day trips luang prabang

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Stay another day in Luang Prabang by exploring the surrounding areas – from Chomphet’s ancient temples to Nam Dong’s natural beauty.

Hidden Treasures: Chomphet Day Trip

Nature’s Best: Nam Dong Park and The Long Lao Trek

River Journeys: Pak Ou Day Trip

History And Culture: On The Trail Of Henri Mouhot

Caves And Vistas: Muang Nan Day Trip

Misty Mountains: Nong Khiaw To Muang Ngoi

Other provinces

The Top Day Trips to Take From Luang Prabang, Laos

Once you get beyond the glittering UNESCO-recognized cultural infrastructure of Luang Prabang in Laos , you’ll realize it’s actually the exception. The surrounding Lao landscape feels overgrown, wild, and only very occasionally interrupted by Lao ethnic villages.

But the Lao countryside makes Luang Prabang a prime launchpad for day trips exploring Laos’ age-old culture, fantastic trekking trails, and unique biosphere. We’ve picked some excellent adventures that only begin in Luang Prabang, expanding your local experiences with trips that often take you off the beaten path.  

Trek & Swim at Kuang Si Waterfall

Carlo A/Getty Images

Thanks to Laos’ karst topography, Kuang Si Waterfall rises above ordinary waterfalls with multiple tiers of pools that (at least in the dry season) look gorgeous and offer a perfect swimming break for sweaty tourists.

What to do: Join the locals and tourists bathing in the dazzlingly-blue pools or jumping into the water (watch out for hidden rocks). Climb up the trail to get past the pools and up to the main waterfall.

A hiking trail snakes past the cataracts through the jungle and to nearby villages. A popular three-mile (4.75 km) trail begins at the Khmu village of Ban Long and ends right at Kuang Si Falls.

Wildlife lovers will appreciate the Free the Bears Sanctuary, where sun bears are kept after their rescue from farms that harvest their bile (a prized ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine). Come at 2:30 p.m. to see the bears being fed. Entrance costs LAK 20,000 ($2.35); souvenirs sold on site help with costs of running the place.

Getting there: Get a seat on a shared tuk-tuk from Luang Prabang for about LAK 40,000 (about $4.70) per person per way – or hire the whole tuk-tuk for LAK 250,000 (about $30). The 14-mile (23 km) trip takes about 50 minutes to complete. An entrance fee of LAK 20,000 will be charged upon entry. The falls are open to visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

Bike to Ban Phanom for Textiles, a Temple, and a Tomb

When the Kings of Luang Prabang held sway, they sourced their gowns and other garments from the weavers of Ban Phanom . Today, Ban Phanom has hardly lost its touch—the locals are still dab hands at weaving cotton and silk, though their wares now cater to tourists at the Night Market.

What to do: Located some 1.5 miles (2.3 km) by road from the Luang Prabang town center, Ban Phanom is accessible enough for a biking excursion. Ban Phanom is usually included in a biking itinerary that also covers the ruined Phon Phao temple and Henri Mouhot’s tomb.

Visit the Phanom Handicraft Centre, site of a local cooperative where you can watch weavers working on old-fashioned looms (or try working the looms for yourself), and buy the scarves, wall hangings, skirts, and wraps they have for sale. Prices here can be haggled down.

Getting there: Hire a tuk-tuk or a bicycle to go to Ban Phanom; by tuk-tuk, Ban Phanom is a 10-minute ride from the town center. Bikes are available for rent all throughout Luang Prabang for about $2 to $6 a day.

Picnic and Frolic with Locals at Tad Sae Waterfall

Unlike Kuang Si, the gentle stepped waterfalls of Tad Sae dry up during peak tourist season. During the  rainy season  (August to November), though, Tad Sae is gorgeous to behold—multiple levels of waterfalls surrounded by other fun diversions.

What to do: Most visitors go to Tad Sae to swim, and the bigger pools around the waterfall have steps that permit easy access. Out of respect to local visitors , please wear modest clothing when bathing – cover up skimpy swimsuits with a T-shirt or sarong.

You can also check out the elephant paddock, and get to know Laos’ unofficial animal mascot. Or if a view from atop an elephant’s back isn’t high enough for you, strap up for a ride on the zipline that scoots above the waterfall and the surrounding greenery.

Getting there: located some 10 miles (15 km) southeast of Luang Prabang, Tad Sae requires a two-step, 40-minute trip from the city. Take a tuk-tuk to the dock on the banks of the Nam Khan River, then cross over on a rented longtail boat.

Instead of going by yourself, engage one of the tour operators in Luang Prabang for a better deal – expect to spend about LAK 50-70,000 (about $6-8), inclusive of entrance fees and transportation. Elephant rides and ziplines cost extra.  

Meet Thousands of Buddha at Pak Ou Cave

This mysterious cave sits above the waters where the Nam Ou and Mekong rivers meet, some 15 miles (25 km) upriver from Luang Prabang. Judging from the thousands of Buddha images sitting around the cave’s walls, you can tell you’re in one of the country’s holiest sites.

What to do: The approximately 5,000 Buddhas around Pak Ou speak to generations of devout Buddhist practice by locals. The Buddha images are placed there to help their donors store up merit; at the better-lit lower cave (Tham Ting), travelers can climb to view the Buddha images. You’ll need a flashlight to check out the upper cave (Tham Teung), which holds the majority of the Buddha statues.

Many of the Buddha images show signs of damage or wear; it’s likely they were brought there by conscientious devotees who left their images here instead of throwing them away.

Most package tours combine a trip to Pak Ou with a visit to Ban Xang Hai, Luang Prabang’s “Whiskey Village” where locals brew the rice liquor known as “Lao-Lao.” (Read about getting drunk in Southeast Asia. )

Getting there: Pak Ou can be reached in 1.5 hours by slow boat upriver. The slow boat ticketing office along the Mekong charges LAK 65,000 (about $7.60); the boat leaves at 8:30 a.m., inclusive of a stop at Ban Xang Hai.

You can charter your own ride to Pak Ou. Get your own boat and driver for LAK 300,000 ($35.20), or hire a tuk-tuk at Luang Prabang for about LAK 200,000 ($23.50). Tuk-tuks stop at Ban Pak Ou, from which you’ll hire a ferry boat to cross the river (LAK 20,000/$2.35 for a two-way crossing).

Avoid visiting during peak tourist season, as the cramped spaces of the caves become even less pleasant with the tourist crush. During Bun Pi Mai (Lao New Year) , locals will swarm to the caves to wash the Buddha images.

Try Exotic Tipples at Ban Xang Hai (Whiskey Village)

Halfway between Pak Ou Caves and Luang Prabang, the “Whiskey Village” is often packaged as part of a single itinerary to the caves. For generations, the villagers of Ban Xang Hai have brewed Lao rice whiskey for local consumption – visit the village to see how it’s made.

What to do: Get a local guide to explain the rice whiskey brewing process. The Lao have perfected the art of turning sticky rice into a potent rice spirit – it’s about 40% ABV, and it’s particularly prized for traditional ceremonies like baci .

You’ll be cajoled into trying the rice whiskey – plus points if you can drink the whiskey where a dead animal has been left marinating for flavor! Buy a bottle or more to take home, Lao rice whiskey is famously cheap.

Getting there: Ban Xang Hai can be reached in about an hour by slow boat; the slow boat ticketing office along the Mekong stops over at the village between tours of Pak Ou – see the entry on Pak Ou for slow boat rates.  

Trek to Temples through Chomphet District

Make the short crossing across the Mekong from Luang Prabang town center and you’ll find yourself in a barely tamed town – the start of a trail that leads to a series of atmospheric Buddhist temples.

What to do: Chomphet District feels like the flipside of Luang Prabang: rustic instead of refined, overgrown instead of over-built. The ferry boat drops you off at Ban Xieng Mene, a typical Lao village that (like most Lao villages) orients itself around its Buddhist temples.

The hilltop Wat Chomphet offers a wonderful view of the Mekong River, almost opposite that of That Phousi in Luang Prabang Town. But it’s the neighboring Wat Long Khun that flaunts a classier pedigree: the King spent a three-day retreat here prior to his coronation in Luang Prabang.

Ask for the key to enter Tham Sakkalin nearby, a cave that reportedly houses a few relics of the Buddha.

Getting there: the wharf on the Mekong facing the National Museum services ferries crossing over to Ban Xieng Mene, tickets costing LAK 40,000 (about $4.70) per way. Once you’ve crossed, stalls just past the boat landing sell maps and rent out bicycles to tourists.

Chomphet temples charge an admission fee of LAK 20,000 (about $2.30).  

Care for Elephants at the Elephant Conservation Center

The “land of a million elephants” now only have about 800-plus within its borders; the Elephant Conservation Center in Sayaboury cares for a small number of that remnant, rehabilitating elephants after years of abuse in the logging industry.

Visitors to the Conservation Center can help care for these creatures, or stay amidst rustic but comfortable cabins in the Center’s lakeside environment.

What to do: Instead of observing the elephants from a distance, meet the pachyderms on their own turf. The one-day visit to the Conservation Center includes a guided visit with the local veterinarian, and you can also feed a few friendly elephants and visit the “nursery," where a new generation of elephants are being raised in a caring, humane environment.

The length of your stay depends on how much time you’re willing to spend with the elephants: you can stay overnight, or go all-in and volunteer for a week.

Getting there: A dedicated minivan picks up guests outside the Luang Prabang Post Office every morning at 8 a.m., traversing a three-hour ride to Sayaboury and the Center. The same minivan departs Sayaboury at 2pm for Luang Prabang. Visit the Elephant Conservation Center’s official site .

Go Native at Nong Khiaw

The further you drive from Luang Prabang, the closer you get to authentic encounters with Laos’ traditional tribes. That’s why you should head some three hours’ drive north of Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw.

