Former royal capital of Laos, Luang Prabang has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Set at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Khan, it combines gilded Buddhist temples, French colonial architecture and living traditions. At dawn, monks in saffron robes walk silently through the streets; in the evening, the night markets light up.
This guide covers how to reach the city by river, what to see, where to stay and eat, and the Mekong cruises that start from Luang Prabang.
In this guide
Getting to Luang Prabang by boat
Coming from Thailand, the most memorable way to arrive is by river. From Huay Xai, on the border, the boat takes two days down the Mekong, with a night in Pakbeng. Seen first from the water, the city makes an unforgettable first impression.
On our cruises, the boat arrives at Calao pier at 5:00 p.m., and shared minibus transfers to your hotel are available. The full route, from Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai, is in our guide from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang by boat; to choose between the public slow boat and a cruise, see our slow boat comparison.
Downstream · 2 days + lodge
2-Day Downstream Mekong Cruise with a Night at Luang Say Lodge
From $205 · Per person
Things to do in Luang Prabang
Tak Bat, the morning alms-giving
At dawn, hundreds of monks in saffron robes file silently through the streets to receive alms from the townspeople. The Tak Bat ceremony is one of the most moving sights in Laos: watch it quietly and discreetly, as a guest in a living religious ritual.
Wat Xieng Thong
Of all the royal temples of Luang Prabang, Wat Xieng Thong is the most iconic, and the one not to miss if you visit only one.
Mount Phousi at sunset
Climb Mount Phousi at the end of the day for a panoramic view over the roofs, the river and the hills as the sun goes down.
The Kuang Si Falls
Outside the city, the Kuang Si Falls spill into a series of turquoise pools in the heart of the jungle.
The night markets
When evening falls, the night markets light up and the lanes fill with the scents of street food. It is the place to stroll after dinner.
The Pak Ou Caves by boat
Upstream of the city, the sacred Pak Ou Caves hold more than 2,000 Buddha statues in the limestone above the Mekong, a revered place of pilgrimage for the Lao. The best way there is by river: our upstream cruises stop at the caves in the morning, after leaving Calao pier at 7:00 a.m.
Where to stay in Luang Prabang
Mekong Cruises belongs to a small group of heritage addresses in Luang Prabang. Two of them are places to stay.
Maison Dalabua
Since 2011, Maison Dalabua has welcomed guests among lotus ponds listed as part of the UNESCO heritage. Its rooms and suites are finished in carved wood, silk and natural materials, with private terraces over the ponds, and the Dalabua Spa offers Lao massages with local essential oils. The old town, its temples, the night market and the Mekong are a few minutes away, and the airport about ten. The hotel is Travelife certified and free of single-use plastic.
La Fontaine Residence
Built in 1962 by Dr Edgar Vogel and restored in 2019, La Fontaine is now a house of luxury apartments, three minutes’ walk from the old town and 300 m from Maison Dalabua. Choose a two-bedroom duplex of 110 m² for up to four people, or a 50 m² studio. Daily housekeeping and a concierge are included, along with Maison Dalabua’s pool and bicycles, and a buffet breakfast facing the lotus pond.
Where to eat in Luang Prabang
Manda de Laos: Lao family cooking
Manda de Laos serves the family recipes of Mama Phiew, born in Luang Prabang in 1930. Opened in 2015 near the night market, the restaurant sets its terraces around three lotus ponds listed by UNESCO, with one table, Bua Kham, set right in the pond. There are tasting and vegetarian menus, and much of the produce comes from the restaurant’s own one-hectare organic garden on the banks of the Nam Khan.
Gaspard: French cuisine
Since 2020, Gaspard has cooked French cuisine in a two-storey teak house listed by UNESCO, near the Nam Phou fountain, with a garden terrace and two dining rooms, the Indochina Parlour and the Botanical Chamber. The kitchen works with produce from the Luang Prabang market and its own organic garden, and offers tasting menus.
Mekong river cruises from Luang Prabang
Our upstream cruises leave Calao pier at 7:00 a.m., with breakfast on board, and stop at the Pak Ou Caves before reaching Pakbeng around 5:00 p.m. On the two-day cruises, the boat continues the next day to Huay Xai, on the Thai border, where your guide accompanies you to immigration. Lunch, the guide and the visits are included in every cruise.
| Cruise | Route | From |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Luang Prabang → Pakbeng, Pak Ou Caves | US$ 120 |
| 2 days | Luang Prabang → Huay Xai, night in Pakbeng at the hotel of your choice | US$ 180 |
| 2 days + lodge | Luang Prabang → Huay Xai, night and dinner at Luang Say Lodge | US$ 205 |
Upstream · 2 days + lodge
2-Day Upstream Mekong Cruise with a Night at Luang Say Lodge
From $205 · Per person
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Luang Prabang?
From October to April, when the weather is dry and pleasant. From May to September, the rainy season brings lush landscapes and a higher river; our cruises run all year round.
Can I take a boat from Luang Prabang to Thailand?
Yes. Our two-day upstream cruises take you to Huay Xai, on the Thai border, where your guide accompanies you to immigration. The schedule leaves time to cross into Thailand and reach Chiang Rai the same day.
Where do the cruises leave from in Luang Prabang?
From Calao pier, on the bank of the Mekong. Upstream cruises gather there at dawn and leave at 7:00 a.m.; downstream cruises end there at 5:00 p.m.
Can I spend just one day on the Mekong from Luang Prabang?
Yes. Our one-day upstream cruise runs from Luang Prabang to Pakbeng, with breakfast and lunch on board and a stop at the Pak Ou Caves, from US$ 120 per person.
