This 6-day Mekong River Cruise Tour between Thailand and Laos would be started by a welcome at Chiang Mai airport then stay overnight at such beautiful boutique hotel located in the downtown of Chiang Mai city & nearby the Night-Street Market then on the next day, our guide & driver will escort to Chiang Khong belonging to Chiang Rai province which is a small, peaceful district on the bank of the Mekong River opposite Huaixai, Lao PDR. Chiang Khong is noted as the place where Pla Buk, giant catfish, is cultivated.
On the next day, you’ll be transferred to Chiang Khong checkpoint to exit to Laos via Huaixai Checkpoint and from here, our guide in Laos cum his driver will accompany you to the pier where you will embark our cruise to start our epic journey on Mekong River from Huaixai to Pakpeng known as a small village or Sleeping Beauty in the jungle of Bakeo Province, Northern Laos lying half-way between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang.
On the last stage, you’ll keep on cruising downstream to Luang Prabang – ancient kingdom of Langxane to explore beautiful things & historical relics around. From here, you can travel southward to Vang Vieng or Vientiane or Pakse to discover breathtaking landscapes of Laos or you can you extend your vacations to neighboring countries like Vietnam & Cambodia.
1. How to get to Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand and the fifth largest city in all of Thailand. Getting into Chiang Mai reminds one of the expression, “All roads lead to Rome”, meaning there are plenty of ways to get to the city.
The easiest and the most popular way to get into the city is by plane from Bangkok, which takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are more than 50 flights per day from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The second most popular option is to drive from Chiang Rai, which takes around 3 hours. Getting around in the city itself is relatively easy. You can travel by tuk-tuk, taxi, Uber, or even on foot.
1.1. Getting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
You essentially have four options for getting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai: tourist bus, deluxe/VIP bus, train, and flight. Flying to Chiang Mai is the obvious choice if time is a priority, and cheap deals on budget airlines can be found. Direct flights only require a little more than an hour in the air, as opposed to spending the night on a bus or train.
There are two airports in Bangkok: the main airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), which serves all major airlines, and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), which now serves all of Asia’s budget airlines. Most flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai depart from the “old” Don Mueang Airport (DMK) rather than the newer, larger Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). The distance between Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) is 29.5 miles (47.5 km).
In order to move between airports, you can ride in a tuk-tuk or a taxi. However, taxi and tuk-tuk rides between airports can be costly, and visitors frequently fall prey to con artists when traveling this way in Bangkok. Fortunately, there are alternative ways to travel between BKK and DMK airports.
For example, there is a free shuttle bus that runs both ways between BKK and DMK. This shuttle has a transfer time of anywhere between 50 minutes and two hours, depending on the time of day and the traffic conditions. If you use Asia Highlights service, we will arrange the transfer between airports, so you can sit back and enjoy your holiday!
After arriving at Chiang Mai International Airport, you are quite close to the city of Chiang Mai. For example, Tha Phae Gate is located four miles northeast of the airport, and getting there takes around 25 minutes, depending on traffic. Chiang Mai International Airport is open from 5 a.m. until midnight, with many daily flights back to Bangkok.
And if you want want to arrange the transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai either by car or by flight, please contact us directly HERE
1.2. Getting from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
There are many options to get to Chiang Mai from Chiang Rai. The distance is 114 miles (183 kilometers) and requires between three to four hours drive along the highway through mountainous terrain. The highway between the two northern cities is perpetually busy.
There is a bus service running from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. Buses leave at least every hour, sometimes even more frequently, depending on the kind of bus you pick. Buses are air conditioned and fairly comfortable, with narrow overhead storage and room beneath the bus for larger luggage. Seats are assigned at booking; book together if traveling with someone.
The most recommended way to transfer between cities is with a guided tour, as most travel agencies will provide a private comfortable car or minivan with a driver if you sign for private service. Asia Highlights are happy to help you move between cities and guide you along the trip.
And if you want want to arrange the transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai by either a private car or a public bus, please contact us directly HERE
2. How to get to Chiang Khong from either Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai
2.1. Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong
Are you looking for an easy and affordable way to travel from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong? If so, then you’ll be happy to know that there is a regular bus service that operates between these two cities. Plus, if you are looking for the most comfortable way, a taxi is also available. Keep reading for a step-by-step guide on how to make the journey from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong.
And if you want want to arrange the transfer from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong by either a private car or a public bus, please contact us directly HERE
2.1.1. Take a Bus From Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong
The first option is to take a bus from Chiang Mai all the way to Chiang Khong. This is the most popular option among tourists since it is relatively cheap and takes about 7 hours. Here’s how to do it.
