Slow Boat from Chiang Khan, Thailand to Luang Prabang Laos
Slow Boat from Chiang Khan, Thailand to Luang Prabang Laos
There are several ways to get to Luang Prabang. By bus, plane, train, or slow boat. From my last two trips, I prefer a first-class sleeping train from The Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue Grand Station) to Chiang Mai. Then either bus or private car to Chiang Rai. I typically stay a few nights in Chiang Rai sightseeing and enjoying the town before taking a bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong and spending a night there and in the morning take a local bus to Chiang Khong. I spent one night in Chiang Khong to anticipate a slow boat departure the next morning to Luang Prabang. The company that operates the tour is Nagi of the Mekong. I found this company to be reputable and reliable. They will pick you up from a hotel in Chiang Khong by car to the Thailand border and take a bus across Mekong River to the small town of Houi Xai in Laos. Here you must go through the customs and visa process. You may apply for your visa completely electronically while in your country. I did it last time when they first authorized an electronic visa and found it was easy and convenient and had no issue while crossing the Laos border. Actually, you may go across the river on your own and find a hotel for one night before taking the slow boat to Luang Prabang, but I preferred to stay at the hotel in Chiang Khong and have someone pick me up in the morning and caring for my belongings. The trip to Luang Prabang takes two days and one night. For a one-way trip along the Mekong River, it is less than $200, including guide/translator, lunches, hotel in Pak Beng, and transportation to your hotels in Luang Prabang. You either book a one-night stay in Pak Beng on your own, or you can pay extra for Nagi to make arrangements for a one-night stay in Pak Beng. As for me, I would rather have Nagi's book me the hotel room to avoid any misunderstanding when arriving in Pak Beng, and Nagi also provides transportation to your hotel when arriving in Pak Beng. I enjoyed taking a trip along the Mekong River just to enjoy the scenery along Thailand and Laos.
Nagi of Mekong Slow Boat
Hmong Children along Mekong River to Luang Prabang
The trip down the river takes two days and one night, and you will arrive at Luang Prabang in the evening. Therefore, please book your logging in Luang Prabang as soon as possible. I'm planning to visit Luan Prabang for the third time, but I found out the hotels are pretty much sold out in Chiang Khong, and I have limited availability in Houi Xai, and the hotel I normally stay in Luang Prabang has already sold out many months ahead. Therefore, I will not be planning to visit Laos next year. My recommendation is to book your hotel at least 9–10 months ahead to ensure you get your preferred hotels. For the slow boat, I believe the max allowance is 18 persons per boat, and it has very limited availability. If you have limited time, please book your seat in advance as soon as possible. Taking a trip along the river is not only relaxing, it is eye opening, especially when visiting tribal villages along the river. I have learned so much about the tribal tradition and its culture, and I truly appreciate what I have at home. These people live on minimal basics. There was no electricity until two years ago, and I am not quite sure if they have safe and clean running water in the village. I don't want to spoil your future trip, but I will share a few pictures with you. Pictures tell a thousand words more than I can explain. I did some research before visiting the villages. I bought some bubble gum, chocolates, slippers, and daily essentials for them. The boy in a picture with a swollen cheek, he cried the entire time we were there due to pain, but his mother had no means to take him to a doctor who was two hours away by boat. We chipped in some money and told his mother to take her son to a doctor.
Below is some helpful information about the slow boat cruise along the Mekong River from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang. When I first traveled this route, I had limited information about how to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and the Thai border of Chiang Khong, and to Huay Xai. I did extensive research from different sources, including websites and YouTube. I hope I can provide you with the information and what you should expect in one place. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. Safe travels and enjoy the ride.
I stayed one night in Pak Beng. You can book a hotel directly or make an arrangement with the slow boat company. In the past, I traveled along the long Mekong River with Nagi of the Mekong twice, and I found that they're very reliable, responsive, reasonable value, and carefree about all travel arrangements. The company will help with Visa application, luggage handling in Thailand and Laos borders. The company provided a guide that is quite friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
Pak Beng is a small town along the Mekong River. If you're traveling to Luang Prabang, most travelers stay overnight here. The town has a few hotels, hostels, and some restaurants. Usually, we arrive in Pak Beng in the early evening and leave the town early in the morning. We do not have much time to venture out unless you're planning to stay two nights here. As soon as I wake up, I normally meet with my guide to visit the morning market up the hill. The market usually sells fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, or anything that the farmers gather from their farms or in the jungle, like mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Some merchants sell Laos sausage, grilled meat, and steamed sweet rice. I always visit this market to support local farmers/merchants when possible
Bangkok to Chiang Khong
BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI/CHIANG RAI
1. Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train at Krung Thep Aphi Wat Central Terminal Bang Sue Grand Station
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bangkok) | Thailand Trains First class train #9 leave Bang Sue station at 6:45 PM and arrive Chiang Mai at 7:15 am. Bangkok to Chiang Mai | Train times & tickets Please note: Train ending in Chiang Mai. You either take a taxi to bus station or rent a private car to Chiang Rai. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is approximately 3.5 hrs. by bus. The bus route is stunning, and I enjoyed traveling by bus or private transportation. The Greenbus comopany seems to be the most popular and luxury. You should book a ticket in advance to assure available seats. Public and Charter Bus Services , Express Parcel
2. Flying from Don Mueang Airport to Chiang Rai is approximately 1 hr.30 mins flight. Nok Air, Air Asia, and Thai Lion Air are popular ones.
