Banana Boat Tours
Banana Boat Tours
4.5
8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Full view
About
Better boat trips and tours. The Mekong River is your gateway to local experiences and popular attractions around Luang Prabang. We also can take you to authentic experiences on and around the Nam Ou River, Nongkhiaw area. Take a tour with us and enjoy travelling at your own pace.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
116 reviews
Excellent
80
Very good
24
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
4
csabisch
Poestenkill, NY46 contributions
Feb 2020
We enjoyed both the Sunset cruise as well as the Temples and Waterfall cruise. Booking was very easy. The company was wonderful and arranged everything.
- hotel drop off and pick up by tuk tuk. Driver was early and clearly identified as Banana Boat
- met at river by company representative who
- provided water, coke, and beer for cruises in addition to snacks.
- for the full day cruise we even received sandwiches and Laotian dessert
Banana Boats provided 2 wonderful days of memories for us. Cruising up the Mekong was truly a trip highlight. Enjoyed ourselves so much we thought about repeating the sunset cruise again just to have the experience again.
You cannot go wrong with booking a Banana Boats tour!
- hotel drop off and pick up by tuk tuk. Driver was early and clearly identified as Banana Boat
- met at river by company representative who
- provided water, coke, and beer for cruises in addition to snacks.
- for the full day cruise we even received sandwiches and Laotian dessert
Banana Boats provided 2 wonderful days of memories for us. Cruising up the Mekong was truly a trip highlight. Enjoyed ourselves so much we thought about repeating the sunset cruise again just to have the experience again.
You cannot go wrong with booking a Banana Boats tour!
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer V
Norwell, MA5 contributions
Jan 2020
I led a group of 13 students over to Laos and Emi put together a wonderful itinerary that included a unique homestay at Ban Leu homestay in Ban Nyanyang. The organization and orchestration were seamless throughout. We enjoyed every minute!! Beautiful and peaceful sunset cruise. Couldn't have asked for more. I highly recommend!!! Unique and authentic experiences. Can't wait to return!
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joel K
Vancouver, Canada3,404 contributions
Dec 2019
This was a leisurely day long tour along the Mekong and Nam Khan River from the Pak Ou Caves to Luang Prabang. We saw houses, stupas, elephants, many boats of all shapes and sizes. We visited many sites along the river. A relaxing day along the river.
Written 31 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
valley09
Australia19 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I did the Pak Ou Caves Sunset Tour and it was a great experience from start to finish. Communication via email and booking was very easy. We were a small group which is what drew me to this tour company as it felt more authentic and personal. They also provided delicious snacks on the boat ride back. There was plenty of time to explore the caves and the boat was very comfortable and safe. Highly recommend! Especially if you want to escape the tourist hoards....
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SStuart14
Brisbane6 contributions
Nov 2019
Our Banana Boat trip to Kuang Si Falls was a wonderful day out!
We were collected from our hotel by tuk tuk and taken to our boat, one of the tour organisers provided a good explanation of our itinerary for the day. Which consisted of crossing the Mekong first to see the Long Khoune Temple and it’s mediÂtation cave and then on to Chomphet Temple on the other side of the Mekong and then on to the falls. Our boat was really comfortable (BB01), complete with day lounges. Our first stop at Long Khoune Temple we walked up the stairs from the river to be greeted by local villagers who manage the temple and cave, we paid our entrance fee and walked around the temple observing the monks going about the daily life and took pictures of the temple. We requested to go to the cave and initially they were happy to abilige until they were unable to locate the keys. The local villagers went in all directors to find the keys, but to no avail. They apologised and we went to look at the entrance to the cave and the smaller temples near by. We proceeded to Chomphet Temple, escorted by one of the villages (I think part way as an apology that they hadn't been able to locate the keys). We thought it was rather funny and did mind in the least. These things happen😀. We took more pictures and took in the view back across the Mekong to Luang Prabang. We meet our boat at the bottom of another set of stairs to continue our journey up river. We had a delicious lunch on board before we disembarked to met our local village transport (dual cab ute) to the falls. We opted to walk up, across and down the other side of the falls. It was a little challenging at times, But the view was worth it. We had time to have a well deserved swim in the lower falls before returning to our pick up point. Which was super easily and it was only a short trip back to the boat for a couple of well deserved Beer Lao on our return to Luang Prabang. It was a lovely day trip, I would recommend Banana Boat we were able to see a lot in a short amount of time and a lovely way to travel.
