these gentle creatures appear out of nowhere in the rainforest and learn so many interesting things about them. If we have enough time, we will take you up to the hilltop vantage point located at Pakbeng town (by vehicle) that offers breathtaking panoramic views, perfect for capturing lasting memories through the lens of your camera.

We cruise the rest of the afternoon, eventually reaching our last overnight mooring spot of the entire journey. For the last time, we moor again at a wonderful sandbank, setting the stage for a chilled-out aperitif affair with hopefully a gorgeous sunset before a farewell dinner is served on the terrace deck.

Dining: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an excitement-packed 3-Night cruise, we take it a bit slower today, allowing you to digest all the memories collected. We have quite some river mileages to sail throughout the day until we reach Huay Xai - our final destination.

You can sleep a bit longer in the morning (if you like). By intention, our breakfast is sampled out with fewer choices (or a la carte) than usual this morning, given that we will offer our guests some different culinary brunch settings later before leaving us.

In the mid-morning, we would like to invite you to an enthralling presentation that unravels the intricate history of the Golden Triangle, composed of its complexities of colonialism, opium, conflicts, and the multifaceted roles played by Burma, Thailand, Laos, Britain, China, and more. We are approximately at the confluence of the Mekong with the Nam Tha River, one of the Mekong's major tributaries, known as the "Green River." Originating near the Chinese border, 325 km to the northeast, it joins the Mekong at this juncture. Here, the river widens, yet our skilled captain remains vigilant, navigating safely amidst rocks, stones, rapids, and sandbanks, making the sailing experience a fascinating observation from the open deck.

This is also the moment right before the appetite kicks in. We are starting with the lifestyle part of this final cruising day. Join a culinary Lao cooking class as the entry activity to a brunch, indulging in a buffet spread of mains and desserts that tantalise your taste buds. Kick back and enjoy the final peaceful hours of our voyage. The brunch will be served until one hour prior to arrival (approx.), and you can enjoy it either in the restaurant, in the lounge, or on the terrace deck.

Upon arrival at Huay Xai pier in the mid-afternoon, we provide assistance with your luggage and a seamless transfer to the Lao - Thai border (see details in our embarkation guide). We bid you farewell right in front of the Lao immigration office and wish you a pleasant onward journey.

Please note that we can arrange transfers to Chiang Rai (city, airport) or to a resort/hotel in the golden Triangle)

Dining: Breakfast, Lunch

Heritage Line welcomes guests in the morning directly at our ship, Heritage Line ‘Avouvong’ moored in Luang Prabang city centre (see details in our embarkation guide). The team assists with your check-in and takes care of your luggage. Once we are ready, the captain brings ‘Anouvong’ on course to begin its captivating 3-Night voyage along the Upper Mekong.

While ‘Avouvong’ makes its way to its first stop, the famous Pak Ou caves, our expert guide holds an interesting lecture about the intricate tapestry of Laos' diverse ethnic groups living along the Mekong River. Over the next few days, you will get to know all these fascinating varieties of different cultural lifestyles, characteristics, and traditions in real life.

We reach Pak Ou Caves, nestled on the Mekong's rocky shore, just opposite the Ou River's mouth. There are two limestone grottoes that house approximately 4,000 sacred Buddhist statues and images ranging from mere centimetres up to 2m (7ft) in height. We are going to visit the lower cave, which is the most impressive one and relatively easy to reach. After the cave visit, Heritage Line offers two optional choices to continue the excursion: For those seeking adventure, a kayak tour along the serene Nam Ou River offers a riverine experience in total symbiosis with the peaceful flowing stream and the stunning surrounding mountainous scenery. Alternatively, you can opt for a short, tender boat ride to the nearby village of Ban Muang Keo to witness the local artistry of traditional silk weaving and the Lao whisky distillery technique. In the village, we meet a local “medicine man” (if time and availability permit) who explains the local and traditional ways of treatment using simple mother nature as a natural pharmacy.

As the afternoon wanes, we continue to sail, reaching the mooring place for the night. Here, we are going to wander into the absolutely amazing 200-year-old little village of Ban Khok Phou, which is situated just above a beautiful large white sandbank. The villagers here are ethnic Lao. Many villagers are doing mountain farming. Get to know and see how the farmers collect and process their goods. The highlight, however, is the traditional Baci ceremony, a heartfelt Laotian ritual conducted by local elders, gracing your journey with their blessings. Should time permit, we will ascend to see a little temple, and meet the local monk and the novices, who can introduce us to some quiet moments of meditation.

We start the evening with a welcome cocktail on the sandbank, followed by a barbecue dinner in a setting of astounding natural beauty. Welcome to the memorable Laotian Mekong.

Dining: Lunch, Dinner

For those who rise with the sun, our everyday morning yoga class on the terrace deck with a stunning Mekong backdrop is a great start to the day.

