Luangsay Mekong River Cruise #LAO703
LAO 703 LUANGSAY MEKONG RIVER CRUISE
SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!
Discover the mighty Mekong River between Houay Xai (opposite the Thai town of Chiang Khong in the province of Chiang Rai) and the former royal Laotian town of Luang Prabang on a 2 days/1 night cruise with a specially designed slow boat. The Luangsay Boat has a capacity for 40 people in comfortable seats and benches, an open air vista, a fully stocked bar and cooler. On route see the wilderness along the river, rural life and villages of ethnic minorities. Spend the night at the Luangsay Lodge, approx. 1 km north from the village of Pak Beng, overlooking the river and the mountains beyond. The lodge is built in traditional Lao style of solid wood on the shores of the Mekong River.
Group tour from Houay Xai to Luang Prabang with departure every Monday, Thursday and Friday during October to April, resp. Monday and Friday during May to September. No cruises in June!
DAY 1 HOUAY XAI - PAK BENG L/D
In the morning at time 08.00 you should be at the border crossing (Friendship Bridge) in Chiang Khong. Stamp your passport at the Thai immigration and then cross the bridge by shuttle bus (you have to pay a small fee of THB 30.-) to the Lao side. Here some staff of the Luangsay cruise will wait and assist you with the border formalities at the Lao Immigration. After your passport is stamped you will be transferred to the pier. The boat leaves at approx. time 09.30. Cruise down the Mekong. On route one stop is made to observe rural life at a village of ethnic minorities. Buffet lunch is served on board. Late afternoon arrive Pak Beng and check in at the Luangsay Lodge. Enjoy a tasty dinner and overnight at the lodge with its nice surroundings.
DAY 2 PAK BENG - LUANG PRABANG B/L
Have breakfast on the terrace of the lodge. You can take an optional walk to the local morning market in Pak Beng, where people from the surrounding hill tribe villages trade and sell their goods. At approx. time 08.30 board the boat for the second leg of the cruise. Take a brief stop at a hill tribe village to watch the process of Lao whiskey production. Have buffet lunch on board again. Continue to the junction of the Ou River and visit the Thum Ting caves, that are enshrining numerous Buddha images. Finally you will arrive in Luang Prabang by late afternoon. End of service. Taxis are ready to bring you to your booked hotel.
REMARKS/FLEXIBILITY:
- Visa for Laos available at the border crossing Chiang Khong/Houay Xai against a fee of US$ 30.- (bring passport pictures with you!).
- This cruise on the Mekong by Luangsay Boat can also be done upriver with start in Luang Prabang and end in Houay Xai. This against a slightly reduced tour price! Departures upriver from Luang Prabang during October - April every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, resp. during May - September every Wednesday and Saturday. No cruises in June!
- As well there is a 3 days/2 nights cruise available with an additional night at the Khmu Lodge between Pak Beng an Luang Prabang. If you like to do so, please let us know at the time of booking.
- Accommodation before and/or after the river cruise in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Khong/Houay Xai, but also in Luang Prabang can be booked with us. As well as transfers to/from all the above mentioned destinations to/from the Luangsay Cruise.
PRICE INCLUDES:
2 days/1 night river cruise with the Luangsay Boat, all transfers and sightseeing as shown in the above itinerary, accommodation at the Luangsay Lodge incl. breakfast, English speaking cruise escort, 2x lunch and 1x dinner, drinking water, entrance fees as per program
NOT INCLUDED:
Visa for Laos, all drinks, tips and personal expenses
HOW TO GET TO CHIANG RAI AND CHIANG KHONG (THAI-LAO BORDER):
Domestic flights from Bangkok (Thailand) to Chiang Rai by Thai Airways, Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways, Thai Air Asia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air and Thai Viet Jet Air. From/to Phuket (Thailand) by Thai Air Asia and Thai Viet Jet Air. From Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong at the Thai-Lao border by overland transfer (approx. 1,5 hours).