What to do: A sleepy backpacker town on the banks of the Nam Ou River, Nong Khiaw gives you easy access to traditional Tai Lue peoples; mysterious caves with a Vietnam War history; and hiking around the area’s forested, scenic mountains.

Visit the nearby hamlet of Ban Nayang to meet the Tai Lue community here, a deeply traditional people still engaged in making indigo-dyed cotton cloth. Afterward, visit a local collection of caves – Pha Kuang and Pha Thok caves served as hiding places for Communists in the 1970s, enduring heavy bombing from American air assets during the Vietnam War.

Challenge your stamina with a 1.5-hour hike up to Phadeng Peak and be rewarded by the gorgeous view of the cloud-kissed mountains and the Nam Ou River snaking in between.

Getting there: Buses depart Luang Prabang’s southern bus station daily; fares cost LAK 50,000 (about $5.90) per way. The riverside budget stays at Nong Khiaw offer excellent views of the Nam Ou River.

Hit the Trails from Muang Ngoi

With Vang Vieng now seen as more “family friendly”, Muang Ngoi has since moved to the top ranks of Indochina’s last true backpacker spots. From this sleepy riverside town, you can trek to nearby mountains and waterfalls, or go kayaking to see the sights from the middle of the Nam Ou River.

What to do: The mountains surrounding this village set on the Nam Ou River hide bucolic villages, caves, and waterfalls worth a few days’ hiking; local tour guides offer one- to three-day hikes through the barely tamed local landscapes.

A two-day hike from Muang Ngoi to the Khmu village of Ban Kiew Kan, for example, passes by forests and natural features like Tam Gang and Tam Pha Keo caves before stopping at a homestay where guests are welcomed with a traditional baci ceremony. On the way back, you have the option of kayaking downstream to Muang Ngoi, admiring the riverside scenery along the way.

If you prefer to stay in-village, visit the Wat Okad temple to get a blessing from a local monk, or just enjoy the cheap river shrimp and fish at one of the local restaurants.

Getting there: Motorized boat taxis leave the Nong Khiaw pier, taking less than an hour to cruise down the Nam Ou River to Muang Ngoi; the ride costs LAK 25,000 (about $3). Riverside hostels and homestays welcome guests.

From Muang Ngoi, you can reach the Laos-Vietnam border crossing at Pang Hoc, entering Vietnam at Dien Bien Phu.  

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• Top 10 Day Trips Luang...

The Top 10 Day Trips From Luang Prabang, Laos

It’s easy to spend time drinking coffee and wandering from temple to temple in the Unesco World Heritage portion of Luang Prabang . However, the province also offers spectacular natural wonders and hidden gems for those who venture outside the town. Here are the top day trips from Luang Prabang, Laos.

1. kuang si waterfall.

Park, Natural Feature

2. Pak Ou Caves

Buddhist Temple, Natural Feature

3. Boat Tour on the Mekong

If you’re heading to Pak Ou Caves, the Botanical Gardens or Tad Sae, part of your journey will include a ride on a river boat. Many travellers come to Luang Prabang via the slow boat from Thailand . Others just want to get onto the river to better see the mountains and take in the sunset. Check out the Sa Sa Sunset Cruise for great music and hospitality including a free mojito and barbecue skewers available for purchase onboard.

Luang Prabang Ferry Terminal, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

Mekong River | © 松岡明芳/WikiCommons

5. Pha Tad Ke Botanical Gardens

Botanical Garden

Take the ferry across the Mekong River to Pha Tad Ke Botanical Gardens . The first botanical garden in Laos, Pha Tad Ke opened in 2016 with the mission to collect and research the plants in the country and teach the public about horticulture and botany. Wander through the gardens, attend a tea-tasting at the cafe or partake in a bamboo handicraft workshop.

Pha Tad Ke Botanical Gardens, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

Luang Prabang Botanical Gardens | © Caitriana Nicholson/Flickr

6. Muang Ngoi

An hour’s boat ride north of Nong Kiaw lies the sleepy town of Muang Ngoi. Hire a local guide to take you trekking, either for the day or on an overnight camping expedition. This riverside town is also known for boating and kayaking, as well as caving. Many of the local caves sheltered people during the bombing raids of the Lao civil war. Bomb remnants have been repurposed all around town, serving both functional and decorative purposes. Take cash with you, because the town lacks an ATM.

Muang Ngoi, Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR

Muang Ngoi Neau | © Phil Whitehouse/Flickr

7. Tad Sae Waterfall

Tad Sae is best visited around August to November, when the multi-tiered cascades are raging and the swimming pools are at their bluest. The falls are only accessible by boat. Head to Ban Amen village then take a 10-minute boat ride up the Nam Khan to the falls. Bring a picnic lunch and hike to the upper two tiers of the falls to take in the views.

Tad Sae Waterfall, Luang Prabang Province, Lao PDR

Tad Sae | © Greg Hayter/Flickr

8. Whiskey Village

Whiskey Village, or Ban Xang Hai, is a popular stop in conjunction with Pak Ou Caves. The small village is famous for distilling and selling Lao whiskey. The presence of creatures – ranging from snakes and scorpions to lizards – have various medical benefits according to locals. The liquor packs a punch and is made from sticky rice. In addition to liquor, many village women are weavers and sell scarves, skirts and other items that are made on giant looms set up underneath their houses.

Ban Sang Hai, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

Whiskey Village | © shankar s./Flickr

9. Chom Phet

Rent a mountain bike or motorbike and take the ferry to the other side of the Mekong to explore Chom Phet. While it’s geographically so close to down town Luang Prabang, you’ll feel like you’re a world away on dusty roads that will lead to the empty Wat Chom Phet, Sakkarin Cave and Wat Long Khun. Enjoy riding past the rice paddies and locals’ houses on the quiet side of the Mekong.

Jom Phet, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

Luang Prabang and Chom Pet | © Benh LIEU SONG/WikiCommons

10. Tad Thong Waterfall

Hiking Trail, Park

Six kilometres from Luang Prabang lies Tad Thong Waterfall, which is surrounded by a beautiful park and has a hiking trail for visitors to take a nature walk around the falls. While far fewer tourists visit Tad Thong than Tad Sae or Kuang Si, the lack of foot traffic makes these falls a quiet getaway near the city centre. Carry water with you and wear proper footwear to climb up the often muddy trail.

Tad Thong Waterfall, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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Day Trips From Luang Prabang: All To Expect in One Day

Luang Prabang is an entire UNESCO heritage city with many attractions and activities for travelers to discover. Without further delay, let me introduce you to a detailed list of things to explore for a day, along with three specific day trips from Luang Prabang.

What to expect in Luang Prabang?

There is so much to explore for day trips from Luang Prabang. The city is brimming with traditional cultural heritages that are rich in authentic Laotian essence. 

1. Wat Xieng Thong Temple

Renowned as the most beautiful ancient temple in Luang Prabang, this sacred site showcases sophisticated and elaborate architecture. Wat Xieng Thong Temple carries profound meanings tied to heritage conservation, religious devotion, and the artistic expression of Laotian culture. Each year, it draws many local pilgrims and tourists to visit.

• Address: Khem Khong, Luang Prabang
• Opening time: Daily from 8 AM - 6 PM
• Ticket: 20,000 Kip ( 1 USD)

2. Royal Palace Museum

This was once the residence of the last monarch of Laos until the 1975 revolution. The museum exhibits numerous national treasures and artifacts. The structure vividly portrays the layout of the royal palace’s departments during the final years of the monarchy.

• Address: 27 Ounheun Rd, Luang Prabang, Laos
• Opening time: 8 AM - 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM - 4 PM
• Ticket: 30,000 Kip (1,5 USD)

3. The Old Quarter

Luang Prabang Old Quarter - a place to visit 

This spot is ideal for enthusiasts of vintage cultural vibes. Exploring this neighborhood on foot reveals intriguing details about Laos's featured architecture and Buddhist temples like Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Sensoukharam. 

You can stop at any roadside vendor for a break and enjoy watching the passing crowd. The Old Quarter is very beautiful at night with brimming light. There is no entrance fee, and you are welcome to visit here at any time. 

4. Local market

There are several local markets in Luang Prabang City. Here are some options to visit and see the flow of local life:

Morning Market: The morning market near the Royal Palace Museum opens at 5 AM. Local vendors display various daily necessities and fresh food along the roadside stalls.

Night Market: This renowned market opens at 5 PM. It features a variety of products, souvenirs, and enticing street food. The night market is a perfect destination to spend your nighttime.

Phosi Market: This is the largest market in Luang Prabang, offering a wide range of everyday items. The market opens at 5 AM. To get to Phosi Market, you will need to take a tuk-tuk as it is on the way to Kuang Si Falls.

5. Almsgiving Ceremony: This is the daily ritual starting around 5:30 - 6:30 AM, where monks leave the pagodas to receive alms from the early-rising locals preparing for the day.

6. Riverview Park: The park is situated on a tranquil peninsula. If you want to take a stroll while enjoying views of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, this is a perfect place to visit.

The bamboo bridge of Riverview Park

7. Wat Sensoukharam: This is also a notable temple in Luang Prabang, showcasing the cultural beauty and traditional Laotian architecture. Visitors can witness the almsgiving ceremony taking place here every morning.

8. Whisky Local Village (Ban Xang Hai): In this place, residents from the village demonstrate the local method of distilling spirits and present different kinds of snake and scorpion-infused drinks. Additionally, visitors can witness other handcrafting activities such as weaving.

Alongside the cultural heritage, there are remarkable natural sites that captivate travelers:

9. Kuang Si Falls: The cluster of stunning turquoise waterfalls is a must-visit, ideally from November to April. The entrance fee is 1 USD (20,000 Kip). It also covers a visit to the Bear Conservation Center. Kuang Si Falls is a must on the plan of your day trips from Luang Prabang.

• Opening time: 8 AM - 5 PM.

