Journey Overview
Travel upstream along the Mekong River from Luang Prabang to the Thai border on a relaxing 2-day Shompoo Cruise.Visit the sacred Pak Ou Caves, stay overnight in the riverside town of Pakbeng, discover the traditional lifestyle of a remote Kamu village, and enjoy Lao meals and beautiful Mekong scenery along the way.The cruise finishes in Huay Xai, where a shared transfer takes you from the pier to the Laos Immigration Checkpoint before you continue across the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge into Thailand.
Highlights
Mekong Cruise
Scenic 2-day upstream Mekong cruise from Luang Prabang toward Thailand
Pakbeng Overnight Stop
Break up your journey with an overnight stopover in Pakbeng
Pak Ou Caves & Kamu Village
Explore thousands og Buddha images at Pak Ou Caves & visit Kamu Village
Lao Meals & Border Transfer
Enjoy onboard Lao meals with an English guide and Laos border transfer included
This Tour Start in Luang Prabang, Laos.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Luang Prabang → Pak Ou Caves → Pakbeng
Approximately 6:30–6:45 AM — Hotel Pickup
Pickup from your hotel in Luang Prabang by shared air-conditioned vehicle and transfer to the boat pier.
Approximately 7:00 AM — Depart Luang Prabang
Board the Shompoo Cruise and begin your upstream journey along the Mekong River toward Pakbeng. A continental breakfast is served onboard.
Morning — Pak Ou Caves
Stop at Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting), one of the best-known cultural sites along the Mekong River. Explore the caves and see the large collection of Buddha statues placed here over generations.
Lunch Onboard
Enjoy a traditional Lao lunch while continuing your cruise through the Mekong countryside.
Afternoon — Lao Culture Presentation
Your English-speaking guide will introduce you to the different ethnic communities, traditions and cultures found throughout Laos.
Late Afternoon — Arrive in Pakbeng
Arrive in Pakbeng before nightfall. Check in to your own hotel for the night.From November to February, mornings and evenings on the river can be cool. We recommend bringing a light jacket.
Pakbeng accommodation and dinner are not included.
Day 2 — Pakbeng → Kamu Village → Huay Xai
7:00 AM — Depart Pakbeng
Return to the boat and continue upstream toward Huay Xai.Please ask your Pakbeng hotel to prepare a takeaway breakfast box if required.
Morning — Lao Dessert & Drink Demonstration
Learn how traditional Lao desserts and local drinks are prepared during a demonstration by the onboard team.
Late Morning — Kamu Village
Stop at Kamu Village (Ban Kaeng Lae), a small traditional community along the Mekong River.Learn about everyday life, local traditions and the rural lifestyle of families living in this remote riverside area.
Lunch Onboard
Enjoy another traditional Lao lunch while cruising toward Huay Xai.
Afternoon
Relax onboard and enjoy the Mekong scenery.Taste the homemade desserts and drinks prepared during the morning demonstration.
Approximately 4:30 PM — Arrive in Huay Xai
Arrive at Huay Xai Pier. A shared local transfer will take you from the pier to the Laos Immigration Checkpoint.
End of Cruise Service
The standard cruise service ends at the Laos Immigration Checkpoint.
Seasonal Note
This Product from October to March Operating Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. From April to September you can find on other Program.
From November to February, mornings and evenings on the Mekong can be cool. We recommend bringing a light jacket or warm layer.
Child Policy
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Over 12 years: Full price.
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6–12 years: 50% of the full price.
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Under 6 years: Free when sharing a seat with a parent.
What’s Included / Not Included
✓ What's Included
- 2 Days Ticket VIP boat
- Helpful staff will assist you throughout the cruise.
- Entrance Fees and our guide will be with you.
- Enjoy two delicious lunches onboard
- Plus free water, coffee, and tea.
- Pick up and Drop off from your hotel in Luang Prabang
✕ What's Not Included
- Accommodation and meals in Pakbeng (1st night).
- Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge shuttle ticket
- Breakfast on Day 2
- Beverages on board
- Other expenses not mentioned above.
Additional Options
Private Transfer
Chiang Khong Border to Chiang Rai Downtown
Before You Go
Confirmation will be sent within 24 hours. If you do not receive confirmation, please contact our team.
