Luang Prabang City Private Tour

Explore the culture and history of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on this private one day tour. Luang Prabang, the former royal capital, is situated on the Mekong River and surrounded by beautiful green mountains. The town itself is picturesque and offers a wonderful mix of ancient temples and French-Indochinese architecture. The tour’s destinations include the main highlights of Luang Prabang center-town such as Buddist temples, Royal Palace museum, local market, ethnological center. It is simply the must do Luang Prabang tour for any first time visitors to the country. Luang Prabang will be one of your favorite places anywhere in Southeast Asia.

Early morning (Option, 5:30-7:00)

• Morning Alms

Pickup from your accommodation at early morning around 5:30 am in March to October and 6:00 in November to February. We rise early to observe the sunrise procession of monks receiving alms and experience offering food to monks. Morning Alms (Sai Bat) is a longstanding tradition in Laos Buddhist culture, and is very unique to Laos. Laos is the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

• Local morning market

After morning alms, we visit Luang Prabang morning market. The market lining a couple of quiet streets near the Royal Palace, starts early and is over by mid-morning. It sets up along a couple of side-streets next to one of the city’s many Wats. A butcher and some of the more touristy stalls have actual tables for their wares. But most of the vendors, selling anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground. 

We go back to your accommodation for breakfast at around 7:00 am.  

Morning (8:30-12:00)

• Royal Palace Museum

The Royal Palace, which is today the national museum and built by French colonialists between 1904-09, displays a lovely collection of artefacts and offers you an insight into the fascinating history and culture of Laos. (Entrance fee 30,000 kip)

• Wat Mai

built in 1788, known for its glorious bas-relief work, golden stencilling of its sim (assembly hall), and for the ritual cleansing of the Phra Bang during Lao New Year. (Entrance fee 10,000 kip)

• Wat Sene

The temple was built in 1718 by King Kitsarath with 100,000 stones from the Mekong river. It literally means "Temple of 100,000 treasures"

• Wat Xieng Thong

Wat Xieng Thong, once known as “The Temple of the Golden City”, holds great cultural, historic and architectural importance. It is serenely situated near the tip of the peninsula at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, with a grand staircase leading up from the Mekong. For centuries it was considered the ceremonial gateway to the town, with visiting dignitaries and soon-to-be-crowned kings arriving via these steps. (Entrance fee 20,000 kip)

• Wat Wisunarat

The oldest Buddhist temple dating to the 16th century, known for its large, watermelon-domed stupa.(Entrance fee 20,000 kip)

Afternoon (13:30-17:30)

• Wat Pa Phon Phao

3km north from center situated on a hill overlooking the town in the southeast of Luang Prabang, Wat Phon Phao is a forest meditation retreat famous for the teachings of the late abbot Ajahn Saisamut.

• UXO Lao Visitors Centre or Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

UXO (Unexploded Ordinance) Information Centre exhibits the devastation that Laos continues to suffer as a result of the Second Indochina War. (Free, closed on Saturday & Sunday)

The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) has been a private non-profit making museum devoted to the different ethnic groups in Laos, exhibits items of ethnic clothing, religious artefacts, working tools.  Its intention is to increase understanding of the different ways of life and the traditions of different ethnic groups in Laos. (25,000 kip, closed Mondays)

• Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre

Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre is created as a way to allow visitors to observe the impressive skills that go into Lao textiles. Here you will meet the Master Weavers and see silk weaving on your very own. You will discover the fascinating world of Lao textiles and handicrafts. After the visit you can have a stroll in the beautiful tropical garden with a nice view of the mighty Mekong River, the terrace will be the perfect place to sip a drink while contemplating the landscape.

• Heuan Chan Heritage

Heuan Chan Heritage House is a traditional wooden house dated back to over 100 years ago and a very rare surviving example of a pre-colonial Lao style aristocratic mansion. It is now turning into a museum, cultural and recreational centre where you are most welcome to visit and experience the authentic way of life in Luang Prabang. (Entrance fee 20,000 kip)

• Mount Phousi

Mount Phousi is a 100 m high hill in the centre of the old town, located on the peninsula between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. As the highest point in town, it boasts the town’s famous and favourite panoramic view. On the summit, the shiny golden stupa of Wat Chom Si sits firmly and greets visitors to the mountain. It was built in 1804 during the reign of King Anourouth and has become a symbol of Luang Prabang’s spiritual significance. . (Entrance fee 20,000 kip)

Our Services include:

Baci Ceremony (Evening option 7:00 pm-, Please choose Baci Ceremony option X 1 for your group. If you would like to have dinner show after Baci, please choose option Dance show X1 for your group, Dinner for your group size )

The baci is a well-known traditional ritual and has its origins in the ancient customs of past generations. This ceremony is held for happy occasions like weddings, welcoming guests, Lao New Year, house warmings, home comings and other such occasion and has a deep meaning for Lao people, as well as for visitors to the country. 

We will hold the baci ceremony in the evening at a traditional rosewood house near royal palace. After a commentary from the guide, you will experience an hour-long ritual. Afterwards, we can have dinner there, and experience a music and dance performance. Or we can also end the tour after the ceremony.

To request a tour guide other than English, please contact us in advance.