The 15 Best Boat Trips in Laos

1.Cruise to Pak Ou Caves & Kuang Si Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,769 reviews · from $48Our pick

Spend about nine hours beyond Luang Prabang with a Mekong boat ride to Pak Ou Caves, a stop at Ban Xang Hai whiskey village, lunch with optional elephant encounters, Kuang Si Falls, and a Hmong cultural center. Pickup, transport, lunch, drinks, and entrance fees are included.

“Great tour that was well organized covering major sightseeing spots around Luang Prabang. I highly recommend the sunset cruise option.”

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2.Cruise to Pak Ou Caves & Kuang Si Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,360 reviews · from $52

Spend nine hours seeing Luang Prabang’s top sights with an English-speaking guide such as Mr. Pong. Cruise the Mekong to Pak Ou Caves, stop at Ban Xang Hai for Lao Lao whiskey, eat a buffet lunch at Manifa Elephant Camp, and swim at Kuang Si Falls.

“Excellent tour and guide. Waterfall is a mist see!”

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3.Half Day Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves (Morning / Afternoon)

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 290 reviews · 5 hours · from $40

Cruise from Luang Prabang to Pak Ou Caves with an English-speaking guide such as Thin, Pong, or Pingpong. Explore thousands of Buddha statues, taste rice whiskey at Ban Xang Hai, enjoy a riverside buffet, and choose a morning or sunset return.

“The guide was very entertaining and informative! He did an amazing job!”

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4.Afternoon Kuang Si Waterfalls & Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 158 reviews · 5 hours · from $35Best value

Join an English-speaking guide such as Pany, Khanthong, Vone, or Mr. Da for an afternoon at Kuang Si Falls, forest walks, and a two-hour Mekong sunset cruise. Hotel pickup, transfers, and one drink are included. Bring swimwear, sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

“tour guide was amazing and everything was well organised”

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5.2-Day Transfer to Luang Prabang by Slow Boat

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 149 reviews · 2 days · from $75

Start with an early Chiang Rai pickup, cross into Laos by bus, then spend two days on a shared slow boat along the Mekong. You will overnight in Pakbeng at your own expense, carry your luggage off the boat, and arrive in Luang Prabang around 5 PM on day two.

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6.Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw: River Cruise, Hike & Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 53 reviews · 1 day · from $55

Travel from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw by private van and boat with an English-speaking guide such as Nouan. Cruise the Nam Ou, eat a boxed Lao lunch, visit Sop Keng, then hike to a seasonal waterfall before arriving near your Nong Khiaw hotel at sunset.

“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…”

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7.Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang, Mekong & Nam Ou River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 33 reviews · 1 day · from $55

Travel from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang by river, van, and boat instead of spending the day on the road. Guide Nouan leads the morning Nam Ou cruise, followed by lunch at Manifa Elephant Camp, Pak Ou Caves, Ban Xang Hai, and a sunset Mekong ride. Kayaking to the caves is available at no extra cost for at least two participants.

“la première partie du trajet comme à l allée on est trop nombreux pas assez de place et pas de gilets. sinon le reste très bien”

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8.Mekong Sunset Cruise & Lao Tasting Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 27 reviews · 2 hours · from $44

Spend two hours on Luang Prabang’s Mekong aboard Laos’ first solar-powered boat. You’ll ride by tuk tuk from the Old City, sip a Lao mojito, sample seven Lao dishes, join a wish-and-fish river ritual, and watch the sunset from an open-air deck.

“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!”

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9.2 Day 1 Night Slow Boat to Luang Prabang

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 26 reviews · 2 days · from $85

Travel from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang in two days by bus and slow boat. An English-speaking guide helps with the Thailand-Laos border, while you enjoy Mekong scenery, an overnight stop in Pakbeng, and a final arrival near Luang Prabang. Bring cash for the visa, food, and onward tuk-tuk.

“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.”

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10.Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · from $41

Paddle the Nam Ou and Mekong rivers from Luang Prabang to Pak Ou Caves, where thousands of Buddha images fill the limestone grottoes. A guide leads the visit, and the trip includes a local village stop, food, water, equipment, and an optional sunset cruise.

“We did the half-day kayaking and Pak Ou Caves. Our guide was perfect, interacting seamlessly with a variety of nationalities. Pak Ou Caves did not disappoint. The kayaking surrounded by a beautiful Laos landscape was breathtaking. Lunch provided a plentiful variety of deliciousness. Treat yourself to a special experience.”

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11.Sunset Cruise Luang Prabang

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 20 reviews · from $35

Sail the Mekong from Khem Khong in Luang Prabang on a quiet, solar-powered, double-deck boat. The roughly two-hour trip begins around 4:30 pm and includes one alcoholic or nonalcoholic drink, with snacks and extra refreshments available onboard.

“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.”

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12.Longtail boat&Hot Air Balloon&hotel pick-up

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 20 reviews · 2.5 - 3 hours · from $171

You’ll see Vang Vieng from two angles: above the Nam Song River in a 30-minute sunrise or sunset balloon flight, then at water level in a longtail boat through small rapids. Hotel pickup, a flight certificate, and morning coffee or afternoon champagne with fruit and snacks are 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”

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13.2D Transfer to Huay Xai by Slow Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 18 reviews · 2 days · from $65

Spend two days on the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai. You will see jungle, farms, water buffalo, and riverbank life, sleep one night in Pakbeng, and finish near the Thai border. Hotel pickup, both boat tickets, and optional Chiang Rai transport make this a practical cross-border journey.

“essayer de fo donner un horaire d arrivée afin de coordonner un transfert vers wchizng Rai”

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14.Luang Prabang Mekong Sunset Cruise and Hot Pot Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $55

Ride a tuk-tuk to Luang Prabang’s Mekong jetty, cruise for about two hours at sunset, then share SinDat hot pot at a local restaurant. Your private guide helps with ordering, explains river life, and takes photos. Snacks, bottled water, local beer, transport, and dinner are included.

“It was very pleasant and Thian my guide made it very comfortable too: she also thought me how to do hot pot.Another remarkable experience”

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15.Kuang Si Bike Ride & Long-Tail Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 8 hours · from $150

Ride a quality mountain bike from Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Waterfall on paved roads, with village stops and moderate hills. After lunch, walk past the Asiatic Bear Rescue Centre, swim in the falls, then return by long-tail boat. English guides lead small groups of up to 12.

“C’était une journée incroyable. Le tour en vélo de 35 km était génial mais il faut être un minimum sportif car il y a des montées un peu difficiles. La découverte de la cascade était magique! Je recommande ce tour si vous êtes à luang Prabang”

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