We were collected from our hotel by tuk tuk and taken to our boat, one of the tour organisers provided a good explanation of our itinerary for the day. Which consisted of crossing the Mekong first to see the Long Khoune Temple and it’s mediÂtation cave and then on to Chomphet Temple on the other side of the Mekong and then on to the falls. Our boat was really comfortable (BB01), complete with day lounges. Our first stop at Long Khoune Temple we walked up the stairs from the river to be greeted by local villagers who manage the temple and cave, we paid our entrance fee and walked around the temple observing the monks going about the daily life and took pictures of the temple. We requested to go to the cave and initially they were happy to abilige until they were unable to locate the keys. The local villagers went in all directors to find the keys, but to no avail. They apologised and we went to look at the entrance to the cave and the smaller temples near by. We proceeded to Chomphet Temple, escorted by one of the villages (I think part way as an apology that they hadn't been able to locate the keys). We thought it was rather funny and did mind in the least. These things happen😀. We took more pictures and took in the view back across the Mekong to Luang Prabang. We meet our boat at the bottom of another set of stairs to continue our journey up river. We had a delicious lunch on board before we disembarked to met our local village transport (dual cab ute) to the falls. We opted to walk up, across and down the other side of the falls. It was a little challenging at times, But the view was worth it. We had time to have a well deserved swim in the lower falls before returning to our pick up point. Which was super easily and it was only a short trip back to the boat for a couple of well deserved Beer Lao on our return to Luang Prabang. It was a lovely day trip, I would recommend Banana Boat we were able to see a lot in a short amount of time and a lovely way to travel.
Written 23 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wesley H
Oakland, CA13 contributions
Aug 2019
Banana Boat was great to work with. They put together a semi-custom package based on the website listings. Booking and payment were super easy.
The guide picked us up on time and transported us to the day's activities. He allowed us ample time to explore the waterfall and then provided us much needed water. The boat ride to the cave was awesome and the picnic lunch provided was way more than expected. We had a rather nice lunch and very much enjoyed the slow cruise.
The guide picked us up on time and transported us to the day's activities. He allowed us ample time to explore the waterfall and then provided us much needed water. The boat ride to the cave was awesome and the picnic lunch provided was way more than expected. We had a rather nice lunch and very much enjoyed the slow cruise.
Written 23 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dean
Dubai, United Arab Emirates15 contributions
Sep 2019
They set up a full day with Guide (Mong) & Driver (Tye).
I was picked up at my hotel 6 am sharp and proceeded to the local Market,
followed by the caves and then we covered 2 of the 3 waterfalls spending quite some time at both relaxing and swimming.
The Transportation was spotlessly clean tidy and very comfortable (minibus).
The guide Mong spoke great English and had a good sense of humour and convinced me to go swimming when normally i would have shied away.. so glad he did!
The driver was very safe and friendly.
All in all, it was a brilliant day and largely because they were both so very professional.
I never bother to write reviews but really felt they deserved the time for me to do so!
very polite helpful just all round nice people!
I was picked up at my hotel 6 am sharp and proceeded to the local Market,
followed by the caves and then we covered 2 of the 3 waterfalls spending quite some time at both relaxing and swimming.
The Transportation was spotlessly clean tidy and very comfortable (minibus).
The guide Mong spoke great English and had a good sense of humour and convinced me to go swimming when normally i would have shied away.. so glad he did!
The driver was very safe and friendly.
All in all, it was a brilliant day and largely because they were both so very professional.
I never bother to write reviews but really felt they deserved the time for me to do so!
very polite helpful just all round nice people!
