Things to Do in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is blessed with some dense forest and hilly landscape offering good outdoor activity options. The location is also celebrated as UNESCO Word Heritage Site and three ethnic tribes have made their home in the surrounding mountains. From cascading waterfalls to sanctuaries, there are many options to explore. As a part of outdoor activities, you can spend the day at one of the many spas and treat yourself to a traditional massage.

There are many adventure activities to get involved into:

Trekking:

This is the must do adventure activity in Luang Prabang. Spectacular waterfalls and wildlife areas offer great option for trekking and other adventure activities. There are companies that offer and one of the popular agents is Green Discovery who offer treks from one day to several days including Luang Prabang to Ban Nong Touk.

Bowling Alley:

Though it may not be an outdoor activity, but the Bowling Alley is really fun. You can find this at some of the pubs and lounge where loud Asian pop music, local whisky and Beer Lao are as popular. You will find this in the outskirts of the city and you can arrange for the transportation in advancement and fixing right fare.

Golfing:

If you want to indulge into elite game, then Golfing is the best options that can be enjoyed with backdrop of the Mekong River and dramatic mountains. The golf club has 18-hole course on a par 72 green situated 10 minutes by car from the centre of town. The location is at Ban Houiphai in Khet Sangkhalok.

Cycling:

Mountain biking is a must in this region as you will be going through some hilly areas. One day trip is conducted by some cycling tour companies.

Kayaking and Rafting:

This is yet another adventure location done at the Ban Huay Lo Khmu village. Green Discover Laos and Vietlong Travel offer Kayaking trip at the Nam Xeuang River and Nam Khan River.

From adventure activities to exploring the Buddhist regions, there are many things to do in Luang Prabang. Some of the best things to do are:

• Full day hill tribe village safari
• Adventure activity at the Nam Khan River
• Kuang Si Waterfall Adventure
• One Day Village Tour in Motor Cross 110cc
• Full day heritage sightseeing tour
• Trekking at Pha Pon
• Kayaking at Nam Ou
• Kayaking in Nam Khan river
• Cycling around the hills
• Half Day elephant safari

Water sports are the major activity in Luang Prabang. There are some rivers to perform these activities. Some of the best places for water adventure in Luang Prabang are-

• Nam Xuang River
• Nam Khan River
• Nam Au river
• Adventure activity in Kuang Si waterfall

These places offer the best Kayaking experiences.

Kayaking is the most exciting and adventurous activity to do in Luang Prabang. There are various water adventure companies that undertake this activity. You will be accompanied from your accommodation place and offer all the assistance if doing it for the first time. If you want to do the kayaking activity in Luang Prabang then you have options like:

• Nam Ou
• Nam Khan River
• Nam Xuang River

You will be provided with all the safety products during the kayaking water activity. The starting price for the Kayaking activity is Rs 2900/- to Rs 3500/-

Luang Prabang is blessed with mountains and trails offering good options for trekking. Whether you are doing it for the first time or experienced, trekking is the great experience. During trekking you will pass through some beautiful locations of villages and mountains. You can go for 2 days of Pha Theung Jungle trekking during which you will pass through great jungle landscape offers a great opportunity to gain a true insight into the rural life and landscape. Trekking in Ban Chomphet will take you to rural area along the mighty Mekong river.

Khmu and Hmong are another best trekking option for adventure lovers. Don't miss the Nong Kiaow and Muang Ngoi which are two difficult trekking options. Throughout the trek you'll come across the ethnic villages. Trekking to Pha Pon is another good option to get the view of Golden mountain range. Some adventure companies also undertake one day Kuang Si trekking that offers some realising sights.

The price of the trekking depends on the number of day the activities take place. The price range from Rs 2000/- to Rs 7000/-.

Cruise tour is one of the things to do in Luang Prabang during which you will enjoy view of some mountains and sea. Mekong Cruise is one of the leading cruise services that will take your various landscapes of the region. You can book for 2 days and 1 night. During this tour, you will pass through Huay Xai, Laos Village and Pakbeng. You will be also offered with lunch and dinner.

Shompoo Cruise is yet another company that specialized in Mekong river cruises. It has three traditional slow-boats. The 2 day cruise tour will take you through Houay Xay, traveling downstream to Luang Prabang, or from Luang Prabang, cruising upstream to Houay Xay.

Elephant safari is the most interesting activity to do in Luang Prabang. Elephant Village is the leading company and sanctuary that conducts the safari. During the safari, you will enjoy some thrilling activities including inside the deep forest and bathing your elephant in Nam Khan river. During the safari, you can learn how to control and feed your elephant.

Take a trek through the diverse jungle landscape and experience the breathtaking Nam Khan river and mountains in the backdrop. If you are taking up the half day elephant safari then the price will be around Rs 4000/- per person.

You can go for options like Half Day tour, 3 day tour, 2 day tour and 1 day tour.

Luang Prabang tribal village safari takes you through the home of ethnic minorities including Yuan, Hmong and Khmu. It is a one day trip will give a glance of the tribal village. The safari trip will start from Luang Prabang and passes through Ban Hath Hient, Ban Na Tan, Ban Long Lan, Ban San Xang Khong and back to Luang Prabang. Green Discovery Laos is one such company that undertakes tribal village safari tour.

Some of the tribal village are:

• Yuan (Ban Pick Ngai)
• Khmu Village (Ban Na Tan)
• Hmong Village (Ban Long Lan)
• Hath Hient Village
• Ban Xang Khong (Ban Sang Khong)

Each of these villages is known for their age old customs and fashion which are still prevalent. Villagers of these tribal areas have perfected the craft over centuries, passing through generation. You can even learn about the traditional medicine practices at Hmong Village.