Luang Prabang City from the top of Phousi Mount

10. Pak Ou Caves: This is a unique and fascinating attraction in Luang Prabang, Laos. The caves are home to thousands of Buddha statues, which were hidden here by locals during the 19th century to protect them from war. Visitors can take a boat to the caves, which are located about two hours from the city center.

11. Phousi Mount: Phou Si is one of the highest mountains in Luang Prabang. From the top, you can see the entire city and its rivers. On the way up, you will pass by several temples. I recommend the best time to visit Phou Si Mount is in the afternoon when the sun is setting. So that you can see the beautiful sunset scene in Luang Prabang.

Opening time: Daily from 6 AM - 7 PM 

Ticket: 20,000 Kip (1 USD)

12. The Mandalao Elephant Conservation: This elephant sanctuary provides a safe and natural home for elephants. Visitors can learn about elephants and even get up close with them by feeding and walking with them. 

Opening time: Daily from 8:30 AM - 9 PM

Fee for 1 pax/day: 150 USD.

My Suggested Itineraries

With all that said, Luang Prabang is no doubt one of the top travel destinations in Laos. In the following section, I will introduce you to three popular day trips from Luang Prabang that are not only recommended by me but also by many other travelers for their day plans.

Mekong River Cruise - day trips from Luang Prabang

Mekong Cruise Tour 

Pak Ou Caves

Kuang Si Waterfall

Local Villages

The Mekong River is a lifeline for Laos and Luang Prabang. It provides transportation, irrigation, and food for the people of the region. Along the river, you can see a variety of landscapes, from bustling cities to lush forests. 

Mekong River tours can be customized to fit your interests and budget. Half-day tours typically include a visit to Pak Ou Caves or Kuang Si Waterfalls. Full-day tours can include visits to multiple destinations, such as Pak Ou Caves, Kuang Si Waterfalls, and Whisky Village. Prices range from $20 to $45 per person, depending on the length of the tour and the services included.

City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls

Visit the Royal Palace Museum on your day trips from Luang Prabang

Morning: Alms Giving Ceremony, Morning Market, Wat Xieng Thong & Wat Sensoukharam visit, Royal Palace Museum

Afternoon: Kuang Si Falls & Bear Conservation

Night: Night Market & The Old Quarter

This is one of the typical day trips from Luang Prabang that includes a visit to the city's most popular attractions, as well as some natural beauty and shopping. I highly recommend you try this. The price for this 1-day plan can be between 10 and 50 USD per person.

City Heritage Tour 

If you want to spend a whole day in the city and don't need to travel far, you can refer to this program:

Morning: Almsgiving Ceremony, Morning Market, Riverview Park, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Sensoukharam

Afternoon: Royal Palace Museum, Mount Phousi

Best days trip from Luang Prabang for your choice

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang City with its blend of old Laotian architecture and the hospitality of its people is a destination that can not be missed. With my suggestions for day trips from Luang Prabang above, I wish you a wonderful and memorable travel time. You can share your journey with New Asia Tours so we can recommend and provide you with excellent travel experiences in Laos .

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THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Luang Prabang

Day trips from luang prabang.

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• Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls
• Private Tour: Pak Ou Cave and Kuang Si Waterfall Tour from Luang Prabang
• Luang Prabang A Venerable Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves with Lunch
• Authentic Laos Travel
• Discover Laos Today
• Wander Laos Tour
• Buffalo Tours
• Lao Travel Links
• Manifa Travel
• Tour Luang prabang-Mr Service

Luang prabang day tours, Full day trip with English speaking guide

We also organise very long tours during Laos and lengthier tours inside Indochina. Luang prabang day tours, Below really are a handful of scenes close to our foundation in Luangprabang. To get a summary of present-day tours and costs, click here.

Luang Prabang full day trip

Luang prabang day tours is glimpse of viewing of metropolis, to investigate – discover the culture, historical past, persons and beauty of by far the most attrative landscapes of Luang Prabang.

• Half day Luang prabang private tour with local guide
• Full day tour Kuangsi waterfall and pak ou cave tour with guide
• Full day trek kuangsi waterfall tour, visit Hmong village with our local guide

Luang prabang UNESCO

UNESCO mentioned in Laos, the town alone provides a treasure trove of discoveries . Simply meandering down the streets might be worthwhile in by itself.

Slow boat to visit pak ou cave

Pak Ou Caves. The well-known “Buddha caves” are north of the city to the Mekong and might be reached by slow boat (approx 2h) or river boat reach pak ou cave. Alternatively, it is possible to employ the service of canoes as well as a manual for the working day, which will let you see The attractive landscapes and pay a visit to the caves.

Top 3 best hotel recommend

Luang Prabang is the perfect place to unwind, relax and get lost in its charm. Here you can find the best hotels in Luang Prabang, where you will feel like home. You can choose from budget hotels to luxury hotels, depending on your needs and budget.

My Dream Boutique Resort

My Dream Boutique Resort is just around the corner from the night market and about 10 minutes walk from the main street where you will find all the restaurants and shops. It is also close to Wat Xieng Thong temple which is one of my favorite temples because it has beautiful murals inside and outside of the building.

My room at My Dream Boutique Resort was very spacious with a balcony overlooking their garden area which was very nice since it was cool enough at night for me to sit outside without getting too cold!

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Customer Reviews

6 hours journey luang prabang to plain of jars.

excellent service high recommend, i have search google luang prbng to plain of jars, showing tour by group on first page check through live chat with Eric, he very nice give me lot of information about this trip final i decide to book with him. driver friendly showing me many spot taking picture on the way. day 2 guide and driver pick up 8am. I have very good experience learning history from guide.

Excellent driver Vientiane to vang vieng

Thanks for Eric arrange me excellent driver to pick up me at the airport to my hotel vang vieng. this trip is my first time visiting Laos it’s so exciting high recommend his service

Excellent driver from my hotel to railway station

Experience of an excellent driver pick up me to lao china railway station, Keng arrived on time a friendly driver can speak english not much but nice talk, he said he like his job very much. if you are traveling to Vientiane recommend you book a taxi service with tours by group

Cheaper than travel agent offer me cost

Thanks for helping arrange 2 ticket for my husband and me to travel luang prabang to Vientiane, great service hope to use your service again

Destination

• Laos: Vientiane, Luang prabang
• Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang mai
• Cambodia: Siem reap, Phnom penh
• Vietnam: Ho chi minh, Hanoi, Sapa

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Orange Wayfarer

Culturally Immersive & Responsible Travel

20 Unique Day tours from Luang Prabang that will Make you Hooked to Laos!

About this blog: Luang Prabang offers a plethora of cultural activities in and around the UNESCO accredited Old Town, including exciting day trips. In a typical three to four days itinerary of Luang Prabang, you should be exploring the pretty old town on foot for a couple of days, stopping in between to interact with numerous local hill tribes of Hmong descent. Take part in workshops and learn the tricks of faring up a typical Laos dish . The one extra day you have at hand, you can explore the outskirts of Luang Prabang at leisure, sail of the majestic Mekong River, swim in the transparent water of multi tier Kuang Si Falls , venture deep into the dense forests of the monolithic hills surrounding Luang Prabang! 

I have a chance to embark on a few day trips from Luang Prabang. In this blog post, I will recollect those fond memories and furbish you with necessary travel tips to make these side trips along with Luang Prabang as the base destination! 

Click here for more Travel blogs on  Laos !

“Earlier Luang Prabang used to be a sleepy old town. Tranquil life knew the beauty of serenity. Now, there are so many things to do, so many places to explore around the town!” My guide said with a coy smile. I could not make out whether this was a cause for elation to him, or he anticipated troubled times ahead! 

With changing times, more tourists have come “discovered” this painfully beautiful secret of Southeast Asia. The Kuang Si Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls of the world with gorgeous aquamarine hue has been lately advised with the regular caveat, “Go early because with day unfolding, tourist footfall increases at Kuang Si!” A lot like the Taj Mahal of India! No matter how much Luang Prabang emphasizes on timelessness and a content, slower pace of life, increased tourism possess a potential risk to the age old social tapestry.

One sustainable way to deal with the unprecedented volume of tourism is to ensure tourists gets effectively dispersed to many areas of interest surrounding the Old Town of Luang Prabang. Sustainable tourism development initiatives included the near by weaving villages, made path inside the jungles and paved way to the top of waterfalls. Waterways surrounding Luang Prabang happily made place for tourist sailboats and luxury cruises. With such systematic development around the town, benefit of tourism gets effectively distributed to the residents of a handful of villages surrounding Luang Prabang. Day trippers will have a perfect excuse to bid the city good bye for a while and explore the lesser known faces of Luang Prabang, Laos.

Truth be told, the further off you wander away from Luang Prabang, the sooner you will get a glimpse of the real face of Laos. Luang Prabang, despite not being very prominent tourist spot, is a well maintained and organized city. many have compared it to be a show case of what Laos wants to show you. The grandeur of old warm. The romance of old French colonists. The hustle and bustle of the large night market. To touch the pulsating heart of Laos, you need to veer towards the unknown, unkempt and naturally stunning vistas tucked away by the towering limestone mountains.

Also read: Where to stay in Luang Prabang for the first time visitors?

Kuang Si Falls: A Day Trip from Luang Prabang for the Water-baby!

• Timing for visit to the Kuang Si waterfall: 8 am to 5:30 pm
• Entry fee for Kuang Si Falls: 20000 KIP (2.2 USD)
• Carry: Swimwear, insect repellant
• Parking: Available
• Distance from Luang Prabang: 29 KM south of Luang Prabang
• Travel tip: Avoid visiting Kuang Si Falls at the peak of monsoon if you are keen on swimming. The water force drastically increases and brings in mud and pebbles from upstream.

