Luang Say Cruise (downstream program)

PROGRAM: CRUISING DOWNSTREAM

Day One: Houei Sai – Pakbeng
The Luang Say boat leaves the pier at 9 a.m. for a cruise down the Mekong River to Luang Say Lodge in Pakbeng. One stop is made en route to Pakbeng to observe  rural life along the Mekong River at Ban Houy Phalam; a Kamu village. A buffet lunch will be served on board. The boat arrives at Luang Say Lodge before sunset for an overnight stay.  Dinner is served on the terrace overlooking the Mekong River.

Day Two: Pakbeng – Pak Ou – Luang Prabang
Enjoy a continental breakfast on the terrace, after which you begin the cruise.  Your  first stop is at Ban Baw to observe the making of the traditional rice alcohol. A buffet lunch is served on board. The boat stops again opposite the mouth of the Nam Ou River to visit Pak Ou caves.  There are two caves, ‘Tham Ting’ and ‘Tham Phoum,’ that house  thousands of Buddha images. The boat arrives in Luang Prabang (a UNESCO world heritage city) before sunset.

Boat Schedule:

• From 1 Nov 11 to 30 Apr 12 and 1 – 31 Oct 12: departs every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday
• From 01 May 12 to 30 Sep 12: departs every Monday and Friday
• No operation in June for maintenance

Program includes:

• 2-day cruise with stops and admission fees at tourist attractions with English and French speaking guides
• 1 night accommodation at Luang Say Lodge and meals as mentioned in the program
• Bus transfer from the Laos immigration at Houei Sai to the slow-boat pier and vice versa
• Coffee, tea and drinking water on board and during meals
• Crew services during the cruise, and group insurance

Program excludes:

• Transfer from Wat Xieng Thong pier to the hotel in Luang Prabang (Downstream Programme)
• Transfer from the hotel in Luang Prabang to Auberge Calao pier (Upstream Programme)
• Transfer by boat between the border town of Chiang Khong (Thailand) and the border town of Houei Sai (Laos) and vice versa
• Visa, immigration and/or overtime fees in Thailand and in Laos
• Soft and alcohol drinks during the trip
• Personal insurance and other personal expenses

Note:

• If you depart from Chiang Rai Province (Thailand), please arrive at Luang Say office (next to Laos immigration) in the town of Houei Sai  before 8.30 a.m since the boat will leave at 9 a.m. Your luggage tag will be given to you at the border town of Chiang Khong in Thailand.
• If you depart from Luang Prabang  (Laos), please arrive at Auberge Calao pier (Yellow Hotel) on Mekong River Road before 6.45a.m. since the boat will leave at 7 A.M. A continental breakfast will be  served on board.
• Please bring a jersey or a jacket as it can be cool at Luang Say Lodge and on the boat from October to February.
• We suggest  you leave your suitcase and luggage on the boat and take only a small daypack with changing clothes. This is an advisory as the steps to Luang Say Lodge are too steep to carry big suitcases.
• Please fully charge your electronic equipments as there is no outlet available at Kamu Lodge.
• For safety reasons and according to weather conditions, the program may be changed without prior notice.