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Upper Mekong Discovery
4-day Upper Mekong cruise from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai with Pak Ou Caves, villages, elephants, and Golden Triangle context.
Best Price Guarantee
Best Price Guarantee
Length
4 Days
Ship category
Luxury
Ship type
Small Ships
Capacity
20 guests in 10 staterooms and suites Passengers
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Anouvong is the ship we would choose when the Upper Mekong should feel slow, close and deeply Laotian, not like a standard river cruise. She carries just 20 guests in 10 rooms: 4 Deluxe Staterooms, 4 Deluxe Executive Staterooms and 2 Signature Suites. Cabins have air conditioning, large river-facing windows, French balconies or private balconies, walk-in showers, minibar, safe and Wi-Fi when the cellular network allows; the Signature Suites add more space and a bathroom with Jacuzzi. Public spaces are intimate: a cafe-bar lounge with library, terrace deck, Bodhi Spa, gym and Delaporte Dining L … Read more about Anouvong
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Bar
Gym on board
Private Balcony
Observation Deck
Eco friendly
Room Safe
Hot water
Observation Lounge
All meals
Spa
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Library
English guides
Internet/Wifi
Restaurant
The food on board Anouvong is a real strength: small-scale, fresh and rooted in the route. Expect daily changing multi-course menus, Lao dishes, Asian and Western options, good breakfasts, live cooking and open-air meals on sandbanks or the terrace deck when conditions allow.
When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you. Exceptions may apply.
Accommodation aboard the ship, meals as listed in the itinerary, guided excursions, entrance fees for included visits, selected transfers listed by the operator, onboard talks, and the ship team's services.
International flights, visas, travel insurance, optional excursions, drinks beyond the included meal program, personal expenses, laundry, gratuities, and transfers not listed as included.
The river is the route, so water levels, border procedures, and local conditions can change the order or exact content of excursions.
Expect heat, humidity, stairs, uneven ground, small boats or local transport, and active days ashore.
Casual clothing is appropriate throughout. For temples and sacred places, shoulders and knees should be covered.
These are small-ship journeys with strong destination access, not resort-style cruises with large cabins or nightly entertainment.
Long-haul flights and the on-the-ground program generate 1.2 t CO₂e on this trip. Rivertours regularly measures and monitors the carbon footprint of its journeys and actively reduces emissions through sustainable travel design: no unnecessary flights, fewer feeder flights, integration of rail and public transport, and promoting longer stays for a more balanced relationship between travel distance and impact.
From 2018 to 2024, we supported carbon reduction projects equivalent to the emissions generated. Recognizing the limits of traditional offsetting, we now focus on active environmental protection through our own rainforest project, Forest Guardians.
More information on our climate and environmental responsibility: https://www.venturatravel.org/impact
No, we do not own or run the boats. Rivertours is an independent platform. We scout the market to find, compare, and vet smaller, independent boat operators (such as local boutique vessels, traditional wooden ships, or hotel barges). We act as your single point of contact to make sure you book a high-quality, authentic trip at the operator's direct price, with none of the usual booking fees.
Every single boat listed on Rivertours—whether Standard or Luxury—must meet our strict quality charter. This means that regardless of the price, all our trips guarantee small passenger capacities (8 to 40 guests), direct booking with vetted local operators, authentic regional stops, and zero mass-tourism compromises.
The difference between the two tiers lies strictly in the onboard amenities and level of physical comfort: Rivertours Standard: These vessels focus on comfort and simplicity. Cabins are clean, functional, and compact, featuring everything you need for a comfortable night’s sleep. The onboard atmosphere is active and down-to-earth. It is the perfect choice for travelers who prioritize the destination, want to spend their days exploring or on the sun deck, and appreciate a rustic, highly authentic travel style at an accessible price.
Rivertours Luxury / Premium: While keeping our signature casual, small-scale atmosphere (with absolutely no heavy corporate dress codes or pompous treatment), these boats offer a higher level of material refinement. Cabins are more spacious (often featuring larger windows or private balconies), the linen and bedding are premium, the crew-to-guest ratio is higher, and the onboard meals feature upscale regional gastronomy. Choose this option if you want a deeper sense of relaxation and refined amenities between your daily shore excursions.
Every single boat listed on Rivertours—whether Standard or Luxury—must meet our strict quality charter. This means that regardless of the price, all our trips guarantee small passenger capacities (8 to 40 guests), direct booking with vetted local operators, authentic regional stops, and zero mass-tourism compromises.
The difference between the two tiers lies strictly in the onboard amenities and level of physical comfort:
Rivertours Standard: These vessels focus on comfort and simplicity. Cabins are clean, functional, and compact, featuring everything you need for a comfortable night’s sleep. The onboard atmosphere is active and down-to-earth. It is the perfect choice for travelers who prioritize the destination, want to spend their days exploring or on the sun deck, and appreciate a rustic, highly authentic travel style at an accessible price.
Rivertours Luxury / Premium: While keeping our signature casual, small-scale atmosphere (with absolutely no heavy corporate dress codes or pompous treatment), these boats offer a higher level of material refinement. Cabins are more spacious (often featuring larger windows or private balconies), the linen and bedding are premium, the crew-to-guest ratio is higher, and the onboard meals feature upscale regional gastronomy. Choose this option if you want a deeper sense of relaxation and refined amenities between your daily shore excursions.
