4 days in Laos-1/31- 2/3/2025

Day  4-Guided tour, Luang Prabang-2/2/2025

Mekong River Boat cruise

This morning, we embarked on a full-day excursion to the Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Waterfalls. We met our tour group near the Mekong River.

Then we walked down to the riverbank, where a number of longboats were waiting to take tourists on their journey.

The boat was long and fairly narrow, with rows of seats arranged along both sides. In the center was a covered area that provided shade and protection from the sun as we cruised along the Mekong. Its simple design was perfect for sightseeing, allowing us to sit comfortably while enjoying the peaceful scenery along the river.

After everyone had boarded, our tour guide stood at the front of the boat and outlined the day’s nine-hour itinerary. With the plan explained and our cameras ready, we slowly pulled away from the riverbank and began cruising along the mighty Mekong River. T

As we navigated along the Mekong River, we passed another longboat painted a bright turquoise. There were hardly any passengers on board, and we could not tell whether it was a commercial boat or perhaps a private vessel.

Cruising down the Mekong River.

Along the opposite riverbank, we saw small houses built on stilts, as well as simple homes sitting close to the water. Several longboats were parked along the shore, ready for their next journey. Behind the houses rose a lush mountain covered with tall trees, creating a peaceful and beautifully natural landscape.

Further along the Mekong, we passed a rocky shoreline where several boats were gathered ahead of us. In the distance, layers of green mountains stretched across the horizon, adding to the peaceful beauty of the river landscape.

We also spotted several temples built into the hillsides not far from the Mekong River. Their colorful roofs and ornate details stood out against the green slopes, creating a beautiful contrast with the natural landscape. From the river, the temples looked peaceful and secluded, surrounded by trees and overlooking the water.

In some sections, the Mekong’s water appeared brown, likely because of sediment carried downstream by the river. Along the rocky shore, we also spotted a herd of water buffalo walking one after another, apparently searching for food.

They were most likely domesticated animals belonging to local farmers, as water buffalo are commonly raised in Laos for farming and grazing. Their slow procession along the riverbank offered a charming glimpse of everyday rural life along the Mekong.

We are heading to a small distillery house perched on a hillside with its bright red roof standing out against the surrounding greenery.

 Our tour guide explained that we were stopping there to see how Lao khao, a traditional Lao rice whiskey, is made. The spirit is produced by fermenting and distilling rice, using methods that have been passed down through generations. It was fascinating to pause along the Mekong and learn about this local tradition.

We stepped off the boat using a metal gangplank with small holes, carefully placed between the boat and the shore so passengers could disembark without getting wet.

From the riverbank, we climbed a flight of stairs up the hillside toward the house, where we were about to learn how traditional Lao rice whiskey is made.

Wooden benches were arranged for all of us to sit and listen as our tour guide explained how the traditional Lao rice whiskey is made. We settled in and listened carefully as he described the fermentation and distillation process, a craft that has been passed down through generations.

A local woman then came around and poured a small sample of the rice whiskey into little glasses for us to taste. It was an interesting opportunity to experience this traditional Lao specialty firsthand.

Our tour guide then invited everyone to raise their glasses and join in a cheerful toast.

With smiles and laughter, we lifted the small glasses together and celebrated our memorable journey along the Mekong.

After tasting the rice whiskey, our tour guide walked us around the distillery and showed us how it was made. We saw a man pouring water over rice placed inside a woven bamboo basket, an important part of the preparation process.

Nearby, a large black metal cylinder served as the cooking pot. It was covered with a wooden lid, and a long tube extended from the top. As the rice mixture was heated, the liquid traveled through the tube and dripped into an earthenware jar positioned underneath to collect the finished spirit. Seeing the simple, traditional equipment made the distillation process even more fascinating.

Seeing the simple, traditional equipment made the distillation process even more fascinating.

We then noticed many plastic containers with lids lined up against the wall. They appeared to be used for fermenting or storing batches of rice whiskey, although we were not completely sure of their exact purpose.

After touring the distillery, we headed to a nearby area where the finished products were displayed for visitors to browse and purchase. There were several varieties of locally made spirits and other traditional products available as souvenirs.

The most unusual products were the bottles filled with local rice whiskey and preserved animals. One bottle contained a large black scorpion, while another held an entire snake submerged in the clear spirit. They were certainly eye-catching, and a little intimidating, and appeared to be traditional specialty drinks and souvenirs.

View from the distillery house down to the Mekong river.

Kevin and Kristie on the balcony of the Distillery house

We then left the distillery house and made our way back down the hill. From above, we could see our longboat waiting for us on the Mekong, ready to continue the next part of our journey.

As we walked back down toward the river, we passed a number of small boats parked along the riverbank. They likely belonged to local residents, who use them for transportation, fishing, and everyday activities along the Mekong.

Seeing the boats gathered along the shore gave us another glimpse into the quiet rhythm of life in the area.

We climbed back aboard our boat and continued sailing along the Mekong toward our next destination: the famous Pak Ou Caves.

NEXT... Day 4-Pak OU caves