2-Day 1-Night Ok Phansa Festival of Lights Tour in Luang Prabang: Lai Heua Fai Fireboat Procession & Floating Krathong Lanterns on the Mekong River
Multi-day tours
International tour
Festival tour
Spiritual tour
Standard
Departure point
→
Destination
Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang
2N1Đ (Participation Duration)
Car,Walking (Transportation)
English (Language)
Number of participants 0/12
0 booked
Tour description
Boun Ok Phansa marks the end of the monks’ three-month rains retreat and falls on the full moon of the 11th month in the Lao lunar calendar (in 2026, it falls on October 26). In Luang Prabang, the festival is associated with the Lai Heua Fai ritual – the “fireboat release.”
Several days before the festival, each temple and neighborhood makes its own boats from bamboo and paper, decorates them with images of the mythical Naga serpent, and lights hundreds of candles. On the festival evening, the boats are carried through the main streets to the sound of drums before being released onto the Mekong River; the entire city glows with candlelight on house doors and temple fences. People also release small khatong lanterns made from banana trunks, banana leaves, and flowers to pray for good fortune and let misfortune drift away.
The program takes you to a temple boat-making workshop, to a morning alms-giving ceremony at a temple, where you can make khatong lanterns and enjoy a good viewing spot for the procession.
Several days before the festival, each temple and neighborhood makes its own boats from bamboo and paper, decorates them with images of the mythical Naga serpent, and lights hundreds of candles. On the festival evening, the boats are carried through the main streets to the sound of drums before being released onto the Mekong River; the entire city glows with candlelight on house doors and temple fences. People also release small khatong lanterns made from banana trunks, banana leaves, and flowers to pray for good fortune and let misfortune drift away.
The program takes you to a temple boat-making workshop, to a morning alms-giving ceremony at a temple, where you can make khatong lanterns and enjoy a good viewing spot for the procession.
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/Afternoon: Pick up guests at the airport/train station, check in, and have lunch.
Afternoon: Visit temples completing fireboats and join local residents in making khatong floating lanterns.
Evening: Have an early dinner, watch the fireboat procession through the main streets to the Mekong River, release khatong lanterns, and watch the fireboats float down the river. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Afternoon: Visit temples completing fireboats and join local residents in making khatong floating lanterns.
Evening: Have an early dinner, watch the fireboat procession through the main streets to the Mekong River, release khatong lanterns, and watch the fireboats float down the river. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Morning (05:30): Attend the food offering ceremony and listen to chanting at the temple on the final day of the Buddhist rains retreat. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
10:00: Visit Wat Xieng Thong Temple and the Royal Palace Museum (except Tuesdays).
Noon: Have lunch and check out. The vehicle will take you to the airport/train station, concluding the program.
10:00: Visit Wat Xieng Thong Temple and the Royal Palace Museum (except Tuesdays).
Noon: Have lunch and check out. The vehicle will take you to the airport/train station, concluding the program.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour price includes
• English-speaking local guide as per the itinerary
• Airport/train station transfers
• 01 night in a 3-star boutique hotel in the Old Town (2 guests per room)
• Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
• Materials for making khatong lanterns and offerings for the temple
• Admission tickets as per the itinerary
• Bottled water
• Airport/train station transfers
• 01 night in a 3-star boutique hotel in the Old Town (2 guests per room)
• Meals: 1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
• Materials for making khatong lanterns and offerings for the temple
• Admission tickets as per the itinerary
• Bottled water
Tour price excludes
• Airfare/train tickets and Laos visa
• Single-room supplement and holiday hotel surcharge (if applicable)
• Drinks outside the program
• Tips for the guide
• Travel insurance and personal expenses
• Single-room supplement and holiday hotel surcharge (if applicable)
• Drinks outside the program
• Tips for the guide
• 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 date changes every year. Departure dates currently available for sale follow the current year’s calendar; dates for subsequent years will be updated. Hotels are very crowded during the festival, so booking at least 1–2 months in advance is recommended.
Alms-giving ceremony (Tak Bat): please keep your distance, remain silent, do not use flash photography, and do not block the monks’ path; if making an offering, it is best to buy sticky rice at the local market and kneel or sit lower than the monks.
Dress code: when entering temples, the Royal Palace, and historic sites, please wear clothing that covers the shoulders and trousers/skirts that fall below the knees, and remove your shoes before entering the main sanctuary.
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; guides speaking Vietnamese, French, Chinese, Thai, and other languages can be requested (please inform us when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest and is based on a private tour for groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visa: international visitors require 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.
2026 schedule: Ok Phansa festival night is October 26, 2026 (the tour departs on October 26). The streets are extremely crowded during the procession, so please stay with your guide.
Illustrative photos: WikiLovesFolkore2024ThaiFestival – T9876, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Preparing Ok Phansa festival – ASITRAC, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Alms-giving ceremony (Tak Bat): please keep your distance, remain silent, do not use flash photography, and do not block the monks’ path; if making an offering, it is best to buy sticky rice at the local market and kneel or sit lower than the monks.
Dress code: when entering temples, the Royal Palace, and historic sites, please wear clothing that covers the shoulders and trousers/skirts that fall below the knees, and remove your shoes before entering the main sanctuary.
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; guides speaking Vietnamese, French, Chinese, Thai, and other languages can be requested (please inform us when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest and is based on a private tour for groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visa: international visitors require 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.
2026 schedule: Ok Phansa festival night is October 26, 2026 (the tour departs on October 26). The streets are extremely crowded during the procession, so please stay with your guide.
Illustrative photos: WikiLovesFolkore2024ThaiFestival – T9876, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Preparing Ok Phansa festival – ASITRAC, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Detailed price list
| Guest type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $290 |
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