Location: Luang Prabang
Top Things to do in Luang Prabang
Countries
The 10 Best Things to do for Honeymoon in Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Province
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the former capital of Laos, and you'll see everything from golden-roofed temples to vestiges of colonial French architecture here. Buddhist monasteries abound in Luang Prabang, and early every morning, monks process through the streets collecting alms (their food for the day). If you want to watch or participate, though, ask your hotel for a brief etiquette lesson first—you have to distribute the food in a specific manner.
Restaurants in Luang Prabang
1. Indochina Odyssey Tours - Private Luang Prabang Day Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 105 reviews
Inochina Odyssey Tours(sub-brand of Odynovo) specializes in private tours in Southest Asia. Our flexible itinerary, knowledgeable guides and experienced drivers have won high praise from our guests over the decade. Every year, more than 15,000 customers traveled with us. If you have a trip plan, please feel free to contact us!
2. Tamarind Cooking School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 654 reviews
Tamarind Restaurant in Luang Prabang offers day and evening cooking classes in open air pavilions overlooking lily ponds just outside of town. Participants in day classes are taken there after a visit to the fascinating main market, where they are introduced to the unusual and intriguing ingredients that are the basis of Lao cuisine. From there it is off to Tamarind Gardens to cook Lao dishes in the authentic Lao style. Evening classes are shorter. Individual work stations allow you to follow the instructions of an entertaining and informative Lao teacher, whilst a bevy of staff clean up after you. The sessions end with a sumptuous meal, where you eat the fruits of your labours! Transport to and from Tamarind Restaurant and recipe book all included. Vegetarians welcome.
Reviewed By WendyS555 - Randalstown, United Kingdom
We did the evening class, as we had visited the market many times, and didn’t need a guided tour of it. Bit of a bumpy ride to the school! We washed our hands, and started cooking straight away, making jeow, a spicy dipping sauce. It was great fun, and something I will do at home. We also cooked fish in a banana leaf, and lemongrass stuffed with chicken. I got a thumbs up from our teacher for mine! There was confusion over the drinks. I knew you had to pay for beer and wine, but most people didn’t. Don’t they check TripAdvisor before booking?? A price list was left on the end of the table, but it wasn’t pointed out. This would have been helpful. We finished by eating what we personally had cooked, everyone got their fish, and their lemongrass, so that was lovely. The staff had added some soup and salad, but it wasn’t really needed. Sig, our teacher was excellent, kept an eye on everyone. A very pleasant way to spend an evening ,
3. The Living Land Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 884 reviews
This charming community farm just outside of Luang Prabang overlooks wonderful Rice Fields and Mountains. Rice is planted all year round and they welcome guests who want to learn about Rice planting and other farm activities like bamboo weaving, sugar cane pressing, black smithing. Visitors get to try most of the activities or can just watch. Rodolphe and Susan, the two buffaloes help with the ploughing of the rice paddies and guests can have a go too. The half day programme starts at 08.30 and finishes with a tasting of rice based snacks. The farm is shared by 9 families who also grow organic vegetables and flowers. Lunch is available too and includes a selection of typical Luang Prabang dishes and fruit. Proceeds from the Rice Experience go to supporting over 60 students with their studies and they operate free English classes for the whole village. They have a small Homestay unit made from an old granary. Booking is necessary and pick-up and return by tuk-tuk is included.
Reviewed By ashems13 - Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
From start to finish, this experience was a brilliant one! The staff at the Living Land seem to love their jobs which made it so nice to experience. The process of growing and harvesting rice is so interesting and it was exciting to be able to try it all for ourselves - it’s definitely a hands-on day out!! To top it off, we had the most delicious lunch made from the organic fruits and vegetables from the farm as well as sticky rice. So tasty and impressive!
4. Spa Burasari Luang Prabang
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 302 reviews
Spa Burasari is the first and only quality spa in Luang Prabang's old town. Burasari, a most delicate yet potent flower is the inspiration behind the treatments at our private sanctuary. We believe happiness is a healthy body, mind and soul and your journey to that begins in a luxurious spa suite with our signature pre-treatment purification ritual.
Reviewed By FranziskaS160 - Munich, Germany
During my stay in Luang Prabang I had the pleasure to visit the Burasari Spa twice - once for a pedicure and once for a full body massage. I thoroughly enjoyed both of my treatments. Before I booked the pedicure I wasn't sure whether or not I made the right choice, as the price is way higher than anything else offere in LP and I was on long term travel on a tighter budget - but let me tell you it is totally worth it! Their Spa treatments cannot be compared to anything else in LP or in fact to the majority of other spas I have visited around the world. Aoe and KK were incredibly professional, warmhearted hosts, who created an environment of pure relaxation and comfort where you could let go and pamper your body. The level of detail to create a memorable spa experience was mindblowing - from welcoming us with tea, complementary sound healing elemts, calming surroundings and soothing music. I highly recommend everyone to go and visit this spa - it was certainly one of the highlights of my 3 months travel! Thank you so much!
