Mekong Slow Boat Cruise | 2 Days | from HUAY XAI to LUANG PRABANG, LAOS

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Nagi of Mekong

5.00

(6 Reviews)

(6 customer reviews)
100% of travellers said they loved this activity.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Group Size: 8-38
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Accommodation: Hotel in Pak Beng included, plus transfers from/to boat
๐Ÿœ Food: Daily freshly cooked meals and refreshments on boat included
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ Start: Chiang Khong (Thailand) or Huay Xai (Laos)
๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡ฆ End: Luang Prabang (Laos)
๐ŸšŒ Transport: Modern, comfortable and spacious passenger boat equipped with safety gear
๐Ÿ›ป Pick-up: Pick-up at your hotel in Chiang Khong or Huay Xai included
๐Ÿ›ป Drop-off:Drop-off at your hotel in Luang Prabang included
๐Ÿ“ Departs: Departs Huay Xai every Friday, Sunday and Wednesday

From $140.00


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Overview

This legendary two-day voyage on the mighty Mekong River is one of the most memorable journeys that you can take in Southeast Asia. Take the journey in style on the Nagi of Mekong Cruise Boat, perfect for those who are looking for a little extra comfort and safety.

Launching from the border of Thailand and Laos in the small village of Huay Xai, you will slowly make your way to the beautiful temple-laden city of Luang Prabang in Laos. Along the way, you will witness epic scenery, glimpse local Laotian village life on the river bank and interact with like-minded travellers on this comfortable and spacious cruise boat. You could even spot an elephant! Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals, spend the night in a sumptuous hotel in Pak Beng (the halfway point) and simply sit back, relax and truly savour this boat journey of a lifetime! 

Safety Note ๐Ÿฆบ: Unlike many of the other boats that cruise the Mekong River, the Nagi of Mekong boats are regularly serviced and equipped with full safety equipment including life vests for all passengers.


Itinerary – 2 Days, 1 Night

Day 1: 

  • The morning begins with free pick-up from your hotel in Chiang Khong (or Huay Xai). Pick up is between 7.45-7.55am.
  • You will transfer to the pier (including luggage handling) and be assisted to ensure a smooth border crossing on both the Thai and Laos sides. (You will be helped with with your visa on arrival into Laos which is very simple. All you need to prepare is one passport photo and the relevant amount of US dollars for your nationalities’ visa fee.)
  • You will then continue onto the pier and board the beautiful ‘Nagi of Mekong’ boat for your first day of the cruise!
  • Tea and coffee are served once you are settled down and you can then start to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Mekong River.
  • Along the way you will witness the daily lives of the people living along the river bank, working, fishing, washing their laundry and even gold panning if the water level permits. A stop is made at a rural village before returning to the boat where a delicious hot lunch is served.
  • In the afternoon, you will arrive in Pak Beng and transfer to your chosen hotel.
  • You can enjoy the evening at your leisure and your host on the boat will be happy to assist you with any evening activities you fancy, such as where to dine and other things to do around Pak Beng.
  • Overnight in Pak Beng.

Day 2: 

    • Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Pak Beng and then board the Nagi of Mekong.
    • Following breakfast, board the Nagi of Mekong for the last leg of the cruise and make another stop at a local ethnic village along the river.
    • Elephants bathing and gold panning may be seen along the river bank.
    • Hot lunch provided.
    • After lunch, you will stop at the famous Pak Ou Cave Temple which houses thousands of Buddha images. You will have a fantastic view of the river from the viewpoint here.
    • Upon arrival at the pier in Luang Prabang, you will be whisked to your accommodation in the city by Tuk Tuk or a minivan.

About the Boat

The Nagi of Mekong boats are equipped with all of the necessary safety gear including life vests for all passengers. The boat also has modern-style toilets and comfortable seating with tables for you to dine, drink and play board games as you cruise down the Mekong. There is plenty of space on the boat for you to move around, stretch your legs and mingle with other passengers.


Accommodation

Cruise prices vary depending on your choice of accommodation in Pak Bang. There are four options:

  • Cruise only (No pre-organised accommodation in Pak Beng): You can choose your own accommodation in Pak Beng.
  • Standard Accommodation (BKC Villa, Monsavanh Guesthouse or Villa Mekong Guesthouse depending on availability): Basic air-conditioned room at a standard hotel (with breakfast included) at at Monsavanh Guesthouse or Villa Mekong Guesthouse. Price: $160USD in twin or double sharing. Single supplement is $20USD per person.
  • Premium Accommodation (Sanctuary Pak Beng Lodge): Air-conditioned room in a premium hotel (with breakfast included) at Sanctuary Pak Beng Lodge (with swimming pool). Price: $185USD per person in twin or double sharing room. Single supplement is $35USD per person.
  • Luxury Accommodation (Le Grande Pak Beng): Air-conditioned room in a premium hotel (with breakfast included) at Le Grande Pak Beng Hotel (with swimming pool). Price: $195USD per person in a twin or double sharing room. Single supplement is  $45USD per person.

