Kayak & Cruise Tours
Whether you want to go on a 2 or 3 day Mekong River cruise of 300+ kms in a 45m river boat, or explore the Mekong or Nam Ou rivers over 1, 2, 3 or 5 days on a Mekong Kayak & Cruise tour, the choice is yours.
All our kayak and riverboat tours are named after early western explorers who risked their lives to explore this mountainous but stunningly beautiful country, facing dangers everyday from wild animals, raging rivers, and tropical diseases. Many died at a young age in their attempts to explore this magnificent but inhospitable country.
For a brief background on these intrepid, early European explorers, go to Famous Laos Explorers
Today you can travel in their footsteps in relative safety and comfort but unplugged for much of the trip. The only way to get to most of the riverside villages is by boat, as in many places along the river there is no road access, distributed electricity, mobile networks or internet, although it is changing rapidly.
It takes 4 hours coming upriver to Ban Lad Khammune from Luang Prabang, or a day and half to get there from Chiang Khong/Huay Xai, if coming downriver by slow-boat from Thailand. As it’s too dangerous to be cruising at night we have to spend a night ashore at the halfway point at Pak Beng. See Getting There for directions.
In addition to our kayak and riverboat tours we offer mountain bike, camping and homestays along the river.
Mekong River 300+ kms route from Huay Xai on the Thai border to the UNESCO world heritage city of Luang Prabang
Young village girl with baby sister
Our 3 day river cruises start from Huay Xai and most of our kayak tours start from Ban Lad Khammune, a smaller village of about 400 people, 60 kms upriver from Luang Prabang, where the school building trust which Mekong Kayaks supports, recently built a 6 room school. See Who We Are and Bridging the Gap Mekong Trust
We were the first westerners to come here about 20 years1 ago and now a contribution from every Mekong Kayaks’ tourist who stays overnight keeps it equipped with school supplies, text books, etc. The recent addition of a Laos English teacher means some of the children can now speak a little English and will be keen to engage you. In addition your home stay provides paid, sustainable employment for the villagers, where there is normally little paid work available.
Click on your choice of tour below for more details
1 Day Tours: – Kayaking on 2 rivers and Mountain Biking
De Carné Twin Rivers Explorer, 1 day kayaking on Nam Ou & Mekong Rivers, Whiskey Village and Pak Ou Caves
Activity Level – Moderate
Kayaking distance ~ 20 kms
Delaport Mountain Bike & Kayaking Explorer – 1 day mountain biking to Ban Keng Kaen, then kayaking back to Luang Prabang – with Pak Ou Caves
Activity Level – Moderate to Challenging
Biking distance ~ 25 kms Kayaking distance ~ 30 kms
Shooting rapids on the Mekong with guide Tin, a Class 5 kayaker as featured on Discovery Channel
Kicks off in Luang Prabang and includes all connecting transportation, bike, kayak, safety gear, restaurant lunch, snacks and bottled water, Pak Ou Caves fee, support boat, professional English speaking guide, etc
2 Day Tours: – Cruising and Kayaking with Village Home-stay
Mouhot Kayak Explorer – 2 day river adventure with village home-stay at isolated Ban Lad Khammune village
Activity Level – Moderate to Challenging
Kayaking distance – 60 kms over 1 day
Rice whiskey still heating fermented rice to make whiskey
Kicks off in Luang Prabang and includes all connecting transportation, kayak, safety gear, meals, snacks and bottled water, Pak Ou Caves fee, support boat, professional English speaking guide, etc
3 Day Tours: – Cruises, Kayaking, Biking, Camping and Village Home-stay
Garnier Kayak Explorer – 3 day river adventure with village home-stay at isolated Ban Lad Khammune village and beach camp
Activity Level – Moderate & Exhilarating
Kayaking distance – 60 kms over 2 days
Captain Wandee’s private 45m VIP river boat, complete with reclining seats, sun roof, western style loo, and amazing fresh Lao food cooked on-board
Kicks off in Luang Prabang and includes all connecting transportation, kayak, safety gear, meals, snacks and bottled water, activities, Pak Ou Caves fee, support boat, professional English speaking guide, etc
If coming from Huay Xai/Chiang Khong our guide will meet you at Ban Lad Khammune village. See Getting There for details
Pavie Mountain Bike & Kayak Explorer – 3 day biking and river adventure with village home-stay at isolated Ban Lad Khammune village and beach camp
Activity Level – Moderate & Challenging
Biking distance ~ 25kms Kayaking Distance – 60 kms over 2 days
River fisherman
Kicks off in Luang Prabang it includes all connecting transportation, kayak, mountain bike, safety gear, meals, snacks and bottled water, activities, Pak Ou Caves fee, support boat, professional English speaking guide, etc
Lagrée 3 day private river cruise on the mighty Mekong from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang with Ban Lad Khammune village home-stay
Activity Level – Chilled & Intriguing
Cruise distance – 303 kms over 3 days
Includes all connecting transportation, meals, 3 nights accomodation, snacks, coffee, tea and bottled water, Pak Ou Caves fee, professional English speaking guide, etc.