Things to do in Luang Prabang

Enjoy a private or shared group boat tour to the Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Waterfalls departing from Luang Prabang. You will be picked up at your accommodation and travel straight to the pier. Hop onboard a long tail boat for a relaxing journey aong the Mekong River. Enjoy the views from the water as you pass by local villages and fishing communities. After the first hour and a bit, the boat makes its first short stop at the popular Ban Xang Hai, also known as ‘the whiskey village’. Explore the village, see the process of making Lao Lao, the country’s beloved rice whiskey, and taste the finished product. Continue by boat traveling slowly along the Mekong in the direction of the glorious Pak Ou Caves. Arrive at a small boat landing dock where stairs lead you straight up to the cave. These limestone Buddhist caves have been a place of worship for thousands of years, over this time a collection of Buddha statues and idols have filled these spiritual natural caves Enter the Ou River to visit the limestone cliffs. Then, after a 30-minute boat ride down the Mekong River, arrive at Manifa Elephant Camp for lunch. Enjoy a full buffet-style lunch at the restaurant overlooking the Mekong river and free-roaming elephants. After lunch break, travel by car to the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Enjoy 2 hours of free time to explore the three-layered Kuang Si Waterfalls. Walk the trails of the nature reserve and swim in the refreshing turquoise water pools and visit the bear rescue center. Depart for Luang Prabang, with a short stop at Ban Na Uan Hmong village on the way. Return to the city with drop-off at your hotel.

This mountain bike trip combines great cycling with the chance to discover authentic Lao rural life. Leave the beaten path and find your own adventure outside of town. Get geared up and ride out of town along the Mekong River. After crossing the old communist bridge, make a stop to visit Xieng Lek Village, famous for its mulberry paper and weaving. Follow the Nam Xuang River past villages before offroading into the countryside, up and down hills, past rice paddies and local villages. Ride through vast rice paddies and Lao Leum, Hmong, and Khmu villages with locals tending to the daily activities of Lao agrarian life. The last leg of the ride will take you along the Nam Khan River. Before entering Luang Prabang City enter the beautiful Wat Phon Phao, with its huge golden stupa and an incredible view overlooking all of Luang Prabang.

Visit the Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Waterfall on a full-day tour, with a scenic drive up and down the length of the Mekong River. Start with early morning pickup and relax on the 40-minute drive to Pak Ou Village. Admire locally-produced crafts, before crossing the mighty Mekong River in a small boat to the base of a limestone cliff. Enter the impressive Pak Ou Caves, filled with Buddhist statues and relics. Take your time to explore this incredible place, scented with burning incense and overlooking the impressive landscape. Climb a winding set of stairs, grab a flashlight, and find another fascinating cave to visit. After enjoying the caves, stop for lunch at the base of the caves. Cross back over the water and drive downriver for 1.5 hours, to reach the famous Kuang Si Waterfall. Stop at the popular Whiskey Village along the way, to sample local Lao Lao. Admire the rushing turquoise waters of the falls, surrounded by beautiful jungle scenery. Visit the bear sanctuary while there. We drop you back in Luang Prabang where your tour ends.

Discover Laos' varied and scenic landscapes on this guided tour. After getting picked up from your hotel in Luang Prabang, head north to the Nam Ou Riverside where you will begin your kayak tour. This is an easy river for kayaking where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the tranquil countryside and see naturally-formed limestone cliffs.  Kayak your way towards Pak Ou, where you will visit the famous Pak Ou Caves – 2 linked caves crammed with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Enjoy a guided tour of the caves before starting the second section of your kayak on the Mekong River. Paddle down the Mekong for 30 minutes to reach your lunch destination. Sit down to a delicious buffet lunch as you admire breathtaking views of the Mekong. After lunch, continue to the Kuang Si Falls and enjoy some free time to explore these unique 3-layered falls. You could go for a walk through the trails of the surrounding nature trails, take a dip in the refreshing turquoise water pools or pay a visit to the bear rescue center. Finally, begin the journey back to Luang Prabang. Stop at Ban Na Uan hmong village and get the chance to experience Hmong village life, meet some of the local people and see their traditional embroidery crafts. Get dropped off back at your hotel at the end of the day.

This is a 4 1/2 hour night food tour that starts at 4PM and finishes at 8:30 PM. It includes local food and drinks. Luang Prabang Food Tour is perfect for people who love local food. If you want to get to know what to eat in Luang Prabang but need some help finding places, then this tour will help you out. Discover the best food in Luang Prabang at night during a 4-hour scooter tour. Bring an empty stomach, because the tour won't end until you're full. Wondering what to eat in Luang Prabang? On this Luang Prabang Food Tour you learn about Laos food culture, have fun, and leave full. On this tour you will enjoy the following dishes at six different stops: - Orlam: this local stew is a Luang Prabang favorite full of flavor made with beef - Fresh Salad Local Style: this dish is made with fresh cut papaya, chicken, and local vegetables with herbs for flavor - Khao Soi: this pork noodle soup dish is the most famous Laos specialty. It is made with noodles, pork broth, and topped with Bolognese - Mok Pa: this snack is made out of fish that has been steamed in banana leaf - Local cakes: you will try three different types of local cake, coconut cake, mango cake, and sticky rice cake - Namvam: after all that food, you will end with a sweet soup as a tasty dessert