The ship departs as early as possible. Enjoy your breakfast while watching the morning life and nature along the river as it passes by. We stop mid-morning at the charming rural village of Had Sako, a hidden gem nestled in the mountains. Here, the Hmong ethnic community thrives, known for their unique method of cultivating corn instead of rice—a special distinction between these ethnic groups and the others in these lands. Follow a picturesque path through the rainforest leading to this secluded village, and you'll get to witness the Hmong people's traditional farming practises and understand why they prefer corn over rice. A highlight of this visit awaits at a local house, where residents adorned in traditional costumes will first explain an odd-looking, traditional instrument named “Kene” and then let us listen to the hypnotic melodies of this flute along with very unique movements.

The sailing time into the mid-afternoon offers again a breathtaking riverine cinema. We arrive at another village, which has a very interesting character to it. In this place, three distinct ethnic groups - Hmong, Lao Loum, and Khamo — live together almost under “one roof”. Each possesses its own unique history, traditions, ways of life, family dynamics, and housing styles. We venture into the village to a family home where representatives from each of these ethnic groups are going to show and explain to us their differences and characteristics in day-to-day life. The theory provided the day before, through our lecture, suddenly comes alive in front of your eyes. If time permits and the season allows, we may offer a glimpse of the organic gardens where villagers nurture their crops (and we can try one or other local produce).

Back on the ship, when the afternoon gives way to the evening, gather at the bar to indulge in snacks while receiving a preview of the upcoming day's program. Prepare for an enriching experience before dinner as a traditional dance performance is held on the terrace deck or the sandbank in front of our ship.

After dinner, feel free to come to the lounge for a cosy cinema setting featuring "Chiang" (Laotian for “elephant”). This cinematic gem, shot in this very region in 1927 and produced by the same visionary behind the first King Kong movie, promises to set you in the mood for our next day’s adventure.

Dining: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake up early to catch the sun’s first rays on the river and join our daily yoga class if you like. While the ‘Anouvong’ meanders upstream, we ask for a touch of creativity: through a bamboo weaving workshop, you can learn this widespread traditional craft and take home your own little bamboo basket as a wonderful memory.

Our voyage brings us, after lunch, to the charming town of Pakbeng. Nestled on the portside lies Laos' best-managed elephant sanctuary. We have the privilege of visiting these magnificent creatures in an almost complete natural habitat. All the elephants residing here were born once in Laos and toiled mostly as logging elephants. Since finding refuge in this sanctuary, they've been embraced by peace and security, living in very natural territory. Why not release them into the freedom of Mother Nature? The answer lies in their past as working animals: they've lost to some extent the ability to thrive in the wild, where few of their kind remain. The sanctuary stands as a beacon of ecotourism and sustainability, embodying a profound commitment to these principles. It is a one-of-a-kind encounter to see these gentle creatures appear out of nowhere in the rainforest and learn so many interesting things about them. If we have enough time, we will take you up to the hilltop vantage point located at Pakbeng town (by vehicle) that offers breathtaking panoramic views, perfect for capturing lasting memories through the lens of your camera.

We cruise the rest of the afternoon, eventually reaching our last overnight mooring spot of the entire journey. For the last time, we moor again at a wonderful sandbank, setting the stage for a chilled-out aperitif affair with hopefully a gorgeous sunset before a farewell dinner is served on the terrace deck.

Dining: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an excitement-packed 3-Night cruise, we take it a bit slower today, allowing you to digest all the memories collected. We have quite some river mileages to sail throughout the day until we reach Huay Xai - our final destination.

You can sleep a bit longer in the morning (if you like). By intention, our breakfast is sampled out with fewer choices (or a la carte) than usual this morning, given that we will offer our guests some different culinary brunch settings later before leaving us.

In the mid-morning, we would like to invite you to an enthralling presentation that unravels the intricate history of the Golden Triangle, composed of its complexities of colonialism, opium, conflicts, and the multifaceted roles played by Burma, Thailand, Laos, Britain, China, and more. We are approximately at the confluence of the Mekong with the Nam Tha River, one of the Mekong's major tributaries, known as the "Green River." Originating near the Chinese border, 325 km to the northeast, it joins the Mekong at this juncture. Here, the river widens, yet our skilled captain remains vigilant, navigating safely amidst rocks, stones, rapids, and sandbanks, making the sailing experience a fascinating observation from the open deck.

This is also the moment right before the appetite kicks in. We are starting with the lifestyle part of this final cruising day. Join a culinary Lao cooking class as the entry activity to a brunch, indulging in a buffet spread of mains and desserts that tantalise your taste buds. Kick back and enjoy the final peaceful hours of our voyage. The brunch will be served until one hour prior to arrival (approx.), and you can enjoy it either in the restaurant, in the lounge, or on the terrace deck.

Upon arrival at Huay Xai pier in the mid-afternoon, we provide assistance with your luggage and a seamless transfer to the Lao - Thai border (see details in our embarkation guide). We bid you farewell right in front of the Lao immigration office and wish you a pleasant onward journey.

Please note that we can arrange transfers to Chiang Rai (city, airport) or to a resort/hotel in the golden Triangle)

Dining: Breakfast, Lunch