Luang Prabang Day Trips
Luang Prabang Temples + Museums
Discover why Luang Prabang is called the "jewel on the Mekong" with this fascinating day tour. Pick up from your hotel and head to the local vegetable markets. Explore the former King's Royal Palace and National Museum and learn about the history of the previous kingdom of Laos. Wander the UNESCO World Heritage old town and marvel at what maybe the best preserved heritage city in South East Asia. Visit Wat Xieng Thong and the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham. In the evening walk up to the top of Phu Si Mountain which commands stunning sunset views over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. At nightfall head to the Hill Tribe Night Markets where you find a fantastic array of handmade textiles and jewellery crafted by the local hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Private tour price:
3-5 people $70 / 2 people $85 / 1 person $130
From: Luang Prabang
When: All day into the evening
Group size: 1 to 12
Tour Code: IJE-LC
Note: National Museum closed Tuesdays and Sunday afternoons.
Luang Prabang + Mekong River
This trip combines UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang with a relaxing boat trip on the Mekong. Your day starts with a short guided tour of the city's oldest temple, Wat Sene and the classically designed Wat Xieng Thong temple. Board a long boat for a cruise up the Mekong River passing tranquil countryside to the pilgrimage site known as Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha Statues. Stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they distill local rice wine. Take a short drive to rural villages famous for producing handmade paper.
Private tour price:
3-5 people $90 / 2 people $120 / 1 person $199
From: Luang Prabang
When: Full day
Group size: 1 to 12
Tour Code: IJE-LD
Luang Prabang + Waterfalls
Join us for a half day Luang Prabang city tour and in the afternoon cool off at a beautiful waterfall on the outskirts of town. In the morning visit temples and monasteries including Wat Visun, Wat Aham and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong. Walk the quiet back street of the UNESCO World Heritage town taking in the well preserved French colonial architecture. Climb to the top of Mount Phu Si for breathtaking views over the city and Mekong River. In the afternoon, drive to Kuang Si Waterfalls on the way stopping at local villages. At the waterfalls take time out for a refreshing swim or walk the forest trails. There is also an interesting bear rescue centre home to bears who have been saved from the black market industry.
Private tour price:
3-5 people $75 / 2 people $96 / 1 person $165
From: Luang Prabang
When: Full day
Group size: 1 to 12
Tour Code: IJE-LE
Luang Prabang by Bike
Jump on a mountain bike for a fun trip exploring the quiet streets of Luang Prabang. Ride out to the local morning markets then cycle back into town and visit the National Museum, the temple of Wat Mai and the graceful architecture of Wat Xieng Thong at the end of the Peninsula. Free time for lunch, your guide can recommend some good local restaurants. In the afternoon cycle to Wat Visoun, a temple dating back to the 16th Century. Visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Museum with an excellent display of ethnic artefacts and clothing, Late afternoon, walk up Mount Phou Si for wonderful sunset views over the countryside. Ride your bike back into town and we drop you back at your hotel.
Private tour price:
3-5 people $80 / 2 people $95 / 1 person $135
From: Luang Prabang
When: Full day
Group size: 1 to 12
Tour Code: IJE-LF
Note: National Museum closed Tuesdays and Sunday afternoons.
Elephants + Kayaking
Pick up from your hotel around 08:15am for a drive to the Elephant Camp in the Nam Khan Valley about 15km from Luang Prabang. Cross the river by boat and meet your Elephant and learn about the protected programs for Asian Elephants. Enjoy a one hour Elephant ride through the Nam Khan River and Conservation Area. Take a boat trip to Tad Sea Waterfalls for a swim and lunch. After a short instruction, jump on board your kayak for a four hour soft adventure paddle back to Luang Prabang. Negotiate small rapids (depending on the season) which can even be managed by inexperienced paddlers. Stop at villages on the way until we arrive at Luang Prabang.
Private tour price:
3-5 people $105 / 2 people $125 / 1 person $215
From: Luang Prabang
When: All day into the evening
Group size: 1 to 12
Tour Code: IJE-L11
Note: Tad Sae Wateralls are not open between February and August.
For these months, lunch is served on the balcony overlooking the Nam Khan River at the Elephant Camp. We are working with animals in nature, therefore the itinerary times may change.
Elephants + Biking
This soft adventure trip combines Elephant riding with mountain biking on small dirt trails on the outskirts of Luang Prabang. You are fitted with a bike to suit you, then we cycle out of town through natural and remote areas. Our first stop is Wat Pa Phon Phao, a forest temple with a large golden stupa. Follow a dirt trail through teak wood plantations and rice fields in the Nam Khan Valley. Pass the tomb of Henry Mauhot, the French explorer who rediscovered Angkor Wat in the 1800s. Arrive at the Elephant Camp located on the Nam Khan River where you learn about the protected programs for Asian Elephants. Enjoy a one hour Elephant ride through lush conservation area and forests that flourish along the Nam Khan River. We stop for a swim and lunch at Tad Sae Waterfalls. After a short boat trip to our mountain
bikes, we ride back to Luang Prabang which takes around two hours on good road.
Private tour price:
3-5 people $85 / 2 people $95 / 1 person $125
From: Luang Prabang
When: Full day
Group size: 1 to 12
Tour Code: IJE-L10
Note: Tad Sae Wateralls are not open between February and August. For these months, lunch is served on the balcony overlooking the Nam Khan River at the Elephant Camp. We are working with animals in nature, therefore the itinerary times may change.
Taste of Laos Cooking Class
Experience the taste of Lao at Tum Tum Cheng Cooking School in Luang Prabang. A little experimentation takes you a long way towards appreciating the cuisine! Your half day class starts with a visit to a local market stocked with Lao staple flavourings, such as; lemongrass, mint, basil, lime, coriander, ginger, galingale, tamarind and, of course, hot chillies. In the cooking class you learn how to make several Lao dishes including khao niaw, sticky rice (which goes hand in hand with Lao culture) and laap, a Lao style salad of minced meat or fish tossed with lime juice and garlic. Your class ends with a delicious lunch in the gardens of the restaurant.
Price: On request
From: Luang Prabang
When: 9am – 2pm, Monday to Saturday
Group size: 2 to 12
Tour Code: IJE-LB
Luang Prabang Textile Tour (1/2 or 1 day, 1 week)
Discover the secrets of Lao textiles at Ock Pop Tok Gallery and Workshop in Luang Prabang. Meet the weavers who make the textiles and join a weaving or dying class. Classes give an insight into Lao culture and the importance of weaving for a sustainable future. Classes vary from half day to weekly workshops. It is possible to purchase beautifully crafted textiles, direct from the source, such as; scarves, dresses, wall hangings and bedspreads. Or, have your own textiles designed and tailor-made.
Classes and workshops can be adapted to your chosen time frame and interests.
Price: On request
From: Luang Prabang
When: Half day, one day to one week, everyday
Group size: 2 to 12
Tour Code: IJE-LA
Creating a sustainable weaving industry…
Ock Pop Tok was founded in 2000 by a local weaver and an English photographer as a medium to exchange knowledge and ideas through textile. Today, this innovative gallery and workshop provides a livelihood for nearly 200 local people through the production of high quality textiles. They also offer market access and training to approximately 150 artisans from rural villages. A percentage of sales go towards training villagers in textile handicraft to ensure the local industry has a sustainable future.