Food

  • Freshly cooked lunch daily on the boat. Refreshments are available on board to quench your thirst.
  • Vegans, vegetarians, halal and other specific dietary requirements can be catered for. Please make a note in the ‘additional information’ box when booking.

Whatโ€™s Included:

  • Pick-up from your hotel in Chiang Khong on the Thai side or Huay Xai on the Lao side on the cruise morning to the boat.
  • Luggage handling.
  • Visa assistance.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Two-day escorted cruise with English-speaking host on board.
  • Daily freshly cooked lunch and refreshments.
  • Sightseeing stops en route and a visit to the famous Pak Ou Cave.
  • Accommodation in Pak Beng at at hotel of your choice.
  • Transfer from the pier in Luang Prabang to your hotel in the city.

Note on visas: Before the cruise day, you will be provided with the Lao visa application forms and other useful information that will help you have a smooth border crossing. Your host will assist you as much as they can on both the Thai and Laos sides.


Payment:

To reserve your place on this tour, you will need to pay a deposit online with South East Asia Backpacker via credit or debit card. The remaining payment must be made before you depart on the tour in cash (most currencies are accepted) or via Wise. The operator is not able to accept payments by debit or credit card. The full balance must be settled before you depart on the tour.

Refund Policy

  • To book, pay a deposit online through South East Asia Backpacker. This deposit is fully refundable if you cancel at least 72 hours before the activity starts.
  • The rest of the payment is made directly to the operator according to their instructions.
  • Important: This refund policy applies only to the deposit made on this website. Any later payments made to the operator are subject to their own refund policy.
  • Check our customer terms and conditions for more details.

Why Book With Us?

Hi, I’m Nikki and I started South East Asia Backpacker in 2008 after my own first solo backpacking trip! My vision was to create a travel diary for everyone, a place for travellers to share their experiences from the road. After backpacking and writing about Southeast Asia for over 10 years, I saw the opportunity to provide backpackers with the kind of experiences that I’d treasured myself in the region!

Today, there is so much choice, but there are a lot of poor-quality tours and companies that offer mediocre experiences with little care for the environment. I wanted to create a selection of the best tours and activities to help backpackers avoid scams and dodgy tour companies.

Today, I run this website with my partner, Dave, from Spain, where we live with our energetic two-year-old daughter, Evie. All of the bookable activities that you will find on this website have been vetted by a member of our team and we have a friendly relationship with the operator. There are real humans behind South East Asia Backpacker and we are passionate about sustainable travel and development in Southeast Asia.

We are committed to helping travellers at every stage of the journey and understand that plans can change which is why we offer a full discount on the deposit up to 72 hours before the start of your trip, no questions asked. We offer advice on flights, visas, itineraries, hostels, backpacks, packing and more!

If you have any questions about our business or any of the tours that we provide, feel free to contact me on Whatsapp.

Q & A

If we set off from Huay Xai on Sunday what time on the Monday will we be back at our hotels in Luang Prabang for?# Thank you Georgia Tominey-Smith asked on 05/11/2024

Hi there! Thanks for your question. The boat arrives at the pier in Luang Prabang at around 17:00 and you should be at your hotel (depending on the location) by 17:30 - 17:45.

Nikki @ Backpacker Bookings answered on 06/11/2024 Backpacker Team
(0) (0)
when can I book for the 5 March 2025 departure from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang? Marion Jean SMITH asked on 05/10/2024

Hi Marion, the departure dates from March 2025 onwards have not yet been released by the boat company. Departure dates will be confirmed nearer the time. I can let you know when it's available to book by email or Whatsapp if you send me your details. All the best!

Nikki @ Backpacker Bookings answered on 07/10/2024 Backpacker Team
(0) (0)
What is the difference with the more luxurious roomoptions and the standard? Lisanne asked on 27/08/2024

Hi Lisanne,

1) Standard accommodation will be at either BKC Villa, Monsavanh Guesthouse or Villa Mekong Guesthouse depending on availability. These are basic AC rooms (breakfast included).

