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Cruise along the scenic banks of the Mekong River in southern Laos with a 3 day/2 night cruise. The Vat Phou cruise boat boasts 12 cabins, all with air-conditioning and private bathrooms, also owning open and shaded decks, a restaurant and a bar.

The cruise will introduce you to some breathtaking points of call such as the UNESCO World Heritage Vat Phou ruins at Champassak, the 4,000 islands, the Pha Pheng waterfall on the Laos and Cambodian border and the Oum Muong ruins.
If you are seeking a comfortable journey along the Mekong while appreciating the surrounding colorful culture of this fascinating part of the world, the luxury Vat Phou Cruises is the best choice in Lao. If you ever dreamt of cruising down the Mekong River, do it with style – do it with Vat Phou Cruises.

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Down RiverUp River

CRUISE 2 DAYS & 1 NIGHT – Down River

DAY 1

HUAY XAI > VILLAGE > PAKBENG

HUAY XAI (Houei Sai)

– Departure 9h30 –

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 departing port for the cruise.

TRADITIONAL LAOS VILLAGE

– 10h30 –

After one-hour journeying 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.

LUNCH

– 12h30 –

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.

PAKBENG

– 16h00 –

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.

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CRUISE 2 DAYS & 1 NIGHT – Down River

DAY 2

PAKBENG > PAK OU > LUANG PRABANG

LUANG SAY LODGE

– 7h00 –

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.

SECOND DAY OF THE CRUISE

– 8h00 –

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

TRADITIONAL LAOS VILLAGE

– 10h30 –

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.

LUNCH

– 12h30 –

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.

CAVES OF THOUSAND BUDDHAS

– 15h30 –

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.

LUANG PRABANG

– 17h00 –

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.

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Huay Xai (Houei Sai)

The Luang Say boat leaves Houei Sai 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 Houei Say (Houayxay) will then welcome you to Laos after your Lao immigration formalities.

(You can check the frequently asked questions for more specific details)

We will then transfer everyone to the Luangsay cruise boat, which is parked at the slow boat pier in Houei Say (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.

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

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Visit the village of Ban Houy Phalam

Ban Houy Phalam is a small traditional Kamu village nestled  on the Mekong river between Houei Say and Pakbeng.

This village was built early this century and is now home to more than 85 families.

Kamu houses are traditionally built on stilts. The houses are mostly made of local wood but sometimes they use plaited bamboo for the walls.

The space underneath the houses is used as a storage place for tools, firewood and animals such as chickens, ducks, pigs etc. The interior layout of Kamu houses consists of one large room that welcomes the whole family and features a corner for cooking. The most elaborate houses also have a large balcony along the entire length of the house.

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TRADITIONAL LAOS VILLAGE - BAW Village

“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 live in 45 house holds.

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.

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CAVES OF THOUSAND BUDDHAS

Twenty five kilometres away from Luang Prabang, opposite the mouth of the Nam Ou River, are the Pak Ou caves. There are two caves Tham Thing (the lower cave) and Tham Phoum (the upper cave).

These caves contain thousands of Buddha images and are of great religious importance to the Theravada Buddhists in Laos. These caves were converted into Buddhist temples in the 15th century and are used as a site for old Buddha images that can no longer be venerated in a temple, either because they are damaged or the temple they were displayed in has been destroyed.

At Laos New Year, pilgrimages of Lao people go by boat to the caves and perform the washing ceremony of all the old Buddha images. Previously this was performed by the King and members of the Royal Family but now is performed by the Governor of Luang Prabang and local families.

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LUANG PRABANG

Luang Prabang is the cultural and religious capital of Laos, and was also the Royal capital until 1975 when the Pathet Lao forced King Sisavang Vatthana to abdicate. During the time of the Lan Xang kingdom, between 13-16th centuries, Luang Prabang was also the administrative capital of Laos instead of Vientiane.

Luang Prabang is now the only city in Laos where ethnic Lao people make up the majority rather than Chinese, Vietnamese or Thai.

In 1995, UNESCO made Luang Prabang a world heritage city to try and preserve the old French Indo-Chinese architecture. This move has also helped preserve the ancient traditions and trades which make Laos unique.

It is possible to watch people making sa (mulberry bark) paper, silver jewellery and plates, rattan baskets, wood carvings and textiles in many small shops all through the little alleyways and laneways of Luang Prabang.

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