Get the slow boat from here to Pakbeng and Luang Prabang. Ticket office is up some stairs, you need your passport number to purchase. 210,000 kip to Luang Prabang. Arrive around 10am to get a good seat, boat leaves at 11:30am but it started to fill up around 10:45am and it was more difficult for passengers to sort out their bags and find seats. Seat numbering system is made up, just sit anywhere.
It's a landing point for the long tail boats that travel up & down the Mekong. Not a tourist attraction.
Arrived in the late afternoon with 185 passengers on two boats. Stuffed them all on one smaller boat the next morning for the continuance of the journey from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang. We refused to board, stayed an extra day/night in Pak Beng and rode a much larger, nicer craft with tables on to Luang Prabang with two boats. HA !
The pier is fine, the boat is easy to go into, there is some good restaurants pretty cheap nearby.
Wobbly entrance and exit off the boat as you're standing on floating blocks of air connected to one another. The worst bit was the amount of pushy salesmen trying to offer you their hostel to stay at, or their bar to go to. Prepare yourself if you're heading here!
Good view
Nice viewpoint to watch the locals.
Laos Mekong River Cruise from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang
Mekong Smile Cruise run cruises on the Mekong River downstream and upstream: from Huay Xai – Pakbeng to Luang Prabang and back. Our cruise is more luxurious than the public slow boat. The Mekong Cruise takes two days to cruise from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang. The Mekong Smile Cruise is located in the town of Huay Xai, Bokeo Province, Laos. It’s close to the border of Thailand across the river from the Thai city of Chiang Khong in the region of the golden triangle. Chiang Khong in Thailand is just opposite Huay Xai.
Enjoy your vacation in Laos on the Mekong River. You can get a great view on the Mekong Cruise with us.Cruise downstream:
Huay Xai – Pakbeng – Luang Prabang
Departure time: 9:00 am
Day 01: Huay Xai – Pakbeng:
We will pick you up by minivan at Thai – Lao border No. 4. The Mekong Smile Cruise boat leaves at the slow boat pier for a cruise down the Mekong River. The first stop is Paktha this is (check point). At the second stop we will visit the hill tribal villages to learn their culture and relax, then come back to the cruise a buffet lunch will be served on board. After lunch is your free time to relax and enjoy the Mekong River. The cruise arrives at Pakbeng before sunset for an overnight stay at your own hotel.
Day 02: Cruise downstream: Pakbeng – Luang Prabang
Departure time: 8 am.
Early in the morning you can visit the Pakbeng market (optional). After breakfast we depart at 8 am to journey down the Mekong River. The first stop is at Ban Baw where you will observe the traditional whisky village, weaving village, handicrafts and textiles. A buffet lunch is served on board. The boat stops again to visit Pak Ou caves. There are two caves, ‘Tham Ting’ and ‘Tham Phoum.’ The caves contain thousands of Buddha images. The Mekong cruise arrives at Luang Prabang, a UNESCO world heritage city, before sunset and we have the van to pick you up at the main pier to Luang Prabang.
We will arrive about 4 – 4:30 pm at the pier
The price:
1. The cost without hotel $130 per person
2. Child age 2-12 years old discount 50% $65 per person
3. (Less than 2 years old) are free of charge.
Included:
1. Boat cruise to Luang Prabang (2 days)
2. (English – speaking)
3. Entrance fees for Pak Ou caves.
4. Pick up from your hotel.
5. Lunch on board.
6. Transfer to the boat and to Luang Prabang city.
7. Coffee, tea and fruits on board.
Rates exclude:
1.No accommodation and breakfast in Pakbeng.
2. Personal expenses such as bar, telephone and laundry bills.
3. Foods and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary.
4. Tips and gratuities.
5. No dinner in Pakbeng.
6. Overtime fees.
More info: contact Mekong Smile Cruise
Lindo lugar para ver el atardecer en el rió y tomar una cerveza
Slow boat ticket office up the stairs on the left as you walk down the hill to the river. Opens at 8am. Closes around 4pm. 210,000 kip to Luang Prabang. Get there an hour or so early to get a decent seat. You really don't want to sit in the engine room for 7 hours
ลาว
This is the pier, Slow boats from PakBeng stop. 10 to 15 minutes' walk will lead you to the town center, where numerous hotels and guest houses located.