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Mekong Lover Cruise

Houay Xai - Pak Beng - Luang Prabang

The Mekong Lover Cruise is a new travel company that was organized in 2024. After working in tourism for over 12 years, we found a new way to serve tourists differently.

As we know, the Mekong is a very well-known river in Southeast Asia. Laos has the most beautiful parts of this river, scenery, charming, and accessible by cruising of a length over 160 KM. For our brand-new, we started with 2 long-tail boats, our captains have experience of more than 15 years based on navigation from Luangprabang to Houayxay.

Cruise Itinerary

2 days
Downstream cruise from Houay Xai to Luang Prabang (2 days 1 night) Houay Xai - Pak Beng - Luang Prabang

DAY 1: DEPARTURE FROM HOUAY XAI to PAKBENG

From 07:30 – 09:00 AM, the guests will meet our English-speaking guide with a welcome sign at Houayxay Lao immigration office. He will assist customers in applying for their visas.

After getting the VISA, guests will take a sharing transfer (minivan) to the slow boat pier.

Our boat will leave Houayxay at the latest 10:30 AM. If any guests do not show up, our guide will not wait for you.

During the morning, a quick lecture about Do’s and Don’ts in Laos and the source of the Mekong will be narrated by our tour guide.

Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board around 12:00 PM.

Before arriving at Pakbeng, we will stop to visit a hill tribe of Khamu or Hmong village.

Travelers will learn about rural lifestyles in a very remote area of their livelihood.

The boat will arrive at Pakbeng around 5:00 PM. Overnight at your hotel in Pakbeng.

DAY 2: DEPARTURE FROM PAKBENG TO LUANGPRABANG

The boat will leave Pakbeng at 8:00 am. Enjoy the beautiful nature and jungle during your journey.

The first stop will be at Ban Baw village, a complex but harmonic mix of three ethnicities: Lao Loum, Shan and Tai Lue. Today the village is famous for its lao lao whiskey making and handicrafts.

Right after the visit, a Lao traditional lunch set is served on board around 12:00 PM

In the afternoon, the boat will stop for the second visit at the Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its over two thousand Buddha statues. It is one of the most important Pilgrimage places for Lao people.

After the visit, our waiters will serve you nice and cool Rossel drinks made by our team.

The boat will arrive in Luang Prabang before 5:00 pm.
Can share our minivans with hotels if you don’t arrange a pick-up from your operator.

End of services.

2 days
Upstream cruise from Luang Prabang to Houy Xai (2 days 1 night) Luang Prabang - Pak Beng - Houy Xai

DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG – PAKBENG

The boat leaves Luang Prabang at 7:00 am for upstream to Pakbeng.

Western breakfast set is served on board (choice of coffee or Tea)

In the morning, we will stop to visit Pak Ou Cave (Tham Ting) it’s over two thousand Buddha statues. It is one of the most important pilgrimage places for Lao people.

Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board around 12: 00 PM

Lao culture, history, and tradition will be explained to guests by our tour guide.

The boat arrives in Pakbeng around 5:00 PM

Overnight in Pakbeng on your choice of the hotels.

Note: The meeting point is 06:45 am at Wat Thad Pier (opposite Wat Thai Temple)

DAY 2: PAKBENG - HOUAYXAY

Our boat leaves at 7:00 am. Normally, your hotel in Pakbeng will prepare a takeaway breakfast box for travelers that they can eat on board.

Just before lunch, the boat will stop to visit 1 of the hill tribe villages. Travelers will learn about the rural lifestyle in a very remote area. Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board.

Before arriving at HouayXay pier, enjoy the homemade desserts and drinks made by our team (could be local sweet melon with coconut milk or banana dessert)

Our boat will arrive at its destination around 5:00 PM, with the possibility of continuing the journey to Thailand
on the same day. Our tour guide will take the guests to the Lao border by sharing a Minivan.

End of services.

Note:

2 Days Downstream Cruise from Houayxay to Luangprabang:

  • From October to April: Departure every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • From May to September: Departure every Wednesday and Saturday.

2 Days Upstream Cruise from Luang Prabang to Houy Xai:

  • From October to April: Departure every Monday, Thursday, and Sunday.
  • From May to September: Departure every Monday and Thursday.

Price

Price valid for 2026 (per person in US dollar)

Downstream

Category Double Single Supplement
Without Hotel $160
Standard Hotel $195 $25
Comfort Hotel $225 $60
Premium Hotel $235 $70

Upstream

Category Double Single Supplement
Without Hotel $180
Standard Hotel $195 $25
Comfort Hotel $225 $60
Premium Hotel $235 $70

Accommodations in Pak Beng

Hotel Category Hotel
Comfort Hotel Mekong riverside
Premium Hotel Sanctuary PakBeng Lodge
Premium Hotel Le Grande Pak Beng

Inclusions:

  • Welcome to Lao immigration office in Houayxay + Transfer with sharing minivan from the Lao border to the slow boat Pier in Houayxay for downstream and vice-versa for the upstream program.
  • Crew service during the cruise.
  • Baggage handling in Houayxay and Luanpabang
  • Admission fees for visiting sites are included, led by our English-speaking guide.
  • Lunch on board, as mentioned in the program. drinking water, coffee & tea.

Exclusions:

  • Shuttle bus from Huay Xai to Chiang Khong (upstream cruise). 
  • Visa/immigration and/or
  • overstay fees in Laos or in Thailand.
  • Accommodation and meals in Pakbeng.
  • Personal insurance.
  • Beverages, personal expenses, and tips.
  • Other expenses not mentioned above.
Book Now
Price from:
$160
Price per person, based on 2 people

    • Adults

    • Children (Age 1 - 12)

    • Infants

    You will not be billed at this stage

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