Laos Travel Forum

I'm going to Laos for 6 days. My first stop is in LP. My original plan was from Chang Rai Thailand, I go to Huay Xai then take a fast boat in Mekong River to go to LP. However, I realized there are no flights from Manila (I'll coming from this place) to Chang Rai. If I take a flight from Manila to BKK, then bus or plane to Chang Rai, it'll cost a lot of time, so I'm thinking of a plane from BKK to LP directly. But they say MEkong River is a must.

So it is really a must? If it is, then I'm willing to sacrifice more time just to experience Mekong River. I'm 85% of a nature person.

What about flying to Chaing Mai, then going on a day trip tour to Chang Rai. When I was there recently, there were 2 people who went from Chaing Mai, and then stayed on in Chang Rai, in order to continue there tour from there. If you are a nature person, I think you will love the Mekong River

Regards

Mike

I've done the boat trip from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang twice, and would do it again tomorrow. One of the highlights of my last two SE Asian holidays. I think the Mekong River is one of the most scenic and interesting places I have ever seen, and I regard it as a definite must. However, if you don't feel you have enough time to allocate to it, you can easily arrange local day trips along the Mekong while you are staying in Luang Prabang. Its just not the same - and you'll be taken to visit little villages with lots of shops etc. If you do take a day trip, I'd advise taking your own boat, and asking your driver to stop at villages which are not tourism centred for a more "authentic" experience.

A tip about leaving Luang Prabang, if you intend to fly, is to always have your ticket booked, as I didn't on my last trip, and flights were full for 10 days.

Another highlight of my last trip to Luang Prabang for anyone nature orientated, was a hilltribe trek. Good way to really see natural Laos, and get away from the increasing throng of tourism in this lovely little town.

hello

as thedouglas said, the mekong is very scenic and well worth a river trip... however, it is to be savoured in silence and at slow pace.

fast boats are what their name says... fast - and noisy, too. backbreaking... considering the number of accidents they have, unsafe, too. you say you are a nature person - in this case the fast one makes no sense - unless all you want to say is that you've been on the mekong.

i would skip the mekong if you can't do the slow trip - and maybe take a day trip on it from LP... to pak ou caves and beyond.

enjoy wonerful laos

thanks guys, now I'm pretty convinced not to miss the Mekong River. the slow boat travels for 2 days, right?

Sadly, its been nearly 2 years since my last trip to Laos, but the fast boats (ie. the speedboats, rather than the more comfy travelling boats) had been banned, due to the risk factors plus concerns about ecological consequences. I hope this is still the case. I can't imagine getting any enjoyment out of a trip in one of those. It'd be a bit like taking the worst roller coaster type of ride from one place to another - crash helmet on, head down, close your eyes, cross your fingers and pray like mad!...then there's the noise!