Kuang Si Falls, also known as the Tat Kuang Si, is a multi-tier waterfall sloping down the mountains and a dense forest. Pristine aquamarine water plays with sun rays all day long. You can not visit Luang Prabang and not go to the Kuang Si waterfall, I found it that beautiful! 

The secret is now out to the world and everyone visiting Luang Prabang, usually signs up for a half day tour to Kuang Si, coupled with a visit to the Laos buffalo dairy or Pak Ou caves. 

We started our day at around 8 am, drank some coffee at the saffron cafe, boarded onto a wooden boat, visited a fisherman’s village, the Laos buffalo dairy and then proceeded towards the Kuang Si Fall. I believe you should change your timing and make it a point to visit Kuang Si the first thing in the morning. 

Legend associated with Kuang Si Falls, Luang Prabang

In Laos language, “Kuang” means deer and “Si” stands for digging the earth. Ages ago, an old monk sought the earth for a blessing of water. Water emerged alongside protruding giant rocks, making a streaking echo. It resonated far and wild, to the interior of China. A golden deer appeared from nowhere, and made the rock its home. 

Things to do at the Kuang Si falls

Visit the moon-bears sanctuary (at the entry point).

At the entrance, a few moon-bears are kept at an enclosure. Laos moon bears were brutally hunted down. Bear bile were in demand for use in traditional Chinese medicine (A lot like Rhino horns of Assam ). As of today, Kuang Si is home to roughly 20 Asiatic black bears. They are beautiful, and often found hanging out swinging on a hammock. It is depressing to learn these beautiful creatures are hunted to cure petty hang over to cancer and the bile finds a way in bath soaps too! Though legal restrictions are now in place to curb this practice.

Close to this, Kuang Si fall is home to a Butterfly park as well. To enter the butterfly park, you are required to pay an entry fee of 60000 KIP. A guide takes you around the well maintained garden and shows you different species of butterfly, a lot like what they did in Ponda Butterfly sanctuary, offbeat Goa!

Swim at the multiple pools of Kuang Si Falls

Kuang Si fall is made of numerous small pools. These pools are shallow. You may even walk on some of these. 

There are ropes, hammocks, tree branches jutting out making for the perfect diving spot. 

Take your time, explore the fall and then jump onto the pool you liked the most. 

At the highest, Kuang Si fall is 50 meter high. The pool near the main fall is kept off limits to visitors. This is where you find a wooden bridge to walk on and snap a few pictures of the main fall in all her glory. Kuang Si Fall is one of the best places in Southeast Asia for a Drone photography enthusiast!

Hike the Kuang Si Falls! (and find secret spots)

At the foot of the main fall, you will stumble across a muddy trail going higher up.

Even though the climb is steep and slippery, with the right kind of hiking show, you will be able to make it at the top of the waterfall, with still water on a sacred pool and a land of peace and tranquility. Not many tourists can make it to the top. In fact, some parts of the pool are separated with makeshift bamboo barriers. 

The picturesque scenic hike is brief but rewarding. The water at the top is green, filled with tiny fishes. 

Learn about the Giant Trees!

The giant tropical trees of Kuang Si Falls, Luang Prabang are tall standing historical figures that actually let the sun rays reflect on the while limestone waterbed and create the magic! Find out Mr Bounmee’s special tree on your walk.

While it is fine to wear any kind of swimwear in the pool, it is recommended to wear modest clothing while reaching the fall entry point. There are changing rooms at the Kuang Falls. A few local shops sell grilled fish and fresh fruit juice outside the fall as well. It is possible to buy a few small souvenirs from the local shops as well, mostly handmade bamboo baskets and indigo fabric, flagship cultural icon of Laos. 

How to reach Kuang Si fall from Luang Prabang?

Kuang Si waterfall is a one hour return trip from Luang Prabang by road. You may also take a boat ride and reach the village close to Kuang Si fall. From there, you need to hire another van/tuktuk to reach the waterfall.

Public Transport : A minivan leaves the center of Luang Prabang everyday at 11:30 am for Luang Prabang. It makes a way back to the city within 2 hours, leaving you with only an hour to explore the fall. But it is the cheapest way to travel to Kuang Si waterfall, if you are traveling solo and are on a shoestring budget. Price for a minivan return trip is around USD 7 (60,000 Kip) per person.

Tuktuk : With a private tuktuk, traveling to Kuang Si is the sweetest deal, especially when you have got other travelers sharing the trip with you. The Tuktuk drive will pick you up from the hotel, drive you there, and wait for 3 to 4 hours for you to come back. All these, for a combined price of USD 22 to 25.

Rent a Scooty : You may rent a bike for a day, and travel to Kuang Si. Renting a bike is USD 15 to 20 depending on demand. 

Also read: Complete Travel guide to Luang Prabang, Laos for the First timers!

Visiting the Na Ya Tai Village for a Baci ceremony

One intensely cultural thing you must experience while traveling in Luang Prabang is to witness the Baci ceremony. 

Prevalent among the hill tribes of Laos, Thailand and Vietnam (more usual with the Hmong tribes) Baci ceremony (pronounced as Basi) is a traditional festival to commemorate a new friendship, a commitment. In the local culture, documentation came rather late in time. The age old practice was to honour oral customs. Baci is a part of that. 

A round bamboo table is seated in the middle of the house. On which cotton threads are tied. The loose end of it is held by the participants. Myriad offerings of fruits, food, chicken and Lao lao wine are placed. The priest sprinkles holy water in the house, chants hymns and the ceremony lasts for half an hour. 

We stopped at the Na Yan Tai village on the way to Nong Khiaw . The small village is home to the Chinese tribes who descended from the mountain ages back. The villagers are highly skilled at weaving. Life here is intertwined with nature as the primary provider. 

Also read: 3 days itinerary in Luang Prabang, Laos!

Trip to a Botanical Garden: Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden

• Timing for visit to the Pha Tad Ke botanical garden s: 8 am to 5:30 pm
• Entry fee for Pha Tad Ke botanical garden : 15 USD, included is the round trip Boat ride
• Carry: Scarf, insect repellant, hiking shoe
• Parking: available
• Distance from Luang Prabang: 15 minutes by boat ride. Account for a couple of hours. 

Located at the opposite bank of Mekong river, the Pha Tad Ke botanical garden is a fifteen minutes boat ride away from Luang Prabang. Plan your trip in such a way that you can watch the sun go down on the way back. Sunset on the Mekong river is an unforgettable experience. 

There is a beautiful cafe to rest and snack on. The plantation is huge (40 hectares of fertile land) and dotted with unique flora of Laos. Exquisite orchids adorn the glasshouse. You may hire a guide to better understanding of Laos Etho-botanical garden. During rainy reason, this Dutch operated garden becomes muddy sloped yet stunningly lush living center of Laos’s abundant nature. 

Also read: Celebrate a Baci ceremony in a Laos village!

Laos Buffalo Dairy

The Laos Buffalo Dairy is such a fun place, you will believe this only once you have been there!

We stopped there enroute the Kuang Si waterfall. In a brief couple of hours, we learnt the basics of establishing a sustainable dairy farm in a country where locals do not drink milk, bathed the buffaloes, tasted multiple delicacies made of buffalo milk. 

If you are visiting the Laos buffalo dairy by boat, account for an hour of sail time. By road, it is located 23 km (around 30 minutes bike ride) from downtown Luang Prabang. 

I recommend a lunch session at the buffalo dairy, tasting various cheese balls, ice creams, salads, croque sandwiches. Price is higher than what you pay at the street side vendor but that is justified for the amazing quality of the dishes you get to eat! 

People in Laos, and the rest of Southeast Asia are lactose intolerant. While dairy is a part of everyday diet, and an essential part of ploughing fields, milk is non-existent in Laos cuisine. However, with increased tourist footfall, Laos saw a heavy demand for milk and dairy products to prepare the famed coffee and French desserts. 

In such a situation, the founders of Laos Buffalo dairy stepped in to meet the demand. Originally from Australia, the owner Susan established the dairy, “loaned” the female buffaloes from locals, imported an Indian Murrah buffalo of China, and started a breeding program. 

I had initially thought what is the big deal of watching Buffaloes. It was only at the dairy farm, I touched them, smeared their bodies with water, fed them straws, put the milk bottle on the baby buffalo’s mouth and my heart was filled with an inexplicable joy!  Buffalo meat is not sold here at the Laos dairy farm. However, you get chicken. You also spot pigs, rabbits and birds in the farm premises. 

Also read: 11 alternate cultural experiences in Luang Prabang, Laos!

Weaving Village of Ban Phanom

Ban Phanom is one the weaving villages located close to Luang Prabang. The weaves of Luang Prabang is one of the prominent part of identity of local tribes. Each hill tribe follows their own style of weaving. It is an honour to witness the elaborate labor intensive weaving process. It takes anywhere between a few weeks to several months to prepare one of the long skirts made of silk or natural fabric.

There are several villages of weavers in and around Luang Prabang that deserves at least one visit. Ban Phanom is your best bait if you are looking for a guided tour and villagers who are accustomed to visitors and can conserve in English to a certain extent in order for a transaction to take place. please carry cash if you plan to buy fabric (which you most definitely should).

Also read: The night market of Luang Prabang, Laos!

Ban Lu Village

In case you want to live with the locals, choose a home stay and understand the art of traditional Laos weaving in depth, choose to stay with the community at Ban Lui village. 

Small yet swank clean guest houses are set up by the villagers here who are keen on welcoming guests and show them generational know how on making cotton and preparing skirts using that in handlooms. You can visit Ban Lui as a day trip from Luang Prabang. You may also choose to spend a few nights here, accept Laos hospitality, drink local tea made of Aparajita flowers and honey. It makes for a pristine experience. 

Also read: Reasons to visit Luang Prabang, Laos!

Saa Paper Making Village (Ban Xang Khong)

Just across the Mekong river where the iconic bamboo bridge ends, starts the ancient village of Ban Xang Khong. If you are keen on exploring handmade craft and textile, do include a visit to this village. You may take a cycle and ride till the village. 

