Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang Slow Boat on the Mekong River by JetSettingFools.com

Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang: Slow Boat on the Mekong

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I smiled to the captain – our only form of communication – and stepped onto the bow of the boat. I stood in the sunlight, surveying the solitude of our surroundings. We were traveling from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang on a Slow Boat on the Mekong River. The trip was most certainly more about the journey than the destination. 

A herd of water buffalo cooled themselves in the muddy shallows near the riverbank. A flock of white birds occupied the tallest branches of a leafy tree. A waterfall, nearly concealed by thick forest, tumbled into the river. A lone butterfly the size of a sparrow fluttered by on the wind.

Puffy white clouds dotted a brilliant blue sky that was free of the smog that plagues the cities in SE Asia. Interwoven layers of lush green mountains stretched out before us, crisscrossing the deep valley carved by the milky brown Mekong River. This was the backdrop for our two-day cruise on a slow boat as we made our way from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang.

In this Mekong River travel blog post, we are detailing our adventure on the slow boat from Chiang Rai to Laos – and offer more travel tips at the end of the article. 


 

Getting from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang

Slow Boats on Mekong River in Laos

In the days leading up to our departure, we were indecisive about how to get from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang. The two cities are only 150 miles apart (roughly the same distance between New York and DC), but a quick and efficient route was eluding us (as transport is rarely either in Southeast Asia).

There is no direct Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang flight; to fly would have required a bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai and then a flight on to Luang Prabang.

It is possible to take a bus from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang, but the thought of a 15-hour ride – most likely in a non-air-conditioned bus – over bumpy, neglected roads sounded awful.

The third option involved a slow boat to Luang Prabang – and although the journey takes two days, there was something utterly alluring about floating down the Mekong River in a wooden boat.

 

A Slow Boat to Laos or Mekong River Cruise?

Once it was decided that we would take the slow boat to Laos, we still had to choose which boat we wanted to take: the public slow boat to Laos or a Mekong River Cruise to Laos.

The public boat option better aligned with our travel style; not only are we budget-minded, but we appreciate the challenge of deciphering processes and schedules in foreign languages.

However, this time around we just weren’t feeling up to the task. Blame it on the stifling heat, the horrible public boat reviews or simply the desire to feel a little spoiled, we uncharacteristically opted for a Laos Mekong River Cruise. We booked our 2-day Laos slow boat with Mekong Smile – and let them sort all the various details of getting us from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang.


 

Day One: Chiang Rai to Pakbeng

Lush mountains on Mekong River, Laos

The day started with an early wake-up call and a groggy minivan ride through rural Northern Thailand as the sun started to peek out.

 

Getting from Chiang Rai, Thailand to Laos

Although the ride is often referred to as the ‘slow boat from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang’ the boat does not depart from Chiang Rai, Thailand; the Mekong River slow boats to Luang Prabang leave from Huay Xai, a border town in Laos that is 65 miles east of Chiang Rai.

There is public transport between the two cities, but rather than organize a Chiang Rai to Huay Xai bus, cruises with Mekong Smile included a driver to transport us from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong – where we would cross the border from Thailand into Laos.

14 Things to do in Chiang Rai, Thailand by JetSettingFools.com

Our driver promptly arrived at dawn. He spoke English, but we mostly rode in silence, watching as the towns and villages we passed stirred from their slumber. On porches, men lit small fires for the women to prepare breakfast. Monks walked barefoot and silent, collecting the morning alms. And, later, children dressed in uniforms shuffled along the roadside to school.

We followed a meandering river past an empty floating market and traveled through the countryside, which was an endless landscape of patterned rice fields, interrupted only by an occasional karst mountain protruding from the farmland.

 

Chiang Khong, Thailand to Huay Xai, Laos Border Crossing

After an hour and 45 minutes, we arrived at the Thai border and Chiang Khong Border Crossing. The station was eerily vacant; at the early hour, we were the sole travelers crossing from Thailand into Laos. Our driver escorted us to an officer who collected our departure cards and branded our passports with the all-important exit stamp, then handed us tickets for the bus to the Huay Xai Border Crossing in Laos, pointing us in the right direction through the empty building.

We boarded the bus and, with only one other passenger, we crossed the Friendship Bridge into Laos and to the Huay Xai Immigration Office. The Mekong Smile Cruise owner and our cruise guide – Mr. Pheng and Choy – were awaiting our arrival.

