Laos: The Upper Mekong with Thailand’s Golden Triangle
A Unique Journey beyond expectations
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PRIVATE JOURNEY CREATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR ASIAN ODYSSEYS
Chiang Mai- Chiang Rai- Huay Xai - Luang Prabang - Vientiane
14 days / 13 Nights
Day 1: Arrive Chiang Mai
Day 2-3. Touring Chiang Mai
Day 3-5. Touring Chiang Rai
Day 6: HUAY XAI – HUAY PALANG
Welcome to the ANOUVONG CRUISE SHIP, the newest and most luxurious vessel on the Northern Mekong.
Cruise towards Huay Palang Village, a local Lao village of the Khmu tribeminority. Experience the life style of the local people whose lives depend fully on the Mekong River as a means of transportation and food source. Welcome ceremony and opportunity to work with the villagers.
Return back to the ship for a sundowner and enjoy dinner onboard.
Day 7: HUAY PALANG - PAKBENG - KOP AEK
MorningLectureabout Asian Elephants in Laos, their cultural importance in the past and the current threat.
Cruise toPakbeng Town. This riverside village is located halfway between the Golden Triangle and Luang Prabang is the mayor stopover for people travelling on smaller boats. Sightseeing in the town, the temple and the local Hill tribe market.
Afterwards, visit the nearby elephant sanctuary. The elephants here have all been former logging elephants and are here with their mahouts.
Back onboard, an authentic Laotian Cooking Class.
Visit the village of Kop Aek,which is populated by Lao,Khmu and Hmong tribes. Interact with the local people and see a dance performanceof the local children in traditional clothes.
BBQ dinner on board.
Day 8: KOP AEK - PAK OU CAVES - LUANG PRABANG
Early breakfast at the ship’s restaurant after the option of Mediation or Yoga on the terrace deck.
Lecture:Laotian culture and tribes living along the upper Mekong.
In the afternoon, visit the village of Muang Keoand observe local weavers and whisky distillers honoring their timeworn traditional crafts. From here we will do a short trek to the Pak Ou Caves, located along to the mighty Mekong and opposite the mouth of the Ou River. Explore the two limestone grottoes which house approximately 4,000 sacred Buddhist statues and images. .
If time permits, go for a kayaking excursion on the nearby Nam Ou River
Before dinner, we meet Mr. Francis Engelmann, writer and retired consultant to UNESCO on heritage preservation projects since 1994. Listen as he shares some of his expertise in the cultural heritage of the country as well as an understanding of Lao history and people.
The ship will cruise to Luang Prabang and dock at the pier for overnight. Explore the night market ashore and climb up the Phousy Mountain to enjoy sunset.
Day 9: LUANG PRABANG
Early breakfast at the ship’s restaurant after the option of Mediation or Yoga on the terrace deck.
8:30 am: '20TH UNESCO ANNIVERSARY’ WALKING TOUR:
Set out on foot for an off-the-beaten-track walking tour with our expertise guide.
The walking tour starts at the beginning of the town peninsula, where the Mekong and Nam Khan River meet. Observe Luang Prabang’s distinct architecture. Stroll along the little side streets and stop at a traditional house and the food market to try some local delicacies.
Our afternoon tour includes a visit the Royal Palace, now a National Museum.
Following, free time to stroll around town for shopping or meandering.
Tonight’s dinner is arranged in town at gourmet restaurant, with time afterwards to explore the night market.
Day 10: LUANG PRABANG - KHOK AKHA
For the Early Risers:
05:30 am: The morning alms round (called “Tak Bat”in Lao) is a living Buddhist tradition for the people of Luang Prabang and dates back generations. Wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to a procession of hundreds of saffron-robed monks in the early morning light, truly a spiritual occasion! After the almsgiving, watch the town come to life during a visit to the morning marketbefore returning to the ship in time for breakfast.
We will try to arrange for an elephant trek up the mountains before departure. Cruise to Ban Muang Kai village.
Spend some time exploring one of Luang Prabang’s most picturesque sights, the cascading Kuang Si Waterfallwith electric turquoise waters. Take a leisurely hike through the natural park and/or swim in the pools.
Lecture:Energy, economy of Laos. Laos to become “the battery” of South East Asia. (Very fitting lecture with the approaching Hydro Dam)
We arrive at the modern Hydro Electric Power Plant,where the ship will go slowly through two separate ship locks.
The ship will dock at a sandbank for the night near a local village on the southern side of the dam and visit the village, Khok Akha, of Lao Loum people.
Day 11: KHOK AKHA - PAK LAY
Early breakfast at the ship’s restaurant after the option of Mediation or Yoga on the terrace deck.
Options of sailing in a small long-tail boat with two villagers and enjoy an exciting joyride going upstream small rapids and admire the lush jungle vegetation on both sides of this beautiful Nam Fuang River. Or strolling through the village to see the local lifestyle.
Later today, we stop at the village of Don Saynhan, where we ride on a local TokTokto visit the impressive Khao Cave.
Another stop at Pak Lay. Formerly the center of trade in the area, famous for its high quality hardwood. Many of the Government offices are housed in the old French colonial buildings.
Day 12: PAK LAY - SANDBANK
Early breakfast at the ship’s restaurant after the option of Mediation or Yoga on the terrace deck.
Near Ban Pak Mane village, the Mekong is very calm and shallow with many small sandy islands along the shore line. Here we will break for a ( optional) kayakingexcursion between the islands.
Later today we will be cruising along the Thai border, cruising to Phalat, opposite Thailand. By TokTokride to see a Chopstick Factoryand the countryside.
Stop at a secluded sandbank for overnight onboard.
Day 13: VIENTIANE ARRIVAL
Early breakfast at the ship’s restaurant after the option of Mediation or Yoga on the terrace deck.
Lecture: History of Lao Royalty
Around midday, arrival at the capital of Laos Vientiane.
Disembark in Vientiane. End of Anouvong Cruise program.
Day 14: VIENTIANE
Following breakfast, tour the capital of Laos, the quiet city of Vientiane.
Evening flight onward, or overnight with morning flight the next day.
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