The Luang Say Cruise
Luang Say Mekong Cruises has three boats traveling from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang, or, from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai.
Both cruises stop over for one night in our Luang Say Lodge in Pakbeng.
Our boats are 34 metres long with a 420 HP engine and a steel hull for strength and safety. The boats have a capacity for 40 people in comfortable seats and benches. Each seat has an open air vista. We have coffee tables with magazines and booklets to read during your cruise.
The central section of our Luangsay boats have bench seats, a perfect spot for a game of cards, to share your Mekong stories, or to have lunch.
Each cruise departure has both a French and English speaking guide who are able to answer your questions and point out any sights of interest along the way. We also have a fearless captain, a qualified mechanic and a boat boy.
On board we have two western style toilets, one at the back of the boat and one next to the bar in the central section.
Life jackets are available in a variety of sizes including children sizes. There are also rails around the sides of the boat for safety. Luggage can be stored overnight in a large compartment underneath the deck where it can be locked away.
Cuisine on board
Around noon, we are happy to serve you a buffet lunch, carefully prepared to introduce you to Laotian cuisine and its typical flavors. Water, tea and coffee are complimentary during the cruise on the Mekong but we also have a bar, complete with rattan bar stools, serving wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks which can be purchased.
Perch here, appreciate the hospitable atmosphere of our boat, and a refreshing icy Beer Lao or chilled Chardonnay, amidst remote mountains.
The Luangsay Mekong cruise proposes here a one way journey over two days with one night accommodation at the LuangSay Lodge in Pakbeng.
PROGRAM DOWN RIVER [ Thai Border -> Luang Prabang ]: 2 DAYS
Day 1: HUAY XAI – PAKBENG (L/D)
The Luang Say boat leaves Huay Xai pier at 9.00am for a cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng. En route, one stop is made to observe rural life along the Mekong and observe minorities. A buffet lunch is served on board. We arrive in Pakbeng before sunset and check in at the Luang Say Lodge. Dinner on the terrace, overlooking the Mekong River.
Day 2: PAKBENG – PAK OU – LUANG PRABANG (B/L)
You will enjoy a full breakfast at the Lodge. (Optional: walk to Pakbeng market, where people from the surrounding village of minorities sell their goods). At 8.30am board the boat for the second leg of the cruise. A short stop is made to visit a hilltribe village where you can watch the traditional process of Lao whiskey production before having a buffet lunch on board. Continue to Pak Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, where you visit the Tam Thing Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. Arrive at Luang Prabang before sunset. End our services
Include:
- Transfer from Laos’s immigration to the pier in Houeisay or v.v.
- 2 days cruise with stops and visits en route
- 1 night accommodation at the Luang Say Lodge
- Meal plan as mentioned in the tour program ( 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast )
- Coffee, tea & drinking water on board and during meals.
- Admission fee at visiting points as mentioned in the program.
- Services of qualified crews during the cruise.
Exclude:
- Transfer from/to hotel to pier in Luang Prabang
- Shuttle boats to Chiang Khong / Houei Xay or Houei Xay / Chiang Khong
- Immigration fees in Houei Xay
- Soft and Alcohol Drinks during the trip.
- Visa approval and fees for Laos
- Services in Luang Prabang
- Personal insurance
- Other personal expenses
PROGRAM UP RIVER [ Luang Prabang -> Thai border ]: 2 DAYS
Day 1: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU – PAKBENG (L/D)
Luang Say boat leaves Luang Prabang pier at 7.30am for a cruise up the Mekong to Pakbeng and the Luang Say Lodge. A 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 the Tam Thing Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. Enjoy a buffet lunch on board then stop at a hilltribe village where you can watch the traditional process of Lao whiskey production. Arrive at Pak Beng around sunset and check in at Luang Say Lodge. Dinner on the terrace, overlooking the Mekong River. (*)
Day 2: PAKBENG – HUAY XAI (B/L)
Full breakfast at the Lodge. At 7.00am board the boat for the second leg of the cruise. En route one stop is made to observe rural life along the Mekong and observe minorities. Buffet lunch on board and then continue to Houei Say where you will arrive before 5.00pm. End our service
Include:
- Transfer from Laos’s immigration to the pier in Houeisay or v.v.
- 2 days cruise with stops and visits en route
- 1 night accommodation at the Luang Say Lodge
- Meal plan as mentioned in the tour program ( 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast )
- Coffee, tea & drinking water on board and during meals.
- Admission fee at visiting points as mentioned in the program.
- Services of qualified crews during the cruise.
Exclude:
- Transfer from/to hotel to pier in Luang Prabang
- Shuttle boats to Chiang Khong / Houei Xay or Houei Xay / Chiang Khong
- Immigration fees in Houei Xay
- Soft and Alcohol Drinks during the trip.
- Visa approval and fees for Laos
- Services in Luang Prabang
- Personal insurance
- Other personal expenses
The Luangsay Mekong cruises proposes here a one way journey over 3 days and 2 nights. Accommodations will be at the LuangSay Lodge in Pakbeng, and in the Kamu Lodge between Pak Beng and Luang Prabang.