Bark of Saa (a type of Mulberry tree) is used to prepare this paper. The usual process of paper making of turning the bark of the tree into a thick pulp, following up with spreading on a wooden spread, and drying out under the sun is practiced. As a special addition, colorful flower petals and leaves are added to the paper to give it a dentist texture. 

Saa papers are surprisingly strong and result in robust notebooks, cards, wrapping paper and lanterns. Price starts as low as USD 1. Saa paper made products are some of the best souvenirs to be bought at Luang Prabang! 

Also read: Nong Khiaw, a hidden gem in Laos: complete travel guide!

Nong Khiaw: the Remote Corners of Northern Laos

Nong Khiaw is a remote village located in northern Laos. It is 4 hours drive away from Luang Prabang. 

In olden days, it was possible to visit Nong Khiaw on a boat trip from Luang Prabang. With changing times and new development in geo-politics (read building dams), the river way has been cut half way. New bridges have been built connecting banks of Nong Khiaw village. 

The rural settlement is located by the banks of Nam Ou river. Towering monoliths surround the area, like the rest of SOutheast asia. In Nong Khiaw, you can hike up to the view point, take a boat trip on Nam ou river, go caving and spend a few relaxing days swinging in the hammock. A handful of upscale resorts are operative here. Rest are bespoke homestays. 

While you can hastily make a day trip to Nong Khiaw from Luang Prabang, I strongly recommend staying at least one night here. This is where the true soul of Laos is found!

Also read: Sofitel Luang Prabang , an eco-luxury stay in Luang Prabang, Laos!

Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoi

Muang Ngoi is a more remote village located 1 hour north of Nong Khiaw. Except for a dirt road, the village is still located far off from the touristy trail. Take the boat ride and spend a few hours exploring Muang Ngoi, its caves, the paddy fields, spirit houses and temples. The boat ride upstream is ethereal where you find clouds coming down to the mountain peaks, mangroves, sandbanks and wild untouched nature. 

Muang Ngoi is that kind of village where electricity is sparse and pricey. Guest houses offer electricity for a certain hours of the day. Do not forget to pack insect repellent while venturing into the deep of remote areas of Laos. 

Pha Noi Caves of Laos: Trace back Ho Chi Minh Trail!

Not many know, but Laos was one of the most heavily bombed countries during the 70s war in Southeast Asia. Along with Vietnam, America had conducted a secret war in Laos, specifically air raids. Obama’s latest visit to Laos was basically a way to seek redemption. 

The remnant of the war is found aplenty in terms of landmines and UXO. One place where you can see Laos resistance was the Pha Noi caves. Tall monolithic limestone karsts raise their heads towards the sky. A staircase takes you atop the hill where a small mouth hidden behind dense tree branches lets you in the secret world. 

Once a part of the Ho Chi Minh trail, these caves were the base of political activities and running an operative government. One of the caves had sprawling compartments that doubled as banks, armoury, hospital and ministry for the locals during the war. 

The cave opposite had burnt for 3 days straight during one air strike. A martyr’s altar is dedicated there alongside a crumbled up aircraft destroyer. 

Trip to the Whiskey village: BAN XANG HAI

The rice wine that locals drink in Luang Prabang, Laos is known as Lao-Lao. Lao-lao is a strong moonshine, hitting all the right chords even when you just take one quick shot. 

You will come across various glass bottles filled with a snake and alcohol ready for sale at the night market of Luang Prabang. In case you are keen on visiting a village that produces such wines, Ban Xang Hai is your closest option to Luang Prabang. Every Laos village has their own production process of Lao Lao wine though. 

Ban Hang Hai, or Whiskey village is located at a distance of 22 km from Luang Prabang. The village is set up by the bank of Mekong river and can be accessed while visiting the Pak Ou caves. It would take half an hour to go there by bike from Luang Prabang. 

It is a common practice to put snakes, lizards and scorpions inside the Lao lao bottle. They are believed to add to the essence. The snakes used are venomous. The protein derived from the venom is supposed to be coveted. I can not tell. I did not taste. But it is bizarre to watch for sure.

Women of the village are producers of the wine. The rice wine (whisky as you would like to call it) is distilled in three variants. The clear one is the strongest (I had this during the Baci ceremony). There are Black sticky rice (mild) and white wine (sweet and mild) available for the wine enthusiasts. 

Not just wine, the village here sells handmade artefacts and indigo fabrics as well. Villagers are kind and not pushy even when you do not buy. Do try wine shot glasses while visiting the Ban Xang Hai. there was no entry fee for the village.

Lao Lao has a stronger version named lao-hai loved by the Khamu community. Pour this drink on earthenware pots and drink using a bamboo straw.

Also read: Handmade souvenir from Luang Prabang, Laos!

Pak Ou caves

• Timing for visit to the Pak Ou caves: 8 am to 5:30 pm
• Entry fee for Pak Ou Cave: 20000 KIP (2.2 USD)
• Distance from Luang Prabang: 15 KM (

Luang prabang’s unique geological set up h to as brought plenty of limestone monoliths at the bank of the Mekong river. Needless to say, these mountains are home to multiple caves. Caves in Southeast Asia have been home to a number of sacrosanct cultural aspirations. Be it the touristy Cat Ba caves of Ha long Bay or the offbeat pak Ou caves of Luang Prabang.  hours of boat ride one way)

In my honest opinion, the best part of visiting Pak Ou caves is the boat ride. At one point, you hop on to a bamboo raft and float on Mekong! That feels surreal. You can reach Pak Ou (also known as Naga caves) by road but that is not as scenic as the one on the river. 

The caves are a praying place for locals. There are two halls and the upper one commands a steep hike. The halls are enamored with multiple Buddha statues. A number of pushy kids want to sell you birds. Buying a caged bird and setting it free is one of the scams abundantly seen in Luang Prabang. 

Get a hiking shoe that does not slip. Please do not walk on the altar while wearing the show. Carry a flashlight while walking inside the cave. 

Boat trip on Mekong River

It is imperative you will take some time out and hop onto one of the wooden boats by the banks of the Mekong river while traveling to Luang Prabang. Take a sunset cruise on one of the wooden boats and see the day end in florid hue. The sunset cruise boats are elaborate, have the option of drink and dine on board and the boat trip lasts for a couple of hours. 

You may take up a cooking class on board. A sunset cruise on Mekong with a glass of cocktail will cost you USD 20 for a couple of hours.

If you are boarding one of the smaller boats, look an eye for the caged birds. Many boats has caged birds on them. Many of them are motorized. 

It is tranquil to sail on Mekong river. Watch life unfold in the villages by the banks of the river. 

Also read: A list of book to read before planning a trip to Laos!

Visiting a fishing village on Mekong river!

Around Luang Prabang, the bank of the Mekong river is dotted with multiple villages. By the virtue of being essentially a waterborne economy, everyone has assimilated the river in everyday way of life. 

Children go to school by boat. They make the river bed a playground. Swimming is just another way of crossing a distance. It is no big deal if you come across yet another fishermen’s village while crossing the Mekong river. 

The one I will talk about came on the way to Kuang Si falls. We disembarked the boat, and was about to board a minivan to reach Laos Buffalo dairy. This fisherman’s village came in between. 

A man stepped into the mud adorning the banks of the Mekong river with a fishing net in hand. He spreads the net, like an eagle spread its wings and churns out jewels from the river bed. We stood in awe as he picked up fishes, prawns both big and small from the river. The tiny ones he throws back at the river. “These are carps. They will grow bigger!” Our guide explains. 

He carried those fishes home. A two-storey wooden house with the ground floor reserved for his cats, hens, dogs and a cooking place. He grilled the fishes with some salt and fed his cats. There was one cat mother, a black cat with sparse yellow stripes. Some three or four kittens kept an eye at us from a distance. 

Also read: A photo blog on Luang Prabang, Laos !

Pottery Village of Laos: Ban Chan

Hire a boat from Luang Prabang pier to reach Ban Chan Neua and cross the mighty Mekong. You may carry a bicycle on the boat in order to include Chompet Loop in the day tour. The ferry that leaves from the behind of Laos Royal Museum is a public one and shall cost you 5000 kip to cross teh river. You need to pay 5000 Kip extra to carry the cycle.

The village of Ban Chan is open to visitors from 8 am to 5 pm. Pay an entry fee of 10,000 kip to the Nai Han to enter the Ban Chan village.

Pottery House Food Tour is one local guide that conducts daily visit to the potter’s village, conducts a workshop for you and lets you have a hearty meal by the river. the meal shall constitute of typical Laos salad, lap and river weed.

Watch the local artisan practice this 400 years old art of terracotta. It takes anywhere close to 4 days to light up the kiln and bring the desired temperature at which earthenware needs to be shaped. 

Meanwhile, watch the potter’s wheel churn out beautiful pieces of pots, urns, lamps and other products of everyday use in a typical Laos household. If you watch closely, you will see almost every house in northern Laos has an earthenware as a decorative piece in the house o r the garden. In fact this place reminded me of Panchmura where the Bankura horses are made. 

There was a place in the village that produced bricks made of red clay as well. The Terracotta bricks and handicraft needs time to cool down slowly before color is applied. You must but small souvenir from the village as gift back home. They are precious. They also ship worldwide in case you fancy a heavier product.

Chomphet District: Biking around the Chomphet Loop!

4 km off the East of potters village, lies the pristine Chomphet district. At the top of the hill, stands a lonely wat (temple). This is known as Wat Chomphet. Entry fee is charged as 10,000 kip. Hiking to the temple guarantees you get a stunning view of Luang Prabang on the other side of the river. 

