Laos - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 701

cram in more than 100. Refuse en masse and a second boat will be drafted in. Boats leave
from the boat landing at the north end of town at 11am and stop for one night in Pak Beng
(100,000K, six to eight hours). Tickets are available from the boat landing the afternoon
before you travel, or from guesthouses.
Speedboats to Pak Beng (160,000K, three hours) and Luang Prabang (360,000K, six
hours) leave when full from a landing about 2km south of town, from 8am daily. Buy your
ticket at any one of the guesthouses or on arrival at the kiosk above the boat landing. Be
aware that deaths are not uncommon given the recklessness of the drivers; if you do
choose to go ahead with the trip, bring earplugs and close your eyes.
Slowboats also run to Luang Namtha (1,530,000K to 1,700,000K per boat split between
passengers, plus 40,000K each for food and accommodation) via Ban Na Lae.
For any journey take plenty of water, food supplies and padding for your back.
Alternatively, the stylish 40-seat Luang Say Cruise ( 020 5509 0718; www.luangsay.com ; per
person US$362-491, single supplement from US$67; 8am-3pm) includes meals, guides, visits en
route and a night's accommodation at the lovely Luang Say Lodge ( Click here ) in Pak
Beng.
BUS & SŎRNGTĂAOU
The bus station is 5km east of town. Buses to Luang Prabang (120,000K, 14 to 17 hours)
via Luang Namtha and Udomxai depart at 9am, 11.30am, 1pm and 5pm. The 11.30am
continues to Vientiane (230,000K, 25 hours), and the 5pm Luang Prabang bus is a VIP
service (135,000K). For Udomxai (85,000K, nine hours) there's also an 8.30am service.
For Luang Namtha (60,000K, four hours) an additional bus departs at 9am.
Travel-agency minibuses to Luang Namtha leave from central Huay Xai at around 9am
(100,000K).