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Luang PrabangOutdoor sports

Our most recommended Luang Prabang Outdoor sports

Luang Prabang: Cruise to Pak Ou Caves & Kuang Si Waterfalls

1. Luang Prabang: Cruise to Pak Ou Caves & Kuang Si Waterfalls

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.

Luang Prabang: 3-Day Cultural Remote Trek With Homestay

2. Luang Prabang: 3-Day Cultural Remote Trek With Homestay

Day 1 Meet your guide early in the morning for preparation and departure. Take some time to store your luggage and ensure that you travel light. Travel north along the Mekong river and then the Nam Xeuang river for 1.5 hours.  Cross the river by local boat to the trailhead and trek straight into the jungle on trails that locals use to travel between the remote villages. The trek is 4-5 hour route of medium grade walking through rice paddies and jungle.  Stay overnight in a welcoming Hmong village with basic, comfortable conditions to explore local and meet the locals. Enjoy a dinner prepared by your guide and local family. Day 2 Rise to the sounds and activities of daily Hmong hill-tribe life and breakfast prepared by your guide. Embark on the shortest hike, a 4-hour long journey along valley streams to an amazingly remote and very large mixed Hmong and Khmu village situated in a valley surrounded by large mountains. You’ll arrive mid-afternoon and have more time to explore these expansive villages and their schools. Your guide will help you explore the villages and experience the local life. Enjoy your evening and relax for tomorrow’s mountain peak hike. Day 3 Set off on a hike for 6-7 hours to mountain tops with panoramic views looking over the villages and stunning views of the remote Lao landscapes. Go down to the Nam Xeuang River where the trekking ends. You will be hiking the very trails that locals take to tend their steep mountain-top rice fields and visit a Hmong mountain village along the way. You can go for a well-deserved swim in the river at the trail’s end before our return trip about 1.5 hours to Luang Prabang from this unforgettable adventure trip.

Luang Prabang: Kayak to Pak Ou Caves

3. Luang Prabang: Kayak to Pak Ou Caves

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.

Luang Prabang: Countryside Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch

4. Luang Prabang: Countryside Mountain Bike Tour with Lunch

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.

From Luang Prabang: Thin Pha Trail & Tad Sae Falls Trek

5. From Luang Prabang: Thin Pha Trail & Tad Sae Falls Trek

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.

Luang Prabang: Kuang Si Bike Ride & Long-Tail Boat Cruise

6. Luang Prabang: Kuang Si Bike Ride & Long-Tail Boat Cruise

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.

Luang Prabang: Bamboo Experience & Kuang Si Falls Tour

7. Luang Prabang: Bamboo Experience & Kuang Si Falls Tour

Spend a full day cooking traditional and authentic Lao food and exploring the Kuang Si falls. Begin your journey with a tuk-tuk pick-up from your hotel at 8.30 AM and head to a rustic pavilion modeled on a traditional Lao house in a picturesque setting.  After a warm welcome, your guide will explain how bamboo is a key part of Lao culture and how numerous items found in Lao households are made from the versatile bamboo plant, including fishing tools and musical instruments. Then, try your hand at weaving a souvenir mat made from strips of the bamboo plant. Your local teacher will guide you through techniques that have been used for hundreds of years. Learn how to sharpen knives and cut bamboo into strips, then make a small mat using an overlapping weaving process. After admiring your finished creation, learn how the bamboo plant also plays a vital role in everyday Lao cuisine. In a hands-on workshop, you will then assist a chef in cooking traditional local dishes such as bamboo shoot soup, bamboo shoot steamed in banana leaf, and bamboo shoot dip. After class, relax on the terrace and enjoy your culinary creations along with views of the countryside. After lunch, you will visit the most beautiful waterfalls in Luang Prabang, the mighty Kuang Si falls. You will also get to see the sun bears living in the rescue center inside the falls. Finally, enjoy swimming in the turquoise pool inside the falls before being transferred back to your hotel in Luang Prabang in the evening.

