Luang Prabang Day Tour: Caves, Waterfall & Bear Sanctuary

Swim in turquoise pools and explore caves carved into limestone cliffs in a single morning.

A one-day tour from Luang Prabang takes you by boat across the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves, where thousands of Buddhist statues fill two limestone caverns, then to Kuang Si Waterfall for swimming and a visit to a bear sanctuary. The tour includes hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, boat fees, lunch and all transport. Children from age 3 are welcome when accompanied by an adult, and the itinerary suits all fitness levels, though steep paths to the waterfall's top are optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Kuang Si Falls4h · entry included
2. Pak Ou Caves2h · entry included

Explore Luang Prabang's nature and culture

• Pick up at accommodation
• Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls and Bear Sanctuary
• Stop at Ban Na Uang Hmong village
• Have lunch at local restaurant
• Cross Mekong River by boat
• Explore Pak Ou Caves
• Visit Ban Xang Hai Whisky Village
• Return to Luang Prabang

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your accommodation in central Luang Prabang between 8:00 and 8:30 am. You'll head first to Kuang Si Waterfall, where the Mekong landscape opens into a three-tiered cascade of turquoise pools fed by limestone cliffs. You get roughly two hours here: time to walk the nature preserve trail, swim in the refreshing water, and visit the bear conservation center. Those wanting a harder climb can take the steep path to the top of the falls for a wider view of the surrounding jungle.

On the way to Kuang Si, you'll stop at Ban Na Uang, a Hmong resettlement village where you can meet the Hmong people who originally lived in the highlands. After lunch at a local restaurant, the tour crosses the Mekong by small boat to the base of Pak Ou Caves, a limestone cliff site holding two separate caverns. The lower cave is filled with Buddhist statues and relics, scented with burning incense and overlooking the river. A winding staircase leads to the upper cave, where a flashlight helps you navigate the ancient Buddhist relics inside. The return drive to Luang Prabang happens in the late afternoon, leaving your evening free.

You can book this as a private tour or join a group. An English-speaking guide leads the whole day, and bottled water comes with you throughout. Tips for the guides are optional at checkout.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport.
• English-speaking guide.
• boat crossing of the Mekong River.
• entry to Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Waterfall.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English08:00, 08:30, 09:00 and 09:30

Guide in English08:30

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 08:30, 09:00 and 09:30

Book up to11h before

AgesAdult (9 to 70 years) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by BCFamilyTour.com

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour if you want to set your own pace at each stop and skip the Hmong village or bear sanctuary. The group tour keeps costs lower and moves through all three sites on a fixed schedule that fits the afternoon return to Luang Prabang.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What are the Pak Ou Caves like inside?

Pak Ou Caves hold two separate chambers carved into a limestone cliff overlooking the Mekong. The lower cave is filled with thousands of Buddhist statues and relics, and the air carries the scent of burning incense. A winding staircase leads to the upper cave, which you explore with a flashlight and find more ancient Buddhist relics inside.

Can I swim at Kuang Si Waterfall?

Yes. Kuang Si Waterfall has turquoise pools of various sizes fed by water cascading down limestone cliffs, and you'll have roughly two hours to swim in the refreshing water, walk the nature preserve trail, and explore the bear conservation center on the grounds.

How long does this tour take?

The full day runs about 10 hours from pickup at your hotel to return in the late afternoon, including stops at Ban Na Uang village, Kuang Si Waterfall, lunch, and Pak Ou Caves.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and return transport, an English-speaking guide, boat fees across the Mekong, lunch at a local restaurant, and bottled water throughout the day are all included. You can choose between a private tour or a group tour at checkout.