Laos Upstream-Downstream Shompoo Cruise between Luang Prabang & Houay Xay via Pak Beng

I. DOWNSTREAM CRUISE – 2 DAYS OF BOAT SERVICES

• From October to March: Departure every Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.
• From April to September: Departure every Monday and Friday.

DAY 1: HOUAY XAY – PAKBENG (L)

At 08:00am, the guests will meet our English-Speaking guide with a welcome sign at Houay Xay
immigration office (Lao border).
Our guide will assist customers to apply for the visa. After getting the VISA, guests will take a
sharing transfer (minivan) to the slow boat pier to embark on the boat.
During the morning, Quick lecture about Do’s and Don’ts in Laos and fun facts will be presented
by our guide.
Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board.
Before reaching Pakbeng, we will stop to visit a traditional Kamu village (Ban Houa Phalam), a
tiny cozy place which host about 90 families. Travelers will learn about rural lifestyle in a very
remote area.
The boat will arrive at Pakbeng before the night.
Overnight in your hotel in Pakbeng.

Note:
We recommend to the travelers to be at Chiang Khong thai immigration border at before
07:30am to make sure to meet our guide in Lao side on time.
If the travelers are already in Houay Xay, we will arrange pick up at their hotel between
08:30am and 09am.
The boat will leave Houay Xay at latest at 09am.

DAY 2: PAKBENG – LUANG PRABANG (B, L)

The boat will leave Pakbeng at 08am. Enjoy the beautiful nature and jungle during your journey.
In the morning, our guide and cooker will make a short demonstration on how to make some lao
desserts and local drinks that travelers will eat later in the afternoon.
First stop will be at Ban Baw village, a complex but harmonic mixed of three ethnicity: Lao Loun,
Shan and Tai Lue. Today the village is famous for its lao lao whiskey making.
Right after the visit, a Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board.
In the afternoon, the boat will stop for the second visit at the Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its
over two thousands Buddha statues. It is one of the most important Pilgrimage place for lao
people.
After the visit, enjoy the homemade desserts and drinks made by our team and the travelers.
The boat will arrive in Luang Prabang before 4:30pm.
End of services.

II. UPSTREAM CRUISE – 2 DAYS OF BOAT SERVICES

• From October to March: Departure every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
• From April to September: Departure every Wednesday and Sunday.

DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG – PAKBENG (L)

The boat leaves Luang Prabang at 7:00am for upstream the Mekong to Pakbeng.
French Breakfast is served on board.
In the morning, we will stop to visit Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its over two thousands Buddha
statues. It is one of the most important Pilgrimage place for lao people.
After the visit, our English speaking guide will organize a small lecture and will explain the different
ethnicities here in Laos.
Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board.
In the afternoon, quick visit at Ban Baw village, a complex but harmonic mixed of three ethnicity:
Lao Loun, Shan and Tai Lue. Today the village is famous for its laol ao whiskey making.
The boat arrives in Pakbeng before the night.
Overnight in Pakbeng
Note: meeting point is 06:45am at our boat pier.

DAY 2: PAKBENG – HOUAY XAY (B, L)

Embark at 7:00am on the boat. Normally your hotel in Pakbeng must have prepared a take away
breakfast box for the shompoo cruise travelers that they can eat on board.
In the morning, our guide and cooker will make a short demonstration on how to make some lao
desserts and local drinks that travelers will eat later in the afternoon.
Just before lunch, the boat will stop to visit a traditional Kamu village (Ban Houa Phalam), a tiny
cozy place which host about 90 families. Travelers will learn about rural lifestyle in a very remote
area.
Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board.
Before to reach Houay Xay pier, enjoy the homemade desserts and drinks made by our team and
the travelers.
The boat will arrive at destination before 4:30pm (possibility to continue the journey to Thailand
on the same day).

End of services.

PRICE LIST:

* Option 1 with Basic Hotels:

+ Group of 1 person: 436 USD per person (Single room)

+ Group of 2 persons & Upwards: 390 USD per person (double or twin)

+ Single Supplement: 45 USD

* Option 2 with Comfort Hotel:
+ Group of 1 person: 530 USD per person (Single room)

+ Group of 2 persons & Upwards: 435 USD per person (double or twin)

+ Single Supplement: 75 USD

* Option 3 with Premium Hotel:
+ Group of 1 person: 590 USD per person (Single room)

+ Group of 2 persons & Upwards: 450 USD per person (double or twin)

+ Single Supplement: 95 USD

* PAKBENG ACCOMMODATION
BASIC HOTEL:
Overnight in MEKONG RIVERSIDE LODGE. Rooms contain wooden floor, clean bed sheet,
private bathroom with hot/cold shower, fan and private balcony with Mekong view. Breakfast
 included.