2) Premium Accommodation will be at Sanctuary Pak Beng Lodge. These are AC rooms in a premium hotel with swimming pool (breakfast included).

3) Luxury Accommodation will be at Le Grande Pak Beng. An AC room in a premium hotel with swimming pool (breakfast included).

I will ask the hotels and add some photos to the description!

Nikki @ Backpacker Bookings answered on 27/08/2024 Backpacker Team
(0) (0)
is there electricity on board to charge phones and laptops ? Martin asked on 12/08/2024

Hi Martin, there are no electricity outlets on the boat, but you can charge your phone/laptop at the hotel in Pak Beng.

Nikki @ Backpacker Bookings answered on 13/08/2024 Backpacker Team
(1) (0)
is it easy to load and unload luggage as I will have a wheel suitcase Martin asked on 12/08/2024

Hi there! Yes, it is very easy. There are also porters to help with luggage, so you don't need to worry about having a wheeled suitcase.

Nikki @ Backpacker Bookings answered on 13/08/2024 Backpacker Team
(1) (0)

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Operator Information

  • Store Name: Nagi of Mekong
  • Operator: Nagi of Mekong
  • 5.00 rating from 6 reviews

6 reviews for Mekong Slow Boat Cruise | 2 Days | from HUAY XAI to LUANG PRABANG, LAOS

5.0
Based on 6 reviews
5 star
100
100%
4 star
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Traveller Photos

Image #1 from Alexandre Girard
Image #1 from Alexandre Girard

Alexandre Girard

We are a family of 4 (with 2 kids, 8 and 10) and we had a great time during this trip. It's slow travel but the scenery is perfect to spend time looking around. Our guide has been great, with answers for a lot of specific knowledge about this part of Asia. Also, the hotel selected for the mid-journey has been great, with a swimming pool and a nice view for sunset. I would recommend this tour to family and friends who want to travel in this region.

(0) (0)
Image #1 from Alexandre Girard
1-5 of 6 reviews
  1. Boat was super. Guide was super. Hotel was extraordinary. Booking was easy. Perfect solution for a family with kids (9&11y). Much more expensive than the regular slowboat but good value for money and very reasonable. Thank you .

    (0) (0)
  2. We are a family of 4 (with 2 kids, 8 and 10) and we had a great time during this trip.

    It’s slow travel but the scenery is perfect to spend time looking around. Our guide has been great, with answers for a lot of specific knowledge about this part of Asia.

    Also, the hotel selected for the mid-journey has been great, with a swimming pool and a nice view for sunset.

    I would recommend this tour to family and friends who want to travel in this region.

    Image #1 from Alexandre Girard
    (0) (0)
  3. Amazing experience! The trip is very comfortable, with a great guide, great food and nice accommodation. Highly recommend spending a little extra for this cruise

    (0) (0)
  4. We played with the idea for a long time before taking the leap on this trip as it is rather pricey compared to the local longboat trip they offer. After seeing the comparison in boat, we were extremely happy we chose to upgrade with Nagi of Mekong. Our guide, Tune, was incredible. His English was brilliant, his manner and hospitality was second to none, happy to answer all of our annoying questions too! The facilities on the boat couldnโ€™t be better, comfy seats, lovely prepared food, even the bathroom was lovely. Doing the journey this way was completely invaluable as it allowed us to experience the views in a comfortable way, and to make stops too.

    Something that cannot be missed off this review – we would not have boooked using South East Asia Backpacker if it wasnโ€™t for Nickiโ€™s attentive guidance that we received upon enquiry. No question too stupid for her to answer, troubleshooting everything as we needed.

    Thank you very much for making the entry into Laos seamless and incredibly enjoyable.

    Sam

    (0) (0)
  5. We had the best time during these two days on the Mรฉkong river to get to Luang Prabang. The boat is great, lots of space, the staff is super friendly, the food is very good. We were on the boat for almost 8 hours each day, but it went by so quick, even our two kids (8 and 13) loved it. I recommend 100%, it’s more expensive than traditional slow boat but very worth it when you compare the expรฉrience… It’s also very easy to communicante with Nikki, she’s lovely and very helpful ๐Ÿ˜Š

    (0) (0)
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Mekong Slow Boat Cruise | 2 Days | from HUAY XAI to LUANG PRABANG, LAOS Mekong Slow Boat Cruise | 2 Days | from HUAY XAI to LUANG PRABANG, LAOS
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