It depends on the river, but natural seasons dictate river navigation:
Water Levels: Rivers rely on rain and mountain runoff. High water can sometimes prevent boats from passing under low bridges, while low water can prevent navigation in shallower sections. Lock Maintenance: Many rivers close entirely at specific times of the year for scheduled infrastructure repairs (for example, the Douro closes from mid-December to early March). Our Advice: We list clear sailing seasons for each destination (usually Spring and Autumn) and give you honest updates on water conditions before you book.
When booking a river cruise, understanding cabin layouts is crucial. Unlike massive ocean ships, river vessels have absolute physical limits: they must fit through narrow locks, cruise under low bridges, and navigate tight river bends. Because of these constraints, cabins on river boats are generally compact (usually ranging from 11 to 22 square meters / 120 to 240 sq ft).
To help you configure your booking, here is a factual breakdown of the three main cabin types you will find on small-ship river cruises.
Standard Cabins (Lower Deck / Porthole or Fixed Windows) These cabins are located on the lowest passenger deck of the boat, which sits partially below the river's water level.
The Window Setup: They feature small, rectangular windows or circular portholes located high up on the cabin wall. For obvious safety reasons, these windows cannot be opened. The Reality: Standard cabins are the most budget-friendly option. While they receive less natural light than upper decks, they have the exact same footprint, beds, and private bathrooms. They are highly quiet, stable, and generally remain cooler in the hot summer months. Our Advice: If you plan to spend your day on the sun deck or exploring villages on shore, standard cabins offer the best value-for-money, as you will essentially only use the room to sleep.
French Balcony Cabins (Middle / Upper Decks) This is the most common cabin type featured on modern European boutique river boats.
The Window Setup: A French balcony is not a walk-out balcony. It consists of floor-to-ceiling glass doors that slide open horizontally. A safety railing is fixed directly behind the open glass. The Reality: While you cannot step outside, sliding the doors open turns your entire cabin into an open-air viewing area. It provides excellent ventilation, plenty of natural light, and unobstructed views of the riverbank. The Space Trap: Because a French balcony does not extend outside the hull of the boat, it does not use up any of your interior cabin space, leaving you with more room inside to move around.
Suite / Private Walk-Out Balcony Cabins True step-out balconies are rare on smaller river ships and classic hotel barges because the physical width of a river boat is strictly limited.
The Window Setup: These premier cabins feature a small, private outdoor veranda with space for two chairs and a drinks table. The Reality: Because the boat’s exterior width is fixed, any space allocated to an outdoor balcony is space taken away from the interior of your cabin. As a result, standard walk-out balcony cabins on rivers can sometimes feel narrower inside than French balcony cabins. When to book: Choose a suite or a walk-out balcony only if you highly value private, quiet outdoor time or if you are booking a high-end ship where the master suites are specifically engineered with a wider footprint.
Price
Upon Request
Pak Ou Caves above the Mekong, with thousands of Buddha images
Upper Mekong villages with weaving, farming, and local river life
Pakbeng elephant sanctuary and conservation context
Golden Triangle river geography before Huay Xai
Best Price Guarantee: Find a better price elsewhere, and we’ll match it.
River Cruise Specialists: We focus exclusively on river expeditions, with recommendations grounded in first-hand expertise.
Travel that gives back: Every booking directly supports rainforest conservation project.
The Upper Mekong in Laos is a river road with real distance. Forested banks. Small villages. Border geography. Buddhist caves. Elephant conservation near Pakbeng. Luang Prabang's old royal culture. On the longer routes, the Xayaburi lock and the road transfer to or from Vientiane make the geography honest.
This 4-day Anouvong journey follows the Luang Prabang to Huay Xai route with just 20 guests on board. The ship is elegant and comfortable, but the reason to come is the river: village walks, temple life, food, craft, conservation, and the feeling of moving through Laos at water speed.
Choose this trip if you want a small, destination-led Mekong journey with comfort but not cruise polish. It is less ideal if you want big-ship entertainment, guaranteed fixed timings, or a trip where the ship matters more than the places ashore.
Keep in mind this is an expedition-style river journey, so the exact itinerary can change with weather, river levels, wildlife activity, and local safety conditions.
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Start in Luang Prabang, where the Mekong feels more like a local road than a backdrop. After boarding, the ship leaves town and heads for the Pak Ou Caves, a limestone pilgrimage site filled with Buddha figures above the river. The day is a gentle first step into northern Laos: temples, cliff faces, village life and a slower rhythm on the water. It is not a big production. It is a clear, useful introduction to the river you will travel for the next days.
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Today is about the smaller human details along the Upper Mekong. Depending on access and water level, you may visit Lao Loum or Khmu communities, see weaving and farming work, and watch how river villages organize life around steep banks and seasonal change. Between stops, Anouvong covers real distance through a narrow, green part of Laos. Bring curiosity rather than a checklist. The strength of this day is the quiet accumulation of people, landscapes and practical river life.
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Pakbeng gives the route one of its strongest off-boat moments. Across the river, the elephant sanctuary adds context to the old logging economy and to the care former working elephants need today. Later, the journey returns to food, river views and the slow approach toward the border country. If conditions allow, the evening may move outdoors on a sandbank. It is a day with real variety: forest, conservation, local cooking and long Mekong light.
The final stretch toward Huay Xai gives the journey its borderland frame. Laos, Thailand and Myanmar sit close together here, and the guides use the sailing time to explain trade, opium history, migration and the modern Golden Triangle. There is still time to watch the banks pass from deck, but this is not empty scenery. The river has carried goods, people and stories through this region for generations. Arrival in Huay Xai is practical and usually followed by border or onward travel arrangements.
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