Luang Say Cruise Luang Prabang to Thailand

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Luang Say Cruise

Luang Say Boat

Luang Say at Pakbeng

Bedroom at Luang Say Lodge

Enjoy the view

Restaurant

Entertainment

Overview
In Brief
On Board
Luang Say Lodge
FAQ's
Pricing
Customise

Luang Say Cruise

Luang Say have been operating their cruise between Luang Prabang and Thailand's Golden Triangle since 1999 and the journey offers a unique cultural experience through this beautiful landscape along the Mekong.

Luang Say now has 3 boats cruising in both directions.

Overnight accommodation is at the Luang Say Lodge at Pakbeng which offers a very comfortable overnight stay in free-standing bungalows.

A restaurant serves dinner and breakfast on a terrace overlooking the river.

The journey also includes a visit to the famous Pak Ou Caves near Luang Prabang as well as two stops at tradtional riverside villages.

As with all of our Laos tours, this one can be tailored to fit in with a longer tour through Laos and Thailand or beyond.

Just let us know your preferences and we can adjust things as you wish and tailor make your perfect journey through Laos.

Inclusions

Accommodation at Luang Say Lodge
All meals whilst on cruise
Private car transfers in Luang Prabang & Chiang Rai

Accommodation

1 night Pakbeng - Luang Say Lodge

Excursions

Shore excursions during journey as mentioned

Day 1: Luang Prabang – Pakbeng

This morning you will be collected from your hotel early and transferred to board the Luang Say, which departs at 7 a.m.

Breakfast is served on board whilst the boat cruises towards Pak Ou.

Opposite the mouth of the Nam Ou River, near Pak Ou village, the cruise stops for a visit to Tam Thing cave.

Translated as Rock Cave, it is famous for housing over 2,500 Buddha statues of all sizes and for being a place of pilgrimage for locals.

Return to the boat for lunch before continuing upstream passing by granite cliffs and sparkling sandy shores.

The Luang Say makes a stop for a visit to the hilltribe village of Baw, where you can watch the traditional process of making Lao whiskey.

The Luang Say reaches Pakbeng around 5 pm where a dinner is served on a terrace overlooking the river.

Sometimes a display of local dancing is included.

Overnight Luang Say Lodge, Pakbeng. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included.

Day 2: Pakbeng – Huay Xai – Chiang Rai (Thailand)

Breakfast is served on the terrace at Luang Say Lodge from 7 am and the boat departs upstream at 8 am with lunch served on board.

After lunch, the boat stops at a traditional village. This is a chance to observe rural life along the Mekong and witness the daily life of ethnic minorities and their talented craftsmanship.

The boat reaches Huay Xay on the Thai border around 5 pm where you will be assisted with border formalities, met by your guide and transferred to your chosen hotel in Chiang Rai or the Golden Triangle by private car.

On Board

Luang Say Mekong Cruises has three boats travelling from Huay Xay to Luang Prabang and vice versa.

All programs stop over for one night at Luang Say Lodge in Pakbeng.

Each boat is 34 metres long with a 420 HP engine and a steel hull for strength and safety.

The boats have a capacity for 40 people seated in comfortable chairs and benches. Each seat has an open air vista.

There are also some coffee tables with magazines and booklets to read during the cruise.

The central section of the 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 an English speaking guide who is able to answer your questions and point out the many sights of interest along the way.

The crew also consits of a captain, a qualified mechanic and a boat boy.

There are two western style toilets on board.

Life jackets are carried on board in a variety of sizes including sizes for children.

There are also rails around the sides of the boat for passenger safety.

Luggage can be stored and locked securely overnight in a large compartment underneath the deck.

Luang Say Lodge

On the left bank of the river, the Luang Say Lodge is backed by mountainous jungle.

The Luang Say Lodge sits peacefully above the river, blending artfully into the natural environment through careful landscaping, raised platforms and indigenous styling.

It features 20 large pavilions, each elegantly furnished in dark-toned wood and white fabrics, and offering stunning panoramic views on three sides of the Mekong.

The large pavilions of solid teak and rosewood all have beautiful views over the Mekong and the mountains beyond.

The traditional Laotian architecture provides accommodation of comfort and character, each bedroom equipped with high ceiling mosquito nets, electric fans and a large private bathroom with hot shower and western style toilet.

Restaurant

A central riverbank restaurant is reached by wooden walkways from the pavilions.

Here you can enjoy fine, mainly organic, food and can order a choice of drinks from the well-stocked bar.

A buffet dinner of traditional Lao food and continental breakfasts are served in this restaurant area.

On days with passengers exceeding 20 people, there is normally an ethnic minority dance performance in the restaurant area.

The performers are a mixture of Luang Say Lodge staff, local villagers and school children.

The Lodge also has a fully equipped bar serving soft drinks, beer Lao and spirits.

Laotian coffee, tea and drinking water, are included free for the duration of your stay at the Lodge.

Is this a Private Tour or a Group Tour?

All of our tours are private tailor made itineraries, customised for you - we can amend things to entirely suit you.

You will have your own private car, driver and guide on excursions on our tailor made tours. Shore excursions on the Luang Say cruise are on a shared basis and this short river cruise journey is effectively on a shared basis.

What are the departure dates?

Let us know your preferred dates of travel and we will find the best and most suitable flights to fit your itinerary.

The Luang Say departs almost daily in both directions.

Which Airlines do you use?

We work with all the major airlines flying to this part of the world.

Typically for Laos, Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines would be airlines we most often use.

However, just let us know your preferred airline if you have one. We can organise flights from any regional destination in the UK.

Which Hotels do you use?

We're careful with our choice of hotels, but we're guided by our customers also. If you have some preferred hotels, just let us know.

We specialise in boutique hotels and so we will often suggest some of our favourite smaller hotels where we think these will be suitable.

We keep on top of hotel developments in Laos from our office in Vietnam and regularly inspect the hotels we use.

On this particular trip you will be staying overnight at the Luang Say Lodge.

Do you cater for Solo Travellers?

Yes, we have many solo travellers, and Laos is a very safe, friendly and welcoming destinations for those travelling alone.

River cruises on the Mekong through Laos are a popular option for solo travellers, especially with Pandaw Cruises who offer no Single Supplements on many departures.

How long have you been organising holidays to Indochina?

We've been organising tailor made holidays to Laos & Indochina for over 10 years.

Our team has a wealth of combined experience in the industry and our Director has been involved in organising holidays to Indochina since the early 1990's.

Our partners on the ground in Indochina have over 20 years experience in operating there.

They understand the region extremely well and have a strong infrastructure of staff, guides and vehicles.

We've had the same partnership in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos for over 10 years.

How does your office in Vietnam help?

We have our own staff in Saigon which helps in many ways with our customers in Indochina and South East Asia.

It helps us to keep on top of any new hotel and travel developments in the region and forge stronger relationships with hotels and other partners.

We regularly do our own inspections of hotels and destinations in the region.

Should our clients need any assistance during a trip, we always have at least one of our own staff on the same time zone, and we're open 7 days a week in Saigon.