Buses depart from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3. This is where most bus companies have their departures.
The distance from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong is 290 kilometers. The easiest way to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong is by taking the Greenbus. Buses depart daily at 09:30 and arrive in Chiang Khong at 16:25, so you can sit back and relax for the 6-hour and 55-minute journey. There is another 08:15 AM departure, but only on Saturdays.
Tickets only cost around THB 400 – 450 per seat—which is cheaper than taking a taxi or renting a car! Just make sure to arrive 30 minutes early before departure, so you can get a good seat.
And one last tip – the buses can be quite cold, so make sure to bring a jacket or blanket. The operator uses intensive air conditioning to avoid water condensation, so you might want to layer up!
To get more details on how to book such bus tickets, pls contact us at Sales Consultants
2.1.2. Take a private transfer From Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong with our professional tour guide
Being different from the public buses, you’ll be treated on a much higher level with privacy, flexibility, comfort & conveniences …specifically instead of going straight to Chiang Khong without any stop, our guide will take you to experience a nice Hot-Spring en route then visit the White Temple, Opium Museum in Golden Triangle, viewpoint at Golden Triangle …then you’ll understand more about the ups & downs of history in between Thailand, Laos, Myanmar …
And here is exactly we’re hosting our customers at Mekong Cruise Tour from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
3. How to get to the border checkpoint in between Thailand & Laos from Chiang Khong?
After 1 night stay at hotel on the bank of river in Chiang Khong, you’ll be met by our driver only at 07:00 – 07:30 at your hotel then escorted to the Chiang Khong border checkpoint which is about 10km away. Right here, you’ll quickly go through without hassles because there are always specific instructions about the immigration procedures as well as customs cum security staffs at disposal to answer or instruct if you need. All just takes a few minutes.
4. How to immigrate into Laos from the Thailand’s Border Checkpoint
When you get through the Thailand’s Border Checkpoint, you need to show your passport with Visa to enter Laos & in case, you have no Visa to Laos done before, you can easily apply a Visa on arrival at the checkpoint at the cost of US$ 40. However, to save your time at the checkpoint, we highly recommend people to get E-visa done before going to Laos at https://laoevisa.gov.la/index with the cost of 35USD per person.
Upon getting through the security checkpoint in Laos, there will be our guide holding a welcome signboard, on which that is your names then you cum other tourists get on a bus to move from the Checkpoint to the slow-boat pier on the bank of river of Laos which should be around 18km (time to travel roughly 20 – 25 minutes). Kindly take a note that there would be more people than the number of seats on the bus and you might have to stand up in the whole time from checkpoint to the pier.
And additionally, you must pay 25 Thai Baht for this transfer from the checkpoint to the slow-boat pier directly to the driver/bus’s owner as this fee has not been included in the tour’s quotes.
5. Downstream Cruising from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang via Pakbeng (2 Days / 1 Night)
The cruise trip between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang is regarded as one of the most attractive and scenic ways to enjoy the beauty of the Mekong River Laos. Let’s explore how travelers experience this means of transportation instead of buses or speedboats.
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.
5.1. Low-budget public cruises:
To save cost, there is only one slow boat operating daily down the Mekong from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang. Boats are scheduled to depart at 11:00 am every day, but it is better to arrive half an hour earlier to reserve a good seat near the front. This public slow boat can accommodate from 100 to 150 passengers. This will never refuse to have more guests so you may buy the tickets on arrival at the boat if you could not book a seat in advance. This kind of cruise won’t provide lunch on board and also has no one speaking English yet then you must learn how to use body-language or google translate if you want something
5.2. Deluxe Inclusive Package with our Cruises:
For our deluxe Mekong cruises operating the same itinerary, they can only transfer 20 – 25 guests for a ride to ensure their certain levels of services for a smaller boat. These serviced boats are long with open-air, having a Lao style with comfortable seating and the Western toilets. You will then have an English speaking guide at disposal and all the services arranged from two lunches onboard, snacks, some drinks as well as the accommodation at Pakbeng. En route, tourists will have some stopovers to visit remote villages of hill tribes to learn more about their daily life’s activities cum their traditions & culture
Of course, comparing with the public boat, the price on our deluxe Mekong Cruise trip would be higher, however, you won’t regret with your choice because you’ll get what you pay for and happiness is a journey but not a destination.
See more details about trip please visit at : Lifetime Mekong River Cruise from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
