Journey Overview
Travel from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang on a 2-day Shompoo Cruise along the Mekong River. Cross into Laos at Huay Xai, visit local villages and Pak Ou Caves, enjoy lunch onboard, and spend one night in Pakbeng before arriving in Luang Prabang.
Highlights
Mekong Cruise
Premium 2-Days Mekong slow boat journey from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang
Pakbeng Overnight Stop
Break up your Mekong River journey with an overnight stopover in Pakbeng
Local Villages & Caves
Visit traditional Kamu & Ban Muang villages, & explore Pak Ou Caves
Lao Meals & English Guide
Enjoy traditional Lao lunches onboard both days with an English-speaking guide.
This Tour Start in Chiang Rai
Itinerary
Day 1: Chiang Rai → Huay Xai → Pakbeng
Approximately 5:00–5:30 AM
Pickup in Chiang Rai by shared air-conditioned vehicle and travel to the Chiang Khong border.
Approximately 7:30 AM
Arrive at the Chiang Khong border checkpoint.
Approximately 8:00 AM
Meet our team and cross Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge No. 4 to Huay Xai.
Approximately 9:00–9:30 AM
Transfer to the pier and board the cruise for your journey along the Mekong River.
Morning — Mekong River Cruise
Stop at Pak Tha for boat permit checks. During the journey, your guide will introduce you to Lao culture, local customs, and useful travel information.
Lunch
Enjoy a traditional Lao lunch served onboard.
Afternoon — Kamu Village
Visit a traditional Kamu village and learn about everyday life in a rural riverside community. Afterwards, continue cruising towards Pakbeng.
Evening
Arrive in Pakbeng and spend the night at your chosen accommodation.Guests arrange their own accommodation in Pakbeng.
Overnight: Pakbeng — accommodation not included
Day 2 — Pakbeng → Ban Muang Village → Pak Ou Caves → Luang Prabang
Approximately 8:00 AM
Depart Pakbeng and continue your Mekong cruise towards Luang Prabang.
Morning Activities
Watch a local handicraft demonstration and learn how traditional Lao desserts and drinks are prepared.
Lunch
Enjoy a traditional Lao lunch served onboard.
Afternoon — Ban Muang Village
Visit Ban Muang village, known for its traditional Lao whisky, and learn about this local speciality.
Pak Ou Caves
Explore Pak Ou Caves, home to more than 2,000 Buddha statues.
Cruising to Luang Prabang
Relax and enjoy the riverside scenery, with homemade desserts and drinks served onboard.
Approximately 4:30–5:00 PM
Arrive in Luang Prabang and transfer from the pier to your hotel.End of Service
Seasonal Note
This Product from October to March Operating Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 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
- Over 12 years: Full price.
- 6–12 years: 50% of the full price.
- Under 6 years: Free when sharing a seat with a parent.
What’s Included / Not Included
✓ What’s Included
- Shared Van transfer Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong Border
- Transfer from Laos border to Huay Xai
- Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge No. 4 bus ticket
- 2-day Shompoo VIP slow boat tickets
- English-speaking guide
- Lao traditional lunch onboard on both days
- Water, coffee, and tea onboard
- Village & Pak Ou Caves visit
- Transfer from Luang Prabang pier to your hotel
- Accident insurance
✕ What’s Not Included
- Laos visa fee
- Personal expenses
- Accommodation in Pakbeng
- Dinner and breakfast in Pakbeng
- Immigration or overstay fees in Thailand
Additional Add-On
Private Transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong Border.
Extra Luggage for Shared Transfers Only : 200 THB per item, payable on the day of travel.
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
The journey crosses from Chiang Khong in Thailand to Huay Xai in Laos via Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge No. 4.
Border crossing process:- Complete departure procedures at Thai Immigration.
- Take the shuttle bus across Friendship Bridge No. 4.
- Complete visa and entry procedures at Lao Immigration.
- Continue by local transportation to Huay Xai.
Please note:
Thai Immigration is generally open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, while Lao Immigration is generally open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Opening hours may change without notice, so travellers should check the latest border operating hours before travelling. Immigration queues and processing times may also affect your onward journey or arrival time.Visa Information
- Travellers are responsible for checking the latest Lao visa and entry requirements for their nationality.
- Visa on Arrival may be available for eligible nationalities.
- The Lao Visa on Arrival fee as approximately 1,800–2,000 THB or USD 40, payable in cash.If paying in US dollars, bring clean, undamaged notes in good condition
- A passport photograph may be required for Visa on Arrival. Photo services 100 THB at the border for an additional fee.
- Additional immigration, tourist or border fees may apply 70-100 THB .
- Lao eVisa is accepted at Lao–Thai Friendship Bridge No. 4 (Bokeo).
- Lao eVisa applications normally take around 3 working days to process, but processing may take longer. We recommend applying at least 1 week before travel and ensuring that your eVisa has been approved no later than 1 day before departure.
- Travellers using an eVisa should carry a printed copy of the eVisa approval Letter when travelling.
Apply for Lao eVisa – Official Government Website
- Important: Entry into Laos is subject to approval by Lao Immigration. Each traveller is responsible for holding a valid passport, visa or eVisa approval, and all other required travel documents.
✨ Free hotel pick-up & drop-off within 5 km of King Mengrai Monument, Chiang Rai
📍 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
- 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, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sunday.
Please check availability before booking, as schedules are subject to change. Those requesting other travel dates, contact our team.

