Paddle Through Paradise: A Luang Prabang Kayak Adventure
Discover the tranquil beauty of Luang Prabang from a unique perspective—the water. Our guided kayak tours take you away from the crowds and onto the scenic rivers, offering a peaceful and active way to explore the region’s most sacred sites and stunning landscapes.
Float past dramatic limestone cliffs and quiet countryside on the Nam Ou River, then paddle onto the mighty Mekong. These tours are the perfect blend of nature, culture, and delicious food, all led by our friendly, expert guides.
Tour Highlights
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Paddle Two Rivers: Kayak the calm, scenic Nam Ou River and experience the legendary Mekong River.
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Explore Pak Ou Caves: Visit the famous “Buddha Caves,” crammed with thousands of gold-lacquered statues.
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Stunning Scenery: Enjoy breathtaking views of tranquil countryside and dramatic, naturally-formed limestone cliffs.
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“Exceptional” Buffet Lunch: Refuel with a delicious buffet at a beautiful restaurant with stunning Mekong views.
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Fantastic Local Guides: Be led by our “funny,” “friendly,” and knowledgeable guides who go above and beyond.
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All-Inclusive: No stress—hotel pickup, drop-off, and all equipment are included.
Your River Adventure
Your day begins with a convenient pickup from your hotel, followed by a drive north to the peaceful Nam Ou Riverside. This is where your kayaking adventure starts. The river is easy to navigate, making it perfect for all skill levels. You’ll paddle through breathtaking scenery, seeing a side of Laos many miss.
Your first major stop is the Pak Ou Caves. You’ll dock and enjoy a guided tour of these two linked caves, famous for the thousands of Buddha statues left by devoted pilgrims over centuries.
After exploring the caves, you’ll get back in your kayak for the second part of your journey: a 30-minute paddle on the Mekong River. This will bring you to your lunch destination, where you can sit down to an “exceptional” and “delicious” buffet while admiring the stunning river views.
Create Your Perfect Day: Combine Your Tour!
This kayak trip is the perfect morning adventure, but why stop there? It’s designed to be combined with other top Luang Prabang experiences.
Build your ideal full day by adding an afternoon activity:
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Kuang Si Falls: Spend the afternoon swimming in the turquoise pools of the stunning Kuang Si Falls.
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Manifa Elephant Camp: Add an experience to meet and interact with elephants.
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Cycling Tour: Create the ultimate “land and water” day by adding a countryside bike ride.
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Sunset Cruise: As some guests love to do, finish your day with a relaxing sunset cruise back to Luang Prabang.
What Our Guests Say
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“This was a really fun way to go and see the caves, it’s around 2-3 hours of kayaking… Jai was a fantastic guide and such a lovely lad. A buffet lunch at a beautiful riverside restaurant was included too and was delicious.” – Katie, United Kingdom
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“The tour was breathtakingly beautiful and you could just enjoy it. We had a very experienced guide. The food at lunch was delicious.” – Lucien, Switzerland
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“The kayak excursion was the perfect amount of time on the water… The route was on both the Ou and Mekong Rivers… We were able to visit the cave temples and then also capped our afternoon with the sunset cruise.” – Moira, United States
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“Really enjoyed our day kayacking along the Ou river… and visiting the Kuang Si waterfall. Lunch was exceptional – one of the best lunches I’ve had during a tour and in a beautiful location.” – Helena, United Kingdom
Is This Tour For You?
Yes! This tour is perfect for beginners, families, and anyone looking for a fun, active way to see the sights. As one guest noted, the kayaking is on “calm waters mostly… nothing a beginner couldn’t handle.” It’s “not exhaustive, just a very nice way of getting to the Buddha cave and feeling like an explorer!”
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