Add dates

Luang PrabangHiking

Our most recommended Luang Prabang Hiking

Luang Prabang: 3-Day Cultural Remote Trek With Homestay

1. Luang Prabang: 3-Day Cultural Remote Trek With Homestay

Day 1 Meet your guide early in the morning for preparation and departure. Take some time to store your luggage and ensure that you travel light. Travel north along the Mekong river and then the Nam Xeuang river for 1.5 hours.  Cross the river by local boat to the trailhead and trek straight into the jungle on trails that locals use to travel between the remote villages. The trek is 4-5 hour route of medium grade walking through rice paddies and jungle.  Stay overnight in a welcoming Hmong village with basic, comfortable conditions to explore local and meet the locals. Enjoy a dinner prepared by your guide and local family. Day 2 Rise to the sounds and activities of daily Hmong hill-tribe life and breakfast prepared by your guide. Embark on the shortest hike, a 4-hour long journey along valley streams to an amazingly remote and very large mixed Hmong and Khmu village situated in a valley surrounded by large mountains. You’ll arrive mid-afternoon and have more time to explore these expansive villages and their schools. Your guide will help you explore the villages and experience the local life. Enjoy your evening and relax for tomorrow’s mountain peak hike. Day 3 Set off on a hike for 6-7 hours to mountain tops with panoramic views looking over the villages and stunning views of the remote Lao landscapes. Go down to the Nam Xeuang River where the trekking ends. You will be hiking the very trails that locals take to tend their steep mountain-top rice fields and visit a Hmong mountain village along the way. You can go for a well-deserved swim in the river at the trail’s end before our return trip about 1.5 hours to Luang Prabang from this unforgettable adventure trip.

Luang Prabang: Kayak to Pak Ou Caves

2. Luang Prabang: Kayak to Pak Ou Caves

Discover Laos' varied and scenic landscapes on this guided tour. After getting picked up from your hotel in Luang Prabang, head north to the Nam Ou Riverside where you will begin your kayak tour. This is an easy river for kayaking where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the tranquil countryside and see naturally-formed limestone cliffs.  Kayak your way towards Pak Ou, where you will visit the famous Pak Ou Caves – 2 linked caves crammed with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Enjoy a guided tour of the caves before starting the second section of your kayak on the Mekong River. Paddle down the Mekong for 30 minutes to reach your lunch destination. Sit down to a delicious buffet lunch as you admire breathtaking views of the Mekong. After lunch, continue to the Kuang Si Falls and enjoy some free time to explore these unique 3-layered falls. You could go for a walk through the trails of the surrounding nature trails, take a dip in the refreshing turquoise water pools or pay a visit to the bear rescue center. Finally, begin the journey back to Luang Prabang. Stop at Ban Na Uan hmong village and get the chance to experience Hmong village life, meet some of the local people and see their traditional embroidery crafts. Get dropped off back at your hotel at the end of the day.

From Luang Prabang: Thin Pha Trail & Tad Sae Falls Trek

3. From Luang Prabang: Thin Pha Trail & Tad Sae Falls Trek

Start with a morning transfer from your hotel in Luang Prabang 25 minutes out of town to the adventure camp. Cross the Nam Khan River by boat to the trailhead and begin the hike through rice paddies and middle canopy. Your first stop will be a Khmu village named Ban Houay Fai where your guide will introduce you to the local life and customs. Continue along ridges, limestone grottos, and rocky slopes for lunch at a Hmong village known as Ban Thin Pha, which gives this trail its name. Experience a variety of flora and fauna in the mountains and valleys, and weave your way through paddies and countryside. Stop, look, listen, and ask your guide about the life teeming around you. Chat with villagers and ask questions about life in Laos before ending the trek in the riverside village Ban Houay Yen. There, a boat will be waiting to take you down a beautiful stretch of the Nam Khan with a stop at the Tad Sae Waterfall. Relax and soak in Tad Sae Falls before returning by boat and vehicle to Luang Prabang. By choosing this adventure, you are contributing funds to support the local communities you visit. The total trekking distance is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), which takes about 4-5 hours through deciduous forest and farmland with elevations of 300-900 meters (984-2953 feet). During the low water season from February to July, the itinerary is the same with the exception that the Tad Sae Waterfall can be very low or dry and may be omitted. You can choose to take the tour in a public, small group or in a private group.

Luang Prabang: Organic Farm Experience & Hike to Kuang si

4. Luang Prabang: Organic Farm Experience & Hike to Kuang si

Immerse yourself in Lao culture through its gastronomy and landscapes with this cooking class and hike combo tour. Visit a local farm for a 4-course cooking lesson, hike to Kuang Si Falls, and meet rescued bears at a bear sanctuary. After getting picked up from your hotel in a traditional tuk-tuk, enjoy a 40-minute drive towards the home and farm of a local family in the village of Ban Pak Si. Upon arrival at the farm, join your host for a stroll in the gardens to select the fresh ingredients for your cooking class. Then, under the guidance of your host, learn how to prepare a traditional four-course Lao lunch. Cook your own salad, pork laab, sticky rice, and more, then sit down to enjoy the rewards of your efforts with lunch at the riverside. Refreshed and reenergized after lunch, enjoy a 2-hour hike towards Kuang Si Falls, following a path used daily by local farmers. Upon arrival, swim in the falls' turquoise waters or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings. Next, pay a visit to a nearby sanctuary that cares for and rehabilitates bears rescued from animal traders and deforested habitats. At the end of the day, return to Luang Prabang, stopping for photos of the Lao countryside and villages before arriving back at your hotel.