5. MandaLao Elephant Conservation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 498 reviews
We are Luang Prabang's first and only non-riding elephant experience. Please join us for an unforgettable trip that will not only benefit the well being of our elephants but be a highlight to any Southeast Asian adventure.
Reviewed By SophieB179 - Cyberjaya, Malaysia
Sorry to be a bit eco Nazi about things but if you want to ride elephants or have animals take part in your tourism experience in any way - change your mind set. Mandalao are leading the way in Laos in showing that this is how tourism must become. I have read reviews saying but the elephants aren’t free, it’s still cruel. You know what, yes it is that anything has to be kept safely away from humans who want to exploit them in logging industries or other areas. These elephants are kept safe though and that my friends, is a start. For them to be free in the world in 2019 is a death sentence. Rant over. You are taken to the centre from your hotel and met by the owner who gives you a very informative talk about the site and elephant conservation in general. Then you are given bowls of food to make balls of to give the elephants, it’s things like baby banana, sticky rice and tamarind and lots of sea salt. You make the balls then go over on a boat and meet your elephants and mahouts. The elephants eat from your hands and then accompany you on a stroll through the jungle. They stop and mooch around, ours demolished a tree whilst we were there, showing off their strength as they reached for their favourite leaves higher up in the trees. We hugged their trunks and had photos, could touch them and stand with them, sense their individual personalities and get a real sense of the power these animals hold. They are very calm to be around and I was certainly filled with awe from beginning to end. The mahouts are local men employed by the centre. They do not whip or hurt the elephants at all, but they do have a stick of bamboo with them that they gently guide them with. They know people do not want to see cruelty and I was super alert for it but saw absolutely none, the men were to be commended. But to go back to my original point, compared to the life the elephants had before on logging plantations where they were poorly fed, overworked and abused to the life they have now, seeing a man with a stick to guide an elephant to walk with humans is a lot less harsh to accept then the alternative. I have no qualms in saying these elephants were happy, well fed and looked after, and safe. If you are an eco or ethically minded tourist this place is for you. If you’re not - become one! ????
6. Kuang Si Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,068 reviews
Reviewed By itskathyhere
If you're in Luang Prabang, you can't miss this site. This is the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen, and you can climb up to the top of the waterfall, and take a short bamboo raft ride to the source of the waterfall (it's an underground cave). The only thing to note is near the top of the waterfall, there are signs for a cave, which we followed for a while. I think it's about a 2 mile hike to the cave, which is further than we anticipated, and we decided to turnaround half way through since we didn't have the time to keep exploring. If you're tight for time, enjoy your time at the waterfall and don't get distracted by the cave signs!
7. Nava Mekong
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 392 reviews
The first dining cruise on the Mekong in Luang Prabang, the Nava Mekong offers passengers a leisurely lunch cruise or sunset dinner cruise. Both feature a delicious set menu of traditional Lao fare. The Lunch cruise travels as far as Pak Ou Caves, with a visit to an ethnic minority village. Guests of the dinner cruise enjoy the sunset and dance performance provided by local villagers in traditional Lao costume.
8. Elephant Village Sanctuary & Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,849 reviews
Elephant Village in Luang Prabang, Laos was set up in 2003 and is now owned by a group of passioante Lao nationals. Our sales office is located on the main street in town close to the National Museum and our beautiful elephant camp is located next to the village Ban Xieng Lom. Elephant Village focuses on three objectives:1. Saving Elephants 2. Community Support 3. Nature Preservation. We take elephants out of the very dangerous logging industry and provide them with an alternative way of earning their income. We try to help the elephants which desperately need help the most such as older elephants and elephants which have injuries due to accidents. We currently have 14 elephants in our care including 2 baby elephants which will never have to work in the logging industry. We are also home to a female elephant called Mae Uak, who was injured when she stepped on a 'UXO' (Un-Exploded Ordinance) some time ago, before we rescued her. She is now happily living in our herd.
9. Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 570 reviews
The Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre is where the fascinating world of Lao textiles comes alive! Set in the grounds of a stunning tropical garden on the Mekong, it's the perfect place to learn more about this unique Lao art. We offer free guided tours where you can meet our weavers, artisans and even the silkworms. We also offer a range of classes in weaving and dyeing, which as our reviews show, are an unforgettable experience. Our Silk Road Cafe by the river is the perfect place to relax and enjoy our "east meets west" inspired menu, or simply enjoy the stellar sunsets with a refreshing drink.