PROGRAM DOWN RIVER [ Thai Border -> Luang Prabang ]: 3 DAYS
Day 1: HOUEI SAY – PAKBENG (L/D)
The Luang Say riverboat leaves Houai Xay pier at 09h00am for a cruise down the Mekong to Pakbeng. En route one stop is made to observe the rural life of the river tribes along the Mekong. There is a buffet lunch on board. The boat will arrive at Luang Say Lodge before sunset for overnight stop. Dinner is served at terrace overlooking the Mekong River.
Day 2: PAKBENG – KAMU LODGE (B/L/D)
Breakfast served at terrace around 07h30am In the morning visit the morning market (Optional) of Pakbeng where the nearby villagers and hill tribes buy and exchange their goods. The Luang Say riverboat departs at 08h30am for her second part of trip. The boat has a stop at Ban Baw to observe the processing traditional rice alcohol. Lunch is again served on board, then the boat cruise to Kamu Village. The boat will arrived at 14h00pm in Kamu Lodge for the check in. In the afternoon you may choose to participate in the different activities. You will be rewarded with a very original Lao experience.
* Rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields
* Gold panning (January to June) in the Mekong. Anything you find is yours!
* Jungle walks to search for medicinal plants
* Trekking through the forest to waterfalls
* Traditional fishing techniques. You can sample your catch for dinner!
* Local village visit
* Archery contest
Dinner and overnight at the Lodge
Day 3: KAMU LODGE – LUANG PRABANG (B/L)
Breakfast at lodge, after some time to relax and a visit to the village of Kamu, cruise down to Luang Prabang (UNESCO world heritage city) by Kamu Riverboat to Pak Ou village at the mouth of Nam Ou River, boat stops for a trip to visit Tam Ting ‘Caves of thousand Buddha’s’ then arrive Luang Prabang before Lunch. Lunch at Luang Prabang. End our service
Include
* Transfer from Laos’s immigration to the pier in Houeisay or v.v.
* 3 days cruise with stops and visits en route.
* 2 night accommodation at Luang Say Lodge and Kamu Lodge.
* Meal plan as mentioned in the tour program ( 3 lunches – 2 dinner – 2 breakfast )
* Coffee, tea & drinking water on board and during meals.
* Admission fee at visiting points as mentioned in the program.
* Services of qualified crews during the cruise.
Exclude
* Transfer from/to hotel to pier in Luang Prabang
* Shuttle boats to Chiang Khong / Houei Xay or Houei Xay / Chiang Khong
* Immigration fees in Houei Xay
* Soft and Alcohol Drinks during the trip.
* Visa approval and fees for Laos
* Services in Luang Prabang
* Personal insurance
* Other personal expenses
PROGRAM UP RIVER [ Luang Prabang -> Thai border ]:3 DAYS
Day 1: LUANG PRABANG – KAMU LODGE (L/D)
The Kamu Riverboat departs from Luang Prabang pier at 09h00am for a cruise up the Mekong River to Kamu Village. On the way to Pak Ou Village, at the mouth of the Nam Ou River a visit is organized to Tam Ting “Caves of a thousand Buddha’s”. Then boat to Kamu Village, arrival at Kamu lodge and check-in.
Lunch at the Lodge’s Sala:
In the afternoon you may choose to participate in the different activities. You will be rewarded with a very original Lao experience.
* Rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields
* Gold panning (January to June) in the Mekong. Anything you find is yours!
* Jungle walks to search for medicinal plants
* Trekking through the forest to waterfalls
* Traditional fishing techniques. You can sample your catch for dinner!
* Local village visit
* Archery contest
Dinner and overnight at the Lodge
Day 2: KAMU LODGE- PAKBENG (B/L/D)
Breakfast at lodge, after some time to relax and a visit to the village of Kamu, the Luang Say riverboat pick-up you at 11h00am for a cruise up the Mekong River to Pakbeng. A delicious Buffet lunch is served on board and a brief stop is made at Ban Baw to observe the processing traditional rice alcohol. The boat will arrived at Luang Say Lodge before sunset for overnight stop. Dinner is served at terrace overlooking the Mekong River.
Day 3: PAKBENG – HOUEISAY (B/L)
Breakfast served at terrace around 06h30am In the morning visit the morning market (Optional) of Pakbeng where the nearby villagers and hill tribes buy and exchange their goods. The Luang Say riverboat departs at 07h30am for her second part of trip. One stop is made to visit and admire the authentic rural life of hill tribe settlements. Lunch is again served on board. Reaching Houeisay before 17h00pm. End our service
Include
* Transfer from Laos’s immigration to the pier in Houeisay or v.v.
* 3 days cruise with stops and visits en route.
* 2 night accommodation at Luang Say Lodge and Kamu Lodge.
* Meal plan as mentioned in the tour program ( 3 lunches – 2 dinner – 2 breakfast )
* Coffee, tea & drinking water on board and during meals.
* Admission fee at visiting points as mentioned in the program.
* Services of qualified crews during the cruise.
Exclude
* Transfer from/to hotel to pier in Luang Prabang
* Shuttle boats to Chiang Khong / Houei Xay or Houei Xay / Chiang Khong
* Immigration fees in Houei Xay
* Soft and Alcohol Drinks during the trip.
* Visa approval and fees for Laos
* Services in Luang Prabang
* Personal insurance
* Other personal expenses
