Location & Getting Here
Please note that the swimming-pool at The Apsara Rive Droite is for the exclusive use of the Apsara Rive Droite guests.
The Apsara Rive Droite is located right opposite the original Apsara on the right bank of the Nam Khan river. The hotel is in the village of Ban Phanluang. The quickest way into town is by our boat. However, guests should be aware that there are quite a few steps up and down the steep river banks and that sturdy shoes are required to negotiate them.
If you wish to travel by land there are several options; the nearest bridge across the Nam Khan is the “Two Wheels or “Two feet” only bridge, tuk tuks and mini vans have to use the longer route via the main bridge. Sometimes, when the water is at its lowest, a bamboo bridge is built by the villagers across the river. All we can say is that it’s stronger than it looks. In absolutely no circumstance is swimming across advised as only the Lao have the natural defenses against the lurking river germs.
BOAT
The Apsarian Queen was hand built by an expat British boat builder. It is available, free of charge to all Rive Droite guests from the jetty on either side of the Nam Khan river all day and until late at night.
Bicycles
We have a number of bicycles available for guests to use, ask at reception if you want to reserve one. Cycling around town is safe and fun as long as you remember you are the lowest form of life on the road. The only thing you have priority over is pedestrians and even then not if they are monks or policemen.
mini van
If you want to go out for day trips out then the staff will be happy to arrange and negotiate a mini van and driver for you.
The Apsara tuk-tuk
We have our own tuk-tuk that is available for guests. Please tell reception if you wish to book it for a trip into town.
Mini vans and Tuk-Tuks from town to the hotel
If you want to get your own transport back to the hotel from the main street, the going rate should be around 20,000 kip for a Tuk-Tuk depending on your bargaining skills.
Getting Here
There are several ways of getting to Luang Prabang, depending on how much time you have, and from where you are coming.
From Vientiane to Luang Prabang
Lao Airlines has 3-4 flights per day from Vientiane to Luang Prabang. The flight time is only 35-40 minutes.
From Bangkok, direct
Bangkok Airways flies non-stop to Luang Prabang, the time table varies according to the season, at certain times of year they have two flights a day. During the high season they do get very busy, so book early. They are a quality airline, with a good record in the region. See their web site www.bangkokair.com for flight times; it is also possible to book on line.
From Bangkok via Vientiane
Both Thai Airways and Laos Airways operate daily non-stop flights to Vientiane ; from there it is possible to take a direct flight up to Luang Prabang. Though Vientiane is not exactly "The Paris of the East", that some guide books say it is, it is worth a visit and does have some beautiful temples and excellent shopping. If you wish to spend sometime there we can give you advice on hotels in various price ranges.
From Bangkok to Vientiane via Udon Thani
A cheaper alternative is to fly with one of the new, no-frills airlines that have sprung up recently, Airasia and Nokair to Udon Thani, some 55 kilometers from the Laos border. Thai Airways also flies there. From Udon Thani you can either take the air-con coach or a private taxi, to the border at Nong Khai.
From Bangkok by rail
Perhaps one of the last exotic means of travel left in Asia is by rail. The night train to Nong Khai is no exception. It leaves Bangkok station at 8.45 every night and arrives around nine o'clock the next morning. Costing as little as 1200 Baht per person it's a real treat. For that you get an air conditioned room for two, with crisp clean sheets, a wash basin, and cold beer brought to your cabin on demand. Though food is provided on the train a picnic is better. The food hall on the top floor of the Emporium Shopping centre in Bangkok sells great take away sandwiches.
When you get to Nong Khai station you get a tuk-tuk to the bus station and then a minibus to the Laos border. It costs a bit extra, but it avoids the hassle of carting your luggage about, as it will wait for you at the Thai border and then take you over the Friendship Bridge to Laos .
From Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
At present Laos Airways flies to Luang Prabang three times a week. Check with them as this changes virtually every month. The flying time is around one hour.
From Udon Thani (North East Thailand) to Luang Prabang, direct
This is a recent route serviced twice a week by Lao Airlines.
From Kuala Lumpur, via Vientiane
Air Asia flies from Kuala Lumpur to Vientiane a few times a week. From there you can fly up to Luang Prabang with Lao Airlines.
From Hanoi to Luang Prabang, direct
Vietnam airlines and Lao Airlines fly from Hanoi which is only an hour away. This makes life much easier for guests coming from Hong Kong, itself only a flight of just over an hour from Hanoi.
By boat from Houeisay (North West Laos)
There are three types of boats available to Luang Prabang from Houeisay in Thailand . One is noisy speedboat, it has no shade, you have to wear a crash helmet because it's so dangerous, and by the time you reach Luang Prabang you'll feel like you've been beaten up by experts.
The public boat is a better option; it has shade, proper seats, and stops once over night, where you stay in a guest house.
And finally there is a boutique river boat hotel that takes two days to get up river. During that time, you sit in comfort, lunch on board, visit hill tribe villages and overnight in a comfortable lodge. Their website addresses is www.asian-oasis.com or email info@asian-oasis.com
Visas
Arriving by air from Bangkok
There is a certain skill to getting a 30 day visa on arrival at Luang Prabang, one that is not explained by the Authorities. On arrival in the airport go the Visa counter and hand over your A4 sized visa form, $35, [$36 on a Sunday, don't ask why] and a passport photo. Then queue up at the next desk to get your passport back. When you've done that, go to the immigration booth and hand over your passport and your other, rectangular, Immigration and Departure form. It is all too easy to join the wrong queue.
Crossing the border at Nong Khai
Though it is relatively easy to get a 30 day visa, there is absolutely no explanation of how you do this, leaving many people waiting for hours in the wrong queue.
On arriving at the border, you will see, on the left, a white building with visas on a gold sign. It has two small dark windows, in between which is a wire basket. Take an A4 form from the basket and fill it in. Queue up at the left hand window with your form, a passport photo and $35. An official will take the form from you. While you are waiting, go up to the immigration booths and get an Immigration and Departure form, then go back to where you started from, and fill this in. Eventually the right hand, black window will open and you will be handed back your passport plus visa. Now, and only now, go to the immigration booth to queue up.
Once through there go to yet another booth and pay 10 baht tax, in return you get a pink slip. Keep this in your hand as you have to give it to the person at the exit from immigration. It's a bit like playing Grandma's footsteps, but eventually you get there.