Together with the forms they had prepared, we handed our passports and $35 USD (each) to an officer manning the ‘Visa On Arrival’ booth. While we waited for approval, we met the four other passengers on our Laos Mekong River Cruise and exchanged the remainder of our Thai Baht to Laotian Kip.

Once we were officially permitted to enter Laos, we bid farewell to Mr. Pheng. Choy led us to a van that would take us to the docks to board the slow boat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang. Our journey so far – from Chiang Rai to Huay Xai – had taken less than three hours.

 

Huay Xai to Pakbeng

Water Buffalo in the Mekong River, Laos

Long, slender Laos slow boats lined the docks like sardines in a can. Busy crew members lugged boxes onto boats and teenage boys sat on the boat rooftops, waiting to aid in untangling the boats at departure. We found our Huay Xai to Luang Prabang boat and Choy introduced us to the crew – a family of four, with one more on the way.

We boarded the boat from the bow, which was small considering the length of the vessel, but big enough for a bench that could accommodate three people along with a small spirit house.

Laos Slow Boat interior

We passed through the door into the wheelhouse, which wasn’t enclosed and opened into a lounging area that had a retractable roof. Two steps down on brilliantly polished, creaking wooden floors led us into the belly of the boat. Four-top tables lined the sides of the boat back to a small bar, the toilets and the family’s private quarters. 

Within minutes of boarding, the captain was maneuvering us away from the dock and our Mekong Laos boat trip officially began.

Still morning, clouds hung low in the sky, blanketing hilltops and nestling in valleys. By 9:00am, it was already humid, but as the boat motored down the Mekong River, a cool breeze circulated through the open windows.

Distant mountains under blue sky on Mekong River, Laos

Choy apprised us of the itinerary for our slow boat Huay Xai to Luang Prabang trip: our two-day voyage included two stops in riverside villages, a short visit at a cave and an overnight stay at the half-way point town of Pakbeng.

Mekong River Village in Laos

We fell into easy conversation with our fellow shipmates: a British couple on an extended honeymoon traveling through Southeast Asia and an American father-and-son traveling for the first time together. We swapped travel stories, shared tips and sat in comfortable silence as we floated downstream. 

Whether we were chatting at a table, lounging on mats or standing on the bow, we were engrossed in the river scenes that passed by like a Mekong documentary.

Fast speedboat on the Mekong River, Laos

Choy provided the narrative filled with facts and interesting details about Laos; the region, people and religion. He pointed out temples and farms, named a variety of tree species and showed us where both banks of the Mekong River became Laos, no longer representing the border with Thailand.

Mekong River Fish Temple, Thailand

We witnessed fishermen in wooden canoes tending to nets, children splashing at the river’s edge below their ramshackle villages, golden temples peeking through hillside trees and taxi speedboats zipping upriver.

It was surreal. Humbling. Peaceful.

 

Mekong River Village: Ban Houy Pha Lam

Family in doorway in Ban Houy Pha Lam, Laos

Within a couple of hours, we arrived at the village of Ban Houy Pha Lam – the first stop on our Mekong River slow boat trip. We followed Choy up a muddy slope into the quiet community of wooden, stilted houses and roaming chickens. As Choy dictated a brief history of the town – a town that just two years ago had no electricity – a group of teenage boys passed us by, ignoring our presence.

Girl wearing traditional clothes in Ban Houy Pha Lam village, Laos

We moved further into the village, where pigs, dogs and goats wandered freely and curious children peered at us intently through dark doorways and from behind trees. Villagers bathed in the clean – but not potable – water that is piped into small platforms; the new source of water creating public squares of sorts. Houses in the village don’t have running water, yet – quite perplexingly – satellite dishes and mobile phones were prevalent.

Young boy smiles for camera in Ban Houy Pha Lam village in Laos

Similar to small villages around the world, there was a school, a community gathering building and a rustic mini-market that was housed in a wooden shack and sold basic individual necessities – like toilet paper, flour, sugar, oil and soap – that were broken out from larger economy packs. 

 

Afternoon on the Mekong River Slow Boat

Lounging on a Lao Slow Boat on the Mekong River

Back on board, we continued our Huay Xai to Luang Prabang slow boat cruise. Prepared and waiting for us was a scrumptious lunch of classic Laos noodle dishes and fried chicken drumettes made by the captain’s family. After the filling meal, we resumed our observation of the simple, but fascinating, life along the Mekong.