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +66 91 825 5642
Insurance Requirement
To ensure travel insurance coverage, passengers are required to submit a copy of their passport at least 1 day before departure via email or WhatsApp
✨ Free hotel pick-up & drop-off within 3 km of the night market in Luang prabang.
📍 Staying outside the area? Simply choose a convenient meeting point (click images for directions)
🤍 No worries if you don’t select one — we’ll arrange the nearest pick-up point for you
📌 Final pick-up details will be confirmed after booking
If you choose a meeting point, please fill in the booking form as follows:
Hotel Name for Pickup: Meeting point name
Address for Pickup: Meeting point
Arrival in Thailand & Local Transportation
After completing Lao immigration procedures, travelers must take the shuttle bus across Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge No. 4 and complete Thai immigration procedures. The shuttle bus ticket is not included.
After clearing Thai immigration, travelers can arrange transportation to Chiang Khong town or continue to Chiang Rai.
Transportation to Chiang Khong Town
Tickets can be purchased directly at the transportation counter outside the immigration exit.
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Shared Taxi: 60 THB per person
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Private Taxi: 200 THB per vehicle
Travelers may also stay overnight in Chiang Khong.
Optional Transfer to Chiang Rai
Private transfers to Chiang Rai are available as an optional add-on, subject to availability.
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure (where eligible)
- Transport tickets may be non-refundable once issued
- Refunds to the original payment method when possible
- Changes subject to availability
- No refunds for no-shows or invalid documents
- We’ll support you if plans change
Non-Refundable Tickets
Train tickets, boat tickets, and other transport tickets are non-refundable once purchased or issued on the guest’s behalf.
For more details, you can visit our Cancellation & Refund Policy page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. An experienced English-speaking local guide is provided throughout the entire journey to give insights into Mekong culture, assist with border procedures, and lead sightseeing excursions.
Unlike public boats, our luxury cruises accommodate standard-sized luggage at no additional charge. Please inform us in advance if you are traveling with oversized luggage or special equipment.
Our cruise packages operate as shared boutique cruises, with a limited capacity of approximately 15–40 passengers, depending on the boat. This ensures comfortable seating, ample space, and a relaxing atmosphere throughout the journey. Private charters are also available upon request.
Our cruise boats are equipped with comfortable cushioned seating, dining tables, a sun deck, clean Western-style restrooms, and essential safety equipment, including life jackets and first-aid kits, to ensure a comfortable and safe journey.
Yes. The package includes buffet/set lunches on board both days, afternoon tea, coffee, and complimentary refillable drinking water. Alcohol, soft drinks, and specialty beverages are available for purchase at the bar.
Yes. All admission fees for planned itinerary stops (such as the Pak Ou Caves, Pakbeng local market, and traditional ethnic minority villages along the river) are fully included.
Accommodation in Huay Xai is included for packages departing from Chiang Mai. Packages departing from Chiang Rai or Luang Prabang do not include accommodation.
Accommodation in Pak Beng is not included in any package and must be arranged independently.
We recommend bringing Lao Kip (LAK) or Thai Baht (THB) in cash for onboard bar purchases, tipping the guide/crew, and personal souvenirs at village stops
The cruise terminates at the designated slow boat pier in Luang Prabang. Depending on the cruise package booked, hotel drop-off in Luang Prabang city center is often included or can be arranged via our private driver.
Yes. Our team and guide will assist you with border registration procedures at the border checkpoint. However, visa fees (Visa on Arrival/e-Visa) and personal travel documents remain the guest's responsibility.
Shared hotel pick-up and drop-off are included in our cruise packages. Private transfers are available as an optional service.
For private transfers we will provide the vehicle photo and driver's contact number at least one day before departure. We may also request your photo and share your contact number with the driver, with your permission, to ensure smooth communication and easy identification.
You can pack a small overnight bag for your stay in Pak Beng and leave your larger luggage on the boat, or bring all your luggage with you.
No. For tours departing from Chiang Mai, accommodation in Huay Xai is arranged automatically.
Solo travelers and guests in odd-numbered bookings will each have their own room, while guests booking in even numbers will share a room with their travel companion.
From October to March
Operating Days: Mon,Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri and Saturday.
Please check availability before booking, as schedules are subject to change. Those requesting other travel dates, contact our team.

