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Mekong Lover Cruise

Houay Xai - Pak Beng - Luang Prabang

The Mekong Lover Cruise offers a relaxing two-day journey along one of Southeast Asia’s most legendary rivers. It connects Houay Xai and Luang Prabang through the scenic landscapes of northern Laos. Unlike crowded public slow boats, this cruise provides a more comfortable and well-organized way to travel the Mekong.

During the voyage, travelers pass jungle-covered mountains, riverside villages, and peaceful stretches of the river. These landscapes reveal the slow and authentic rhythm of life in Laos. The cruise also visits cultural highlights, including the famous Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of sacred Buddha statues.

With attentive service, guided visits, and traditional Lao cuisine served on board, the Mekong Lover Cruise creates a memorable river journey. It is ideal for travelers who seek both scenery and cultural discovery on the way to Luang Prabang.

Operational Update

The Mekong Lover Cruise will temporarily pause operations from April through the end of June this year. No departures are scheduled during this period. Our team continues to monitor updates from the cruise operator. We will update the schedule on this page once new information becomes available.

Itinerary Overview

Downstream Cruise (Houay Xai → Luang Prabang)

  • Cruise along the Mekong River through the landscapes of northern Laos

  • Stop at a local hill tribe village to observe traditional rural life

  • Overnight stay in the riverside town of Pak Beng

  • Visit Ban Baw village, known for Lao Lao rice whisky production

  • Explore the famous Pak Ou Caves before arriving in Luang Prabang

Upstream Cruise (Luang Prabang → Houay Xai)

  • Depart from Luang Prabang and cruise upstream along the Mekong

  • Visit the sacred Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of Buddha statues

  • Stop at Ban Baw village to learn about local whisky making

  • Overnight in Pak Beng village

  • Continue cruising through remote Mekong landscapes to Houay Xai

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: Houy 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 Houayxay + Transfer with sharing minivan from Lao
  • border to slow boat Pier in HouayXay for downstream and vice-versa for upstream program.
  • Crew service during the cruise.
  • Baggage handling in Houayxay and Luanpabang
  • 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.
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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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