1-Day Mekong River Cruise Tour to Pak Ou Caves: Thousands of Buddhas & Ban Xang Hai Whiskey Village
Day tour
International tour
Spiritual tour
Experiential tour
Standard
Departure point
→
Destination
Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang
Pak Ou
1N (Participation Duration)
Boat - Cruise Ship,Car,Walking (Transportation)
English (Language)
Number of participants 0/12
0 booked
Tour description
Pak Ou Caves are located on a limestone cliff opposite the point where the Nam Ou River flows into the Mekong River, about 25 km from Luang Prabang. The two caves, Tham Ting (lower) and Tham Theung (upper), contain around 4,000 wooden, bronze, and lacquered Buddha statues in various sizes, donated by local people and royalty over many centuries; during Pi Mai New Year, Luang Prabang residents still travel here by boat to perform ceremonies.
The traditional long wooden boat ride upstream on the Mekong is half the experience: riverbanks with vegetable gardens, bathing buffalo, gold panners, and deep green limestone mountains. Along the way, the boat stops at Ban Xang Hai Village, where traditional lao-lao rice whiskey is made.
In the afternoon, travel by road and stop at Ban Phanom, a village of the Lao Lue people known for its silk and brocade textiles.
The traditional long wooden boat ride upstream on the Mekong is half the experience: riverbanks with vegetable gardens, bathing buffalo, gold panners, and deep green limestone mountains. Along the way, the boat stops at Ban Xang Hai Village, where traditional lao-lao rice whiskey is made.
In the afternoon, travel by road and stop at Ban Phanom, a village of the Lao Lue people known for its silk and brocade textiles.
Meeting point:
View on map
Khách sạn của quý khách tại phố cổ Luang Prabang
Đón và trả khách tại khách sạn trong khu phố cổ và trung tâm Luang Prabang. Vui lòng gửi tên khách sạn sau khi đặt tour.
Detailed itinerary
Morning (08:00): Your guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the boat pier behind the Royal Palace.
08:30: Board a wooden boat upstream on the Mekong River (approximately 2 hours) and enjoy views of life along the river.
10:00: Visit Ban Xang Hai village to see lao-lao whisky being made and sample it.
10:45: Visit Tham Ting and Tham Theung caves (climb approximately 200 steps to the upper cave).
Lunch (12:15): Have lunch at a riverside restaurant opposite the caves.
Afternoon (13:30): Return to Luang Prabang by vehicle, stopping at Ban Phanom weaving village.
15:30: Arrive back at the hotel and end the tour.
08:30: Board a wooden boat upstream on the Mekong River (approximately 2 hours) and enjoy views of life along the river.
10:00: Visit Ban Xang Hai village to see lao-lao whisky being made and sample it.
10:45: Visit Tham Ting and Tham Theung caves (climb approximately 200 steps to the upper cave).
Lunch (12:15): Have lunch at a riverside restaurant opposite the caves.
Afternoon (13:30): Return to Luang Prabang by vehicle, stopping at Ban Phanom weaving village.
15:30: Arrive back at the hotel and end the tour.
Meals: Lunch
Tour price includes
• English-speaking local guide accompanying you throughout the tour
• Private wooden boat upstream on the Mekong River
• Return vehicle to Luang Prabang
• Pak Ou Caves entrance ticket
• 01 lunch
• Bottled water
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Luang Prabang
• Private wooden boat upstream on the Mekong River
• Return vehicle to Luang Prabang
• Pak Ou Caves entrance ticket
• 01 lunch
• Bottled water
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Luang Prabang
Tour price excludes
• Drinks outside the itinerary and shopping expenses
• Tips for the guide, boatman, and driver
• Travel insurance
• Tips for the guide, boatman, and driver
• Travel insurance
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation with a 100% refund when notified at least 24 hours before departure. Cancellations made within 24 hours of departure are non-refundable. In the event of bad weather or attraction closures required by the authorities, we can help reschedule the tour or provide a full refund.
Other notes
Dress code: when entering temples, the Royal Palace, and historical sites, please wear clothing that covers your shoulders and trousers/skirts extending 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 money into Kip for spending at markets, small restaurants, and in rural areas.
The tour is conducted by default by an English-speaking local guide; Vietnamese-, French-, Chinese-, or Thai-speaking guides can be requested (please notify us when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per person for private tours with groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visas: 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.
The upper cave (Tham Theung) is quite dark, so bring a flashlight. You may choose to travel entirely by boat both ways (an additional approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes).
Illustrative photos: Pak Ou Caves パークウー洞窟 DSCF7353 – 松岡明芳, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Pak ou caves – Walter.jenner, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Landscape of Luang Prabang with a temporary wooden footbridge – Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Working at the consolidation of a wooden footbridge in Luang Prabang - 1 (Side view) – Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Currency: the Kip (LAK) is the official currency; many places accept USD and Thai Baht, but it is advisable to exchange some money into Kip for spending at markets, small restaurants, and in rural areas.
The tour is conducted by default by an English-speaking local guide; Vietnamese-, French-, Chinese-, or Thai-speaking guides can be requested (please notify us when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per person for private tours with groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visas: 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.
The upper cave (Tham Theung) is quite dark, so bring a flashlight. You may choose to travel entirely by boat both ways (an additional approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes).
Illustrative photos: Pak Ou Caves パークウー洞窟 DSCF7353 – 松岡明芳, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Pak ou caves – Walter.jenner, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Landscape of Luang Prabang with a temporary wooden footbridge – Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Working at the consolidation of a wooden footbridge in Luang Prabang - 1 (Side view) – Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Detailed price list
| Guest type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $45 |
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