Vietnamese boutique cruise operator Heritage Line has started accepting bookings for sailings on its new 10-berth ship Anouvong, which will be the first luxury boat to ply the Upper Mekong River in Laos upon its launch later this year.
The boat, which features eight staterooms and two suites, will plot a course from the Golden Triangle at the Thailand/Laos border in the north-west, through the royal city of Luang Prabang, and down to the Lao capital, Vientiane.
The cruise operator offers two journeys: The shorter three-night sailing leaves Luang Prabang and heads to the town of Huay Xai on the Laos/Thailand border (or vice versa); while the longer journey, spanning seven or nine nights, charts a course between the Laos/Thailand border at Huay Xai and Vientiane.
The shorter trip includes a visit to the village of Huay Palang to meet ethnic Khmu tribes and other highlights such as Pak Ou Caves, which is home to 4,000 sacred Buddhist statues.
The longer alternative embraces sightseeing along remote river areas and various activities such as kayaking through calm, shallow stretches and a gourmet banquet on a river sandbank, as well as a full discovery of Luang Prabang.
Anouvong is expected to begin sailings on September 29, 2020. It is now open for bookings over the next few months through any travel agents or directly with Heritage Line. Bookings made before March 31 will enjoy a 10 per cent discount on the three-night journey.
