Laos · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS
Half of northern Laos only makes sense from the water. The 15 below run from a two-hour sunset drift to two days downstream on a wooden hull, each priced and honest about how much of it is sitting still.
Cruise the Mekong to Pak Ou Caves, taste Lao whiskey, swim at Kuang Si Falls, visit a Hmong village, and enjoy lunch for $48.
“Good value varied inclusive tour. Bring your swimming trunks if you want to swim in the waterfall pools”
Cruise the Mekong to Pak Ou Caves, taste Lao rice whiskey, enjoy an elephant-camp buffet, and swim at Kuang Si Falls in one full day.
“A very interesting trip around the most beautiful places around the city. We definitely recommend our guide Mr. PingPong. During the entire trip he took great care of the whole group, took care of the smallest details and was also very helpful and involved. He made our day!”
Cruise the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Pak Ou Caves, taste Lao whisky, enjoy lunch, and choose a morning or sunset return.
“Amazing!! We loved our tour guide and the captain of our boat, the views were stunning in the morning and the cave was super cool. Highly recommend!!”
See Kuang Si Falls, swim in turquoise pools, visit a rice farm, and cruise the Mekong at sunset for $35 from Luang Prabang.
“tour guide was amazing and everything was well organised”
Review of the two-day Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang slow boat transfer, with border tips, Pakbeng advice, costs, comfort, and seating details.
Cruise the Nam Ou from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw, with a Lao lunch, village visit, waterfall hike, and sunset arrival.
“The boat ride to Nong Khiaw was beautiful and comfortable. The van ride to the river boat was incredibly bumpy - if you struggle with car sickness this may be an issue for you. The hike to the waterfall was enjoyable and not difficult. We were led by a local guide (in addition to our main tour guide) - and unexpectedly had to pay an additional $100,000 kip to the guide split between the group, so bring small cash. If you are vegetarian or vegan, note that the meal option is just the side dishes of the meat-based meal (we were served rice, a cabbage stir fry, tofu salad, and…”
Cruise from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang by Nam Ou and Mekong, with Pak Ou Caves, lunch, a whisky village, and sunset views.
“Ça permet de retourner à Luang Prabang de façon très agréable. Les paysages sont magnifiques. Beaucoup plus reposant que la route.”
Cruise the Mekong at sunset from Luang Prabang, with a Lao tasting platter, mojito, river ritual, solar boat, and hotel pickup.
“Fun ride up and down the river with a great breeze and beautiful views. Fun activities like releasing fish and written wishes into the river, and sinking our written burdens with a rock!”
Review of the 3-day Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang slow boat, with border tips, temple stop, costs, lodging, and practical advice.
“Disappointing experience – more stress than it was worth I booked this guided tour specifically to ensure a smooth, stress-free border crossing, but it unfortunately missed the mark. Communication from the guide was almost non-existent; we were frequently dropped off without instructions, leaving the group confused and anxious. While the slowboats were decent, boarding felt unsafe, and seating was insufficient for the number of passengers. Furthermore, the first night’s accommodation was quite dirty. Given the lack of organisation, this tour did not provide the value or peace of mind I expected for the price.”
Review of the $85 Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang slow boat, with border tips, Pakbeng planning, boat conditions, costs, and honest value advice.
“it was what everyone else has commented, you get what you pay for. 1st boat to pakbeng was packed like sardines. second day boat was better, little bit more room, not as over crowded.”
Kayak the Nam Ou and Mekong, visit Pak Ou Caves, stop at Whisky Village, and choose a half-day, full-day, or sunset return from Luang Prabang.
“A great experience. The kayaking wasn’t easy but it wasn’t far and it was amazing scenery! We also were really luck and we were the only two on the trip which made it very special. An extra treat was the chance to meet elephants at the end of the trip over lunch and feed them”
Review the 2-hour Luang Prabang sunset cruise, with a quiet solar boat, Mekong views, complimentary drinks, pricing, and practical tips.
“The booking said tour starts at 1730. Boat left at 1700. You did not provide a meeting location. Only a geographical latitude, longitude. There was no guide, even though indicated. I expect a partial refund of HK$250.”
Soar above Vang Vieng’s limestone peaks, then race small rapids on a Nam Song longtail boat with hotel pickup included.
“Magnifique cet envol en mongolfiere au creux des montagnes et le soir un tour de 20 mn de bateau rapide , ce à quoi je m’attendais ! Pas déçue du tout”
Travel from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai by slow boat, with Mekong views, an overnight in Pakbeng, and practical border-transfer advice.
“De eerste dag was een kleinere boot die vol zat. Erg benauwd en erg warm. De tweede dag was heel fijn. Grote boot en weinig mensen aan boord.”
Review of Vang Vieng’s hot-air balloon and Nam Song River boat tour, with sunrise and sunset options, pricing, timing, and practical tips.
“It’s amazing to ride an hot air balloon and the coulisse in Vang Vieng is ideal for it!”
Pick a river town, a waterfall or a kitchen.
