Luang Prabang City Tour & Kuang Si Waterfalls

Overview

Don’t let limited time stop you enjoying the best of Luang Prabang and its natural surroundings on a day trip that’s designed for travelers short on time. Not only will you explore Luang Prabang’s UNESCO-listed historical center while receiving personalized attention in a small group of 10, you’ll also visit the incredible Kuang Si Falls.

• See the best of Luang Prabang even in limited time on this comprehensive tour

• A hassle-free introduction to Laos' most famous city

• Cover more sights in less time as you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle

• Hotel pickup and drop-off mean you don’t have to find a meeting point

What's Included

• All Fees and Taxes

• Air-conditioned vehicle

• Kuang Si Waterfalls, Hmong museum entrance fees

What To Expect

1

Alms Giving Ceremony

[5:30 am opition only] In Buddhism, alms or almsgiving is the respect given by a lay Buddhist to a Buddhist monk, nun, spiritually-developed person or other sentient being. It is not charity as presumed by Western interpreters. It is important to know the ceremony is also a spiritual practice to accumulate good karma for those who give the alms. It is closer to a symbolic connection to the spiritual realm and to show humbleness and respect in the presence of the secular society. The act of almsgiving connects the human to the monk and what he represents. The morning alms giving is a living Buddhist tradition for the people of Luang Prabang which, because of its beauty, has become a major tourist attraction. However, when tourists are unaware of its customs their inappropriate behaviors can be disruptive.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

2

The Morning Market

[5:30 opition tour only] I Following alms giving, we visit a local morning market. Luang Prabang morning market lining a couple of quiet streets near the Royal Palace, starts early and is over by mid-morning. It sets up along a couple of side-streets next to one of the city’s many Wats. A butcher and some of the more touristy stalls have actual tables for their wares. But most of the vendors, selling anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground. We go back to your accommodation and have a free time for breakfast until 8:30 am.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

3

Riverview Park

The second part of this tour begins at riverview park on the peninsula tip. You will have a brief introduction to Luang Prabang, standing where the Nam Khan River meets the Mekong River. From there, walk to the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

4

Wat Xiengthong

Wat Xiengthong was considered the ceremonial gateway to the city and was the arrival and departure point for foreign dignitaries for centuries. We will walk up the stairs to the main gate and enter the temple like ancient dignitaries. Wat Xieng Thong, once known as “The Temple of the Golden City”, holds great cultural, historic and architectural importance. It is serenely situated near the tip of the peninsula at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, with a grand staircase leading up from the Mekong. (Entrance fee 30,000 kip)

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

5

Wat Sensoukharam

Next, we will go temple hopping in the neighborhood. At Wat Sene, where there is a school for novice monks, you may meet again with novice monks you met on the morning alms. The temple was built in 1718 by King Kitsarath with 100,000 stones from the Mekong river. It literally means "Temple of 100,000 treasures"

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

6

Royal Palace Museum

[The museum is closed on the last Thursday of every month and cannot be visited] We will visit the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace, which is today the national museum and built by French colonialists between 1904-09, displays a lovely collection of the artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture. (Entrance fee 60,000 kip)

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

7

Mount Phousi

The morning tour ends with a climb up Phousi Hill. Rising 150m in the centre of town, you enjoy spectacular 360 degree views across the city and its many temples, and over the surrounding landscape to the mountains in the distance. (Entrance fee 30,000 kip) Free time until the afternoon to head to the waterfall

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

8

Kuang Si Falls

Kuang Si Waterfalls

2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

9

Hmong exhibition antique house and culture

Visit Ban Naoun village near Napho. This is the Hmong resettlement village and there is a small Hmong museum made by the villagers. Stroll through the village and get a glimpse into the life and culture of the Hmong people, who originally lived in the highlands.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

• Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability

• Not wheelchair accessible

• Infants must sit on laps

• Most travelers can participate

• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate