Mekong River Cruise: The Heritage Line in Laos
I’ve been on two Heritage Line cruises on different parts of the Mekong River, and they’ve both exceeded expectations. The staff is kind, knowledgeable, and attentive. The food and guides are first rate, and you really walk away feeling like you’ve learned a lot about the cultures in this part of Southeast Asia.
In this post, I’ll describe everything you can expect on a 4-day / 3-night cruise on the Mekong. The Anouvong (ship) cruises back and forth between Luang Prabang, Laos, and Hua Xai, across from Thailand. You can extend the journey to 9 days!
I have a separate post about another Heritage cruise on the Mekong River in Cambodia.
What to Expect Onboard the Ship
The Anouvong fits 20 guests. You’ll never feel overcrowded at any point.
The staff will outnumber the guests. They usually have 22 crew members: 15 for service and 7 to handle the navigation and mechanics.
It’s typical to have 3-meals a day onboard, and 2 excursions to shore each day.
In addition to the bar inside, there’s a large sun deck outside with lounge chairs and a hot tub.
Wifi is pretty solid for most of the cruise, using their Starlink setup.
There’s even a small gym on board.
The Cost of a Heritage Line Cruise
The cost varies, so these are estimates. You can find the current cruise rates here.
Note that the high season is fall through winter into spring (December through March). The weather is better. I’ve been twice during the “rainy” months of April and September, and the showers didn’t impact the trip at all.
Note: these prices are for the 4day/3night cruise, which is the shortest duration offered:
| Deluxe Stateroom (double occupancy) | ~ $2,000 – $2,300 per person | ~ $2,500 – $3,000 per person |
| Executive Stateroom | ~ $2,500 – $3,000 per person | ~ $3,000 – $3,500 per person |
| Signature Suite | ~ $2,900 – $3,300 per person | ~ $3,600 – $4,200 per person |
Pro Tip: Sign up for the Heritage emails, and you’ll get alerts about deals and sales. You’ll also save by booking their “early bird” prices.
What the Price Includes:
A 4-day (3-night) cruise on Heritage Line’s Anouvong usually includes:
- Accommodation on board in a stateroom or suite
- All meals during the cruise
- Daily guided shore excursions
- Entrance fees for sites visited
- Transfers (embarkation/disembarkation)
- Some amenities: internet (Starlink satellite), tea/coffee, water
- Cruise staff, local guides, lectures and cultural entertainment
The Price Does Not Include:
- Alcoholic drinks and sodas
- Gratuities/tips
Tipping Suggestions
Heritage suggests tipping $15 – $20 per guest, per day, to be shared among the crew. The guide is tipped separately. The company recommends tipping him $4 per guest, per day.
The Rooms on the Riverboat
There are three different kinds of rooms. They’re pretty spacious for a riverboat.
They each come with large sliding glass doors, and plenty of room for your luggage.
I was impressed with the size of the bathrooms, especially the showers. Water pressure was great.
They also have a constant supply of fresh, filtered water for drinking.
Food & Meals on the Cruise
They serve a mix of international and Asian cuisine.
You’ll meet the chef as soon as you’re welcomed on board the boat. There’s usually a sous chef and another kitchen assistant. They’re responsible for churning out breakfast, plus multi-course lunches and dinners for the guests … PLUS… food for the staff. It’s pretty impressive to see how hard they work. The chef will also usually do a cooking demonstration at some point during the trip.
Depending on the weather, they might dock the boat and set up a dinner on a sandbar or beach one night.
Onboard, you can eat in the dining room, outside on the upper deck, or in the lounge / bar area.
Video: Mekong Riverboat Cruise
Cruise Day 1 on the Mekong River
Day 1 Itinerary
9:00 AM – Check in and settle into your cabin.
9:30 AM – Safety briefing and introduction to the crew as the ship begins cruising toward Pak Ou Caves.
12:00 PM – Lunch buffet in the main dining lounge.
1:30 PM – Excursion to Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of Buddha statues. Optional visit to Ban Muang Keo, a local village known for silk weaving and Lao whisky, or choose a guided kayaking trip on the Nam Ou River.
5:00 PM – Visit Ban Khok Phou, a 200-year-old Lao village. Meet locals, see traditional bamboo weaving, and take part in a Baci blessing ceremony.
6:00 PM – Sunset cocktails and snacks with a short talk on Lao history.
7:00 PM – BBQ dinner on a river sandbank (with an outdoor movie if the weather allows).
At any time, you can visit the captain on the bridge, to see how they navigate the river.
Cruise Day 2 on the Mekong River
Day 2 Itinerary: Villages and Cultures of the Mekong
6:00–7:00 AM – Watch the sunrise with coffee or tea in the lounge. Optional yoga class on the sundeck.