Written 17 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erika
16 contributions
Sep 2019
We were recommended this company from 525 cocktails and we were able to book for the next day at about 6pm. We were told that it’s not a private tour but there was no one else booked in that day so it would become one (joys of travelling in off-peak). We were taken to the temples over the other side of the river which could have been missed but it did provide a lovely view of Luang Prabang. After we were taken to the Kuang Si falls, by boat and then by car. Falls were extremely impressive and once we were finished the driver was there waiting for us. No english spoken by boat driver or car driver but we managed to figure out what they were telling us. Food and drinks were provided and cold!
Written 11 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Petri J
Espoo, Finland3 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Due to the low season, we had the boat all to the two of us. Nice trip along the Mekong River, with good lunch (including large cold beers) packed with us. Saw the two temples and the cave (a bit difficult to hike in), and the waterfall of course. Friendly staff. They didn't complain even though we had to change the date very last minute due to a sudden (but non-serious) illness. Highly recommended when you are in Luang Prabang. Thanks Emi and the team.
Written 31 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy
1 contribution
Jul 2019 • Friends
We did the BB02 (Handicrafts village, temples, waterfall) package and had a great time. The amount of coordination that happens to get you from place to place smoothly and at your own pace is really phenomenal. All the staff we met were warm and friendly, and are hired locally (i.e. not much English, which is fine as we basically had to communicate nothing to them). We were picked up from our hotel and taken to the water, where we had someone explain the basic itinerary to us; after that, we were free to explore. At the end of the day, we were driven back to our hotel.
The boat captain was diligent and overall the river cruise was incredibly relaxing. Floating down the tranquil Mekong with an ice-cold Beerlao (or water or soda) and excellent snacks (fried mushrooms, peanuts, sticky rice banana fritters, lychee, mangosteen, apple bananas) is excellent healing for the spirit. The boat is very nicely outfitted and lunch was delicious and bountiful -- you can even pack it to picnic at the waterfalls.
Even though our driver didn't speak English, we still managed to ask him to stop at the Laos Buffalo Dairy for some ice cream on the way back from the Kuang Si Falls!
Above all, Emi's communication was fantastic in speed and thoroughness and she went above and beyond to make sure we had a wonderful time in LP. Super knowledgeable and I get the sense that she has a genuine love of showing people the beautiful and culturally vibrant area.
Highly worth it! You won't have to spend time haggling with drivers and moving all your things from place to place (do you want to bring your handicraft blanket up the hike to the waterfall top?), and you can still go at your own pace and see what you'd like.
The boat captain was diligent and overall the river cruise was incredibly relaxing. Floating down the tranquil Mekong with an ice-cold Beerlao (or water or soda) and excellent snacks (fried mushrooms, peanuts, sticky rice banana fritters, lychee, mangosteen, apple bananas) is excellent healing for the spirit. The boat is very nicely outfitted and lunch was delicious and bountiful -- you can even pack it to picnic at the waterfalls.
Even though our driver didn't speak English, we still managed to ask him to stop at the Laos Buffalo Dairy for some ice cream on the way back from the Kuang Si Falls!
Above all, Emi's communication was fantastic in speed and thoroughness and she went above and beyond to make sure we had a wonderful time in LP. Super knowledgeable and I get the sense that she has a genuine love of showing people the beautiful and culturally vibrant area.
Highly worth it! You won't have to spend time haggling with drivers and moving all your things from place to place (do you want to bring your handicraft blanket up the hike to the waterfall top?), and you can still go at your own pace and see what you'd like.
Written 30 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Par19
Sarasota, FL7 contributions
We are looking for a boat trip from Lao to Viet Nam. Anyone have a suggestion ?
MekongQueen
Luang Prabang, Laos15 contributions
From Luang Prabang it is a nice overland trip to Vietnam to Dien Ben Phu and then Sapa. Luang Prabang - Nongkhiaw by road. Nongkhiaw to Mueang Kua by boat and then from Meuang Kua bus to Dein Ben Phu, where you overnight and take the bus on to Sapa.