Journey Overview
Travel from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang on a convenient 3-day cross-border journey. Visit the White Temple in Chiang Rai, stay overnight in Huay Xai and enjoy two scenic days aboard a public slow boat on the Mekong River.
Highlights
Two-Day Mekong Cruise
Cruise along the Mekong River for two scenic days.
White Temple
Short Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
Laos Border Control
Cross the Thai–Lao border via Friendship Bridge No. 4
Riverside View
Enjoy scenic river views and a relaxed journey through northern Laos
Itinerary
Day 1: Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai → Huay Xai (Morning Departure)
9:00–9:30 AM – Pickup in Chiang Mai
Pickup from your hotel or selected meeting point in Chiang Mai by shared air-conditioned van.
Approximately 12:30 p.m. – White Temple
Stop at the famous White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) in Chiang Rai. Entrance fee and lunch are not included. During busy periods or when time is limited, this stop may be replaced with a break at a local restaurant.
Approximately 4:00 PM – Border Crossing
Arrive at Chiang Khong and cross Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge No. 4. by shuttle bus. Complete the immigration procedures before continuing to Huay Xai.
Approximately 5:30 PM – Arrival in Huay Xai
Arrive in Huay Xai and check in at the included accommodation.
Day 2: Huay Xai → Pakbeng
Approximately 8:00 AM – Breakfast
Receive a simple sandwich-box breakfast. Pick up time need to recheck with our staff from Laos.
Approximately 9:00 AM – Slow Boat Departure
Board the public slow boat and begin the journey along the Mekong River to Pakbeng.
Late afternoon – Arrival in Pakbeng
Arrive in Pakbeng and make your own way to your accommodation. The options for Pakbeng accommodation click here.
Day 3: Pakbeng → Luang Prabang
Approximately 8:00 AM – Boat Departure
Return to the pier and continue the slow boat journey towards Luang Prabang.
Approximately 5:00 PM – Arrival in Luang Prabang
Arrive at the slow boat pier in Luang Prabang. The service ends at the pier. End of Serivce.
Day 1: Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai → Huay Xai (Afternoon Departure)
11:30–13:30 AM – Pickup in Chiang Mai
Pickup from your hotel or selected meeting point in Chiang Mai by shared air-conditioned van.
Approximately 17:30 PM – Break Time
Stop at a local restaurant for some break and personal need. Afternoon Departure will not included White Temple visit.
Approximately 19:30 PM – Arrived in Huay Xai
Arrive in Huay Xai and check in at the included accommodation. Laos Immigration closes at 8:00 PM. If we cannot reach the border in time before closing, we will arrange overnight accommodation in Chiang Khong, Thailand, instead of Huay Xai.
Day 2: Huay Xai → Pakbeng
07.30 AM – Pickup in Chiang Khong ( Option overnight in Chiang Khong )
Pickup at hotel to border immigration process and provide a direct transfer to the Huay Xai slow boat pier to continue the journey to Pakbeng. (Free Sandwich Box)
08.30 AM - Pickup in Huay Xai ( Option overnight in Huay Xai)
Pick up from Huay Xai hotel to pier ( Free Sandwich Box). Pick up time need to recheck with our staff from Laos.
Approximately 9:00 AM – Slow Boat Departure
Board the public slow boat and begin the journey along the Mekong River to Pakbeng.
Approximately 16.30 Pm– Arrival in Pakbeng
Arrive in Pakbeng and make your own way to your accommodation. The options for Pakbeng accommodation click here.
Day 3: Pakbeng → Luang Prabang
Approximately 8:00 AM – Boat Departure
Return to the pier and continue the slow boat journey towards Luang Prabang.
Approximately 5:00 PM – Arrival in Luang Prabang
Arrive at the slow boat pier in Luang Prabang. The service ends at the pier. End of Serivce.
What's Included / Not Included
✓ What's Included
- Shared air-conditioned van from Chiang Mai
- Hotel pickup within 5 km of the Three Kings Monument
- White Temple stop, subject to time & traffic conditions
- Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge No. 4 shuttle-bus ticket
- Local transportation in Huay Xai
- One night’s accommodation in Huay Xai
- Simple sandwich-box breakfast on Day 2
- Public slow boat ticket from Huay Xai - Pakbeng - Luang Prabang
✕ What's Not Included
- White Temple entrance ticket
- Lunch and personal expenses at the White Temple
- Accommodation in Pakbeng
- Meals & Drinks
- Lao visa or Visa on Arrival fee
- Passport photograph or photo service
- Transportation from the boat pier to your hotel
- Any expenses not specifically mentioned in the inclusion
Additional Add - On
Each ticket includes 1 bag up to 20 inches or 1 backpack.
Additional Luggage: 200 THB per item. Payment: Payable on the travel day.
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.
Each ticket includes:
-
One bag up to 20 inches; or
-
One backpack per person
Oversized or additional luggage is charged at 200 THB per item, payable directly to the driver on the travel day.
Please declare all luggage when booking. Unregistered or unpaid oversized luggage may not be accepted if there is insufficient space in the vehicle.
✨ Free hotel pick-up & drop-off within 5 km of Three Kings Monument
📍 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
A simple sandwich-box breakfast is included on Day 2. Other meals are not included.
No. This package uses a public slow boat shared with other passengers.
One night’s accommodation in Huay Xai is included. Accommodation in Pakbeng is not included.
Large suitcases are allowed but may be difficult to carry due to stairs at boarding and arrival points.
For transfers to the Chiang Khong border, additional or oversized luggage is subject to a fee of 200 THB per item.
Special equipment, such as bicycles, may incur additional charges. Please inform our team before booking to confirm availability and applicable fees.
The service ends at the slow boat pier in Luang Prabang.
No. The entrance ticket, lunch and personal expenses are not included.
No. This is a ticket and transfer package, not a fully guided tour.
Yes. A private room in Huay Xai is available for an additional 400 THB, payable on the travel day.
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
We recommend avoiding flights, trains or fixed onward travel on the same evening because the boat may arrive later than scheduled.
For slow boat journeys, pick-up service is provided at the departure point. Upon arrival at the final destination, travelers are responsible for arranging their own onward transportation.
For private transfers, we will provide the vehicle photo and driver's contact number at least one day before departure. With your permission, we may also share your photo and contact number with the driver to ensure smooth communication and easy identification.
Reservations must be made at least 2 days in advance. For last-minute bookings, please contact us.

