Luang Prabang: Mekong Cruise to Caves, Waterfalls and Villages
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‘s Included
Buffet-style lunch (Chicken and fish. 4-5 vegetarian options available)
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
Coffee and/or Tea
Alcoholic Beverages
Soda/Pop
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
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!
Options
Joint tour (Morning Cruise)
Small group tour (6-15 people): 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 (morning cruise)
Route: [Morning] Whisky village -> Pak Ou Caves -> Elephant Camp Restaurant (lunch) [Afternoon] Kuang Si Falls -> Hmong Village
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)
Small group tour (6-15 people)
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
Joint Tour split into 2 days
Split into 2 days: This option starts at noon. The destinations visited in the two days are the same.
Small group tour (6-15 people): 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: Day 1: Pickup 12:30pm End 6 pm Day 2: Pickup 2pm End 6pm. (or Pickup 8:30 End 12:30 Please request)
Buffet Lunch, Drinking Water
Route: Day1: Afternoon 3 hours Mekong Cruise / Pak Ou Caves Day2: Afternoon or morning Kuang Si Waterfalls
Minivan, Longtail Slow Boat
Pickup included
Reviews
1,617 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Nice tour
Inge B,
Oct 20, 2025
- Viator
3.00Good guide, clear explanation. Beautiful waterfalls and caves. To the falls though with a small group of 13 as was also mentioned. At lunch it became a group of 34 for the rest of the day, which was more like a maximum of 15 as indicated at booking.
Great tour!
Jie Z,
Oct 17, 2025
- Viator
5.00It was an absolute delightful tour day. The program was well designed and somehow relaxing, not feeling rushed. I joined the tour with my 70-year old parents and they both enjoyed it. Swimming in Kuangshi waterfall was refreshing and the river cruise on Mekong River was smooth. Views of the cloud formations above the mountains were breathtaking followed by amazing sunset. Would definitely recommend the tour. Not mentioning our tour guide, Mr. Pong, who took very good care of everyone and is very knowledgeable of the culture and people. Thank you for the fantastic experience!
A great day!
Monika P,
Oct 5, 2025
- Viator
5.00This is a long but very enjoyable day. Our guide Pong made sure we were well informed as we worked through each item on the itinerary and he was great fun too. Just the right amount of time at each stop so the day moves well - but be aware the Laos roads are a little bumpy and often in a state of mid repair! The lunch is fabulous, there is something for everyone. The late afternoon cruise home along the Mekong is stunning. A great day!
Totally underrated
Michael L,
Oct 5, 2025
- Viator
5.00This is one of the best tours we’ve ever done. Completely underrated and surprised us with how beautiful it was. Make sure to opt for the sunset cruise.
Memorable and great value experience
Roger W,
Sep 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00This tour is well worth doing for an overview of the Mekong River and natural beauty, especially if you have limited time in Luang Prabang. Everything went to plan and the guide was friendly and informative about the stops along the way. The boat was spacious with coffee available while admiring the fantastic views. Highly recommended!
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