Luang Say boat

Luang Say Mekong Cruises has three boats travelling from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang, or, from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai.  Both cruises stop over for one night in our Luang Say Lodge in Pakbeng.

Our boats are 34 metres long with a 420 HP engine and a steel hull for strength and safety. The boats have a capacity for 40 people in comfortable seats and benches. Each seat has an open air vista. We have coffee tables with magazines and booklets to read during your cruise. The central section of our Luangsay 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 both a French and English speaking guide who are able to answer your questions and point out any sights of interest along the way. We also have a fearless captain, a qualified mechanic and a boat boy.  On board we have two western style toilets, one at the back of the boat and one next to the bar in the central section. Life jackets are available in a variety of sizes including childrens sizes. There are also rails around the sides of the boat for safety. Luggage can be stored overnight in a large compartment underneath the deck where it can be locked away.

Life onbard

Around noon, we are happy to serve you a buffet lunch, carefully prepared to introduce you to Laotian cuisine and its typical flavors. Water, tea and coffee are complimentary during the cruise on the Mekong but we also have a bar, complete with rattan bar stools, serving wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks which can be purchased. We can cater for special meals requests, if you advise us in advance.
Perch here, appreciate the hospitable atmosphere of our boat, and a refreshing icy Beer Lao or chilled Chardonnay, amidst remote mountains. Its just hell in the tropics! ;-)

Luangsay Lodge

On the left bank of the river, the Luang Say Lodge is backed by mountainous jungle. The large pavilions of solid teak and rosewood all have beautiful vistas looking out over the Mekong river 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. The Luang Say Lodge sits majestically above the Mekong River, blending artfully into the natural environment through careful landscaping, raised platforms and indigenous styling. It features 17 large pavilions, each elegantly furnished in dark toned wood and white fabrics, and offering stunning views on three sides of the Mekong. A central riverbank restaurant is reached by wooden walkways from the pavillions. Here you will enjoy fine, mainly organic, food and can order a choice of drinks from the well stocked bar. On days with passengers exceeding 20 people, we include an ethnic minority dance performance in the restaurant area. The performers are a mixture of our Luang Say Lodge staff, local villagers and school children.

Bungalow

Built in 1998, the LuangSay Lodge is situated on four hectares of land with a traditional Laotian architectural design of 20 large bungalows, each with large open air windows looking out over the Mekong River and mountains.

Each room is fitted with comfortable beds, mosquito nets, electric mosquito coils, a ceiling fan and private bathrooms. Your spacious bathroom has a hot shower and a western style toilet. We have wooden walkways linking all the rooms to the central restaurant and bar area, through our lovely gardens. Our guests often fall under the charm of this place and wish to stay more than one night. If you like to do so, you may want to enquire about it in advance, it can often be arranged.

PROGRAM DOWN RIVER [ Thai Border -> Luang Prabang ]:
From 1 Oct 10 to 30 Apr 11 departs every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday.
From 01 May 11 - 30 Sep 11 departs every Monday and Friday.
From 1 Oct 11 to 30 Apr 12 departs every Monday, Thursday & Friday, Sunday.
* no operation from 01 to 30 June every year for annual maintenance.

Day 1: HUAY XAI - PAKBENG
The Luang Say boat leaves Huay Xai pier at 9.00am for a cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng. En route, one stop is made to observe rural life along the Mekong and observe minorities. A buffet lunch is served on board. We arrive in Pakbeng before sunset and check in at the Luang Say Lodge. Dinner on the terrace, overlooking the Mekong River.

Day 2: PAKBENG - PAK OU - LUANG PRABANG
You will enjoy a full breakfast at the Lodge. (Optional: walk to Pakbeng market, where people from the surrounding village of minorities sell their goods). At 8.30am board the boat for the second leg of the cruise. A short stop is made to visit a hilltribe village where you can watch the traditional process of Lao whiskey production before having a buffet lunch on board. Continue to Pak Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, where you visit the Tam Thing Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. Arrive at Luang Prabang before sunset.

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PROGRAM UP RIVER [ Luang Prabang -> Thai border ]:
(the same tour but in reverse)
From 1 Oct 10 to 30 Apr 11, departs every Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday.
From 01 May 11 - 30 Sep 11, departs every Wednesday & Saturday.
From 1 Oct 11 to 30 Apr 12, departs every Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday.
* no operation from 01 to 30 June every year for annual maintenance.

Day 1: LUANG PRABANG - PAK OU - PAKBENG
Luang Say boat leaves Luang Prabang pier at 7.30am 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, at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, where you will visit the Tam Thing Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. Enjoy a buffet lunch on board then stop at a hilltribe village where you can watch the traditional process of Lao whiskey production. Arrive at Pak Beng around sunset and check in at Luang Say Lodge. Dinner on the terrace, overlooking the Mekong River. (*)

Day 2: PAKBENG - HUAY XAI
Full breakfast at the Lodge. At 7.00am board the boat for the second leg of the cruise. En route one stop is made to observe rural life along the Mekong and observe minorities. Buffet lunch on board and then continue to Houei Say where you will arrive before 5.00pm (you may proceed to Chiang Rai, Thailand in the same day.)

(*) From November to February, on our upstream (Luang Prabang to Houei Say) itinerary, we are sometimes unable to fit a visit to the whiskey village.  We apologise for this but as it can be foggy in the mornings, and getting dark early, we need to ensure the safety of our passengers to get to the LuangSay Lodge during daylight.