Le Grand Cruise

Your boarding time is 08:30 am. Our local guide will meet and assist you at Lao side immigration and transfer you to board our cruise. Please find the signboard “Le Grand Cruise” at the meeting point in front of the Immigration Counter.

This morning, you will board your traditional slow boat for the cruise downstream the Mekong River to the river town of Pakbeng. En route, the scenery along this part of the Mekong is arguably at its most beautiful. As you journey downriver, you will stop at some Hmong, Yao, and Khmu ethnic minority villages and experience observing their traditional local lifestyle. Lunch is served on board while cruising. Arriving at Pakbeng late afternoon, you will check into your bungalow and enjoy a few drinks watching the sunset over the mountains and the Mekong River at the swimming pool side terrace. Overnight in Pakbeng.

*Optional: You may hop off & hop on, staying longer at our property for longer in order to continue visiting local villages and experience gold panning and the local way of life in this remote countryside. And you can always hop on board our next cruise in a few days and/or drive 140 km to Oudomxay to board an express train down to Luang Prabang…etc.*

Breakfast and transfer you from our resort to the boarding pier. Your board time is 08:00.

This morning we continue the second leg downstream past areas of unspoiled forest with little villages along the riverbanks and perhaps the odd elephant or two with his mahout. You will visit a Hmong village and have the opportunity to explore the local villages and old temples. Lunch is served on board as we enjoy the slow-paced cruise. We will pull over for a visit to Pak-Ou Caves, an ancient pilgrimage site containing thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images left there over hundreds of years. Arriving in Luang Prabang, you will disembark at Le Calao pier around sunset, your local guide is ready to meet up and transfer you to your hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Greetings and welcome you on board, and your boarding time is at 07:00, we expect your arrival earlier by 06:30 at the Le Calao pier.

Today, the Le Grand Cruiser will take you upstream the Mekong to Pakbeng, we estimate your journey by 8-9 hrs. Your continental breakfast is served while the boat is cruising to Pak Ou Village, at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, where you will visit Tam Ting Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. Enjoy a buffet lunch on board, then stop at a hill tribe village where you can watch the traditional process of Lao whiskey production.

Arrive at Pakbeng around sunset and check in at Le Grand Pakbeng. Dinner is served on the terrace overlooking the Mekong.

*Optional: You may hop off & on, staying longer at our property for longer in order to continue visiting local villages, experience gold panning and the local way of life in this remote countryside. And you can always hop on board our next cruise in a few days…etc.*

An early morning breakfast, then you will be transferred to Pak Beng Pier. Your boarding time is 7:00 am. You will board the second leg of the cruise upstream the Mighty Mekong River. En route, one stop is made to observe rural life along the Mekong and minorities such as Hmong, Yao, and Khmu ethnic minority villages. Buffet lunch will be served on board and then continue to Houay Xay, where you will arrive around 5:00 pm. You may proceed to Chiang Rai on the same day

INCLUDES

• Accommodation based on a double/twin shared basis
• Shared transfers to and from boat piers as indicated in the itinerary
• Join a cruise experience with fellow passengers
• Assistance from an English-speaking guide on board
• Admission fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary
• Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches on board, and 1 dinner at the hotel
• Government taxes and service charges
• Luggage handling
• Drinking water, coffee, or tea while on board

EXCLUDES

• Visas and immigration fees upon arrival
• Transfers from the boat pier to hotels in Luang Prabang or Houayxay
• Travel insurance of any kind
• Lunch or dinner is not specified in the itinerary
• Single room accommodation
• Triple share accommodation for adults or children
• Guides in languages other than English
• Peak season or special event surcharges
• Tips, drinks, and other personal expenses