Luang Prabang: Cruise to Pak Ou Caves & Kuang Si Waterfalls
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
A full day tour to the Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Waterfalls. We depart Luang Prabang boat pier in the morning. Floating along the Mekong River, you will be in love with the beautiful landscape in Luang Prabang. Stop by a village "Ban Xang Hai" for tasting unique local rice whisky and rice wine. Afterward, exploring the mystery cave with local tour guide.
Having buffet lunch at the restaurant overlooking the Mekong river. In the afternoon, we take a car to waterfalls and enjoy swimming in the cool water. At 5pm, we leave for the city. Stop by a Hmong village en route. We'll meet Hmong people wearing traditional cloths and see their small Hmong museum. Arrival at the city center or your hotel at 6:00.
There is an option visiting waterfalls in the morning and Caves and Sunset Boat Cruise in the afternoon. This is the same experience except the morning and afternoon itineraries are swapped.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This tour is not hard at all. But it's about 10 hours full day excursion including a long distance drive (60km). If old people and infants are in your group, please consider to choose 2 days split option or private option
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Whisky Village
A unique little village on the banks of the Mekong River. Ban Xang Hai, is also known as whisky village, is famous for their handicraft products like distilling and selling whisky, hand woven fabric and jewelry.
Pak Ou Caves
These two caves are located some 25km from Luang Prabang where the Nam Ou River flows into the Meking. The journey on a slow moving longboat to caves is decidedly picturesque. Motoring upriver you can see locals fishing and listen to the joyful laugher of children splashing in the water. The caves are revered throughout Laos and a very popular place for tourists and pilgrimsalike. There are some 4000 statyes abd statyettes in the caves, mostly of the Buddha, many stukk covered with paper thin gilding. The first cave is reached by a steep staircase from the river’s edge, while the second cave is a little deeper inside the mountain: bring a torchilight!
What‘s Included
Buffet-style lunch (Chicken and fish. 4-5 vegetarian options available)
All Fees and Taxes
Pickup 8:15 AM - 8:50 AM, End 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Coffee and/or Tea
Alcoholic Beverages
Soda/Pop
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Joint tour (Morning Cruise)
Group tour: This is a joint tour, so please assume that pick-up or end times may be delayed by 30 minutes due to unforeseen circumstances
Duration: 9 hours: Pickup at 8:15-45. End at 17:30 - 18:00. More specific pick-up time will be provided after booking
Buffet Lunch, Drinking Water
Route: Morning: 3 hour Mekong Cruise / Pak Ou Caves, Afternoon: Kuang Si Waterfalls
Minivan, Longtail Slow Boat
Pickup included
Private tour (sunset cruise)
Buffet Lunch, Drinking Water
Route: [Morning] Kuang Si Falls -> Hmong Village [Afternoon] Elephant Camp Restaurant (lunch) -> Pak Ou Caves -> Whisky village
Private Minivan and Boat
Pickup included
Joint tour (Sunset Cruise)
Group tour
Duration: 9 hours: Pickup at 8:30-9:00. End at 17:30 - 18:00.
Buffet Lunch, Drinking Water
Route: Morning: Kuang Si Waterfalls, Afternoon: Pak Ou Caves, 2.5 hour Mekong Sunset Cruise
Minivan, Longtail Slow Boat
Pickup included
Private tour (morning cruise)
Route: [Morning] Whisky village -> Pak Ou Caves -> Elephant Camp Restaurant (lunch) [Afternoon] Kuang Si Falls -> Hmong Village
Pickup included
Reviews
1,855 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Boat trip on the Mekong with grotto, waterfalls ReisWhiskey. The tour was fine. The guide was friendly and has many D
BeatriceS1358,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00We were not picked up from the hotel and had to walk quite far until we could get in. At the end of the tour at the pier of the Mekong River we had to search for our hotel on foot through Luang Prabang
Do this tour!
AmandaH155,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00So much is included. Two local villages, spectacular waterfalls, caves, lunch and a boat ride. ‘Mr. Thin’ was a fabulous guide.
Great tour - Be prepared for stairs!
elizabethlJ213ON,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great day! Mr. Thin was an amazing guide! He spoke great English, knew a lot of information about the destinations, and was funny! We had good instructions and plenty of time at each location. Well worth the cost. Ps. Be prepared for stairs! There are stairs at the caves, the whiskey village, and when you return the dock in the city center.
Highly Recommended Luang Prabang Day Tour
E L,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were picked up at our hotel in the morning. After a brief stop at a Hmong ethnic village along the way, we continued to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfalls. We then had a buffet lunch at the Manifa Camp by the Mekong River. The food was delicious, with free unlimited drinks. One of the highlights was interacting with a mother elephant and her baby, who roamed freely in the garden. We fed them, and the caretakers were gentle and friendly, the elephants clearly trusted them. Afterward, we enjoyed a gorgeous sunset boat cruise, including a stop at the Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of Buddha statues. Thanks to our wonderful tour guide, Mr. Thin, and his crew, the entire day was well organized and very enjoyable. He was knowledgeable and professional, clearly explaining the logistics, the stories behind each site, and the history of Laos. In short, this is a great full-day tour in Luang Prabang and well worth the money and time!
Wonderful experience
mikewH1739NE,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was a fantastic experience. The tour guide was amazing and the value for your money is great
Fantastic walk. The...
Marco C,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic walk. The waterfalls are beautiful and the Mekong tour is well worth it. Beautiful photos... difficult to choose the best!
Best tour ever
Grant H,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great value, full day trip with lots of different elements. 2 hours to enjoy the waterfalls, whether you wanted to climb 250 odd steps to the view (where you could also do a zipline for $30), or spend time viewing the bears in the sanctuary, or simple stay on ground level enjoying the spectacular falls, amazing. Then a long drive for lunch where elephants from the sanctuary were frolicking. Lunch and drinks were superb, with freshly barbequed meats and a host of other stuff. Then an opportunity to meet the elephants before boarding the boat. The cave stop was ok, and whiskey tasting a nice experience and the cruise was very chilled and gave an opportunity to chat to the great group i was lucky to be with. The stop at the "traditional minority village" was awful in my opinion, at least give some insight into their lives rather than frog-march us on a pathway round it with Mothers and children begging us to buy from their stalls. The morning guide was also very difficult to understand but the afternoon one much better. Despite those very minor gripes it was an awesome tour!
Day trip to Kuang Si Waterfalls
thetravelcow,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00My guide was Thin, who was very proactive to help the group wherever needed, and was informative in sharing his knowledge about the tourist spots and history.
Beautiful excursion
andreasam91,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We booked with Getyourguide.passano at the hotel and off to the falls. Thin the driving was super professional. We had a mix-up with the van and it was immediately replaced. Discreet lunch at the camp with elephants. Afternoon visit to the waterfalls and to finish cruise and tasting of rice grappa
Great day trip
Compass67162596305,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A well organised day trip packed with different experiences. The boat up the Mekong was large with covered areas and tea/coffee and a snack were provided. It was relaxing sailing to the caves watching the world go by. Lunch at the elephant sanctuary was good and in a beautiful setting with opportunity to see the elephants. The highlight of the trip for us was the waterfalls. As it was late in the day when we arrived it was much more peaceful than expected. We climbed the steps to the top- you cannot see the falls from the top but it is beautiful being up above the forest and you can see for miles. Thank you to our guide for a great day!
From US$51.00
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