Guest Posted June 3, 2001 Report Share Posted June 3, 2001 Any comments/advice welcomed. I'm thinking of making my way north and crossing from Chiang Khong to Huay Xai. From Huay Xai, I am thinking of taking a speedboat to Luang Prabang. Anyone out there done this? I am most interested in departure times.I guess I'm likely to stay in Huay Xai overnight, so early morning start wouldn't be a problem. Planning on two complete days in Luang Prabang - from a sightseeing point of view this seems like enough time. Then to Vientiane - fly or by road? Obvious time and cost difference, but is the road trip a memorable trip for sights and scenery - or just a long road trip best avoided! Probably one or two days in Vientiane and then off to a Thai beach for a few days. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 3, 2001 Report Share Posted June 3, 2001 Soccermad I've never done the trip from Luang Prabang to Vientiane but have the other way. It was "character building", I took a Lao Aviation flight on the way back! Sounds great idea on the river though. Good luck, write a trip report when you return please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 5, 2001 Report Share Posted June 5, 2001 Rock on, Soccermad. No one is crazy enough to creep up that damn river in the middle of the summer. Go for it, and let us know how it was in your trip report. You are a pioneer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 6, 2001 Report Share Posted June 6, 2001 quote: Originally posted by vtombrown: No one is crazy enough to creep up that damn river in the middle of the summer Vtombrown - tell me more. What am I letting myself in for!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 6, 2001 Report Share Posted June 6, 2001 It's just that it will be REALLY hot, your schedule will be very undependable, and there won't be any humane place to defecate. Call me a wimp if you want. I am extrapolating from my brief one-time experiences on the Mekong near Vientiane, and from the Tonle Sap River in Cambodia. My friend went to Luang Prabang last May, and he loved it, as do all backpackers. So, as I said, "go for it!" I admire your tenacity. Bring mosquito repellent and Cipro food poisoning pills. Maybe there is a good boat running of which I have not heard. By the way, BKK's Metro Magazine biannually advertises adventures down the Mekong, sponsored by the Foreign Correspondent's Club. Everyone is welcome, but they only infrequently occur. Your fans demand a post trip posting. Bye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted June 10, 2001 Report Share Posted June 10, 2001 Soccermad1, just a suggestion, Malaria meds, might be needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 18, 2001 Report Share Posted June 18, 2001 I haven't done the speedboat trip but it should be OK. There is a jet boat service from Huay Sai to LP and LP to Huay Sai but it doesn't go everyday. The jet boat is a lot better, i.e. nicer ride and probably safer, than those long tailed flat bottom boats that make your ass sore for a week. I've done the road trip both ways and recommend it over the plane. personally I wouldn't take the public bus because it will be probably a ten hour trip. You can take a mini bus and it is a lot better, more comfortable and faster. The mini buses are booked thru travel agents in LP or Vientiane. The mini bus will be a 7 -8 hour trip from LP to Vientiane [ June 18, 2001: Message edited by: rogerdee ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 18, 2001 Report Share Posted June 18, 2001 I haven't done the speedboat trip but it should be OK. There is a jet boat service from Huay Sai to LP and LP to Huay Sai but it doesn't go everyday. The jet boat is a lot better, i.e. nicer ride and probably safer, than those long tailed flat bottom boats that make your ass sore for a week. I've done the road trip both ways and recommend it over the plane. personally I wouldn't take the public bus because it will be probably a ten hour trip. You can take a mini bus and it is a lot better, more comfortable and faster. The mini buses are booked thru travel agents in LP or Vientiane. The mini bus will be a 7 -8 hour trip from LP to Vientiane. Of course the mini bus is more expensive than the public bus but it is still cheap and from my viewpoint worth the extra expense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2001 Report Share Posted June 30, 2001 To soccermad 1 Just read this thread - sorry if this is too late. Did a bike trip last February on your route. 1. Suggest you stay in Chaing Khong and cross in the AM. Huay Xai is a pretty dead place to spend the night. 2. We took a longtail to Pak Beng with the motorcycles, then went up to Udom Xai and then down to Luang Prabang. We got passed by several jet boats on the Mekong. All the passengers looked pretty uncomfortable riding for 8 hours in life vests and crash helmets. Up to you. 3. 32 km outside of LP is Kuang Si waterfall - nice day trip. 4. We were working a motorcycle escort for a bicycle tour, so we took 5 days to ride LP to Vientiane. First half is good sceenery thru the mountains. Consider stopping in Vang Vien. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricosuave Posted June 30, 2001 Report Share Posted June 30, 2001 Soccermad, i highly recommend breaking up the trip from Luang Prabang to Vientine with a night in Vang Vieng. By day you can go tubing down the river in a inner tube, and by night i know of a secret brothel with ladies. Find the indian restaurant on the main street, face away from it, and follow the lights, when you get there you'll know what i mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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