Journey Overview
Travel upstream along the Mekong River from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai aboard the comfortable Shompoo Cruise. Spend two scenic days cruising through northern Laos, visit the sacred Pak Ou Caves and a remote Kamu village, enjoy meals onboard, and stay overnight in Pakbeng before continuing toward the Thai border.
Highlights
2-Day Shompoo 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
Pickup from your hotel in Luang Prabang by shared air-conditioned vehicle and transfer to the pier.
Approximately 7:00 AM
Depart Luang Prabang aboard the Shompoo Cruise and begin your upstream journey along the Mekong River. A continental breakfast is served onboard.
Morning — Pak Ou Caves
Visit Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting), one of the region's important Buddhist pilgrimage sites and home to thousands of Buddha images.
Lunch
Enjoy a traditional Lao lunch served onboard.
Afternoon
Continue cruising through the Mekong countryside. Your English-speaking guide will introduce you to the cultures and ethnic communities of Laos.
Evening
Arrive in Pakbeng before nightfall.Guests arrange their own accommodation in Pakbeng.
Overnight: Pakbeng — accommodation not included
From November to February, mornings and evenings on the river can be cool. We recommend bringing a light jacket.
Day 2 — Pakbeng → Kamu Village → Huay Xai
Approximately 7:00 AM
Board the cruise and depart Pakbeng.Please ask your Pakbeng hotel to prepare a takeaway breakfast box if required, as breakfast on Day 2 is not included.
Morning Activity
Enjoy a demonstration of traditional Lao desserts and local drinks with the guide and onboard team.
Kamu Village — Ban Kaeng Lae
Visit a traditional Kamu village and learn about everyday life in a remote Mekong riverside community.
Lunch
Enjoy another traditional Lao lunch onboard.
Afternoon
Continue cruising toward Huay Xai and enjoy the desserts and drinks prepared during the morning activity.
Approximately 4:30 PM
Arrive at Huay Xai pier.
Approximately 5:00 PM
Local transportation will take you from Huay Xai pier to the Laos Immigration Checkpoint. The transfer takes approximately 20–30 minutes.End of Service.
Seasonal Note
Operating Days (April–September): Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, departing from Luang Prabang City. October–March: Please see our other program
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.
Opitional Add-On
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
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.✨ 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
- 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 April to September
Operating Days: Every Mon, Wed and Saturday
Please check availability before booking, as schedules are subject to change. Those requesting other travel dates, contact our team.

