Luang Prabang Market Tour with Temples and Waterfall Option

Walk the market before the crowds, eat where locals eat, then choose your afternoon

A morning food tour in Luang Prabang starting at the old quarter market, where you taste Lao street food and coffee, visit two historic temples, and optionally add an afternoon trip to Kuang Si Waterfalls. The tour includes a guide in English, Spanish or Japanese, all entrance tickets, brunch and coffee or tea. Five hours total. Moderate fitness required.

The experience

The day starts at 8am when your guide and tuk-tuk driver pick you up from your hotel and drive to Luang Prabang's old quarter. You walk through the morning market while it's still busy with locals buying fresh vegetables, meats and ingredients for the day. Talk to vendors about how they use different herbs and spices in Lao cooking, then stop at a local restaurant or food stall to sample snacks and dishes. The tour includes brunch and either coffee or tea. You'll see people catching up with friends and going about their routines, which gives a real sense of everyday life here rather than a staged version of it.

After the market, you visit local temples such as Wat Mai and Wat Sene to see their intricate architecture and learn about Lao Buddhist culture and traditions from your guide. The temples sit in the historic old quarter, so the walk between stops stays compact. If you book the half-day option, the tour ends here. If you add the waterfall option, you head to Kuang Si Waterfalls in the afternoon: a natural attraction known for turquoise cascading water surrounded by jungle. You can swim in the pools formed by the falls and explore the area around them.

What’s included

• A live guide in your choice of English, Spanish or Japanese.
• entrance tickets to both temples.
• brunch at a local food stall.
• coffee or tea.
• tuk-tuk transport to the market and temples (transport to Kuang Si Waterfalls is included only if you add the waterfall option at checkout).

Options for this experience

2 options

Morning food tour, half dayGuide in English, Spanish or Japanese · 07:30Lasts 4 hours, by tuk-tuk

Morning tour with a waterfall visitGuide in English, Spanish or Japanese · 08:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 08:00

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Japanese

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Discovery more

Is this one for you?Book the morning-only option if you want to explore the market and temples at a relaxed pace and have the rest of your day free. Add the waterfall option if you want to swim and spend the afternoon in the jungle. Tips for your guide and driver are appreciated when they provide good service.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Japanese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the Luang Prabang market tour start and where do you get picked up?

The tour starts at 8am when your guide and driver meet you at your hotel, then drive to the old quarter market.

What's included in the brunch at the market?

Brunch includes local snacks and dishes from food stalls, plus coffee or tea. Your guide can point you toward vendors selling different regional specialties.

Can you swim at Kuang Si Waterfalls or is it just for looking?

Kuang Si Waterfalls has pools formed by the cascading water where you can swim and relax. The waterfall is an optional afternoon add-on to the morning market tour.

Is the walk through the market and temples physically demanding?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnant travelers.