Mekong River Cruise Tour from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang via Pak Beng- 3 Days

Destinations:
Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Chiang Khong Huay Xai Pakbeng Luang Prabang
Duration 3 Days
Tour Type Private Tour
Available Daily
Language English

Overview

Chiang Mai Tour to Laos with Huay Xay cruise to Luang Prabang via Pak Beng within 3 Days will give you the complete experience of cross border between Laos and Thailand. Luang Prabang in Laos is 475 km away from Huay Xai – the border of Thailand so it normally takes 13-15 hours by road. Choosing the slow boat option, the trip is expected to last for two days and one night with a variety of activities at the stops while cruising.

Tour Route Map

Tour Video

Mekong River Cruise Tour from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang via Pak Beng 

Brief Itinerary:

DAY 1: DEPART FROM CHIANG MAI – CHIANG RAI – CHIANG KHONG (L)

DAY 02: DEPART FROM CHIANG KHONG – HUAY XAI – PAKBENG BY CRUISE. (B,L)

Day 3: PAKBENG CRUISE TOUR TO LUANG PRABANG (B,L)

Fixed Departure Schedule from Chiang Mai

October to March:

  • Pickup at your hotel in Chiang Mai.
  • Departures available every Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

April to September:

  • Pickup at your hotel in Chiang Mai.
  • Departures available every Sunday and Thursday.

DAY 1: DEPART FROM CHIANG MAI – CHIANG RAI – CHIANG KHONG (L)

A van will pick you up at 8 am from your hotel in Chiang Mai. On the way we stop to visit the hot spring, Wat Sang Kaew Photiyan,“Wat Rong Khun” or “White Temple”, see temporary art by Mr. Chalermchai Kositpipat in Chiang Rai and lunch over there. Then we travel to Chiang Khong in the afternoon and check in at your hotel in Chiang Khong.

Thailand generic white temple hd 56217 banner | mekong river cruise tour from chiang mai to luang prabang via pak beng- 3 days
Visit white temple, chiang rai

DAY 02: DEPART FROM CHIANG KHONG – HUAY XAI – PAKBENG. (B,L)

Mekong river cruise tour from chiang mai to luang prabang via pak beng
Mekong river cruise tour from chiang mai to luang prabang via pak beng

The next day in the morning we have a van to pick you up at 7:15 am from the hotel to take you to the Thai and Lao border No.4 and cross to Huay Xai Laos.

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.

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. Laos 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

Mekong river cruise tour from chiang mai to luang prabang via pak beng
Mekong river cruise tour from chiang mai to luang prabang via pak beng

Day 3: PAKBENG CRUISE TOUR TO 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.

Mekong river cruise tour from chiang mai to luang prabang via pak beng
Mekong river cruise tour from chiang mai to luang prabang via pak beng

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.

Before You Travel

Notes and Pricing

Pricing Table

Valid from March 1, 2026 to December 30, 2026

Swipe horizontally to view all rates6 columns ›
Hotel Class1 Pax2 Pax3-6 Pax7-10 PaxSingle Supp.
2★$.718$.506$.482$.466$.90
3★$.758$.527$.502$.486$.105
4★$.819$.565$.536$.520$.125
Luxury 4★$.850$.598$.552$.539$.148
* Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies for solo travelers.

What is included

Inclusions
  • 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 
  • 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.
  • Acommodation in Chiang Khong and Pakbeng with breakfast
Exclusions
  • Shuttle bus ticket between Chiang Khong Border in Thai and Houay Xay Border in Laos (50 Thai Baht p.p).
  • Visa/immigration and/or overstay fees in Laos or in Thailand. (We recommend you do E-visa for more conveniences)
  • Personal insurance.
  • Beverages, personal expenses, and tips.
  • Other expenses not mentioned above.
Hotel & Note

DESCRIPTION

CITY

HOTEL NAME

2-Star Hotel

Chiang Khong

Teak Garden Riverfront Resort -Garden View room

Pak Beng

Phetsokxai  Hotel -Standard room

3-Star Hotel

Chiang Khong

Teak Garden Riverfront Resort -Garden View room

Pak Beng

Mekong River view Hotel – Standard room

3-Star Hotel Plus

Chiang Khong

Teak Garden Riverfront Resort River View + Onsesn

Pak Beng

Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge -Superior room

4-Star Hotel

Chiang Khong

Teak Garden Riverfront Resort- River View + Onsesn

Pak Beng

Le Grand Pakbeng Resort – Mountain Villa

 

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.

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