The lesser known trail is also known as Chom Phet Hike. Hiking involves climbing roughly 123 stairs to the top of the dilapidated temple. It demands half a day of your stay in Luang Prabang. Heavy-duty mountain biking around the Chomphet Loopis a popular activity. Bikes are available for rental at Luang Prabang and can be brought across the river on a ferry by paying extra. 

The Chomphet trail is a lesser known alternate experience in Luang Prabang. The trail is beautiful but not very well marked. It is recommended to bring a detail map and take time to unfold various mysteries buried under the earth in this part of the world. 

Mount Phousi: A Hike Right at the Heart of Luang Prabang!

If hiking is what you fancy but do not have time to leave Luang Prabang for a day tour, consider hiking up the mountain Mount Phousi. It is located right at the heart of Luang Prabang, by the tail of where the Luang Prabang night market ends. However, the top of Mount Phousi gets overcrowded during sunset as most of the tourists climbs up the stairs and jostle for a seat at the top.

Elephant Conservation Center: A Day Tour with the Elephants

From million elephants of the ancient Laos mythology, the current population of Asiatic elephants in Laos has come down to a drastic drop of 400 only. Logging industry and abundance of ivory trade contribute to this downfall. 

With logging now abolished and more tourists taking active participation in elephant riding activities, things hardly looked positive of the Eles of Laos. The wild ones get into captivity, broken, sold and finally used for riding or other entertainment purposes. 

Be careful into choosing the elephant activity you are signing up for. I loved how they treated the giant kind animals at the Manda Laos Elephant Conservation center.

Located 20 km away from Luang Prabang (half an hour’s drive from city center), Manda Laos conducts various full day and half day trek with elephants. This activity does not involve elephant riding. You walk with the gentle giants and end the day at Manda Laos restaurant. I had a fortune of doing something similar in Chitwan forest Nepal and it was an amazing experience to walk with the elephants.

Tad See Waterfall

• Timing for visit to theTad See waterfall: 8 am to 5:30 pm
• Entry fee for Tad See Falls: 20000 KIP (2.2 USD)+ 10,000 kip for the boatman
• Distance from Luang Prabang: 15 KM

Located close to the elephant village, the Tad See waterfall is another beautiful small water cascade. The water stream dies down during the dry season however the wet season is different. The fall is three tiered and a cave is located somewhere close by. 

Monkeys., peacocks are found plenty in and around the Tad See falls. However, Tad See is the one place where elephants are seen in the waterfall in Laos! You do not have to ride the elephants even though the facility is there. Just feed them some mbanana for a meagre 5000 kips. 

Boardwalks, ziplining, hiking are some of the options to explore Tad See. On a good day, you might also find a few monks there. Tad See is 45 minutes drive and boat ride (boat ride is mandatory to reach the Tad See falls) from Luang Prabang. 

Visit the Living land farm fields!

To give back to the community and living with the locals, head straight to the Living land farm at the outskirts of Luang Prabang as a day tour. Watch old methods of sowing rice with the help of two water buffalos, alongside other rural activities like bamboo weaving, sugar cane pressing, black smithing. 

The Rice Experience program contributes to Laos children’s studies and English classes that equip them with necessary hospitality skills. Booking a homestay is possible here. 

Nahm Dong Park

It is a sprawling park located at the outskirts of Luang Prabang. It is roughly 9 km away from the city center. There are ziplines, canopy walks, boat rides, and a picnic spot inside the park. It is popular among the locals for winter outings. 

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 Top 10+ Luang Prabang Tours & Day Trips – Go Laos Tours

Search for an alluring Indochina city owning breathtaking scenery, long-established religion, and unique culture? Luang Prabang is absolutely for you. Luang Prabang tours & day trips will open the amazing explorations to a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich mix of Buddhist and French colonial architectures. In the map of world tourism, Luang Prabang is still a secret of untouched nature including mysterious caves, dreaming waterfalls, pristine jungles, and scattered traditional villages along Mekong River. During your Laos vacations , we make a wide range of Luang Prabang tour packages offering the most wonderful experiences, Laotians can no longer keep this astonishing city themselves. Contact us and let’s enjoy the happy time in Luang Prabang.

Best Luang Prabang Tour Packages:

Amazing Luang Prabang Tour – 4 Days

Discover Laos’ old capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on this 4-day Luang Prabang tour full of must-see destinations in and around the city. A special place located about 240 miles (386 km) north of Vientiane; Luang Prabang is at the confluence of two rivers, the Mekong and the Nam Khan. It is known for its many temples, monasteries and gilded roofs, as well as for French provincial style houses. In the center of Luang Prabang is Mount Phousi where you can enjoy the mighty panoramic view of the area from the summit.

Cycling and Trekking in Luang Prabang – 6 Days

Explore most of the aspects of the countryside by off-road bicycle in the best way you intimate about the daily life of the locals in Laos. Like cycling to the other lands in Laos, come to Luang Prabang where we promise to bring for you the most wonderful trip in Laos by Cycling and Trekking. You will be welcomed by the locals when riding from village to village, along green rice paddies and whatever more stop to take many wonderful pictures during your Luang Prabang bike tour. Now, contact us and take the backpacks to explore Luang Prabang!

Hike and Homestays in Northern Laos – 7 Days

Whatever is more interesting to explore the ancient town in Laos, Luang Prabang! I bet that its beauty will make you infatuation at first glance. Start your tour in Luang Prabang town, through stunning scenery and friendly local villages, visit the magical waterfalls are the highlights in this tour. There is one thing that we make it different with other tours, you will live in the homestays with the locals, try to live like the locals, romp with the children, and join in burning the campfire. So, don’t be hesitant, travel with us!

Luang Prabang Adventure Tour – 6 Days

Luang Prabang which means “ The Royal Buddha Image” has attracted many tourists in recent times. Luang Prabang is not only charmed by ancient beauty but also this place is the best ideal for adventure tours in Laos . Known for the golden mountains and deep valleys Luang Prabang also makes one of the great places on the globe to venture out for treks and explore wildlife in the forest. Therefore, we make the best Luang Prabang adventure tour in 6 days suit to you. Now, take the backpacks and explore Luang Prabang together!

Luang Prabang City Tour – Full Day

If you cherish the timeless allure of French architecture and harbor a passion for exploring World Heritage Sites in Laos, why not journey to Luang Prabang? This ancient town boasts beautifully preserved buildings that exude French style, offering a romantic ambiance reminiscent of France. With our one-day Luang Prabang city tour, we guarantee the best experience. Discover the charm of Luang Prabang on this Laos tour and let its unique blend of history and beauty captivate you in just one day.

Luang Prabang Discovery Tour – 3 Days

If you have 3-day Laos tour, do not hesitate to plan a Luang Prabang vacation to visit the ancient capital which is a small town where only 30,000 people live in the city center, in small traditional houses classified as World Heritage by UNESCO since 1995. This city attracts many visitors in search of serenity and spiritual retreat.  Spend time in Luang Prabang visiting the main unmissable sites of the city even if you are not able to visit all the sites in this short lap of temples.

Luang Prabang Family Tours – 4 Days

Luang Prabang is known as the Laos foremost tourist showpiece with the gleaming temple roofs, partially renovated French architecture and eclectic mix of residence give this town loads of character and style. To save the best wonderful moments for your family in Laos, we make Luang Prabang family tour 4 days suit best to you including the children. In this tour, you will have the chance to visit the highlights of world Culture heritage town and the surrounding areas.

Luang Prabang Khmu Village Tour – 2 Days

For those who have seen the main sights of the ex-capital, this 2-day Luang Prabang tour to Khmu village is highly recommended. We guarantee your interesting visits in less known places in Luang Prabang. You will have a chance to discover yourself the spectacular landscapes and the tranquil lifestyle of the local population through this interesting journey.

Luang Prabang Street Food and Cycling Tour – Half Day

Imagine coming to Luang Prabang and not making the most of the street food, it means that you are lack of one of the most popular tours in Luang Prabang. Spend half a day and are looking for a relaxing and informative leisurely walk and bicycle around Luang Prabang, sampling local coffee and treats, you have a chance to enjoy the food as well as explore the local’s life in the street. Therefore, we make this tour for you and certainly, you will love it.

Phongsaly Loop in the Depth – 9 Days

If you are finding a special trip in Laos, neither Vientiane nor Luang Prabang, now, we lead you to the new land in Laos, Phongsaly which will make an unforgettable voyage for you. Although the journey has a little intrepid, it brings richly rewarding. On your day tour, you'll have a chance to meet the exotic hill tribes living amid spectacular natural landscapes. This tour is suitable for anyone who has a passion with adventurous treks then you can relax with a cruise on the scenic Nam Ou river.

Top 10 Things to Do & See in Luang Prabang Tours

Wat xieng thong.

Attend the Tak Bat

Morning Market, a Typical Market in Luang Prabang

Mount Phousi in Luang Prabang

Night Market in Luang Prabang

Wat Visounnarath

Royal Palace

Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham

Kuang Si Waterfalls

Pak Ou Caves in the North of Luang Prabang

Attend a prayer in a buddhist temple.

• Climb to the top of Mount Phousi to admire the sunset over the mountains surrounding the Mekong.
• Attend the tak bat, morning alms of the monks of Luang Prabang.
• Discover Laos cuisine.
• Visit Wat Xieng Thong, considered the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang tours and Laos!
• Go to Morning Market in Luang Prabang tours after witnessing tak bat
• Discover Ban Xieng Man, a small village in front of Luang Prabang and forgotten tourist sites.
• Visit the Vat Visounnarath, a magnificent temple outside the Luang Prabang Peninsula
• Stroll in the Night Market of Luang Prabang in the evening
• Go to admire (and swim) Kuang Si waterfalls
• Have a walk without a real purpose in the alleys of the peninsula of Luang Prabang and enter temples little-visited, at random.

Luang Prabang Climate

The rainy season in luang prabang.

The Dry Season in Luang Prabang

Best time to visit luang prabang.