Luang Prabang: Mountain Trek & Local Villages Overnight Tour

8. Luang Prabang: Mountain Trek & Local Villages Overnight Tour

DAY 1 Start the tour with hotel pickup at 8:00 AM and head off for the Longhurst trail, one of the most spectacular trails in the area. The trail has steep jungle-covered mountains on one side and a spectacular view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River on the other side. You'll cross the Nam Khan River by boat and begin the ascent into the mountains. The trail is an invigorating and sometimes challengingl hike going through canyons to remote villages and small lakes. The full-day hike spans 13km, normally taking 6 hours with breaks included. Under wet conditions, the hiking can be 7-8 hours. You’ll arrive at the Khmu village in the evening for an authentic cultural homestay and a well-earned meal prepared by your guide. Enjoy exploring the village with your guide, have a drink with the locals, and enjoy this incredible night deep in the mountains. DAY 2 Enjoy breakfast and set out for a 1.5 to 2-hour trek through the rice fields and forest. Then make your way up the hillside to a Hmong village of "Ban Tin Pha" , a wonderful place with a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.  Afterward, continue the trek downhill to a village along the river, "Ban Houay Yen". Here you will board a local boat for a relaxing ride on the Nam Khan to the Tad Sae waterfalls.  Lunch will either be served at the village before the boat ride or at the waterfall as preferred. If you want to cool off after all the trek, take a swim in the pools at the base of the falls or relax in the shade. End the tour by taking the local boat to a camp and then driving back to the town.

Luang Prabang: Village Trek & Nam Khan River Kayak Tour

9. Luang Prabang: Village Trek & Nam Khan River Kayak Tour

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.

Luang Prabang: Organic Farm Experience & Hike to Kuang si

10. Luang Prabang: Organic Farm Experience & Hike to Kuang si

Immerse yourself in Lao culture through its gastronomy and landscapes with this cooking class and hike combo tour. Visit a local farm for a 4-course cooking lesson, hike to Kuang Si Falls, and meet rescued bears at a bear sanctuary. After getting picked up from your hotel in a traditional tuk-tuk, enjoy a 40-minute drive towards the home and farm of a local family in the village of Ban Pak Si. Upon arrival at the farm, join your host for a stroll in the gardens to select the fresh ingredients for your cooking class. Then, under the guidance of your host, learn how to prepare a traditional four-course Lao lunch. Cook your own salad, pork laab, sticky rice, and more, then sit down to enjoy the rewards of your efforts with lunch at the riverside. Refreshed and reenergized after lunch, enjoy a 2-hour hike towards Kuang Si Falls, following a path used daily by local farmers. Upon arrival, swim in the falls' turquoise waters or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings. Next, pay a visit to a nearby sanctuary that cares for and rehabilitates bears rescued from animal traders and deforested habitats. At the end of the day, return to Luang Prabang, stopping for photos of the Lao countryside and villages before arriving back at your hotel.

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What people are saying about Luang Prabang

We had a wonderful day and would recommend it to everyone. We were picked up punctually at our hotel. Then we went to Somsay's home, where we were warmly welcomed by his family. Somsay speaks very good English and taught us about the relevance of bamboo in Laotian culture. You can tell that it is also very close to his personal heart and he shared some beautiful stories from his childhood with us. It gives you a wonderful insight into local life. Afterwards, we were able to have our own experience with a master weaver. We laughed a lot with him and not only because of the offered Lao Whiskey. We were surprised how diverse bamboo can be used in the kitchen at the cooking class with Somsay‘s wife! The tasty lunch was rounded off with traditional music. Afterwards, a transport to the Kuang Si waterfalls was organised, where we could spend as much time as we wanted. Most beautiful waterfalls and not too cold to jump into the water. From there we went back to the hotel. Very well organised.

Thanks for the nice tour. Everything worked well, good organization and all employees were very friendly, courteous and helpful. Thanks for the cozy and lovely day, would definitely do it again for the price! Please remember tips, they really try! Start at the hotel with a new minibus. Comfortable boat tour including coffee, tea or water. Boat in fair condition and toilets were well maintained. Our tour guide Worn was very accommodating and answered as many questions as possible. Buddha Caves were visited. Very tasty food on the elephant Manifa Farm (try the pumpkin soup) followed by feeding the free-roaming elephants, no sticks, no chains... all very natural, elephants let themselves be stroked against banana bribery, ;) Visiting two villages Was a waterfall visit gg. afternoon, so very empty, but already cooler return journey with a new minibus with air conditioning.

Mr. Pong was a lovely tour guide, who tried everything to make you feel comfortable. The tour was really nice, especially the waterfall and watching the sunset from the boot. Be aware that the roads are really bad.

Waterfall and boat trip are excellent, be prepared for a long minibus journey

Great trip. Lots of things to see. Highly recommended.