Pakbeng

Pakbeng is in Bakeo Province, Northern Laos.

Pak Beng - nail

Pakbeng Halal Explorer

This small village lies half-way between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang, perched high on the banks of the Mekong river. You will likely be in Pakbeng because the two-day boat between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang has to stop for the night, and a number of guesthouses have been set up to cater to passing tourists. It's also the western end of Route 2, originating in Udom Xai. To call Pakbeng sleepy is an understatement. It's quiet to the point of being dead. Still there are sufficient restaurants for one pleasant night.

24 hour electricity arrived relatively recently in Pakbeng, but you'll still find most of the town is shut down by 22:00. What Pakbeng does have to offer is a good night's sleep and sunset views over a particularly scenic stretch of the Mekong.

Travel to Pakbeng

Mekong Rivertaxis Pakbeng Laos - nail

Most visitors will have to stop here overnight on the slow-boat trip to/from Luang Prabang. It`s also feasible to arrive by speedboat en route to the north. Much more uncomfortable than the slow boat, however you will arrive before the slow boat so you have the option of choosing a guesthouse and showering with no lines/queues. You also get to see the town as the only Westerner. Another possibility is to reach the place by bus. This is a rough and long option.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Pakbeng

The boat landing is at the end of Route 2 on the Mekong. Slow boats leave in the morning in both directions. They depart when full but expect to start at around 09:00. Arrive early to get one of the better seats (as far away from the loud engine as feasible). The in-bound boat normally arrives at about 17:00, but this is Laos, so bear in mind that this is a guideline. Laos transportation goes when the driver can be bothered. It's best just to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. And have a of course.

Slow Boat Transport (Express Boats)

Slow boat are long and narrow boat with a big and loudy engine. They are run by a family. You will usually find a snack bar behind the sitting area and toilets further down the boat. Further down the boat the family's private area.

• As of May 2022, it costs 152,000 kip for the upstream ride for foreigners. Apparently the downstream price is the same. In Pakbeng you can buy your ticket on the boat as they will come around just before departure to check for tickets. The boat schedule is variable as the boat will stop on the way to drop off / pickup villagers.
• Upstream slow boat trips to Huay Xai depart each morning at around 08:30. The trip takes about 9 hours with arrival in Huay Xay around 17:30-18:00 which usually makes it too late for passengers to make the border crossing to Chiang Khong, Thailand the same day.
• Downstream slow boat trips to Luang Prabang depart each morning at around 09:00 from Pakbeng. The trip takes about 8 hours with arrival at the boat landing 10km upstream of Luang Prabang around 16:00. A tuk-tuk to the center will cost around 62,000 kip. The downstream trip is about 2 hours faster but the upstream boats depart earlier so the arrival times at PakBeng are about the same.
• Buying Tickets : there is no need to book ahead a 2-day ticket all the way to Luang Prabang in Huay Xay. You are better off just buying a ticket to Pakbeng (110,00 kips) and buy the next ticket to Luang Prabang when you get on the boat in Pakbeng (105,000 kips).

Speedboat Transport

If you choose to travel on the speedboat (a light canoe with a very powerful engine), a crash helmet and life-jacket should be provided. It is also recommended that you make your bags as waterproof/water-resistant as feasible and wear a rain jacket. The boat can generate quite a bit of spray, plus any showers you might encounter along the way will sting like needles against any exposed skin. On sunny days, sunscreen is invaluable as there is no roof/shade on these speed machines. The journey to Huay Xai can be reduced to as few as 4 hours in the wet season, with a lunch stop at Pak Beng. However, some consider this means of transportation less safe, especially in the dry season. Earplugs are strongly recommended. Those who are concerned about creating as little environmental impact as feasible may want avoid speedboats, as they are heavier polluters than the slower options. Travel agents in Luang Prabang will sell the tickets for 320,000-370,000 kip. You will need a minivan to take you the 10 kilometers north to the fast boat pier in Luang Prabang.

Travel on a Bus in Pakbeng

• Pakbeng Bus Station - Pick-ups make the trip to Udom Xai around 07:00 and leave at the northern end of town on Route 2.

A bus for Muang Xay leaves around 09:00 at the bus station.

A bus leaves at 12:00 from Muang Ngeun (near the Thai-Lao border), costs 72,000 kip, and takes 1.5 hours.

How to get around in Pakbeng

There are only a few streets, so walk around. Most of the guesthouses are along the first 50 m of the main street as you head up the riverbank.

