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

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Mekong River

   An early morning rise is followed by meeting your guide for the day at your hotel lobby. A short transfer to a local boat pier along the Mekong signals the start of a leisurely day out and about in Luang Prabang. The friendly captain and his trustworthy vessel shortly commence its upstream journey once you’ve settled comfortably. By taking a local boat cruise, it’s by far one of the most rewarding ways to discover the laid-back life style along these waterways. Before reaching the famed caves, we stop at Ban Xang Hay, a village which specializes in making traditional rice-wine and continue to keep traditional weaving methods intact. From here, a short boat ride further ends at our lunch address.

   120 minutes here · Admission included

2. Pak Ou Caves

   After enjoying a local lunch near the Pak Ou, you will reach the confluence of the Mekong River and the Nam Ou River, the latter of which the name of the caves has been derived. The limestone caves are directly located at the banks of the Mekong and consist of a lower cave (“Tham Ting”) and an upper cave (“Tham Phun”). Tham Phun is the main attraction where currently more than 3000 Buddha images are placed, ranging in size from a few centimetres tall to the height of a human being.

   90 minutes here · Admission included

3. After visiting both caves, we embark back onto our boat for a leisurely cruise downstream back towards Luang Prabang. As you cruise along, observe the daily activities of fishermen, how they throw their nets in elegant arm gestures, and rely on the water to provide for their daily needs. For these riverside villages, the Mekong is commonly seen as their main access road.

   Pass by without stopping

4. Wat Long Khoun

   Just before we reach our disembarkation point at Luang Prabang, we hop over to the other side of the river to get a glimpse of the lives of the locals at Ban Xieng Mene. Walk through the village and visit the local Wat Long Khoune temple with its mural paintings. Cross the Mekong over back into Luang Prabang and your driver will bring you back to your hotel.

   60 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 8 travelers per booking

Operated by

Asian Trails LTD

Know before you go

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
• This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply
• Return transfers for this excursion apply only / are inclusive for customers staying in and inside Luang Prabang. Transfers outside these areas, including any accommodation outside this area such as Kuang Si, along the Ou and Nam Khan River, Nong Kiau and Luang Prabang International Airport are excluded. Supplements apply for customers who want to join this excursion outside one of these regions.
• We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this excursion; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of local restaurant.
• We regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users. Guests are advised that some walking is required during this excursion; we always ensure that we take the most comfortable ways from the entrance of the sight to the sight itself.
• We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation. For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
• Please note pickup and drop-off services may not be confirmed for customers staying at private residences, apartment complexes, or other non-registered tourism accommodations. Customers may be asked to meet at a nearby hotel for pick-up and drop off.
• Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It is the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this.
• Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
• The protection of the country’s flora and fauna is of immense importance for us. We will not pursue any activities for guests that are not in line with our animal, wildlife and environment protection principles.
• It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 24 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 24 hours may be on request.
• In the event of no-show or change of accommodation without prior consent and confirmation from us within 24 hours may result in the applicable cancellation charges as outlined in the terms and conditions.
• Customers are reminded to submit their passport number and expiration date with their reservation. These are essential requirements as outlined by local immigration regulations.

Photos