From Huay Xai to Luang Prabang

Remark: join-in Shompoo cruise with sharing English speaking guide and boat

At 08:00am, you 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 Shompoo boat (sharing boat + guide on 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. Check-in hotel in Pakbeng

Meal: Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Pakbeng

NOTE:

– We recommend to the travelers to be at Chiang Khong thai immigration border before 07:45am 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 your hotel between 9am and 09:30am. The boat will leave Houay Xay at latest at 10am.

– Departure schedule for downstream cruise: From October to March:  Monday Thursday, Friday and Sunday/ From April to September: Monday and Friday

Start point

Warm Welcome at Houay Xay immigration office (Lao border)., Huay Xai Slow Boat Pier, Huoixai, Bokeo, Laos

09:00 – 13:00

Day 2 Pakbeng – Shompoo Cruise to Luang Prabang (B,L)

he boat will leave Pakbeng at 08am toward Luang Prabang.

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. Transfer to hotel in town for check-in. Time at leisure.

Meal: Breakast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 3 Luang Prabang City Tour (B)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Stop and visit fresh local markets and back to hotel for breakfast.

­ This morning, depart to visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao.  Continue to visit Wat Aham. Then, visit to the most photographed temple, Vat Xiengthong. Located at the end of peninsular closed to the confluence of Mekong and Khan River.

­ This afternoon, continue to former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Visit Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. During Pimai, the Lao New Year, the Prabang normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum is brought and put on public display in this temple.

Meal: Breakast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 4 Luang Prabang – Elephant Village (b)

This morning, you will be driven to the Elephant Village, a center with a focus on the protection and rehabilitation of elephants in Laos. Upon arrival you will be provided the information about the work in caring for the elephants. Next, enjoy your time with elephants in camp.

­ Transfer back in town and ferry to otherside of Mekong to visit Ban Xiemienne village.  Take a walk to discover Wat Long Khoun temple, located in the jungle. This monastery historically had important ties with the royal family of Luang Prabang. From its beginnings Wat Long Khoun served as a retreat center for spiritual revitalization. It was traditional practice that the new king-designate spend three days there in ceremonial bathing and meditative retreat. Back to hotel and time at leisure.

Meal: Breakast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 5 Luang Prabang – Farming Experience – Kuang Si Waterfall (B)

After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the rice culture and farming experience with some hands-on activities along the way. Be welcomed by the hospitable farmers who will show you how rice is grown and harvested. You can plant rice in the rice paddy together with the farmers while seeing the buffalos plough the rice paddies. Discover what rice can be used to produce different products.

This afternoon, driving through green rice paddies and farms. On your arrival at the Kuang Si waterfall, enjoy your short walking on trails of falls to visit the bear rescued centre. Enjoy spectacular views and surrounding of orchids inside the park and falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. Return to Luang Prabang.

Meal: Breakast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Free time until your transfer by our driver to the airport for your international flight. HOME SWEET HOME!!!

End point

Drop off at Luang Prabang airport., Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ), Phetsarat Rd., Luangprabang, Luang Prabang, Laos

05:00 – 22:00