Reviewed By chicnbliss - Hong Kong, China
OCT POP TOK LIVING CRAFT CENTRE BACKGROUND/CONTEXT One of the best ways to explore Laos Culture is through a weaving class at the Oct Pop Tok Living Craft Centre. The place Oct Pop Tok, literally translates to “East meets West” is the This place is founded by two women dating back to 1999, Englishwoman Joanna Smith and Laotian Veomanee Douangdala. They operate base on principles on fair trade and sustainable business, with the mission to elevate the profile of Lao textiles and artisans. Not only that it is created by two unique women, the place is run by women and for the women in Laos. Furthermore, it supports the local villages and Laos artisan community. I was fascinated by the type of textiles that are presented on their website and the classes they have to offer to experience what it’s like to be weaving. So I signed for a half day class. I must say with this experience I have become profoundly respectful of the women who does them daily, and appreciate even more the textile products that are made manually. (Include picture of venue and the gardens) LAOS TEXTILE WEAVING Laos Silk Weaving is an ancient tradition that is passed from mother to daughter for centuries. They start at a very young age, the instructor who taught me started at 3 years old. It is also the dominate form of artistic cultural expression in Laos. Patterns, techniques and colors are intricate and varies from region to region, and ethnic groups. These regions also have different techniques for dye-ing the silk and cotton. In the Central Laos, they are known for using natural indigo dyes and diamond patterns - a symbol of protective the mythical creature naga. At Oct Pop Tok, they also practice natural indigo dyes, ranging in beautiful colors. These includes Sappan Tree that dyes a violet range of colors to Lemongrass and Tumeric for beige to yellow – orange hues. (Include picture) CLASSES For visitors to experience this Lao Weaving Culture, Oct Pop Tok offers a variety of classes, varying from dyeing class, to bamboo weaving to silk weaving class. I was mostly interested in the weaving so I signed up for the half day class experience. It was to weave a placemat. MY WEAVING EXPERIENCE There were two types of weaving classes, a half day which you weave a silk placemat or a full day class where you weave a silk scarf. After contemplation (since it was over 35 degrees that day) I decided to do a half day class. Introduction + Choosing the color They start with greeting you and bringing you to a basket of silks and introduce you to the silks, types, patterns, and then what you will make that day. And then together with your guide you get to pick two colors for the weave, so you will have your customized product at the end of the class. I love the Purple Maroon color, and contrast it with a golden orange. The guide said it was perfect! Spooling the silk You will then be guided to a spooling area where the instructor (a very nice lady at my age) demonstrates how to spool the silk skeins. They then watch you do it and guide you with the techniques. Mind you, I am not the most patient person and this process really do takes patience, sitting there and just spinning the spool just at the right speed!!! It was fun Setting up the Pattern After you do a few the instructor will do the rest as you will then go to the assigned loom to do your weave. For the pattern its very intricate so she will set it up. It is literally hundreds of strings arranged in a very intricate way. Learning the Weave I learn to weave, moving the raft (looks like a little boat with the silk spool in it) left and right in between the loom strings, switching foot paddles, banging it at the end to make it tight. It was fun!!!! They also keep coming to check on you, and bring you lemonade. Two other girls next to me from America are weaving a scarf. Learning the Pattern Weave The challenging part was to get the pattern part where the two colors are being weaved. The technique is delicate, much like playing piano (I play the piano well). For EACH WEAVE, you have to change a string to set the pattern, and for each change of color, there’s a piece that you need to turn up and down for it to work. It was actually very orchestrated, rhythmic, most therapeutic and fun!!!! I enjoyed it very much After 3 hours of weaving, I was finished! (show photo) The instructor helps you to weave in the tassels at the front and end, packing it in a nice recycled paper bag, along with a voucher for 10% discount if you make any purchases in their shop. I got some bamboo straws, they are fantastic and I’ll never have to use any plastic or paper straw again. Tour after class The guide then gave me a tour of the center, showing me the hut with the batik art, the area where their professional weaver women are doing much more intricate patterns on the loom, the silk warm farming, the dye-ing process and sample, as well as the yard where they hang the silk dry after dye-ing It was a a lovely experience. After an afternoon of hardwork I decided to take beerlao and sit by the Mekong River at their Silk Road Café to enjoy the scenery for a bit. HOW TO GET THERE : Free tuk tuk ride back from their shop in the town center to the living craft. That was the day I decided to do more venture so I asked them to drop me off at the entrance of Mount Phousi which the tuk tuk driver did. Was very kind of him. I highly recommend you to take a class or at least a visit to their living craft center, the view itself is already worth the go. But if you can do the class, you will come out feeling accomplished and amazed.
10. White Elephant Adventures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 491 reviews
White Elephant Adventures is a team of Laotians, and Canadians enthusiastic about organizing adventurous and educational hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking tours in the UNESCO World Heritage site Luang Prabang. We'll take you trekking through dense Laos jungle, swimming at crystal-blue waterfalls, whitewater kayaking down tributaries of the Mekong, and exploring remote ethnic Hmong and Khmu hill-tribes on unforgettable homestays. At White Elephant Adventures we are passionate about making sure each visitor's experiences are authentic and uncrowded and that the impact of these journeys on the local people and their environment is not only low, but positive through our community support initiative. We offer professionally guided single or multi-day adventures available for small groups of two to ten people. Larger groups are possible with prior arrangement. We also facilitate school expedition groups and community volunteer projects.