 

Pakbeng, Laos

Women carrying baskets in Pakbeng, Laos

We arrived in Pakbeng, Laos – the halfway point in our journey – with plenty of light left in the day. We scattered to our hotels, as none of us booked at the same one, and rejoined Choy a half hour later. He showed us around the town that seemed to exist solely for the purpose of accommodating travelers taking the Huay Xai to Luang Prabang slow boat.

People on Main Street in Pakbeng, Laos

The main road is a cluster of simple guesthouses and restaurants. Kids, dogs and chickens played in the streets and couples stood in the late afternoon shade playing badminton. At the top of the street, Choy guided us through the local produce market, where women sold fresh vegetables, herbs and rat-on-a-stick from blankets spread in a row on the ground.

Fresh produce market in Pakbeng, Laos

We walked to the town’s small temple, which was slightly faded, but still striking in detail. Choy shared more about Buddhism, telling us about when he was a novice monk and how all males are expected to don the saffron robes for a period of their lives. Two young novice monks, probably not yet teenagers, watched us from the temple window but disappeared when it was time to begin chanting.

Young novice monks chanting in Temple in Pakbeng, Laos

Back on our own, we wandered through Pekbang to the riverside Peace Bar that has the reputation of being the only bar in town. Before we had even descended the steps, the bartender was handing us shots of local Lao Lao whiskey, which we would later learn is a custom in Laos.

We were the only patrons in the outdoor bar, perhaps due to it being shoulder season or maybe because of the early hour. We chased our shots with a round of beers and bobbed our heads to the cliché Bob Marley soundtrack and then retraced our steps to one of Choy’s recommended restaurants for dinner. Greeted with another round of Lao Lao, we sipped this one slowly while waiting for our traditional Laos meal of chicken and bamboo shoots.

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Day 2: Pakbeng to Luang Prabang

Low clouds in mountains on Mekong River, Laos

We had an 8:00am departure on Day 2 of our slow boat Mekong cruise with the same boat, crew, guide and fellow passengers.

The sky was mostly clear with a just a few wispy clouds clinging to mountaintops. Across the river from the docks, two elephants from a nearby sanctuary were getting a morning bath. The boat’s retractable roof was open when the captain steered us away from the Pakbeng docks and continued our downriver Mekong journey by boat to Luang Prabang. 

 

Mekong River Village: Ban Kok Eak

Children playing in Ban Kok Eak Village, Laos

When we docked in Ban Kok Eak, we were greeted by townspeople waiting for another boat to take them to a market. One man carried a small squealing pig in a bag, hoping to sell it that day. The children that had been playing in the river ran ahead of us – one small boy stopping often to launch rocks from his homemade slingshot with incredible precision.

The kids led us into a village that was bigger than the one we had visited the previous day. Hmong (Highland) people live in the village and Choy told us of their unique alphabet and courting customs (one of which involves kidnapping a wanted bride…a frightening tradition that is now frowned upon, but still occurs).

Woman in doorway in Ban Kok Eak Village, Laos

An elderly woman watched us from her doorway as we passed her house; she smiled and posed – just like the children – to have her picture taken and then wanted to see her image on the screen of our devices.

Woman stitches patternn in Ban Kok Eak village, Laos

Another woman sat on a low stool stitching a pattern for a dress while young girls stood around her looking on. Children appeared holding bracelets for sale and young mothers hurried to display handmade scarves and bags, in hopes we would buy one.

 

Floating down the Mekong River

Mountainous scenery on Mekong River, Laos

After another delicious on-board lunch, I stepped onto the bow of the ship. I marveled at the captain’s skill as he navigated the boat through rapids. It was rainy season, which meant the landscape was lush, but the river was swollen and moved swiftly downstream, often carrying natural debris like large tree trunks along with it.

There is no formal training for slow boat captains; the trade is passed down from father to son. Captains must know every rock on the Mekong in order to safely transport passengers from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang – and our captain maneuvered the boat effortlessly. 

Mountainous landscapes on Mekong River in Laos

Although our eyes had been glued to the water for the past two days, we hadn’t tired of the scenery. Every bend in the river, every cloud in the sky, every fisherman in a canoe captivated us.

We sensed that the river has remained untouched for centuries, but noted that changes are soon coming. Train tracks are being laid. Bridges are being built. Plans are in the works for dams to stop the natural Mekong River flow.

