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Mekong Lover Cruise

Houay Xai - Pak Beng - Luang Prabang

Connecting Houay Xai and Luang Prabang, the Mekong Lover Cruise presents an organized two-day alternative to crowded public boats. Guests travel through quiet Laotian valleys while enjoying attentive service and traditional local meals.

Operational Notice: Departures pause annually from April through June. Scheduled sailings resume each July.

Passengers pass jungle-covered mountains, quiet hamlets, and historic sites like the sacred Pak Ou Caves. Consequently, it offers a seamless blend of relaxation and cultural discovery. For travelers researching northern routes, compare this option across our full collection of luxury Mekong cruises.

Downstream vs. Upstream Itineraries highlights

  • Downstream Passage (Houay Xai $\rightarrow$ Luang Prabang):

    1. Day 1: Depart Houay Xai, tour a hill tribe village, and stay overnight in Pak Beng.

    2. Day 2: Visit Ban Baw whisky village, explore Pak Ou Caves, and dock in Luang Prabang.

  • Upstream Voyage (Luang Prabang $\rightarrow$ Houay Xai):

    1. Day 1: Leave Luang Prabang, explore Pak Ou Caves, visit Ban Baw, and sleep in Pak Beng.

    2. Day 2: Cruise remote river reaches toward Houay Xai near the Thai border.

Operational Tip: You can easily integrate this 2-day Laotian crossing into a multi-country Mekong cruise adventure.

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

Our boat will leave Houayxay latest 10: 30AM, if any guest no show up, our guide will not wait for.

During the morning, 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 AM. After lunch, choice of tea, Coffee, Drinking water and fresh seasonal fruits are served on board.

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

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

The boat will arrive at Pakbeng around 5: 00PM

DAY 2: DEPARTURE FROM PAKBENG TO LUANGPRABANG

Meeting point is the slow boat pier in Pakbeng. The boat will leave Pakbeng at 08 am. Enjoy the beautiful nature and jungle during your journey, fresh coffee, Tea can be served before lunch time. First stop will be at Ban Baw village, a complex but harmonic mixed of three ethnicities: Lao Loum, Shan and Tai Lue. Today the village is famous for its lao lao whiskey making and handicraft weaving.

 

Right after the visit, a Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board around 12: 00AM. After the Lunch, Tea, coffee and fresh seasonal fruits are served as desserts.

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 and tourists.

Before arriving in Luang Prabang the guide will teach the way on how to make the Papaya salad, then let the customer cook and test it for a short activity.

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: 00pm. Can share with our minivans to hotels if you don’t arrange a pick-up from your operator.

End of services for Day 2.

Note: 

  • From November to March: Departure every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday (5 Days/week ).
  • From April to October: Departure every Wednesday and Saturday.

 

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

Meeting point is at Le Calao pier or opposite to Le Calao restaurant. The boat leaves Luang Prabang at 7:00am for upstream to Pakbeng.

The local fried rice breakfast is served on board (choice of coffee or Tea + Seasonal fruits).

In the morning, we will stop to visit Pak Ou Cave (Tham Ting) and it’s over two thousand Buddha statues. It is one of the most important pilgrimage places for Local people. Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board around 12: 00AM

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

The boat arrives in Pakbeng around 5: 00PM

DAY 2: PAKBENG - HOUAYXAY

Meeting point is at the Pakbeng slow boat pier. Our boat leaves at 7:00am. Normally your hotel in Pakbeng will prepare a takeaway breakfast box for travelers that they can bring and eat on board.

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

After lunch Choice of Coffee, Tea, Seasonal fruits for desserts. Before arriving Houay Xay pier, , enjoy the Papaya salad activity and test the Salad dish.

Our boat will arrive at Houay Xay around 4: 30 PM possibility to continue the journey to Thailand on the same day. Our tour guide will take the guest to the Lao border by sharing a Minivan.

End of services for Day 2.

Note:

  • From November to March: Departure every   Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,  Friday, Sunday (5 Days/week)
  • From April to October: Departure every Monday and Thursday

 

Note:

2-Day Downstream Cruise from Houayxay to Luang Prabang:

  • From November to March: Departure every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday (5 Days/week ).
  • From April to October: Departure every Wednesday and Saturday.

2 Days Upstream Cruise from Luang Prabang to Houay Xai:

  • From November to March: Departure every   Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,  Friday, Sunday (5 Days/week)
  • From April to October: Departure every Monday and Thursday

Price

Price valid from 1st July 2026 to 31st December 2027

Downstream

Category 2 Days: Houay Xai – Pak Beng – Luang Prabang
Without Hotel $180

Upstream

Category 2 Days: Houay Xai – Pak Beng – Luang Prabang
Without Hotel $180

Inclusions:

  • Welcome at Lao immigration office in Houay Xai + Transfer with shared minivan from Lao
  • border to slow boat Pier in Houay Xay for downstream and vice versa for upstream program.
  • Crew service during the cruise.
  • Baggage handling in Houay Xai and Luang Prabang
  • Admission fees for visiting sites serviced, 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:
$180
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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