Laos River Cruises

You will experience Luang Say Cruise on the Mekong River with three boats from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang, or vice versa. Passengers will have a relaxing night at Luang Say Lodge in Pakbeng for both cruise itineraries of Luang Say Boat.

The Pak Ou III is one of the three boats belonging to the Luang Say Mekong Cruises company. This boat sails between Houei Xai and Luang Prabang with a night at Luang Say Lodge. Launched in October 2000 (1 year after Pak Ou 2), its steel framework and wooden interior make it solid and comfortable. Longer than Pak Ou 2, with a similar capacity of 46 passengers, it is more spacious and comfortable.

This is one the most popular means of transportation on the Mekong in Laos especially for trips from Luang Prabang to Pakbeng or Houei Xai or from Houei Xai to Pakbeng or Luang Prabang. The boat is mainly made of iron and rosewood. There are different kinds of boats in term of size. The bigest boat can welcome maximum 35 pax whereas the smallest one can welcome only 5 pax.

The Vat Phou boat originally was a ferry that carried teak wood between Vientiane and the south of Laos before it was lovingly converted into a luxurious floating hotel. The design retains a character that is unmistakably oriental and enables you to relax in comfort while the cruise smoothly passes by the ever-changing pageant of river life and its glorious scenery. On board, there are English, French and Thai speaking guides who can help answer questions and point out any interesting sights along the way.

Nava Mekong belongs to Villa Maly Luang Prabang. It is a dining cruise with a capacity of 40 pax. The boat embarks daily at 5:30 pm and motors downstream to moor near a traditional village where traditional Lao dancers perform age-old sets that include interpretations of the royal ballet, rural life, folk tales and legends. The boat returns at 9 pm.

The local boat is medium size and is a good choice for trips on Nam Ou river from Muang Khua to Luang Prabang (via Muong Ngoi and Nong Khiaw). Visits to small villages along the Nam Ou River where travellers can discover local populations and Lao handicrafts (weaving, distillation of alcohol) are also possible.