While the changes are touted as bringing progress to the area, we can’t help but wonder how that will alter the landscape and affect the people whose livelihood is dependent on the Mekong.

 

Buddha Cave, Laos

Rocky, karst mountain on Mekong River, Laos

As our boat headed east, green hills gave way to rocky karsts; the craggy monoliths a striking contrast to the rolling hills and tree-covered mountains of our journey so far. Inside many of the rock formations are hollowed caves. Pak Ou Caves (Buddha Cave) – of which there is an upper and lower cave – has been visited by river boats for centuries, including ours today.

Pak Ou Caves, Buddha Caves, Mekong River, Laos

In ancient times, the lower caves were used as a place to offer sacrificed animals to the river spirit. In the 16th century, the cave was transformed into a temple and now more than 1,000 Buddha statues, brought for good luck by believers, reside in the lower cave.

Dusty Buddha statues in Pak Ou Caves, Buddha Cave, Laos

The upper cave is accessed by a steep staircase and has a door, as monks at one time lived inside. We walked the depth of the dank cave, using our phones as flashlights, to the end where Buddha statues stood on altars. 

 

Storm on the Mekong

Back on the boat, we were ready for the final stretch of our journey from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang. The sky to the north – and in front of us to the east – was picture-perfect for the ride. But, creeping over the top of the Buddha Cave karst was a dark, foreboding storm.

For most of our trip, we had evaded the rain, only enduring a few, short passing showers. When we set sail from the caves, however, a black cloud was following us and there was no way to outrun the downpour.

Whipping wind blew huge drops of rain into both sides of the boat. We hauled our bags away from the edges and positioned ourselves in the center of the boat for stability and the captain calmly steered us closer to shore. The fast-moving storm quickly diminished visibility; the mountains we saw so clearly a few minutes before were shrouded by a deluge of water. 

The captain was focused, but unfazed by the sporadic weather. His entire life has been spent on the Mekong. Just as rapidly as the storm approached, it dissipated. And, a few minutes later as the captain docked the slow boat in Luang Prabang, the sun was shining again.

13 Things To Do in Luang Prabang A 3-Day Laos Itinerary by JetSettingFools.com


 

Tips for your Trip from Chiang Rai, Thailand to Luang Prabang, Laos

Large transport boat on Mekong River, Laos

We have detailed our experience on the 2-Day Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang Slow Boat – which provided not only a mode of transport between the two cities, but also an unforgettable travel experience. That said, navigating from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang by luxury boat is the most expensive way to make the journey.

 

Luxury Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang Cruise Price

Many companies (like this one) offer an excursion on a luxury Mekong River cruise from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang. Each boat tour offers package deals for a single day or multiple day trips. The ticket prices range from about $150 and up (and it can go way up depending on which company and boat amenities you choose). 

 

Alternate Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang Routes

We chose to book our Laos Slow Boat on the Mekong River with Mekong Smile Cruise, but there are other ways of getting from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang – and vice-versa from Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai. Travelers can opt to fly, take a mini bus, ride the public bus or use the public boat. 

 

Flights from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang

As we already mentioned, there is not a direct flight from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang. There are connecting flights from the Chiang Rai Airport to Luang Prabang through Bangkok (which will take about 6+ hours in total). 

Alternatively, visitors can take a non-stop flight from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, which only takes about an hour. (However, you will have to sort out how to get from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai; the bus is the most popular route and it takes about 3.5 hours). 

 

Mini Bus to Luang Prabang from Chiang Rai

Tourist agencies organize mini bus trips from Chiang Rai to LP for fairly affordable prices. We recommend checking at the local agencies for information. 

 

Chiang Rai Bus to Luang Prabang

The cheap Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang Bus is an overnight bus that takes about 18 hours. The Chiang Rai bus only runs on certain days of the week – and departs from the Chiang Rai Bus Station Terminal 2 (which is outside the city center). The bus tickets cost around $30 USD.

There are no toilets on board, but it does make stops along the route. We think it is always best to ask around for current schedules and information before you go. 

 

Public Slow Boat Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang Route

It is possible with a little bit of effort to travel from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang via public bus and public slow boat, which costs much less than a luxury slow boat cruise. The boat won’t make stops in villages or at the caves and there is no provided lunch.