Luang Prabang: Mountain Trek & Local Villages Overnight Tour

5. Luang Prabang: Mountain Trek & Local Villages Overnight Tour

DAY 1 Start the tour with hotel pickup at 8:00 AM and head off for the Longhurst trail, one of the most spectacular trails in the area. The trail has steep jungle-covered mountains on one side and a spectacular view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River on the other side. You'll cross the Nam Khan River by boat and begin the ascent into the mountains. The trail is an invigorating and sometimes challengingl hike going through canyons to remote villages and small lakes. The full-day hike spans 13km, normally taking 6 hours with breaks included. Under wet conditions, the hiking can be 7-8 hours. You’ll arrive at the Khmu village in the evening for an authentic cultural homestay and a well-earned meal prepared by your guide. Enjoy exploring the village with your guide, have a drink with the locals, and enjoy this incredible night deep in the mountains. DAY 2 Enjoy breakfast and set out for a 1.5 to 2-hour trek through the rice fields and forest. Then make your way up the hillside to a Hmong village of "Ban Tin Pha" , a wonderful place with a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.  Afterward, continue the trek downhill to a village along the river, "Ban Houay Yen". Here you will board a local boat for a relaxing ride on the Nam Khan to the Tad Sae waterfalls.  Lunch will either be served at the village before the boat ride or at the waterfall as preferred. If you want to cool off after all the trek, take a swim in the pools at the base of the falls or relax in the shade. End the tour by taking the local boat to a camp and then driving back to the town.

Luang Prabang: Village Trek & Nam Khan River Kayak Tour

6. Luang Prabang: Village Trek & Nam Khan River Kayak Tour

Start this tour with a hotel pickup from Luang Prabang with a drive from Luang Prabang on a short scenic ride south to the banks of the Nam Khan River. From there, cross the river by boat and then start an easy-to-medium 1.5-hour trek. Hike through jungle, forest, bamboo, and paddy fields and alongside streams to a small Khmu village at the base of limestone mountains. The guide will show you around the village to admire the beautiful bamboo woven houses and meet the locals. Don't hesitate to talk with the locals as the guide is happy to act as an interpreter. By choosing this adventure, you are contributing funds to support the local communities you visit. After exploring the Khmu villages, hike for another 1.5 hours to the Tad Sae waterfalls. Depending on the season, you can enjoy the impressive sight of the high waters or the inviting clear, turquoise waters at the rainy season's end. Enjoy a refreshing swim and explore the surrounding Tad Sae area. Please note that in the low water season (from March to August), Tad Sae Waterfall is dry and not visited. From the waterfall, take a boat ride to the Adventure Camp to begin your kayak adventure down the Nam Khan River. After a short safety review, the guide will teach you how to paddle if it is your first time. Embark on an exciting river journey through the beautiful Nam Khan River Valley's lush jungle as you observe locals engaged in everyday activities. While kayaking, you may stop on the many white-sand beaches to relax, swim, and explore. Also, visit the famous Henri Mouhot's resting site accessible from the river. Kayaking conditions vary between easy to medium and total time is approximately 2 hours, depending on river conditions.  Finally, end the tour with a late afternoon return drive to Luang Prabang City.

Luang Prabang Trekking LongLao to Kuang si falls full day

7. Luang Prabang Trekking LongLao to Kuang si falls full day

Depart your hotel (8:30am) by private vehicle for a 50 minute drive in a westerly direction to the village of Long Lao, the starting point for today’s trek. This rustic village is little-visited by tourists, is nestled inside a picturesque valley and consists of ethnic Hmong and Kamu enclaves. The Hmong people are known as ‘Lao Seung’ highlanders, who traditionally inhabit the higher peaks of the mountainous Lao countryside – however the village in the Long Lao valley has re-settled to this lower altitude. A Hmong trekking guide will join you and your Lao guide, to lead your trek of three hours of walking time. Begin first with an ascent to a skyline ridge, offering views over Long Lao village and its enclosing valley. On the way, you might see crops of rice, coriander, chilli, and local herbs planted by local villagers who live in the valley. Follow a marked trail, which will be steep in parts, and slippery in the wet season (from April to September) – make sure you wear sturdy boots or shoes. Arrive at Kuang Si Falls, Swim in the turquoise waters, or simply explore the beautiful surrounds. Enjoy free time before visiting a nearby sanctuary which cares for and rehabilitates bears rescued from animal traders, or from deforested habitat. Return to Luang Prabang, stopping as you like for photos of countryside and villages. Arrive back at your hotel in the late afternoon.

Other Sightseeing Options in Luang Prabang

Want to discover all there is to do in Luang Prabang? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Luang Prabang

Best hike ever in Luang Prabang through the jungle and villages. Nam khan boat ride was just amazing. My guide Som sack was really informative and the driver Chan was really friendly. Really worth this tour.