Pak Ou Caves – Kuang Si Falls

Our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Luang Prabang around 8:00am to transfer to a pier on the Mekong River for a private boat ride up the River.Two hours upstream from Luang Prabang, disembark to visit the famous Pak Ou Caves. Locally called Tam Ting, the caves arefilled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues. The statues range in size from a few centimeters tall to the height of a human and are crammed into the cave which is nestled in a limestone cliff. The caves are a destination for local pilgrimages, especially around Pi Mai After visiting the caves, reboard the boat for a cruise back to Luang Prabang. En route, stop at BanXang Hay, a village which specializes in making traditional rice-wine. Lunch at a local restaurant. Take a short transfer through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls (32km southwest of the city). Along the way, you will drive through beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills, and small villages. There are also viewpoints overlooking the Mekong River. Stop en-route to visit a small village which is home to one of the area’s many ethnic minorities. You will have an opportunity to learn about their traditions and culture, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries. Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. The water tumbles down a large drop and cascades gently in to several cool, clear pools where you can enjoy a refreshing swim (please dress modestly). For the adventurous, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where stunning views await you at the top. You might also like to visit the bear sanctuary which is next to the falls, run by Free The Bears Fund Inc. There are currently 23 Asiatic Black Bears living in the sanctuary, which has saved them from poaching. The main threat to these bears is poaching due to the use of their bile in Chinese medicine. You can read about their habits and observe their playful nature, whilst learning about the difficulties they are facing. After leisurely time at the waterfalls, transfer back to your hotel. End of services.