Cruise rates and specials

Naga of the Mekong

A new boat connection from the Lao-Thai border in Houey Xay to Luang Prabang is now available. The cruise aboard the "Naga of the Mekong" departs downstream every Sunday and Wednesday and takes a full day (without overnight). The upstream cruise departs every Monday and Thursday with one night in Pakbeng. The boat can accommodate up to 24 passengers in reclining bus-chairs and has western-style toilets on board. Coffee and tea and a lunch are included. Departure is at 08:30 and cost is 50 USD per pax for the downstream trip and 45 USD per pax upstream (excluding accommodation in Pakbeng). Special rates can be arranged for groups. While not as comfortable as the Luangsay boat it does provide a same day connection to Luang Prabang without having to take the speed boats.

Effective immediately, Luangsay Cruises departures on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays for the cruise down (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays for the cruise up) are operated with the nice wooden boats, Pak Ou 2 and Pak Ou 3. The additional departure on Sunday is operated with the Pak Ou 1, a metal vessel which is both smaller and narrower and with a bit less comfort than its two sister vessels. The standards of services are absolutely the same. Please remember that there will be no Luangsay Cruises in June as boats go on dry dock for their annual check-up.

Onboard the Luangsay Cruise

For bookings within one to seven days of the departure date Exotissimo can now offer reduced rates to agents on both the Luangsay and the Wat Phou cruises. The Luangsay cruise downstream is reduced to 220 USD per pax, while the cruise upstream will be priced at 160 USD per pax. Single supplement is not applicable. The price of the Wat Phou cruise will be lowered to 350 USD; for single supplement please add 100 USD.

Preah Vihear extension

As many tours end in the south of Laos with a transfer across the border to Ubon Rathchathani Airport for a domestic flight to Bangkok (and a late night connection to an international flight out), Exotissimo now offer an additional highlight with a side trip to the exceptional Cambodian mountain temple of Preah Vihear (Phrah Viharn). The temple is on Cambodian territory but is easy to reach from the Thai side. Access from the Cambodian side is also possible but is much more difficult due to the remoteness of the temple and the bad state of the roads.

The trip from Pakse to the Lao-Thai border takes 45 minutes and from the border to Preah Vihear between two hours and 30 minutes to three hours. Guests will visit the temple for two to three hours before departing to Ubon Rathchathani Airport, a one and a half to two hour trip. The approximate cost of the tour is 80 USD per pax and 45 USD per pax for a group of ten. The fee includes a guide, lunch, entrance fees and transportation.