Luang Prabang General Information

Luang Prabang People, Tribes & Ethnic groups

• Laos Thais (or Laos Loum, Lowlands): they represent 75% of the population of Laos, and include 23 ethnic groups
• Laos Theung (Middle Altitude Lands): also called Proto-Chinese, there are 58 different ethnic groups
• Laos Soung (living in the Mountains above 1000 meters): especially the Hmong (or Meos, highly pejorative term), and the Yaos
• The other Asians

Luang Prabang City

Luang Prabang Culture

Luang Prabang Transportation Guide

Ferry (Slow Boat) & River Taxi

Bus & Songthaew

Hitchhiking

Car & motorcycle, to move in the city: tuktuk, bikes & especially your feet.

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Top Luang Prabang Day Trips

Day trips from luang prabang.

• Luang Prabang to Hanoi
• Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
• Luang Prabang to Hangzhou
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• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages

2. Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls

3. Half Day Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong village

4. Private Tour: Pak Ou Cave and Kuang Si Waterfall Tour from Luang Prabang

5. Luang Prabang's Beauty & Heritage in 1 Day - All-Inclusive Tour

6. Bike to Kuangsi Waterfall and Cruise the Mekong River Back - Luang Prabang 1 day

7. A Relaxing Day at the Kuang Si Falls

8. The Bamboo Experience in Luang Prabang

9. Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Fall Day Tour

10. Full Day Private Tour to Kuang Si Falls

11. Full Day Hiking Along the Orchids’ Path

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13. Luang Prabang A Venerable Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves with Lunch

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15. Luang Prabang Day Tour, Laos

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17. Private trasfer from Lao thai friendship bridge to vang vieng

18. Kuang Si Waterfalls & Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm

19. Pak Ou Cave & Kuang Si Waterfall Day Tou

20. Luang Prabang Half Day City Tour

21. Rice is Life Experience & Kuang Si Waterfall - Luang Prabang full day tour

22. Fullday Kayaking To Pak Ou Caves, Traditional Villages & Kuang Si Waterfall

What travellers are saying.

• 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages
• Half Day Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong village
• Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls
• Private Tour: Pak Ou Cave and Kuang Si Waterfall Tour from Luang Prabang
• Luang Prabang A Venerable Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves with Lunch
• Authentic Laos Travel
• Discover Laos Today
• Wander Laos Tour
• Buffalo Tours
• Lao Travel Links
• Manifa Travel
• Tour Luang prabang-Mr Service

THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Luang Prabang

Day trips from luang prabang.

• Luang Prabang to Hanoi
• Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
• Luang Prabang to Hangzhou
• Luang Prabang to Long Xuyen
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages

2. Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls

3. Half Day Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong village

4. Private Tour: Pak Ou Cave and Kuang Si Waterfall Tour from Luang Prabang

5. Luang Prabang's Beauty & Heritage in 1 Day - All-Inclusive Tour

6. Bike to Kuangsi Waterfall and Cruise the Mekong River Back - Luang Prabang 1 day

7. A Relaxing Day at the Kuang Si Falls

8. The Bamboo Experience in Luang Prabang

9. Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Fall Day Tour

10. Full Day Hiking Along the Orchids’ Path

11. Full Day Private Tour to Kuang Si Falls

12. Pak Ou Caves river trip

13. Luang Prabang A Venerable Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves with Lunch

14. A Rice Journey in Luang Prabang

15. Luang Prabang Day Tour, Laos

16. Best of Luang Prabang City Day Tour - Secrets of LPQ World Heritage

17. Private trasfer from Lao thai friendship bridge to vang vieng

18. Kuang Si Waterfalls & Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm

19. Pak Ou Cave & Kuang Si Waterfall Day Tou

20. Luang Prabang Half Day City Tour

21. Rice is Life Experience & Kuang Si Waterfall - Luang Prabang full day tour

22. Fullday Kayaking To Pak Ou Caves, Traditional Villages & Kuang Si Waterfall

What travellers are saying.

• 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages
• Half Day Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong village
• Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls
• Private Tour: Pak Ou Cave and Kuang Si Waterfall Tour from Luang Prabang
• Luang Prabang A Venerable Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves with Lunch
• Authentic Laos Travel
• Discover Laos Today
• Wander Laos Tour
• Buffalo Tours
• Lao Travel Links
• Manifa Travel
• Tour Luang prabang-Mr Service

Top Luang Prabang Day Trips

Day trips from luang prabang.

• Luang Prabang to Hanoi
• Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
• Luang Prabang to Hangzhou
• Luang Prabang to Long Xuyen
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages

2. Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls

3. Half Day Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong village

4. Private Tour: Pak Ou Cave and Kuang Si Waterfall Tour from Luang Prabang

5. Luang Prabang's Beauty & Heritage in 1 Day - All-Inclusive Tour

6. Bike to Kuangsi Waterfall and Cruise the Mekong River Back - Luang Prabang 1 day

7. A Relaxing Day at the Kuang Si Falls

8. The Bamboo Experience in Luang Prabang

9. Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Fall Day Tour

10. Full Day Hiking Along the Orchids’ Path

11. Full Day Private Tour to Kuang Si Falls

12. Pak Ou Caves river trip

13. Luang Prabang A Venerable Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves with Lunch

14. A Rice Journey in Luang Prabang

15. Luang Prabang Day Tour, Laos

16. Best of Luang Prabang City Day Tour - Secrets of LPQ World Heritage

17. Private trasfer from Lao thai friendship bridge to vang vieng

18. Kuang Si Waterfalls & Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm

19. Pak Ou Cave & Kuang Si Waterfall Day Tou

20. Luang Prabang Half Day City Tour

21. Rice is Life Experience & Kuang Si Waterfall - Luang Prabang full day tour

22. Fullday Kayaking To Pak Ou Caves, Traditional Villages & Kuang Si Waterfall

What travellers are saying.

• 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages
• Half Day Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong village
• Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls
• Private Tour: Pak Ou Cave and Kuang Si Waterfall Tour from Luang Prabang
• Luang Prabang A Venerable Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves with Lunch
• Authentic Laos Travel
• Discover Laos Today
• Wander Laos Tour
• Buffalo Tours
• Lao Travel Links
• Manifa Travel
• Tour Luang prabang-Mr Service

THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Luang Prabang

Day trips from luang prabang.

• Luang Prabang to Hanoi
• Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
• Luang Prabang to Hangzhou
• Luang Prabang to Long Xuyen
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages

2. Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls

3. Half Day Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong village

4. Private Tour: Pak Ou Cave and Kuang Si Waterfall Tour from Luang Prabang

5. Luang Prabang's Beauty & Heritage in 1 Day - All-Inclusive Tour

6. Bike to Kuangsi Waterfall and Cruise the Mekong River Back - Luang Prabang 1 day

7. A Relaxing Day at the Kuang Si Falls

8. The Bamboo Experience in Luang Prabang

9. Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Fall Day Tour

10. Full Day Hiking Along the Orchids’ Path

11. Full Day Private Tour to Kuang Si Falls

12. Pak Ou Caves river trip

13. Luang Prabang A Venerable Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves with Lunch

14. A Rice Journey in Luang Prabang

15. Luang Prabang Day Tour, Laos

16. Best of Luang Prabang City Day Tour - Secrets of LPQ World Heritage

17. Private trasfer from Lao thai friendship bridge to vang vieng

18. Kuang Si Waterfalls & Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm

19. Pak Ou Cave & Kuang Si Waterfall Day Tou

20. Luang Prabang Half Day City Tour

21. Rice is Life Experience & Kuang Si Waterfall - Luang Prabang full day tour

22. Fullday Kayaking To Pak Ou Caves, Traditional Villages & Kuang Si Waterfall

What travellers are saying.

• 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages
• Half Day Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong village
• Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls
• Private Tour: Pak Ou Cave and Kuang Si Waterfall Tour from Luang Prabang
• Luang Prabang A Venerable Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves with Lunch
• Authentic Laos Travel
• Discover Laos Today
• Wander Laos Tour
• Buffalo Tours
• Lao Travel Links
• Manifa Travel
• Tour Luang prabang-Mr Service

THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Luang Prabang

Day trips from luang prabang.

• Luang Prabang to Hanoi
• Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
• Luang Prabang to Hangzhou
• Luang Prabang to Long Xuyen
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages

2. Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls

3. Half Day Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong village

4. Private Tour: Pak Ou Cave and Kuang Si Waterfall Tour from Luang Prabang

5. Luang Prabang's Beauty & Heritage in 1 Day - All-Inclusive Tour

6. Bike to Kuangsi Waterfall and Cruise the Mekong River Back - Luang Prabang 1 day

7. A Relaxing Day at the Kuang Si Falls

8. The Bamboo Experience in Luang Prabang

9. Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Fall Day Tour

10. Full Day Private Tour to Kuang Si Falls

11. Full Day Hiking Along the Orchids’ Path

12. Pak Ou Caves river trip

13. Luang Prabang A Venerable Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves with Lunch

14. A Rice Journey in Luang Prabang

15. Luang Prabang Day Tour, Laos

16. Best of Luang Prabang City Day Tour - Secrets of LPQ World Heritage

17. Private trasfer from Lao thai friendship bridge to vang vieng

18. Kuang Si Waterfalls & Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm

19. Pak Ou Cave & Kuang Si Waterfall Day Tou

20. Luang Prabang Half Day City Tour

21. Rice is Life Experience & Kuang Si Waterfall - Luang Prabang full day tour

22. Fullday Kayaking To Pak Ou Caves, Traditional Villages & Kuang Si Waterfall

What travellers are saying.

