Luang Say

AM: The Luang Say boat leaves Huay Xai pier at 9.30am (please be at Lao immigration office no later than 8.30) for a cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng.

After completing Thai immigration formalities, our Luang Say representative will help you get a shuttle bus to cross the bridge and go to Lao immigration.

Our Luangsay staff in Huay Xai will then welcome you to Laos after your Lao immigration formalities.

We will then transfer everyone to the Luangsay cruise boat, which is parked at the slow boat pier in Huay XAi (about 1 kilometer out of the town center). Every slow boat docks here from huge Chinese cargo boats, to small cross-river ferries, to long low-slung Lao passenger boats and many more.

After a one-hour journey along the river, 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.

PM: Lunch is served on board in a buffet style with a main course from Laos’ main culinary delights as well as a choice of fish and meat dishes.

The river cruise arrives at Luang Say Lodge near Pakbeng before sunset, giving plenty of time to refresh, enjoy the scenery of the river and admire the surrounding nature.

A Laotian dinner is served on the open-air terrace overlooking the Mekong River.

AM: Mornings are special times for breakfast at Luang Say Lodge with stunning sights of the peaceful neighboring mountains, often shrouded in mist, while a full breakfast is served on the expansive teak terrace.

The cruise departs for another day of nature discovery along the legendary river with two stops planned along the way to Luang Prabang.

A few hours into the day after enjoying the sights of granite cliffs and sparkling sandy shores, the river boat makes a stop to visit the hill tribe village of Baw, where you can watch the traditional process of making Lao whiskey.

“Baw village” is located on the Mekong River between Luang Prabang and Pakbeng. Ban Baw is a very old village. For over 600 years the village has held three different ethnicities: Lao Loum (the ethnic majority in Laos), Tai Lue and Shan, but these days the majority are Lao Loum. The population of 450 lives in 45 households.

Shan people came to Ban Baw as refugees from Burma. Since arriving in Laos, many of the Shan people have left via the Mekong River to Thailand. Those that remained have learnt to integrate with the Lao and their customs, believing currently in a mix of Buddhism and Animism (spirit worship). Nowadays, the three tribes live together in harmony as family and have developed similar customs to each other, wearing indistinguishable clothing and celebrating events such as weddings in the same fashion.

PM: Lunch is served on board in a buffet style with a main course from Laos’ cuisine. A different choice of fish and meat dishes than on the first day is prepared for a greater culinary experience.

Opposite the mouth of the Nam Ou River, near Pak Ou village, the cruise stops to visit the 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.

Following a day along the wide Mekong river, with beautiful sceneries of mountains, wild nature, local life and delicious food, the cruise arrives at Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos.

AM: Luang Say boat leaves Auberge Calao pier at 07h00am (please be at pier not later than 6.45 am) 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.

Opposite the mouth of the Nam Ou River, near Pak Ou village, the cruise stops to visit the 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.

PM: Lunch is served on board, buffet style with a main course from Laos’ main culinary delights as well as a choice of fish and meat dishes.

A few hours into the day after enjoying the sights of granite cliffs and sparkling sandy shores, the riverboat makes a stop to visit the hill tribe village of Baw, where you can watch the traditional process of making Lao whiskey.

The river cruise arrives at Luang Say Lodge near Pakbeng before sunset, giving plenty of time to refresh, enjoy the scenery of the river and admire the surrounding nature.

A Laotian dinner is served on the open air terrace overlooking the Mekong River.

AM: Mornings are special times at Luang Say Lodge with stunning sights of the peaceful neighboring mountains, often shrouded in mist, while a full breakfast is served on the expansive teak terrace.

The cruise departs for another day of nature discovery along the legendary river with one-stop planned along the way to Huay Xai.

PM: Lunch is served on board in a buffet style with a main course from Laos’ main culinary delights and a choice of fish and meat dishes.

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.

Within the Mekong region, the capital of the Lao province of Bokèo, Huay Xai is an important border crossing point with neighboring Chiang Khong, Thailand and was thus chosen as the ideal arrival port for the cruise.