Your accommodation can help arrange specific details and answer common questions about the public Mekong slow boat to Luang Prabang. 

 

More Mekong River Adventures

We absolutely loved our 2-day Slow Boat Cruise on the Mekong River…but it’s not for everyone. There are several options for exploring the Mekong River – from day trips to fishing trips to kayaking – in several countries, including Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Check out these Mekong River Adventures, which you can book in advance!

 

Where To Stay in Pakbeng, Laos

Travelers who opt to take the slow boat to Luang Prabang from Chiang Rai will almost certainly make a stop in Pakbeng (whether taking a luxury boat or the public boat). For the overnight stay, it is best to make your hotel reservations in advance. 

During our stay in Pakbeng, we stayed at DP Guesthouse. Our room was small, but sufficient with a large shower and – most importantly – air conditioning. Free wifi and breakfast were available in the ground floor open-air cafe. 

There are many Pakbeng hotels to choose from (take a look here). Also check out these top-rated hotels (based on guest reviews) for your upcoming trip: The Sanctuary, BKC Villa and Mekong Riverside Lodge

 

What To Bring on the Mekong River Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang Boat

We have just a few final tips for traveling from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang by boat – including what to pack. You can find all of our packing advice on our dedicated Travel Packing blog page. Need a checklist? Get your Free Packing Checklist!

 

Good Camera with Zoom Lens

We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your Chiang Rai Luang Prabang boat trip. Rather than relying on your mobile phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for higher quality photos. 

We travel with a Canon Rebel and use an everyday 18-135mm lens. This camera is great for capturing sights from the luxury slow boat to Luang Prabang. 

 

The Right Travel Shoes

We brought both flip flops and versatile sneakers on our Mekong Slow Boat cruise – and we are glad we had both! Read our tips on the best travel shoes for your trip!

 

Travel Day Bag

While our luggage was always at hand on our Mekong River boat cruise, we kept day bags close by with all of our necessities and everyday travel essentials!

 

Trip Insurance

If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your Mekong River boat trip (or overall Southeast Asia trip), consider traveling protected with a trusted company, like World Nomads.

 

Destination Information

We spent ample time in both Chiang Rai and Luang Prabang – and we have tips on the best things to do in each destination! 

Read our advice for the top Things To Do in Chiang Rai. And, when you arrive in LP, use our advice for the best Things To Do in Luang Prabang

 

Mekong Travel Planner 

As you make your plans and reservations for your trip, staying organized is essential! We highly recommend using a travel planner to keep track of all your trip details so that nothing falls through the cracks. Our Travel Planning Printables are great for keeping all of your trip details organized! 

Travel Planner Printables by JetSettingFools.com

 

Start planning your trip to Southeast Asia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing!  Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning page for more information and tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides page!

 

We want to know: Have you traveled from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang? How about from Chiang Mai to Laos? Ever taken the slow boat on the Mekong River? Tell us about your adventure in the comments! 

 

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Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang Slow Boat on Mekong JetSettingFools.com

10 thoughts on “Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang: Slow Boat on the Mekong

  1. Simon

    It looks great! What month did you do this trip in?

    Also, is there much difference if one does the trip in the opposite direction? Thanks…

    • Thank you Simon, it was! We made the trip in September, rainy season, however we were very fortunate with mostly dry weather. The trip is 2-3 hours longer in the upstream direction, depending on the flow. Cheers!

  2. Aydan

    Hi Dear!!!

    This is amazing, the end of the month I will be in Chiang Rai, and want to cross through the river to Laos.

    Any idea where I can arrange a slow both trip?

    Thank you so much for the sharing information.

    Greets,.

  3. I took that trip about 10 years ago from LPB to Houie Xai. It was wonderful and I have fond memories of lazy days drifting up the Mekong stopping along the way.
    Thanks for the share. I used to live in Thailand back in the 70s and spent a lot of time in Chiang Rai. It was much smaller then!
    I still spend 3 month each year in SE Asia. You’re inspiring me to take that trip again. I think there is another leg of the journey that goes from LPB to Vientiane. Much better way to go than flying or driving that treacherous Route 13!

    • Wow – we can’t even imagine how things have changed over the years! How lucky you are to have seen so much of SEA!
      We looked for a boat from LPB to Vientiane, but couldn’t find one…too many drops in the river, we were told. If you find one, let us know!
      Have a great trip!!

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