Start with a morning transfer from your hotel in Luang Prabang 25 minutes out of town to the adventure camp. Cross the Nam Khan River by boat to the trailhead and begin the hike through rice paddies and middle canopy. Your first stop will be a Khmu village named Ban Houay Fai where your guide will introduce you to the local life and customs. Continue along ridges, limestone grottos, and rocky slopes for lunch at a Hmong village known as Ban Thin Pha, which gives this trail its name. Experience a variety of flora and fauna in the mountains and valleys, and weave your way through paddies and countryside. Stop, look, listen, and ask your guide about the life teeming around you. Chat with villagers and ask questions about life in Laos before ending the trek in the riverside village Ban Houay Yen. There, a boat will be waiting to take you down a beautiful stretch of the Nam Khan with a stop at the Tad Sae Waterfall. Relax and soak in Tad Sae Falls before returning by boat and vehicle to Luang Prabang. By choosing this adventure, you are contributing funds to support the local communities you visit. The total trekking distance is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), which takes about 4-5 hours through deciduous forest and farmland with elevations of 300-900 meters (984-2953 feet). During the low water season from February to July, the itinerary is the same with the exception that the Tad Sae Waterfall can be very low or dry and may be omitted. You can choose to take the tour in a public, small group or in a private group.

This tour is an introduction to local Buddhist customs, and no prior knowledge is required to enjoy it to the fullest! Discover the most influential Buddhist destinations in the city, discuss the history of Buddhism and experience Buddhist rituals with locals. You will be picked up from your hotel at 5:00 AM and will travel with your guide on a vintage tuk-tuk to the Alms Giving Ceremony. Join the locals in the Alms Giving Ceremony, and see Buddhist monks. This sacred tradition will bring you luck and happiness. After head to the local market to learn more about local culture and enjoy breakfast and coffee. At 8:30 head to the Luang Prabang Buddhist temples to explore and learn more about the religion, architecture and historical significances of the temples. At 10:00 AM you will return to your hotel.

Catch a ride directly from your hotel and spend the first part of your morning watching quiet monks take part in an alms giving ceremony, processing through town requesting donations from faithful residents. Afterward, browse the produce-packed stalls and vocal vendors at Phosi Market, where you can barter for dried buffalo skin and loose leaf tea. Swing by the villages of Ban Ouay, Ban Ou, and Ban Thapene to explore the cultural differences between each ethnic group. Continue on to Kuang Si Falls in the afternoon. Plunge into aquamarine pools and snap photos of the tumbling cascades of this stunning waterfall before heading down forested trails that lead to a nearby bear sanctuary. Check out exhibits housing rescued Asiatic black bears and listen as your guide explains how these cuddly creatures are being protected from the illegal wildlife trade. As the sun begins to dip toward the horizon, return to the city and the stupa at Wat Siphouthabath where you can grab a seat and watch the setting sun illuminate this sacred site in golden light before you head back to your hotel.

Get picked up from your hotel in Luang Prabang in the morning. Choose a great bike at the local partner's bike shop in Luang Prabang before setting off on a scenic, 30-kilometer paved-road ride along the Mekong River to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfall. Enjoy the medium-grade ride which lasts 2-3 hours with some hills, making several stops to explore the local villages along the way. When you arrive, marvel at Kuang Si Waterfall which spans a large area through some of the lushest jungle around Luang Prabang. Explore the easy walking trails which wind past numerous pools and water cascades where you can relax and swim. Enjoy a provided lunch at the waterfall as you soak up the scenic views and tranquil atmosphere. Make use of the small private changing rooms near the waterfall allowing you to change into your swimming suit. You can also see up close Asiatic bears at the Bear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall. After plenty of recreation time at the waterfall, hop back onto the bikes for a fun downhill ride to the Mekong River. Then, board a long-tail boat for a 1.5-2 hour scenic cruise up the Mekong River back to Luang Prabang. Finally, ride the short distance back to the bike shop to wrap up a great day.

Start this tour with a hotel pickup from Luang Prabang with a drive from Luang Prabang on a short scenic ride south to the banks of the Nam Khan River. From there, cross the river by boat and then start an easy-to-medium 1.5-hour trek. Hike through jungle, forest, bamboo, and paddy fields and alongside streams to a small Khmu village at the base of limestone mountains. The guide will show you around the village to admire the beautiful bamboo woven houses and meet the locals. Don't hesitate to talk with the locals as the guide is happy to act as an interpreter. By choosing this adventure, you are contributing funds to support the local communities you visit. After exploring the Khmu villages, hike for another 1.5 hours to the Tad Sae waterfalls. Depending on the season, you can enjoy the impressive sight of the high waters or the inviting clear, turquoise waters at the rainy season's end. Enjoy a refreshing swim and explore the surrounding Tad Sae area. Please note that in the low water season (from March to August), Tad Sae Waterfall is dry and not visited. From the waterfall, take a boat ride to the Adventure Camp to begin your kayak adventure down the Nam Khan River. After a short safety review, the guide will teach you how to paddle if it is your first time. Embark on an exciting river journey through the beautiful Nam Khan River Valley's lush jungle as you observe locals engaged in everyday activities. While kayaking, you may stop on the many white-sand beaches to relax, swim, and explore. Also, visit the famous Henri Mouhot's resting site accessible from the river. Kayaking conditions vary between easy to medium and total time is approximately 2 hours, depending on river conditions.  Finally, end the tour with a late afternoon return drive to Luang Prabang City.