PAK OU CAVES, KUANG SI WATERFALL & BEAR RESCUE CENTER - Luang Prabang full day

PAK OU CAVE, KUANG SI WATERFALL, & THE BEAR SANCTUARY (L)

The Pak Ou Cave and Kuang Si Waterfall lie to the north and south of Luang Prabang city, respectively. This tour will take you to both, with a scenic drive up and down the length of the Mekong River between.

Meet your guide early morning for a forty minute drive to the Pak Ou Village where you are free to explore the many crafts that the locals make before crossing the mighty Mekong River by small boat to the base of a limestone cliff, the site of the Pak Ou Cave. The lower cave is impressive and filled with Buddhist statues and relics. Take your time to explore the reverent scene scented with burning incense and overlooking the impressive Mekong landscape. Up a winding series of stairs, grab a flashlight and you'll find another fascinating and easily navigated cave to explore with it's ancient Buddhist relics.

Afterward, we’ll cross the Mekong again by boat and continue with a drive downriver for 1.5 hours to the famous Kuang Si Waterfall. On the way we’ll stop to see the popular Whiskey Village and sample the locally made Lao Lao. The jungle around the waterfall remains lush and beautiful year-round. The waterfall cycles between placid, turquoise waters during the dry season to impressive, roaring falls during the rainy season. Either way, you’re in for a refreshing and beautiful nature experience. Integrated into the landscape is an Asiatic Bear Sanctuary where you can see these beautiful creatures up close and support efforts to care for the animals in the area.

We’ll end this full day with a return drive to Luang Prabang late afternoon and in time for your own evening activities.

Note that the stairs are short but steep into the lower Pak Ou Cave containing the thousands of Buddhist statues. Access to the upper cave is via a fairly long series of stairs and can be taken at your own pace.