Upper Mekong Slow Boat Cruise & Luang Prabang

Upper Mekong Slow Boat Cruise & Luang Prabang

This trip provides the perfect mix of adventure, nature and cultural history. Cruise the mighty Mekong River to Luang Prabang and explore the area’s jungles and mountains. Discover Laos’s colonial heritage in the architecture and museums of Luang Prabang. Travel to Kuang Si Waterfalls to take in the majestic beauty of the waterfall and its surroundings and swim in the clear, refreshing water from the falls.
Duration
6 days
Price from
$990
when
Year-round
destination
Laos
type
Tailor-made

itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Huay Xai & Cruise to Pakbeng

You will be picked up at the border town of Huay Xai and transferred to the pier to board your boat for a cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng. Stop to observe rural life along the river and visit ethnic minority villages. A picnic lunch is served on board. The boat will arrive at Pakbeng before sunset, giving plenty of time to freshen up, enjoy the river scenery and admire the surrounding nature.
 
Accommodation: In Pakbeng
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer distance: 10 km (6 mi)
Day 2

Cruise to Pak Ou Caves & Luang Prabang

The boat departs for another day of nature discovery along the river to Luang Prabang. Stop to visit a hill tribe village, where you can watch the traditional process of making Lao whiskey.
  
Continue down the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves, famed for their thousand Buddha statues. After a day on the wide Mekong River, with beautiful mountain scenery, wild nature and rural life, the cruise arrives at Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos.
 
Accommodation: In Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer distance: Nil
Day 3

Highlights of Luang Prabang

Begin your tour at Wat Xieng Thong, an exquisite 500-year-old temple, the best example of the classic Luang Prabang style. From here, make your way through small side streets to beautiful Wat Sene, known as the Temple of 100,000 Treasures. Continue walking up the peninsula, stopping at temples and other sites as you wish.
 
Visit the National Museum in the former Royal Palace, with exhibits from Laos’s royal past. Overlooking the palace is Phousi Mountain. It is said that those who do not climb the 328 steps up have not really arrived in the city. Venture up the hill to be rewarded with remarkable views of the city and the Mekong River.
 
For a late visit, we suggest the night market, where you can find a beautiful collection of hand-woven textiles and other crafts made by the hill tribes and local people of Luang Prabang.
 
Accommodation: In Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer distance: Nil
Day 4

Excursion to Kuang Si Waterfalls & Visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

Travel to the impressive Kuang Si Waterfalls and discover Lao ethnic minority groups in the villages along the way. At the waterfalls, you can swim in the clear water or just relax in the natural environment. On the way back, stop at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) to learn about Laos’s many ethnic cultures. The rest of your day can be spent exploring your surroundings at your leisure.
 
Accommodation: In Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer distance: 60 km (37 mi)
 
Option
Early risers can attend the morning Buddhist Alms Giving and watch hundreds of orange-robed monks walk through the streets of Luang Prabang receiving offerings of food from residents and businesses. Laos is one of the few Buddhist nations which preserves this tradition.
Day 5

Luang Prabang Free & Easy

A day at leisure to explore Luang Prabang on foot or by bicycle, walk around the old town, go shopping, or simply find a quiet café along the riverbank and relax.
 
Option 1: Market Tour & Cooking Class
 
The cooking class starts with an early guided visit to the local food market to learn about the various foods and local customs. Head to the cooking class venue where you will learn to cook delicious Lao dishes, then taste the food you have prepared.
 
Option 2: Evening Traditional Baci Ceremony
 
Experience a traditional Baci Ceremony in the evening, which involves tying strings to your wrists to keep bad spirits away and bring good luck.
 
Accommodation: In Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer distance: Nil
Day 6

Depart Luang Prabang

Enjoy your remaining time at your leisure and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
 
Accommodation: Check-out time is 12:00
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer distance: 10 km (6 mi

Tour RATES & details

A rough idea of the price and what is included in this tour program. The exact price depends on season, accommodation and activities, it will be provided on your personalised quote.

Group Size

Superior

2

808

3 – 6

781

7 – 11

591

12 – 16

526

Single Supp.

307

Group Size

Premium

2

896

3 – 6

692

7 – 11

502

12 – 16

437

Single Supp.

219

Group Size

Deluxe

2

896

3 – 6

692

7 – 11

502

12 – 16

437

Single Supp.

219

  • Rates are quoted in USD per person based on double sharing occupancy.
  • Rates are subject to change with or without prior notice. Amasia Travel reserve the right to change the quoted prices.
  • Rates do not apply over Christmas and New Year.
  • Five nights of hotel accommodation
  • Daily breakfast, three lunches and one dinner
  • All sightseeing as specified, including entrance fees
  • Private boat trip from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang
  • Transportation and transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Government tax and service charges
  • International and domestic flights and airport taxes
  • Lao visa
  • Meals not included in the itinerary
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuities for guides and drivers
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks
  • Any other services not specified in the itinerary

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