Luang Prabang Tour 7 Days: Ancient City and Beyond

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang International Airport, you enjoy the pick-up and transfer service to a local hotel; early check-in is subject to room availability.
The city of Luang Prabang has been famous for its architecture, culture, and religion reflected in its city landmarks of Buddhist temples, museums, French-built monuments, etc. After the hotel check-in, you have free time for strolling around the city for some at-a-glances.
Sleep in Luang Prabang

Breakfast will be served in the hotel.
Get ready for a tour of the Royal Palace Museum, which stores and exhibits collections of royal cars, royal portraits, paintings, friendship flags, and especially ancient Buddha statues. The next attraction on the agenda is the important Wat Xieng Thong, which showcases classical Laotian architecture with identical roofs sweeping to the ground. Later, it’s time to relax in the gorgeous Kuang Si Falls, which wins compliments on its three tiers of cascading water and turquoise swimming pool. The waterfall area is also ideal for a happy trek on the off-the-beaten-track trails. Spend the rest of the afternoon having a good rest by the beautiful natural attraction. If you’re interested, take a short transfer to the nearby Bear Rescue Center which houses the Asiatic Black Bear rescued from various dire circumstances.
On the drive back to the town, let’s stop at the Ock Pop Tock Living Crafts Center which runs free tours every half-hour and welcomes tourists to explore the Laos textile world and natural dyes. You can expect to meet skilled weavers who make top-quality silk-woven products. The next stop of the day is the well-known Phousi Hill, which is 100m high and has 329 steps leading toward the summit. From the hilltop, feast your eyes on the breathtaking sunset and glowing effects over the mighty Mekong.
A happy way to conclude a day tour is to go shopping in the local Night Market. Practice bargaining and getting good deals on some handmade textiles produced by the hill tribes.

TIP: If being keen on the cultural diversity of ethnic groups in Laos, you can visit the culturally rich Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center (TAEC). The center is closed on Monday.

Early risers are encouraged to experience the alms-giving ceremony (dated back to the 14th century) by giving alms to the Buddhist monks who sit quietly on the streets. In return, the monks will give you good blessings. After that, proceed to explore the local morning market next to the former Royal Palace. The market is temporarily gathered by the local vendors who sell rice, vegetables, fish, chicken, etc.
After breakfast, around 08:30 AM, you will take a 10km drive toward Nahm Dong Park – a perfect picnic venue to be close to serene, pristine, and beautiful nature. The first activity in the park is the 1-hour zip-lining experience to fly over the jungle and admire the evergreen vista. Next, enjoy a pleasant walk on the jungle trail. You will cross flying bridges, streams, and crystal-clear pools which inspire swimming. From an ideal viewpoint, a picnic lunch will be served. While savoring the meal, take time to marvel at the magnificence of Phousi Hill as well as the city from afar. Other things to do in Nahm Dong Park could be to relax by the huts at the camp or get soaked in the natural pools. The next hours are your free time for a free and easy tour.
Return to your hotel in Luang Prabang city for a sound sleep.

Duration: 1 hour for Zipline; 1-hour min – 3 hours max for trekking subject to the trails you select.

After breakfast, you will sail on the Mekong River and enjoy sightseeing the laidback countryside landscape plus the verdant greenery. The boat trip will stop by several villages and let you marvel at the limestone karsts. Then, it will arrive at the mystic Pak Ou Caves which hosts the ancient gold-lacquered Buddha statues left by generations of townsfolks and devoted pilgrims. After discovering the two linked caves and their ancient religious sculptures, get on a car for a drive toward Nong Khiaw Town quietly set on the Nam Ou River.
After lunchtime, you will visit the age-old Phathok cave, which once served as a war shelter for the villagers during the “Secret War” in Laos. The historical grotto is around a 30-minute walk from the town and its route is quite scenic through verdant rice fields. The accompanying guide will tell you some information about the secret war of Laos and the history of the cave.
When it comes to sunset time, enjoy the last beauty of the day! You can walk toward a local restaurant to have dinner on your own.
Sleep in Nong Khiaw

NOTE: Distance is 159km, 4-hour transfer.

Around 08:00 AM, a local long boat will sail you upstream the Nam Ou River, thru a spectacular landscape, and toward a little riverside village. If it’s a weekday, you can visit a local school and meet the little Laotians studying. Then, the boat trip will go on to Tad Mork which is set next to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Sop Kong. Disembark the boat and get ready for a one-hour trek. You will be likely to find a beautiful waterfall for a picnic lunch, and if you like, enjoy swimming in a natural pool.
After that, let’s cruise further upstream to access the serene Muang Ngoi Village, which is set in spectacular scenery. This unspoiled village is known among backpackers who go there to avoid the city bustle. You can also visit a riverside restaurant and order your drink before getting back on the onward cruise trip. Next, around sunset, you will be at Nong Khiaw Village.
Sleep in Nong Khiaw

Duration: 2.5-hour boat trip, 2.5-hour walk

Today is a day of adventure starting with a boat trip on the Nam Ou River and a stop at a small village along the riverside. There will be cultural opportunities to get to know the villagers and observe their life activities.
Next, the “100 Waterfalls Adventure Trails” will excite your sports spirit to trek through streams and rice fields to reach the bottom of the waterfalls, which were once first discovered in October 2008. For a few next hours, you will be surrounded by water and an amazingly green jungle; also, the rhythm of the cascading waterfalls is so beautiful that calms your mind. A local-style lunch will be prepared in the area of the falls. There lies a small village on the summit of the “100 Waterfalls” leading to a hike back down into a valley. From this spot, the view of the immense Nam Ou Valley is stunning.
Returning to the village, you will have time to observe the Nam Ou riverside villagers. Then, the cruise will continue downstream the river further toward the electricity dam. Later, get on a drive transfer back to Luang Prabang.
Sleep in Luang Prabang

Duration: 1-hour transfer | 4-hour trek | 2-hour boat trip

You have free time for ease and roaming around the city until your departure flight.
The Luang Prabang Tour 7 days – Ancient City and Beyond is included.