Full day / Half Day Kayaking and Pak Ou Caves with optional sunset cruise
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
・Spectacular kayaking on the Mekong and the Nam Ou rivers. You will find the diverse nature and landscapes of Luang Prabang
・Pak Ou Caves are well known as Tham Ting or Ting Cave, located on the riverbank, about 25km from Luang Prabang. The cave is very beautiful and filled with thousands of Buddha images and has long served as a pilgrimage site for all kinds of people, including members of the former royal family.
・Optional Sunset Cruise. Enjoy the slow relaxing pace of the Mekong with a lovely sunset backdrop.
・Reschedulable until 7 pm day before. Please contact us by email or message or visit Manifa Travel office (opposite of Villa Santi Hotel)
・Upgrade to private tour on request (Your own guide, Private transportation)
・This tour is operated by Manifa Travel. More than 25 years of experience in the travel & tourism industries in Luang Prabang. We are committed to maintaining sustainable relationships and creating positive impacts on the animals, land & communities of Laos
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Starting Kayak on the Nam Ou River at 10:00 am (13:30) from Ban Pak Ou or Ban Hat Kho (depending on the level and physical strength) We enjoy a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside and see a wonderful nature built limestone cliffs called Pha Aen. Upon arrival at the confluence of two rivers, Pak Ou, we visit the famous Pak Ou Caves. We will explore the Buddha caves with guide about 30 min. (Full day tour will have a lunch break there) We start the second course of the kayaking on the Mekong River. We paddle down the Mekong for 30 minutes until we ended our Kayak at Manifa Elephant Camp. We can take a shower and relax in their garden overlooking the Mekong river. We then take a car or boat (optional sunset cruise) back to Luang Prabang. Along the way, we stop at Ban Xang Hai village, where the local rice wine is produced. Return to your accommodation or city center at around 2 pm (half day), 4-5 pm (full day). 6 pm (Sunset cruise)
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Kayak
Buffet or Picnic lunch (Vegetarian option available on request)
All Fees and Taxes
Alcoholic Beverages
Soda/Pop
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Morning Half Day Kayak
Duration: 5 hours: Pickup at about 8:30 am, Return to the city at about 2:00 pm
Buffet lunch: Buffet lunch at the restaurant overlooking the Mekong river
Return to the city by minivan
Pickup included
Full Day Kayak + Sunset Cruise
Buffet lunch
Return to the city by boat: 2 hour sunset cruise including one drink + snack on board
Pickup included
Afternoon Kayak+Sunset Cruise
Sunset Cruise 25 km
Buffet Lunch
Return to the city by boat: 2 hour sunset cruise including one drink + snack on board
Pickup included
Reviews
26 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Day - thank you Vone!!!
garethjN7221ZZ,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My girlfriend and I had an amazing time cycling, kayaking, and taking the river cruise. We really enjoyed visiting the village and exploring Pak Ou caves, and lunch was great. Our group was a nice small size for the cycling and only us and our guide for the kayaking. But our amazing guide, Vone, made the experience really special. He was very knowledgeable about the area and Loas’ history, and his English was perfect. He gave us a lot of time to explore on the kayaks and answered all of our questions. We would 100% recommend the tour, and if you can ask for Vone as your guide!
DO THIS
Plough54321,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brilliant to do, what an experience to kayak. Professional crowd and the food was so so good. Very well organised. Loved it, do it.
Great fun tour
Freida M,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A great experience. The kayaking wasn’t easy but it wasn’t far and it was amazing scenery! We also were really luck and we were the only two on the trip which made it very special. An extra treat was the chance to meet elephants at the end of the trip over lunch and feed them
We did the half day tour...
Jo C,Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We did the half day tour in a small group of six. The whole experience was excellent. We really enjoyed the kayaking and the caves. You definitely need to take a change of clothing - there are lockers at the activity centre where you can leave them. We had a bonus hug with an elephant back at the base, which is also an elephant sanctuary. We also enjoyed a wonderful buffet lunch by the river.
Great tour with very nice guide
Caroline L,Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great day with Mr. Dang our guide. First a small mountain bike tour and in the afternoon by kayak to the cave. Everything was wonderful and the warmth and good mood of the guide is infectious:-). Thank you very much!!!
A discovery to make!!!
JulienMalicki14,Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mister Thin was a real guide who accompanied us from the morning to the evening. He was considerate, attentive and always at our disposal. He has never been stingy with information about his country, his culture.... In short, a wonderful day to recommend ++++
Kayak on the Meekong
Nene012794,Jul 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Half days tour on the Kayaks to the caves.. An awesome outdoor adventure on the Meekong River... A few extras to consider.. You will be in a kayak on the river for 30 plus minutes...so it helps to think about the positions your taking.. The front seat - has more support for your back/core area.. The back seat - not so much and this position steers the kayak more.. The caves were nice and they ask for a small donation on entry to them at the top and bottom. Lunch was lovely but after getting drenched....take a change of clothes.. Shower facilities were available and would have been nicer to wear. Wear thongs or scuffs.. Locker facilities to lock up valuables and a water tight bag given to each kayak for phones etc.
Fantastic half day boat tour
nicksR7135BL,Jan 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is the second time we took the trip. The first time was last year, with just my wife and I. This time I brought my parents. It was wonderful! A slow boat up to whisky village, then the amazing Bak Oo, and finally lunch with the elephants. An absolutely fantastic half day, with the friendly Mr.Thin this time. Highly recommended!
animal abuse
484yeer,Jan 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00They arrived late for pickup at our hotel , although that didn't matter much to me since the kayaking trip was a lot of fun, my surprise was when they took us to the property where they stop to eat and watch as they did elephant rides for tourists and also had an elephant outside the restaurant that was basically there to be fed and touched by all tourists , unfortunately, if I had known I don't check with them, don't support a company that uses elephants to ride.
Highly recommended
60deborahh,Dec 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An exceptionally well run, high quality trip. All staff were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Pick up from hotel was prompt. The buffet lunch by the Meekong river was excellent and, to our surprise, we also had the opportunity to feed an elephant. The kayaking was enjoyable and Pak Ou an interesting stop along the way. The sunset from the boat on the return journey was beautiful. I highly recommend this company and this trip
From US$41.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Manifa travel