Hello,
I've searched and searched the forums, and I'm concerned that the information on the slow boats from the Thailand border to Luang Prabang is outdated. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Specifically-
1) Cost for 2-day option.
2) Is it available daily, or not?
3) Can it be booked in advance?

Thanks so much!

Charlie

When I did it in 2001, every guest house/tour agency in Chaing Mai was advertising for the trip. At that time, we paid around $75 for the 2 day, 1 night stop, including meals enroute and a very ratty hotel, but still the best in town. It was a great trip. Try writing to a few guesthouses in Chaing Mai about pre-booking.

check Travelfish.org and TalesofAsia.com

There is a one day boat which is not the fast boat, a two day slow boat and a two day "cruise." Someone here recently posted about the two-day cruise (about US$250 per person). There have been a number of posts here about the one day slow boat as well as about the cruise.

Thorntree, the lonely planet forum, is a good resource about the lower cost boats. talesofasia is primarily a site about Cambodia. I did take a look to see if Gordon has started a section on Laos, but couldn't find it in 3 minutes.

I just booked a 2day/1night trip on the LuangSay (slow/tour boat) through Karyn at "Asian-Oasis". We'll be doing this in July 2008. $243 p/person - includes overnight at LuangSay Lodge in Pakbang (1/2 way up the river), all meals, etc.

I've checked the boat out via "googling" - and it looks quite nice - looks like a luxury "long tail" that holds about 40 persons.