• 1 DAY Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves. Kuang Si Waterfalls . Local Villages
• Half Day Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong village
• Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls
• Private Tour: Pak Ou Cave and Kuang Si Waterfall Tour from Luang Prabang
• Luang Prabang A Venerable Cruise to the Pak Ou Caves with Lunch
• Authentic Laos Travel
• Discover Laos Today
• Wander Laos Tour
• Buffalo Tours
• Lao Travel Links
• Manifa Travel
• Tour Luang prabang-Mr Service

Day Trips from Luang Prabang – What to visit Outside Luang Prabang

True, the city of Luang Prabang has enough to keep one busy for a few days, but there are some sights outside town that should not be missed, not even if you only have a few days to visit the region. They are perfect day trips from Luang Prabang. Here are our highlights in the outskirts of Luang Prabang that can be visited on a day tour or combined to make a longer loop.

1. Swim at the Surreal Kuang Si Waterfall

The Kuang Si Waterfall is located on the outskirts of Luang Prabang and, therefore, is very popular amongst locals and tourists alike. It is famous for its terraced cascades as well as its stunning turquoise-blue colour, caused by limestone particles of the rocks which are carried away by the water and reflect the light. Having one’s own transport, as we do, is definitely an advantage to reach the cascade without spending much money, but any tuk-tuk driver will happily make a deal to take you there and wait for two or three hours before bringing you back to town.

Price: 20,000 Kip Location: Located 30 kilometres to the Southwest of Luang Prabang, Kuang Si is easily reached with one’s own vehicle, with a rented scooter or by tuk-tuk (Google map here )

2. Discover the Spring of Kuang Si Waterfall on a Raft

Not as popular as a swim in the waterfall is the trail to the top of Kuang Si. But if you come for the day, you have plenty of time and we strongly advise you to hike to the top pf the cascade for this experience. Rustic stairs with bamboo handrails on the left of the waterfall take you up and then you descend on the right side of the waterfall. Once on top, there is a raft that can be rented for a cruise to the spring of the Kuang Si. It is a very quiet trip that takes through the jungle, where one finds many opportunities to listen to and spot small birds.

Price: 5,000 Kip Location: Located on the top of the Kuang Si waterfall

3. Help the Bear Sanctuary

The forest trail that leads to the popular and paradisiacal Kuang Si waterfall happens to pass through the Bear Rescue Centre. Each year, around 200,000 tourists pay a ticket fee to visit the waterfall and are rewarded with the bonus of seeing the bears that have been rescued by the centre.

Recently, the centre had the brilliant idea of turning this path into a Bear Discovery Trail.

It’s an educational trail that seeks to raise the awareness of the thousands of passers-by about the Lao moon bear population (also known as the Asian black bear: recognisable by a distinct white crest on their chests) and the various risks the animals face. Did you know that poachers hunt bears to keep them in jails in order to extract their bile, used in traditional medicine…

Price: Entrance included in the Kuang Si entrance ticket Location: On the forest path that leads to the Kuang Si waterfall (Google map here )

4. Visit the Impressive  Pak Ou Cave

Pak Ou in Lao means the mouth of the Ou river. Taking a long boat in Luang Prabang to Pak Ou will take you on a lovely cruise from the Mekong to the Ou river’s mouth. This is a popular trip not only because of the beauty of the landscape along the river (it’s a two hour upstream cruise from the centre of Luang Prabang), but also because of the Pak Ou cave.

Price: 20,000 Kip Location:  30 kilometres to the North of Luang Prabang, 2 hours on a long boat (Google map here )

5. Visit Xieng Men Cultural Village in the Chomphet District

When you are in Luang Prabang and take the ferry to go to the other side of the Mekong, you will arrive at Xieng Men cultural village, a small and quiet (almost sleepy) village. To visit Xieng Men, you can simply walk out of the ferry, up the slope and once at the top, just turn right towards a narrow, but well-signed street. The village is a quiet alternative to Luang Prabang. There is one or the other guesthouse, and all the other houses are inhabited solely by locals, making this a more genuine place to stay. We found that here we experienced village life with a certain ‘glamour’, since many of the people who live here work in Luang Prabang. The houses are richer than in the really small and isolated villages. With hardly any cars, its architecture is thought for mopeds. For this reason, the few alleys of the village are very narrow, giving it a cosy feel.

Price: Ferry costs 5,000 Kip (10,000 if you are on a bicycle or motorbike), some temples charge entrance fee Location:  On the other side of the Mekong, take the ferry opposite the back side of the Royal Museum (Google map here )

>> Read more about the Xieng Men Cultural Village and the wonderful path of temples

6. Learn How to Work Clay at Ban Chan, the Pottery Village

You should not miss the opportunity to visit the historic Ban Chan Pottery village, which is just a short ride across the Mekong, from the ferry pier (one way costs 5,000 Kip per person; or 10,000 Kip if you are on a motorcycle or bicycle – these are the prices for farangs , the foreigners).

The village is a unique opportunity to get to see artisans creating Lao traditional ceramics by the means of ancient techniques which they have been using for more than 400 years.

Besides learning about the entire process of creation, you can also take a workshop with one of the families in the community and make your own ceramic piece to take home with you.

Price: Ferry costs 5,000 Kip (10,000 if you are on a bicycle or motorbike) Location:  On the other side of the Mekong, take the ferry opposite the back side of the Royal Museum, then cycle down the hill for about 3 kilometres until Ban Chan (Google map here )

>> Read more about Ban Chan’s pottery village.

7. Have a Boat Tour on the Mekong

There are several ways to have cruise trips on the Mekong. You can rent a slow or a long boat for quiet rides to enjoy the twilight, or take part in bigger boat cruises, which organise boisterous sunset parties. You decide. Whichever the trip, you are sure to find beautiful landscapes along the margins of the Mekong. This photo is taken after a boat trip that took us next to Pak Ou caves, north of Luang Prabang.

Price: Simple sunset cruises start at 50,000 Kip per person and last between one to two hours, but there are many more cruises for different budgets and lasting longer periods

8. Get a Bamboo Experience

There are at least two restaurants in Luang Prabang that offer a ‘bamboo experience’. We were taken by friends who live in Luang Prabang to try the ‘Bio Bamboo’ restaurant and do not regret their choice! The Bio Bamboo has all that a restaurant should have: tasty food, but it has got much more. Its huge terrace hangs over the Nam Khan river, making it an atmospheric and photogenic spot. All the cutlery, plates and glasses are all made of bamboo, and you can even buy some of these items at their shop. Don’t forget to visit the bamboo house to learn how it is possible to build a 100% bamboo house.

Meals : Starting from 15,000 Kip (we strongly advise the Or Lam , a traditional Lao dish that you will not find in many restaurants, it’s a stew cooked with sakhaan , a spicy wooden stick which is not supposed to be eaten, it’s just added for flavour. Locals love to suck the juices out of them. Location:  On the margin of the Nam Khan river, roughly 4 kilometres away from Luang Prabang’s city centre (Google map here )

9. Care for Elephants at the MandaLao Elephant Rescue Park

In ancient times, the Kingdom of Laos was rich in pastures where wild elephants could nurture themselves and live. Back then, the country was known as Lan Xang, or the kingdom of a million elephants. From then until modern times, the elephant population has declined significantly to a worrying total of around 700, almost half of which have been ‘domesticated’.

Many of these elephants are used as a work force in the logging industry, often exploited until exhaustion.

Another problem, which we are particularly sorry to acknowledge, is the domestication of elephants for entertainment purposes or to be ridden by tourists. Fortunately, a few elephant sanctuaries are trying to solve these issues by buying these animals, with the ultimate goal of re-introducing them into the wild.

Fee: The park offers half-day and day tours to join the elephants on a walk through the jungle at 100 dollars/person Location: 16 Kilometres to the East of Luang Prabang (info centre here )

10. Wander in the Pha Tad Ke Botanic Garden

The Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden is a quiet escape from the city, if ever an escape is needed. The garden is a 40 hectare property with more than 1,500 species divided by different thematic gardens: the Ginger Garden (with more than 100 species of ginger), the Palm Garden (with more than 30 species of palm), the Bamboo Garden, the Ethno-Botanic Garden, the Arboretum (with over 200 species of trees from the region) and the Orchid Nursery (growing 260 different orchid species). Besides the gardens, the visit includes a series of free talks and workshops, as well as a tea tasting.

Price: 25 dollars and includes besides the entrance ticket and the boat trip to cross the Mekong, an orchid talk (at 11am and 3pm in the Public Nursery); a bamboo handicraft workshop (at 10am and 2pm in the Baci Sala) and an herbal tea tasting (all day in the cafe). Location: On the other side of the Mekong, but the reception is on the peninsula (Google map here )

11. Don’t Miss the Buffalo Dairy Farm

Laos buffalo dairy is a sustainable farm whose aim is to develop buffalo farming in order to offer the local communities more sources of revenue. The farm achieves their goals by improving their animals’ genetics (by naturally breeding the stronger animals) and by giving veterinary care to their animals.  Financially, their business is supported by their production of buffalo dairy products and by tourism, since the farm receives visitors and shows them around the farm. You should try their buffalo ice-cream!

Entrance fee:  Walk-in tours cost 50,000 Kip per person Location: On the way from Luang Prabang to the Kuang Si Waterfall, six kilometres before you reach the fall (Google map here )

12. Take a Long Trip to Nong Khiaw

The village of Nong Khiaw is not really around the corner. It is still a good ride away from Luang Prabang, and it is better to spend a few days there, in order to explore the region. Many people come to Nong Khiaw for the wonderful hikes available. You can do some of the shorter hikes on your own and for longer ones we suggest getting a local guide at one of the tourism offices in town. They can take you to hidden places and to the small ethnic groups of the north of the country. It is also a good base to visit the tiny village of  Muang Ngoy by boat.

Location: 140 kilometres to the north of Luang Prabang (Google map here )

Would you like to find out more about Laos? Visit our Laos page for more.

Disclaimer : Prices vary greatly from one year to the other, it could be that by the time of your visit you will pay other prices. Please take these amounts as a guideline only and not as a fixed price.

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