Private backpacker has heard about it or done it, the Mekong River Cruise in Laos. . They are cruises with traditional boats, that is slowboats called, about one of the most iconic waterways of Asia. We also didn't want to miss this experience, but we did it a little differently than most others. We took a luxury variant called The Shompoo CruiseIn this article we delve deeper into the different Mekong River Cruises, with a special focus on this luxury variant. And of course we will take you along the banks of the Mekong!
Ready-made or adapt them yourself: 'a day longer here, a day shorter there'. With flexible Laos tours, all the puzzle work has been taken care of and the best travel routes have already been mapped out for you.
Is your ideal tour not listed? Then you can of course put together your individual tour to Laos using building blocks.
- Experience the real Asia
- Beautiful landscapes
- Undiscovered pearl
- Very affordable
Travel Route
Most tourists choose a 'downstreamcruise from Ban Houayxay east to Luang Prabang. It is also possible to take the route the other way around, 'upstream' and westward, to do. It takes two days to reach your final destination, so you have two days to enjoy the river and life along it.
Ban Houayxay and Luang Prabang
Would you like to know more about the places where your cruise starts or ends? So, what to do and see in Ban Houayxay and Luang Prabang? Then read the blogs about these places later.
From Luang Prabang you can easily travel by train to various destinations in Laos. Would you like to know more about this?
Then read: Traveling with the LCR train in Laos | Everything you need to know
Pakbeng
Regardless of which provider you book the cruise with, you will spend the night in Pakbeng, where the boat docks at the end of the first day. During the day there is little to do in Pakbeng, but in the evening hundreds of tourists from the various cruises stay.
Some cruise providers will arrange an overnight stay for you, but you can also arrange it yourself. An overnight stay in Pakbeng does not cost much. Most accommodations cost 9 to 30 euros per night. There is an outlier of a luxury hotel, where you pay more than 100 euros per night, but there you also have an excellent view over the Mekong River.
Tips for accommodations in Pakbeng:
- The Budget tip is Villa Mekong Guesthouse (click here)
- The best price/quality tip is Mekong Riverside Lodge (click here)
- The luxurious choice tip is Le Grand Pakbeng (click here)
The stops
Most slow boats do not make any stops along the way. The Shompoo Cruise boats, on the other hand, do have stops.
On the first day you will visit a traditional Kamu village, a small place where about 60 families live. You will learn about the rural lifestyle in this very remote area.
On the second day you stop by Ban Mouang Village, nicknamed Whiskey Village, where whiskey is made. They show you how it is made and you get the opportunity to walk around and buy some souvenirs or whiskey. Then the boat continues to Grab Ou Caves, caves with more than 2000 Buddha statues!
The providers and boats
You have several options for crossing the Mekong. Most backpackers choose to buy a ticket on the day itself or a few days before the start at the place they are departing from. This is possible, but with some providers, often the more expensive ones, it is also possible to book in advance.
All providers will pick you up at your accommodation in Ban Houayxay or Luang Prabang. There is a lot of variation in the types of boats and large price differences between the different providers. I provide an explanation below.
Standard
The most affordable cruise is the 'standard' variant. This costs less than 30 euros per person. These boats sometimes have 100, sometimes even more seats, with car seats. Where you will have to take a seat with your luggage. You will be picked up from your accommodation and assigned a designated spot where you will sit for two days. If the boat is fully booked, it can be quite busy. If you sit in the back, you may be bothered by the noise and smell of the engine.
Upgrade and luxury
A slightly more expensive variant is the 'upgrade' and The Shompoo Cruise is seen as the 'Luxury' variant. For the 'upgrade' you pay around 140 euros and for the Luxury Shompoo Cruise 220 euros. The boats carry several dozen travelers, no more than thirty people. You have a lot of freedom of movement on the boat. You can sit at a table, lie on a couch or on the deck in the sun.
Facilities on board
Food, drinks and snacks
The regular cruise has toilets on board. There are no meals, drinks or snacks provided, so you must bring your own. So prepare yourself before you board.
Everything is taken care of at The Shompoo Cruise. You are offered coffee and tea several times a day, which you can have throughout the day, and after you get back on the boat from a stopover, you get a juice. In the afternoon a lunch buffet is served, with delicious hot Laotian dishes. If you fancy snacks, soft drinks or an alcoholic drink, you can purchase them on board.
An English speaking guide
The Shompoo Cruise also offers an English-speaking guide, unlike standard cruises. On board he/she talks extensively about Laos and life along the Mekong River. During the stops he is there to guide you and show you more of Laos.
The experiences
The standard cruise
We heard from several travelers that the standard option did not meet expectations when it came to seeing life along the Mekong River. Some have even advised us against it. They found it fun and new to look around for the first few hours, but after that it was mainly a matter of waiting until they arrived at their destination - for two days.
Particularly when we arrived in Pakbeng and spoke to travelers of the standard variant, our experiences did not match. They were happy to be allowed off the boat, while we would have liked to stay longer.
The Shompoo Cruise
We found the experience of The Shompoo Cruise very relaxing. We alternated rest with activities (the stops) for two days. We took lots of photos, sometimes had a chat with other travelers, learned a lot about Laos from the guide and enjoyed lunch, snacks and drinks.
Want to know more about The Shompoo Cruise? Then click here.
Life along the Mekong
Watching life pass by along the Mekong is of course the most beautiful experience of all. Gold diggers at work, children playing in the water, villages where life is still simple and nature is still untouched. The photos speak for themselves…
The difference
The standard variant actually simply offers a means of transport on the Mekong. The more luxurious variants are actually a complete tour due to the stops and guides. That's also why you pay more for it.
The price difference is large between the different providers and what you get for it also varies widely. For the more expensive variants, you can also take into account that you will save on tours from Luang Prabang – you no longer have to book a tour to Whiskey Village and the Pak Ou Caves.
Above all, The Shompoo Cruise contributes to the experience of Laos and its Mekong River. You sit/walk comfortably on board, you are informed about the area, served, in short, you are provided with all the comforts, so that you have all the peace and quiet and time to look around you.
Closing comments
In conclusion, Mekong River Cruises in Laos offer a unique opportunity to experience the enchanting beauty of the Mekong, while enjoying life along its banks. Whether you choose the standard variant or the luxurious Shompoo Cruise, it is an unforgettable journey that takes you deeper into the rich culture and beautiful landscapes of Laos.
Ready to explore the Mekong? Choose your cruise, grab your camera and embark on an adventure along one of Europe's most iconic rivers Asia. The Mekong awaits your discovery!
Ready-made or adapt them yourself: 'a day longer here, a day shorter there'. With flexible Laos tours, all the puzzle work has been taken care of and the best travel routes have already been mapped out for you.
Is your ideal tour not listed? Then you can of course put together your individual tour to Laos using building blocks.
- Experience the real Asia
- Beautiful landscapes
- Undiscovered pearl
- Very affordable
Plan your holiday to Asia here
- Specific tours : Bali travel, Thailandtravel en Srilankatravel.com.
- Worldwide tours : TUI, Asiadirect, rickshaw travel, king monkey, sawadee, shoestring en Djoser.
- Flight tickets for Asia you book via Skyscanner.
- Hostels & Hotels in Asia you book with Hostelworld en Booking.com.
- Rental cars book yourself Sunnycars, Alamo en rental cars.
- Tours and Activities in Asia you book via GetYourGuide.
- travel items such as suitcases, bags and more you can buy at Bol.com.
- SIM cards and e-SIMs for Asia you can buy from International sim.
- Parking at the airport you can arrange via Parkos.