With the roads and particularly the rocky riverbank just above the boat landing being very steep, it might seem tempting to accept an offer for someone to carry your bag for you. Ensure that if you do, you agree on the size of the tip beforehand.

What to see in Pakbeng

There is nothing much to see except the Mekong and rural Laos. A couple of local wats may interest the obsessive temple enthusiast.

• Wat Khok Koh
• Wat Sin Jong Jeang

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Pakbeng

Find a bed, eat something and sleep.

Recently a local guy named Mana started offering treks, with a sleepover in a hilltribe village. Could be nice before you get on that slow boat again.

• Mekong Elephant Camp - Elephant treks.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Pakbeng

Pakbeng is remote and offers very little in the way of shopping, but if you're about to spend the rest of the day on a boat it would be a good idea to pick up Snacks from the row of market stalls that line the primary street in the morning.

Halal Restaurants in Pakbeng

Several guesthouses and some Halal restaurants offer food, but don't expect anything special. There's an Indian restaurant with decent Curries along the main street, called "Hassan". The friendly manager will also package meals for consumption on the slow boat.

Locals set up small sandwiches stands along the road to the waterfront each morning. You can buy basic sandwiches of bread and Laughing Cow Halal Cheese. If not, ask your hotel to provide you with a packed lunch, as you are going to be in for a 9 hour boat ride without meals. Some boats do have some food and fruit drinks for sale too.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Pakbeng

Pakbeng - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Pakbeng, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Pakbeng. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Pakbeng and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Pakbeng. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Pakbeng. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inPakbeng: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Pakbeng.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Pakbeng: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Pakbeng, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Pakbeng.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Pakbeng, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Pakbeng, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Pakbeng and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Pakbeng, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Pakbeng, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Pakbeng without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Pakbeng is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Pakbeng.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Pakbeng is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Pakbeng, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Pakbeng Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

The guesthouses in Pakbeng are all along the main street, just hundred metres away from the boat dock area. A room with shared bath will cost about USD7, while an en suite bath will cost an extra USD1-2 (rooms can mostly be paid in (Thai) Baht and Lao kip as well). There might be places where you can get a room for USD5, but you'll have to search long and bargain hard. Considering hot water: make sure that your bathroom has an individual electric boiler, as there are guesthouses with central boilers that only provide a certain amount of hot water for the whole guesthouse on a first-come first-served basis.

Agents are prevalent in Pakbeng, and you will be bothered. However and these agents are very laid back, especially compared to Thailand. If you are after a really affordable option, it is feasible to get a mattress and a mosquito net under a veranda for about USD2.50. Just watch out for monkeys.

It is feasible, but not necessary to s.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&1507509&&Muang+Pakbeng&&.Zz65a8065d9130454a8ed5e54-206204 book accommodation in Pakbeng in advance, as there are plenty of guesthouses and almost all visitors stay only one night.

The exception to this rule is if you're looking for something a little more upmarket, in which case you have only two choices.

• s.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&1507509&&Muang+Pakbeng&&.Zz65a8065d9130454a8ed5e54-206204 Thip Phavanh Guest House - Guest House run by a young couple (with kids) and they speak a very limited English but are very helpful. WiFi is available; All the rooms have not been finished in June 2018
• s.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&1507509&&Muang+Pakbeng&&.Zz65a8065d9130454a8ed5e54-206204 Luang Say Lodge | Up-market option, offering luxury bungalows mostly for passengers on the Luang Say cruise boat.

• s.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&1507509&&Muang+Pakbeng&&.Zz65a8065d9130454a8ed5e54-206204 Pak Beng Lodge - French-run hotel offering smart rooms, river views from the balcony and French in their restaurant.

• s.ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&1507509&&Muang+Pakbeng&&.Zz65a8065d9130454a8ed5e54-206204 Pheksokxai Lodge - Has very basic rooms with a non-functioning TV, but the lodge has a fantastic pavilion, great views of the river and the mountains as well as a great balcony, plus a nice restaurant with spicy Noodles and bamboo shoots.

Stay Safe

Pakbeng is in the [[Golden Triangle (Thailand)|Golden Triangle]], and in the midst of one of the world's drugs production areas. It cannot be said often enough; stay away from drugs.

Travel Next

Huay Xai and Luang Prabang by boat are the normal destinations for anyone leaving Pakbeng, or by bus to Muang Xay Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd.
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