🛶 2-Day Mekong River Journey

Slow Boat to
Luang Prabang, Laos

📅 2 Days · 1 Night

🕔 Pickup 05:00 AM

🌊 Mekong River · 300 km

🇱🇦 Cross into Laos

฿1,990 / person

Slow Boat to Luang Prabang · ฿1,990/person · Pickup 05:00 AM

📅 Book Now

The Legendary Mekong River Journey

The slow boat from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang is one of Southeast Asia's most iconic travel experiences. Two days drifting down the Mekong River through jungle-covered mountains, tiny riverside villages, and golden temples — with an overnight stop at Pak Beng.

🗺️ Your Route

From your hotel in Chiang Rai all the way to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang — JTTT handles the transport, border crossing logistics, and boat tickets. You just sit back and watch the river go by.

🏨 Chiang Rai Hotel → 🛂 Chiang Khong Border → 🇱🇦 Huay Xai, Laos → 🛶 Slow Boat Departs → 🌙 Pak Beng (Overnight) → 🏯 Luang Prabang

🕔 Very early pickup — 05:00 AM

📅 2 days, 1 night on the road

🛶 Traditional wooden slow boat

🏨 Overnight in Pak Beng (own cost)

🇱🇦 Laos visa required

👥 Group departure (shared boat)

2-Day Itinerary

A carefully timed journey — JTTT gets you to the border on time so you don't miss the boat.

🌅 Day 1 — Chiang Rai to Pak Beng

05:00 – 05:30

Hotel Pickup in Chiang Rai — Please be ready in the lobby at 05:00 AM. We pick up from hotels within 3 km of the Clock Tower.

~07:30

Arrive Chiang Khong — The border town on the Thai side. Your transport and bus tickets are handled by JTTT.

~08:00 – 09:30

Cross the Friendship Bridge into Laos — Immigration on the Thai side, then bus across the 4th Mekong Friendship Bridge into Huay Xai, Laos. Laos immigration formalities here (visa on arrival or e-visa).

~10:00 – 11:00

Transfer to Huay Xai Boat Pier — Short ride to the slow boat departure pier. Board the traditional wooden vessel and find your seat.

~11:00

Slow Boat Departs — The journey down the Mekong begins. 300 km of river, jungle mountains, and village life passing by your window. Bring snacks and something to read.

~18:00 — Overnight

Arrive Pak Beng — Overnight Stop — Small riverside town halfway to Luang Prabang. Find a guesthouse (many options near the pier) and enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants. Accommodation and meals are your own arrangement.

🏯 Day 2 — Pak Beng to Luang Prabang

~08:00 – 08:30

Slow Boat Departs Pak Beng — Back on the river for the second day. The scenery becomes more spectacular as you approach Luang Prabang.

Afternoon

The Final Stretch — Pass through the last stretch of the Mekong gorge. Watch for local fishermen, water buffalo on the banks, and the golden spires of temples beginning to appear.

~17:00 – 18:00

Arrive Luang Prabang — The slow boat docks at the Luang Prabang pier. A short walk or tuk-tuk ride to your hotel in the UNESCO World Heritage city. End of JTTT service.

Photo Gallery

The Mekong River and the slow boat journey.

Slow Boat on Mekong

Mekong River Journey

What's Included

JTTT covers the transport and boat tickets — the rest of the adventure is yours to arrange.

✅ Included

Hotel pickup in Chiang Rai (within 3 km of Clock Tower)
Transport from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong border
Bus ticket across the Friendship Bridge to Laos side
Transfer from Laos immigration to Huay Xai boat pier
2-day slow boat ticket (Huay Xai → Pak Beng → Luang Prabang)

❌ Not Included

Laos visa (e-visa or visa on arrival at Huay Xai ~$45 USD)
All meals & beverages (2 days)
Overnight accommodation in Pak Beng (Day 1 night)
Accommodation in Luang Prabang
Personal expenses & souvenirs

⚠️ Laos Visa — Important

All foreign nationals (except some ASEAN countries) require a visa to enter Laos. Visa on arrival is available at Huay Xai immigration (~$45 USD, bring a passport photo). Alternatively, apply for an e-visa at evisa.gov.la before travel. We recommend applying in advance to save time at the border.

Why Book the Slow Boat with JTTT

The logistics of this crossing are tricky — early morning timing, two border crossings, and a tight window to catch the boat. We make it seamless.

⏰

On-Time Guarantee

We know exactly how long the border takes — you won't miss the boat

🛂

Border Logistics

We handle Thai immigration exit and transfer to the Laos pier

🎟️

Tickets Included

All transport and 2-day slow boat tickets pre-arranged

🏨

Hotel Pickup

We come to you at 05:00 AM — no taxi needed

💵

Pay at Pickup

No advance payment — confirm your seat via WhatsApp

🌍

Done It 100s of Times

We know this route inside out — every checkpoint and timing

Ready for the Mekong River?

2 days · Chiang Rai → Luang Prabang · The iconic Southeast Asia journey

^฿1,990_/person

Transport & 2-day slow boat ticket included · Pickup 05:00 AM from your hotel

📅 Book This Journey

🔒 Confirm via WhatsApp · Payment collected at pickup · No credit card required