3-Day 2-Night Pi Mai Lao New Year Tour in Luang Prabang: Parades, Water Splashing, Sandcastle Building & Buddha Bathing
Multi-day tours
International tour
Festival tour
Cultural tour
Standard
Departure point
→
Destination
Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang
3N2Đ (Participation Duration)
Boat - Cruise Ship,Car,Walking (Transportation)
English (Language)
Number of participants 0/12
0 booked
Tour description
Pi Mai (Lao New Year) takes place around April 14–16 every year and is the biggest and most joyful festival for the Lao people. In the former royal capital of Luang Prabang, the festival lasts for several days and features traditional rituals rarely seen elsewhere.
You will watch the parade featuring Nang Sangkhan (the New Year beauty queen) and the Pou Nheu Nha Nheu masks—the ancestral deities who protect the city; participate in building sand stupas (That Sai) on the Mekong riverbank to pray for good luck; and witness the procession of the Pha Bang Buddha image—the national treasure—from the Royal Palace to Wat Mai Temple, where locals bathe the statue with scented water.
Throughout the streets, locals and visitors splash water on one another to offer blessings—be prepared to get completely soaked and have a wonderful time! The program includes a guide who explains the meaning of each ritual, helping you enjoy the festivities while observing proper etiquette.
You will watch the parade featuring Nang Sangkhan (the New Year beauty queen) and the Pou Nheu Nha Nheu masks—the ancestral deities who protect the city; participate in building sand stupas (That Sai) on the Mekong riverbank to pray for good luck; and witness the procession of the Pha Bang Buddha image—the national treasure—from the Royal Palace to Wat Mai Temple, where locals bathe the statue with scented water.
Throughout the streets, locals and visitors splash water on one another to offer blessings—be prepared to get completely soaked and have a wonderful time! The program includes a guide who explains the meaning of each ritual, helping you enjoy the festivities while observing proper etiquette.
Meeting point:
View on map
Sân bay quốc tế Luang Prabang hoặc ga tàu/khách sạn tại Luang Prabang
Đón tại sân bay quốc tế Luang Prabang, ga tàu cao tốc Luang Prabang hoặc khách sạn. Vui lòng gửi số hiệu chuyến bay/tàu sau khi đặt tour.
Detailed itinerary
Morning/Lunch: Pick up guests at the airport/train station, check in, and have lunch.
Afternoon: Stroll through the Old Town decorated for Tet and visit the Tet market selling flowers, small statues, and ceremonial offerings. Watch the sunset from Mount Phousi.
Evening: Enjoy Lao cuisine for dinner. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Afternoon: Stroll through the Old Town decorated for Tet and visit the Tet market selling flowers, small statues, and ceremonial offerings. Watch the sunset from Mount Phousi.
Evening: Enjoy Lao cuisine for dinner. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Breakfast. Take a boat across the Mekong River to the sandbar, and join local residents in building That Sai sand stupas for good luck.
Noon: Lunch.
Afternoon: Watch the Nang Sangkhan procession and Pou Nheu Nha Nheu masks on the main street; join in water splashing to offer blessings.
Evening: Dinner, followed by a Baci ceremony tying blessed strings around the wrists to celebrate the New Year (depending on the schedule). Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Noon: Lunch.
Afternoon: Watch the Nang Sangkhan procession and Pou Nheu Nha Nheu masks on the main street; join in water splashing to offer blessings.
Evening: Dinner, followed by a Baci ceremony tying blessed strings around the wrists to celebrate the New Year (depending on the schedule). Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Breakfast. Attend the Pha Bang Buddha image bathing ceremony at Wat Mai Temple (according to that year's ceremonial schedule), and bathe Buddha images at the temples in the Old Quarter.
Noon: Lunch, check out.
Afternoon: Transfer by vehicle to the airport/train station, ending the program.
Noon: Lunch, check out.
