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 at Luangsay Lodge

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.

Kamu Lodge

The Kamu Lodge is an eco­lodge surrounded by lush tropical vegetation in the heart of the Lao jungle, a perfect hideaway for people who want to get away from it all. It's a lodge where guests feel quickly at home, in comfortable mosquito­free tents, where they receive personal attention and where the individual still matters.

It's more than just a Lodge, it's a lifestyle based on the premise that contact with nature is essential to relieve stress, to rejuvenate and to rediscover a sense of self. Primitive paths throughout the area provide visitors with a dramatic experience under a jungle canopy. Rare amphibians, birds, butterflies, tropical flowers and plants provide eco­tourists with many delights!

Firmly committed to the sustainability of the environment and its denizens, Kamu Lodge brings together man an nature under the open skies, By providing employment to the local ethnic Kamu people living near the lodge, we ensure their livelihood and existence in this sometimes harsh environment. By utilizing some of the revenue gained from guests, Kamu Lodge has set aside a fund to provide basic education for the village's children.

Accommodation at Kamu Lodge

Purposely built Safari tents provide unique accommodation in Kamu Lodge, these have been specially imported from South Africa.

The Lodge features 20 private canvas tents. Faithful to local style, each one is protected from the elements by a thatch roof and feature solar power electricity. Aptly attached stone bathrooms are designed to blend perfectly with the surroundings, providing hot water and flushing toilets.

These tents are simple but comfortably furnished with bamboo and rattan furniture and all have private balconies, overlooking the Mekong river.

Activities

After lunch, you can choose to either relax in the veranda or partake in traditional Kamu lifestyles and activities:
 - Rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields
 - Gold panning in the Mekong. Anything you find is yours! (According to seasonality)
 - Jungle walks to search for medicinal plants
 - Trekking through the forest to waterfalls
 - Traditional fishing techniques. You can sample your catch for dinner!
 - Local village visit
 - Archery contest

Dinner is a feast by Kamu tribe standards. We want you to see the world from the Kamu's eyes. Experience their celebration of lives which urbanites have often forgotten. After dinner, retire to your tent.

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 to 30 Sep 11 departs every Monday and Friday.
- From 1 Oct 11 to 30 Apr 12 departs every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday.
 - please note : No operation in June for maintenance

Day 1: HOUEI SAY - PAKBENG (Lunch, Diner)
The Luang Say riverboat leaves Houai Xay pier at 09h00am for a cruise down the Mekong to Pakbeng. En route one stop is made to observe the rural life of the river tribes along the Mekong. There is a buffet lunch on board. The boat will arrive at Luang Say Lodge before sunset for overnight stop. Dinner is served at terrace overlooking the Mekong River.

Day 2: PAKBENG – KAMU LODGE (Breakfast, Lunch, Diner)
Breakfast served at terrace around 07h30am In the morning visit the morning market (Optional) of Pakbeng where the nearby villagers and hill tribes buy and exchange their goods.  The Luang Say riverboat departs at 08h30am for her second part of trip. The boat has a stop at Ban Baw to observe the processing traditional rice alcohol. Lunch is again served on board, then the boat cruise to Kamu Village. The boat will arrived at 14h00pm in Kamu Lodge for the check in. In the afternoon you may choose to participate in the different activities. You will be rewarded with a very original Lao experience.

• Rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields
• Gold panning (January to June) in the Mekong. Anything you find is yours!
• Jungle walks to search for medicinal plants
• Trekking through the forest to waterfalls
• Traditional fishing techniques. You can sample your catch for dinner!
• Local village visit
• Archery contest

Dinner and overnight at the Lodge

Day 3: KAMU LODGE – LUANG PRABANG (Breakfast, Lunch)
Breakfast at lodge, after some time to relax and a visit to the village of Kamu, cruise down to Luang Prabang (UNESCO world heritage city) by Kamu Riverboat to Pak Ou village at the mouth of Nam Ou River, boat stops for a trip to visit Tam Ting ‘Caves of thousand Buddha’s’ then arrive Luang Prabang before Lunch.
Lunch at Luang Prabang

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PROGRAM UP RIVER : [ Luang Prabang -> Thai border ] :

 - From 10 Oct ‘10 to 30 April ’11, departs every Friday, Monday and Tuesday.
 - From 11 May ’11 to 30 Sept ’11, departs every Friday and Tuesday.
 - From 11 Oct ‘10 to 30 April ’12, departs every Friday, Monday and Tuesday.
 - please note : No operation in June for maintenance

Day 1: LUANG PRABANG – KAMU LODGE (Lunch, Diner)
The Kamu Riverboat or a local boat departs from Kamu boat pier at 09h00am (please be at Kamu pier at 8h45) for a cruise up the Mekong River to Kamu Village. On the way to Pak Ou Village, at the mouth of the Nam Ou River a visit is organized to Tam Ting “Caves of a thousand Buddha’s”. Then boat to Kamu Village, arrival at Kamu lodge and check-in.  Lunch at the Lodge’s Sala: In the afternoon you may choose to participate in the different activities. You will be rewarded with a very original Lao experience.

• Rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields
• Gold panning (January to June) in the Mekong. Anything you find is yours!
• Jungle walks to search for medicinal plants
• Trekking through the forest to waterfalls
• Traditional fishing techniques. You can sample your catch for dinner!
• Local village visit
• Archery contest
  
  Dinner and overnight at the Kamu Lodge

Day 2: KAMU LODGE- PAKBENG (Breakfast, Lunch, Diner)
Breakfast at lodge, after some time to relax and a visit to the village of Kamu (optional visit), the Luang Say riverboat pick you up at 10:00-11h00am for a cruise up the Mekong River to Pakbeng. A delicious Buffet lunch is served on board and a brief stop is made at Ban Baw to observe the processing traditional rice alcohol. The boat will arrived at Luang Say Lodge before sunset for overnight stop. Dinner is served at terrace overlooking the Mekong River.

Day 3: PAKBENG – HOUEISAY (Breakfast, Lunch)
Breakfast served at terrace around 06h30am In the morning visit the morning market (Optional) of Pakbeng where the nearby villagers and hill tribes buy and exchange their goods. The Luang Say riverboat departs at 07h30am for her second part of trip. One stop is made to visit and admire the authentic rural life of hill tribe settlements. Lunch is again served on board. Reaching Houeisay before 17h00pm (you may proceed to Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai in the same day.)