Can I get a Lao visa at the border?
It is possible to get a visa on arrival at all airports and most international borders including Pakse Airport and Chong Mek.

Update: As of 1 July 2006, Laos visas on arrival have been changed. The visa is now valid for 30 days (before it was 15 days) and the fee is not $30 anymore. Every country has a different charge, which can be found on this list.

The Laos government is very strict on the following two things:
1) there must be at least one full blank page in your passport
2) there must be at least 6 months validity on the passport

They have turned many people away because of these two things.

Please carry at least two passport photos and a copy of your passport at all times to be safe.

What time does the border at Chong Mek open and close?
The Laos and Thai checkpoints at Chong Mek both open at 8.00am and close at 5.00pm daily.

Do I need a Thai visa?
Officially most foreigners from western countries can enter Thailand on a 30 day visa free stay. This means they stamp your passport and you can enter, but you don’t need to pay or buy a visa. To do this you need to have an onward flight ticket out of Thailand within one month. If you do not have a flight ticket, you may be refused entry without a visa, particularly if flying into one of the international airports.

At the land borders they do not seem to be as particular about needing the onward flight ticket and are happy to grant entry without it.

For more information, see www.amazing-thailand.com/Visa.html.

What is the best currency to bring to Laos?
There are no ATM machines in Laos, and though it is possible to take money from your credit card in some travel agencies, the commission charges are very high for this. Most of the more expensive hotels, restaurants and shops will let you pay using your credit card, though some still add on a commission. US dollars and Thai baht are interchangeable with Lao kip – you can pay in dollars or baht and get the change in either dollars, baht or kip. Euros, Australian dollars and Japanese yen are also able to be changed at banks. Travellers cheques are able to be exchanged at most banks in Laos.

Is crossing the border easy?
Crossing between Thailand and Laos is very easy. There is a bridge over the Mekong River in Laos which means it is possible to have a fully paved road access all the way from Pakse to Ubon Ratchatani via the Chong Mek border

What time does the boat leave?
We ask you to meet at Sinouk Café in central Pakse at 9.30am.

What time do we arrive back in Pakse?
Travelling times depend on the levels of the water, conditions on the river, the number of people on the boat (larger groups are slower) and other factors. As a general rule, you should arrive back at around 3.30-4pm, but this of course can vary.

How many people fit on the boat?
The boat has 12 cabins, each sleeping 2 people in twin beds.

The rooms are air-conditioned but if sitting on the deck, do you have extra fans in case it gets hot?
Yes, in case it is a very hot day and there is no wind blowing, the deck can be equipped with a fan.

Is there any kind of fire extinguisher or sprinkler system on board, in the event of a fire?
Yes, the ship is fully equipped with safety systems meeting the international safety standards.

Does the boat have safety equipment?
The boat is equipped with fire extinguishers and life jackets in adult and children’s sizes. A boat mechanic travels on every trip.

What are the accommodation options in Pakse?
Pakse is a fairly large town by Laotian standards and there are quite a few different guesthouses and hotels that you can choose to stay at.
To see some reviews of guesthouses and hotels, go to www.travelfish.org.

How do I get to and from Pakse?
Lao Airlines has flights from Vientiane to Pakse return and also from Siem Reap to Pakse return. These flights run daily in the high season (October – April) but during the other months, the schedules can be a little erratic and flights can get cancelled.

It is also possible to travel from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchatani in northeastern Thailand by bus, train or airplane. From there we are able to transfer you in a private vehicle to Pakse. The journey time is around 3 hours and the cost is variable depending on the number of passengers in the vehicle.

Do the water levels change on the Mekong, and how will this affect our cruise?
Obviously as rain falls, the river levels rise. Even if it is not raining in Laos, heavy rainfalls in China can also affect the river. On the Mekong the difference between the dry season and the wet season is quite pronounced.

Very occasionally, the river levels dry up to the point that the boats can not travel, at least for certain sections. Should this happen, you will be notified as soon as possible. Sometimes it is just a short stretch of the river that our boats can not pass, in which case you will be transferred by shuttle boat. This does not happen very often.

Is malaria a problem?
Malaria cases do occur occasionally, and it is always wise to take preventative measures. Wear long loose clothing which covers your arms and legs, and wear mosquito repellent, particularly in the evenings. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the many malaria medications available if you wish to take precautions.

What is the weather like?
Laos has three seasons. From March to May is the hot season. It is generally hot and very dry. The water levels in the rivers sink. From June to November is the rainy season. It may rain for a few hours during the day, and most of the night. The weather is still quite warm, and often hot and sunny. From November to February it is the cold season. Visitors from colder climates will probably not find it too cold, but temperatures can drop to around 10 degrees during the day, and even lower overnight.

A jumper or jacket is recommended for the evenings and while the boat is moving during any season, but particularly from November to February.

I’m coming during the rainy season. Will rain ruin my trip?
It is obviously impossible to predict the weather. However, there are a few patterns that rainfall tends to take at this time. It may not rain at all, and be warm and sunny for days at a time. If it does rain, it is often in a very heavy downpour for a fairly short period of time, perhaps for a couple of hours in the afternoons. It quite often rains a lot at night.

See www.guidetothailand.com/thailand-travel-information/weather.htm for more information.

Can you suggest an itinerary that involves both the LuangSay and Vat Phou Cruises?
It is easy to include both the LuangSay and Vat Phou Cruises in a trip to Laos. Following is a suggested itinerary that can be used as a base, and expanded or moulded to fit your plans. For the purposes of this itinerary we have suggested travelling from North to South, but the trip can easily be done in the other direction.

Days 1-2. Enter at Houei Say and take the Luang Say Cruise via the LuangSay Lodge to Luang Prabang.
Days 3-4. Explore Luang Prabang.
Days 5-6. Make your way to Vientiane, either by air or by land via Vang Vieng. Explore Vientiane.
Day 7-9. Make your way down to Pakse. This can be done by overnight VIP bus, or by flight from Vientiane. Take the Vat Phou Cruise. After the cruise, make your way from Pakse across the border to Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand, and across to Bangkok. On downstream itineraries it is also possible to disembark at the end of the cruise, at the Cambodian border and travel overland to Phnom Penh.