Afternoon: Transfer by vehicle to the airport/train station, ending the program.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour price includes
• Local English-speaking guide throughout the program
• Airport/train station transfers in Luang Prabang
• 2 nights at a 3-star boutique hotel in the Old Town (2 guests per room)
• Meals: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
• Boat transfer to the sandbank and offerings for building sand stupas
• Waterproof phone pouch
• Drinking water
• Airport/train station transfers in Luang Prabang
• 2 nights at a 3-star boutique hotel in the Old Town (2 guests per room)
• Meals: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
• Boat transfer to the sandbank and offerings for building sand stupas
• Waterproof phone pouch
• Drinking water
Tour price excludes
• Flights/train tickets and Laos visa
• Single-room supplement and holiday hotel surcharge (if applicable)
• Drinks outside the program
• Tips for the guide and driver
• Travel insurance and personal expenses
• Single-room supplement and holiday hotel surcharge (if applicable)
• Drinks outside the program
• Tips for the guide and driver
• Travel insurance and personal expenses
Cancellation policy
Cancellation 7 days or more before departure: 100% tour refund.
Cancellation 3–6 days before departure: 50% tour refund.
Cancellation within 3 days of departure or no-show: non-refundable.
In the event of natural disasters, epidemics, or attraction closures required by the authorities, we will assist with changing the date or refunding the unused services.
Cancellation 3–6 days before departure: 50% tour refund.
Cancellation within 3 days of departure or no-show: non-refundable.
In the event of natural disasters, epidemics, or attraction closures required by the authorities, we will assist with changing the date or refunding the unused services.
Other notes
Departure schedule: the festival tour operates only during the festival period according to the Lao lunar calendar; the festival dates change each year. Departure dates currently available for booking follow the current year’s calendar, and dates for subsequent years will be updated. Hotels are very busy during the festival, so booking at least 1–2 months in advance is recommended.
Dress code: when entering temples, the Royal Palace, and historical sites, please wear clothing that covers your shoulders and trousers/skirts below the knees, and remove your shoes before entering the main sanctuary.
Currency: the kip (LAK) is the official currency; many places accept USD and Thai baht, but it is advisable to exchange some kip for spending at markets, small restaurants, and in rural areas.
The tour is generally led by a local English-speaking guide; guides speaking Vietnamese, French, Chinese, Thai, and other languages can be requested (please advise when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest, based on a private tour for groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visa: international visitors need a Laos visa (apply for an e-visa online before the trip or obtain a visa at international airports and international border crossings); citizens of ASEAN countries are visa-exempt according to regulations. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
During the New Year celebrations, you will certainly be splashed with water in the streets: wear quick-drying clothing and protect your phone and passport in a waterproof pouch. The order of ceremonies may change according to Luang Prabang’s official schedule for that year.
Illustrative photos: Lao New Year, dancers – Darren On The Road, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Lao New Year, flour throwing – Darren On The Road, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Lao New Year, parade with river boat – Darren On The Road, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Lao New Year, parade of ethnic groups – Darren On The Road, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Lao New Year, banners – Darren On The Road, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Dress code: when entering temples, the Royal Palace, and historical sites, please wear clothing that covers your shoulders and trousers/skirts below the knees, and remove your shoes before entering the main sanctuary.
Currency: the kip (LAK) is the official currency; many places accept USD and Thai baht, but it is advisable to exchange some kip for spending at markets, small restaurants, and in rural areas.
The tour is generally led by a local English-speaking guide; guides speaking Vietnamese, French, Chinese, Thai, and other languages can be requested (please advise when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest, based on a private tour for groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visa: international visitors need a Laos visa (apply for an e-visa online before the trip or obtain a visa at international airports and international border crossings); citizens of ASEAN countries are visa-exempt according to regulations. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
During the New Year celebrations, you will certainly be splashed with water in the streets: wear quick-drying clothing and protect your phone and passport in a waterproof pouch. The order of ceremonies may change according to Luang Prabang’s official schedule for that year.
Illustrative photos: Lao New Year, dancers – Darren On The Road, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Lao New Year, flour throwing – Darren On The Road, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Lao New Year, parade with river boat – Darren On The Road, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Lao New Year, parade of ethnic groups – Darren On The Road, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Lao New Year, banners – Darren On The Road, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Detailed price list
| Guest type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $560 |
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