* COMFORT HOTEL:
Overnight in SANCTUARY PAKBENG LODGE. Well designed and spacious room. All the room
face the Mekong with their own private balcony. All our rooms are equipped with Complimentary
Tea & Coffee in-room, AC units and Wi-Fi Internet. Swimming pool available. Breakfast 
included.

* PREMIUM HOTEL:
Overnight in LE GRAND PAKBENG. Most luxury hotel in Pakbeng. Infinite pool with luxury bar
available. Biggest rooms in town with top view. Breakfast included.

* NOTICES:
• For downstream, out boats leave Houay Xay pier at latest for 9:00am. So please be in front of
Lao immigration office in Houay Xay for 0800am. One of our team will wait with a sign of guest
names.
• If the guests stay already in Houay Xay, pick up will be arranged directly at their hotel between
0830am and 09am.
• For upstream, our boats leave Luang Prabang at 7:00am. So please be at our boat
pier at 6:45am.
• From November to February, it can get cold during the cruise, do not forget to bring a jacket.
• It is possible to leave luggage and suitcase on the boat and take only small daypack for your
overnight in Pakbeng.
• For safety reasons and according to the weather conditions, the program may change
without prior notice.
These prices are calculated based on today’s exchange rate (1 USD = 17,600 kips).
Consequently, the mentioned prices are fixed as far as the variation of the exchange rate does
not exceed +/- 10%.
• These prices are calculated based on today’s oil cost per liter in Luang Prabang (22,200
kips/liter). Consequently, the mentioned prices are fixed as far as the variation of the oil cost does
not exceed +/- 10%.
• If the variation would exceed +/-10 % (whatever the origin), information regarding updated costs
would be sent by email.
• If a deposit already covers the booking, SHOMPOO CRUISE will maintain the prices initially
agreed upon, regardless of an oil price or exchange rate increase.

* CHILD POLICY
Free of charge for children under 6 years old.
Between 6 and 12 years old, we charge 50% of the normal rate.
Over 13 years old, full rate is applied.

* PROGRAMS INCLUDED (only applicable for joining cruise*):
• Welcome at Lao immigration in Houay Xay + assistance to apply for the visa to Laos.
• Transfer on a sharing minivan from Lao immigration office to slow boat Pier in Houay Xay for
downstream and vice-versa for upstream program.
• Crew service during the cruise.
• Baggage handling during all the cruise.
• Admission fees for visiting sites serviced by our English-speaking guide.
• Lunch on board as mentioned in the program (except for charter boat). drinking bottled water,
coffee & tea.
• Transfer in Luang Prabang from your hotel to boat pier and vice-versa.

* PROGRAMS EXCLUDED:
• Shuttle bus from Houay Xay to Chiang Khong (upstream cruise).
• Visa/immigration and/or overstay fees in Laos or in Thailand.
• Accommodation and meals in PakBeng.
• Personal insurance.
• Beverages, personal expenses, and tips.
• Other expenses not mentioned above.

* OTHER:
• Shompoo cruise guarantees each departure for a minimum of 6 passengers. Please check
availability with us before each reservation. Only written request by email will be accepted
and confirmed!
• Maximum capacity of our boats is 32 passengers.
• If the departure doesn’t reach the minimum of passengers 15 days before the departure
date, Shompoo cruise has the right to offer last minute price to our walk-in customers at
lower rate.
• All reservation should be made by e-mail to info@shompoocruise.com with written back
confirmation email from us.
• For some reasons, the boat may arrive later than usual. The company will not provide any kind
of compensation.
• In case of Force majeure, the company will not be responsible for the providing services
excluded of our terms.
• The insurance company shall be liable to insure for the total limit of 30 000 USD for charter boat
and 1000 USD/passenger maximum for joining cruise. Coverage excludes loss of cash,
precious metal and stones, valuables or objects of a rare precious nature, belongings to persons.

* CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF PAYMENT:
• Only payment in USD is accepted.
• Agent Rates doesn’t include VAT 7%. VAT invoice can be requested but 7% VAT will be added
on the tax invoice and will be edited in LAK.
• Cutoff date for all customers: 30 days before date of the cruise