7:00 AM – Breakfast in the dining lounge.
Morning Excursion – Ban Khok Laung
Visit a remote Khmu village where daily life revolves around farming and crafts, like bamboo basket weaving. Enjoy a short walk through the peaceful countryside.
Lunch – Served onboard in the dining lounge.
Afternoon Excursion – Ban Khok Aek
Explore a large community made up of Hmong, Lao Loum, and Khmu people. See how each group’s homes and traditions differ as you walk through the three interconnected villages.
Sunset – Snacks in the lounge, followed by a traditional dance performance by local children and a preview of the next day’s program.
Dinner – Served in the dining lounge.
Evening – Movie night featuring Chang (1927), a silent film shot in this region by the creators of King Kong.
Cruise Day 3 on the Mekong River
Day 3 Itinerary – Elephants and Local Traditions
6:00–7:00 AM – Enjoy sunrise coffee or tea in the lounge. Optional yoga session on the sundeck.
7:00 AM – Breakfast in the dining lounge.
Try your hand at bamboo weaving and learn how locals make a “cat eye” charm for jungle protection.
Morning Excursion – Pak Beng Elephant Sanctuary
Visit a 150-acre sanctuary that’s home to six rescued elephants, from a playful baby to a 70-year-old matriarch. Learn about their stories and the center’s conservation work.
Lunch – Served onboard.
Afternoon Activity – Lao Cooking Class
Join the chef for a hands-on class making Larb salad and traditional sticky rice using local spices and ingredients.
Sunset – Snacks and drinks in the lounge, plus a preview of tomorrow’s schedule.
Evening – Farewell BBQ on the Sundeck
Celebrate your final night with a BBQ dinner, crew introductions, and music.
Cruise Day 4 on the Mekong River
Day 4 Itinerary – Cruising to the Thai Border
6:00–7:00 AM – Enjoy your final sunrise with coffee or tea in the lounge. Optional yoga session on the sundeck.
7:00 AM – Breakfast in the dining lounge.
Spend a peaceful morning cruising the Mekong River toward the Thai border at Huay Xai. Relax on deck, reflect on your journey, or treat yourself to a spa session onboard.
11:00 AM – Onboard talk: “History of the Golden Triangle.”
12:00 PM – Lunch in the dining lounge before disembarkation in Huay Xai.
From there, it’s time to pack up your luggage (storage area in the cabin pictured below) and get ready to leave.
Shore Excursions to Remote Villages
Visiting the villages was eye-opening. They’re small and remote. Most didn’t have running water, and a few didn’t have electricity. In most cases, the men (and sometimes women) were out in the rice fields working. We were greeted by their children, the town elders, and at times other younger adults.
I was especially impressed with one village, which setup a hydro-electric system, using the flow of a creek to generate power. It supplied just a few charging stations in the village for a few hours a day.
One village held a welcoming ceremony for us. Each was paid about $75 by Heritage Line for allowing our visit.
Shore Excursion to the Mekong Elephant Park
The Mekong Elephant Park is a highlight of the cruise down the Mekong River. There are currently 5 elephants living at this sanctuary. Each has been saved from the lumber or tourism industry. Each has its own human handler.
Visitors will be led by the park director along a trail to see the elephants up close. You won’t bathe them or ride them, but you’ll get to enjoy them enjoying their new lives in retirement.
Luang Prabang, Laos
You’ll start or end your cruise in Luang Prabang, and if you have time, it’s worth spending another day or two here. The town is full of historic architecture, temples, shops, and restaurants.
The airport in Luang Prabang is convenient for connecting flights to cities like Bangkok and Hanoi.
You can use this interactive map to plug your dates in to check hotels and rates for your stay:
Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a huge night market and morning market, plus a traditional daily ceremony honoring the local monks at dawn.
Sites to see nearby include the Kuang Si Waterfalls, and also the Pakou Cave (or “Thousand Buddhas Cave”).
The Best Time to Cruise the Mekong River
For pleasant weather and reliable cruise conditions, November to February is the ideal window on the Mekong River. Prices, however, will be higher.
If you prefer fewer crowds and greener scenery, late September to early November can also be a good compromise. Just remember: September is still the tail end of the “rainy season.”
Cool & Dry Season (November–February)
- Weather: Comfortable temperatures (around 15–28°C / 59–82°F).
- Humidity: Low, with clear skies and minimal rain.
Hot Season (March–May)
- Weather: Hot and dry, often 30–38°C (86–100°F).
- River Conditions: Water levels start to drop, which can limit some river routes or excursions.
Rainy Season (June–October)
- Weather: Warm (25–33°C / 77–91°F) with frequent afternoon showers.
- Experience: Fewer tourists and lower prices, but possible delays or cancellations due to heavy rains or strong currents.
