2-Day 1-Night Slow Boat Tour on the Mekong River: Huay Xai – Pakbeng – Luang Prabang
Multi-day tours
International tour
Experiential tour
Ecotourism tour
Standard
Departure point
→
Destination
Huay Xai, Bokeo, Laos
Huay Xai
Pakbeng
Luang Prabang
Mekong
2N1Đ (Participation Duration)
Boat - Cruise Ship,Car (Transportation)
English (Language)
Number of participants 0/12
0 booked
Tour description
Taking a slow boat from Huay Xai (opposite Chiang Khong in Thailand) downstream to Luang Prabang is one of Southeast Asia’s classic experiences. Over approximately 300 km, the Mekong River winds between forested mountain ranges, cliffs, white-sand beaches, and small villages without road access.
The program uses a private wooden boat (or a comfortable shared tourist boat for a small group) with comfortable seating, a toilet, and lunch on board—much more spacious than the public boat. Along the way, the boat stops at Khmu or Hmong ethnic villages for you to learn about riverside life.
The first night is spent in Pakbeng—a small town on the river—and on the second day, the journey continues downstream, stopping at Pak Ou Caves with thousands of Buddha statues before arriving in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.
The program uses a private wooden boat (or a comfortable shared tourist boat for a small group) with comfortable seating, a toilet, and lunch on board—much more spacious than the public boat. Along the way, the boat stops at Khmu or Hmong ethnic villages for you to learn about riverside life.
The first night is spent in Pakbeng—a small town on the river—and on the second day, the journey continues downstream, stopping at Pak Ou Caves with thousands of Buddha statues before arriving in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.
Meeting point:
View on map
Khách sạn của quý khách tại Huay Xai
Đón tại khách sạn ở Huay Xai (tỉnh Bokeo), kết thúc tại khách sạn ở Luang Prabang. Vui lòng gửi tên khách sạn sau khi đặt tour.
Detailed itinerary
Morning (07:30): The guide picks you up at your hotel in Huay Xai and takes you to the boat pier. 08:30: The boat departs downstream along the Mekong River.
Noon: Lunch on board.
Afternoon: Stop to visit a Khmu or Hmong village along the river.
17:00: Arrive in Pakbeng and check in at a riverside lodge.
Evening: Dinner and sunset views over the Mekong River. Overnight in Pakbeng.
Noon: Lunch on board.
Afternoon: Stop to visit a Khmu or Hmong village along the river.
17:00: Arrive in Pakbeng and check in at a riverside lodge.
Evening: Dinner and sunset views over the Mekong River. Overnight in Pakbeng.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Have breakfast and stroll through Pakbeng morning market. 07:30: The boat continues downstream along the Mekong River.
Noon: Have lunch on the boat.
Afternoon (15:00): Stop to visit Pak Ou Caves.
17:00: Arrive at Luang Prabang pier. The vehicle transfers you to your hotel, concluding the program.
Noon: Have lunch on the boat.
Afternoon (15:00): Stop to visit Pak Ou Caves.
17:00: Arrive at Luang Prabang pier. The vehicle transfers you to your hotel, concluding the program.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour price includes
• English-speaking local guide on the boat
• Private or small-group tourist boat with toilet
• 01 night at a riverside lodge/3-star hotel in Pakbeng (2 guests per room)
• Meals according to the itinerary: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
• Pak Ou Cave entrance ticket
• Bottled water, tea, coffee, and fruit on the boat
• Transfers to and from the boat piers in Huay Xai and Luang Prabang
• Private or small-group tourist boat with toilet
• 01 night at a riverside lodge/3-star hotel in Pakbeng (2 guests per room)
• Meals according to the itinerary: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
• Pak Ou Cave entrance ticket
• Bottled water, tea, coffee, and fruit on the boat
• Transfers to and from the boat piers in Huay Xai and Luang Prabang
Tour price excludes
• Laos visa and the fee for crossing the 4th Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (if traveling from Thailand)
• Single-room supplement
• Alcoholic beverages
• Tips for the guide and crew
• Travel insurance and personal expenses
• Single-room supplement
• Alcoholic beverages
• Tips for the guide and crew
• Travel insurance and personal expenses
Cancellation policy
Cancellation 7 days or more before departure: 100% tour refund.
Cancellation 3–6 days before departure: 50% tour refund.
Cancellation within 3 days of departure or no-show: non-refundable.
In the event of natural disasters, epidemics, or attraction closures required by the authorities, we will assist with changing the date or refunding the unused services.
Cancellation 3–6 days before departure: 50% tour refund.
Cancellation within 3 days of departure or no-show: non-refundable.
In the event of natural disasters, epidemics, or attraction closures required by the authorities, we will assist with changing the date or refunding the unused services.
Other notes
Currency: The Lao Kip (LAK) is the official currency; many places accept USD and Thai Baht, but it is advisable to exchange some money into Kip for spending at markets, small eateries, and in rural areas.
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; Vietnamese-, French-, Chinese-, or Thai-speaking guides can be requested (please notify us when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest, based on a private tour for groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visas: International travelers need a Laos visa (apply for an e-visa online before the trip or obtain a visa at international airports and international border crossings); ASEAN citizens are visa-exempt according to regulations. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
The trip can be booked in the reverse direction (Luang Prabang – Huay Xai; traveling upstream takes additional time). A light jacket is recommended because it can be quite cold on the river early in the morning during the dry season.
Illustrative photos: Mekong River Luang Phabang-Laos แม่น้ำโขง メコン川 DSCF7322 – 松岡明芳, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Mekong Rivertaxis Pakbeng Laos – Grossbildjaeger, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Day 1 From Luang Prabang to Pakbeng (12291531995) – Clay Gilliland, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Mekong River by Luang Prabang, Laos - 20091020 – Wendy Harman from Washington, D.C., USA., CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Mekong River Luang Phabang-Laos แม่น้ำโขง メコン川 DSCF7210 – 松岡明芳, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; Vietnamese-, French-, Chinese-, or Thai-speaking guides can be requested (please notify us when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest, based on a private tour for groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visas: International travelers need a Laos visa (apply for an e-visa online before the trip or obtain a visa at international airports and international border crossings); ASEAN citizens are visa-exempt according to regulations. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
The trip can be booked in the reverse direction (Luang Prabang – Huay Xai; traveling upstream takes additional time). A light jacket is recommended because it can be quite cold on the river early in the morning during the dry season.
Illustrative photos: Mekong River Luang Phabang-Laos แม่น้ำโขง メコン川 DSCF7322 – 松岡明芳, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Mekong Rivertaxis Pakbeng Laos – Grossbildjaeger, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Day 1 From Luang Prabang to Pakbeng (12291531995) – Clay Gilliland, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Mekong River by Luang Prabang, Laos - 20091020 – Wendy Harman from Washington, D.C., USA., CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Mekong River Luang Phabang-Laos แม่น้ำโขง メコン川 DSCF7210 – 松岡明芳, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Detailed price list
| Guest type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $230 |
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