CHIANG RAI TO CHIANG KONG
1. I normally arrive in Chiang Rai a few days before the departure date from Chiang Khong (Thailand border) or Huay Xai Huy (crossing the Mekong River to Laos) because I want to spend a few days and nights sightseeing in Chiang Rai. After that, I would spend one night in Chiang Kong and schedule a pick-up by Nagi of the Mekong's representative and prepare for departure across the Mekong River to the Laos border in the morning. For US passport holders, you have to apply for visas electronically or at the Laos Immigration Office. Usually, Nagi of the Mekong will provide you with the application and deliver it to your hotel a night before your departure and pick you up in the morning. On my last visit to Laos, I applied for a Visa electronically and the fee was $50, and I had no problems or issue at the Laos Border Immigration. I can't speak the same as in Vietnam. I had to apply for a visa again when I arrived at Hanoi airport.
2. If you choose to spend a night in Chiang Khong, please plan and book your hotel several months ahead, because Chiang Khong is a small little town and many hotels are always booked and sold-out, and you might have to stay in Chiang Rai city center and take a private car or taxi to Chiang Kong early enough before the bus drive across the Mekong River via the Fourth Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge to Laos Immigration center in Huay Xay for visa and passport stamp. Here you can also get money exchanged into Laos Kip. After passport control, the bus will take you to a slow boat dock in Huay Xai, Laos. At this point, your suitcases and belongings will be taken care of by Nagi of Mekong hired hands. Please note: When you exchange U. S. Dollars into KIPS, please keep in mind that you most likely will not be able exchange the KIPS back into U.S. Dollars or Thai Baht at the Laos airport when leaving Laos or back in Thailand. You will have to spend your remaining KIPS before you leave Laos. You can also use Thai baht in Laos.
HUAY XAI to LUANG PRABANG
1. The slow boat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang is approximately 176 miles and is generally a two-day trip. You'll reach Luang Prabang around 5:00-6:00 pm and another 35–45 minutes to your chosen lodging while in Luang Prabang. Nagi of the Mekong made it so convenient for you by making arrangements for transportation from Luang Prabang pier to your hotels. So, rest easy and enjoy the ride.
2. The captain will be making a one-night stop at Pak Beng, which is a small village in Laos along the Mekong River. Here, you will be assisted to your hotels, but you will have to walk or make your own arrangements to arrive at the slow boat dock on time at 8:00 am. Please keep in mind that restaurants and lodging are very limited. Please book your hotels ahead or even before you make a booking for your slow boat cruise. You also have the option to purchase your cruise at a hotel in Pak Beng.
3. Since we arrived early in the evening in Pak Beng, you probably will not be able to venture out to see the town, but to find a place to eat, drink and rest. If you're up early in the morning, I would recommend that you visit the morning market: https://g.co/kgs/jQqjEh9 or food market in Pakbeng Northern Laos 🇱🇦 #food #market #yummy #foodie #localfood #video #ounjaider - YouTube. Here you'll find fresh catches and harvests that the locals bring to sell in the market. In the last two visits to Pak Beng, I went to the market early enough to get back to the hotel and gather my belongings and had my morning breakfast at the hotel, then headed out to the boat that was waiting for me. When they arrive at the boat, the captain's wife will have coffee and fruit waiting and ready for departure to Luang Prabang.
4. You're halfway through to Luang Prabang from Pak Beng. Here, the captain will be making a few stops at the village and caves https://g.co/kgs/AvLEvaX (Pak Ou Cave). On my last visit to Luang Prabang, I skipped the cave because it can be crowded with some other boats visiting caves, but I would recommend that it's worth a hike at least the view of the Mekong River on the high ground, and it is believed the cave is sacred among Laotians. If you plan to visit, please be respectful to the statues and the worshippers.
FINAL THOUGHTS, SHOULD I TRAVEL ALONG THE MEKONG RIVER BY SLOW BOAT?
Only when you have time and are not in such a hurry, because it will take a few days for you to travel from where you are to slow boat dock in Huay Xai, Laos and you probably will want to spend at least three nights in Luang Prabang for sightseeing, swimming in the Quangxi waterfall, nights market, and hike Mount Phousi to see the sunset.
If you're already traveling to Thailand, the fastest and easiest way is to fly to Luang Prabang, Laos, but you'll miss the experience, the challenge, and the educational part of traveling along the Mekong River, which Thailand and Laos share their border. Traveling along the river is quite relaxing and enjoyable. Bring your favorite books, headset, iPad, or laptop if you choose to get some work done. As for me, I love to get to meet and learn more about people who travel in the same boat as me. The Mekong River is an important part of those who live along it. It provides food and water for bathing for both humans and animals. When you travel along the river, you will see different techniques for how villagers catch fish and the skillfulness of maneuvering a tiny long-tail boat. The children were taught at an early age of their responsibilities-helping provide income to support the family and caring for their siblings while parents were out working on the farm and foraging for plants and insects for food and to sell in the local market. See the make-shift school and how the children are being taught; skillful women weaving silk scarfs and sarongs; you'll have the opportunity to sample homemade moonshine in the village you visit before reaching Luang Prabang. As for me, I love geography, the cultures, and am always curious about how others live, and their way of living. From what I have seen, learned, and experienced, it taught me how to be more self-aware, humble, and more giving.
Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai
Thailand
Pak Beng, Laos
