Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour, Luang Prabang

About this activity

Walking with a local guide and visit Luang Prabang Unesco World Heritage sites. You will hear many unique local stories about Luang Prabang, from the history of the temples and the city to the Buddhist narratives and legends painted all over the temple walls. The Luang Prabang community shares such stories and collective memories, and the locals are still firmly connected through sharing them. Join in this small group tour, you will gain insight into Luang Prabang’s culture, which is difficult to know just by looking around on your own.

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At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 12 people
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: Japanese, English
Operated by: Manifa travel

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Adults (4–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: English speaking licensed local tour guide
Included: Foods for alms giving ceremony
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle

Not included

Not included: Breakfast
Not included: Lunch
Not included: Temple and Museum Admission (120,000 LAK≒$6)

Itinerary

Alms Giving Ceremony

30 min

[5:30 am opition only] In Buddhism, alms or almsgiving is the respect given by a lay Buddhist to a Buddhist monk, nun, spiritually-developed person or other sentient being. It is not charity as presumed by Western interpreters. It is important to know the ceremony is also a spiritual practice to accumulate good karma for those who give the alms. It is closer to a symbolic connection to the spiritual realm and to show humbleness and respect in the presence of the secular society. The act of almsgiving connects the human to the monk and what he represents.

The morning alms giving is a living Buddhist tradition for the people of Luang Prabang which, because of its beauty, has become a major tourist attraction. However, when tourists are unaware of its customs their inappropriate behaviors can be disruptive.
The Morning Market

20 min

[5:30 am opition only] I Following alms giving, we visit a local morning market. Luang Prabang morning market lining a couple of quiet streets near the Royal Palace, starts early and is over by mid-morning. It sets up along a couple of side-streets next to one of the city’s many Wats. A butcher and some of the more touristy stalls have actual tables for their wares. But most of the vendors, selling anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground.

We go back to your accommodation and have a free time for breakfast until 8:30 am.
Riverview Park

10 min

The second part of this tour begins at riverview park on the peninsula tip. You will have a brief introduction to Luang Prabang, standing where the Nam Khan River meets the Mekong River. From there, walk to the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple.
Wat Xiengthong

40 min Admission not included

Wat Xiengthong was considered the ceremonial gateway to the city and was the arrival and departure point for foreign dignitaries for centuries. We will walk up the stairs to the main gate and enter the temple like ancient dignitaries.

Wat Xieng Thong, once known as “The Temple of the Golden City”, holds great cultural, historic and architectural importance. It is serenely situated near the tip of the peninsula at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, with a grand staircase leading up from the Mekong. (Entrance fee 30,000 kip)
Stop 5

15 min

Next, we will go temple hopping in the neighborhood. At Wat Sene, where there is a school for novice monks, you may meet again with novice monks you met on the morning alms. The temple was built in 1718 by King Kitsarath with 100,000 stones from the Mekong river. It literally means "Temple of 100,000 treasures"
Royal Palace Museum

one hour Admission not included

[The museum is closed on the last Thursday of every month and cannot be visited] Finally, we will visit the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace, which is today the national museum and built by French colonialists between 1904-09, displays a lovely collection of the artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture. (Entrance fee 60,000 kip)

The tour will end in the city center or you will be transferred to your hotel.
Mount Phousi

30 min Admission not included

The tour ends with a climb up Phousi Hill. Rising 150m in the centre of town, you enjoy spectacular 360 degree views across the city and its many temples, and over the surrounding landscape to the mountains in the distance. (Entrance fee 30,000 kip)

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

End point

Pickup points

L'hotel Souvannaphoum
Villa Phathana Royal View Hotel
Luang Prabang Legend Hotel
Burasari Heritage Luang Prabang
Villa Lao Wooden House
Anisa Mekong Riverside Villa
Le Bel Air Resort Luang Prabang
Sanctuary Luang Prabang Hotel
The Belle Rive Boutique Hotel
VillaSomPhong Namkhan View
Amantaka
La Residence Phou Vao, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Luang Prabang

and 213 more pickup points

Please note that "The Nam Khan Resort" is not included in the pickup area for our joint tours, so please meet at Manifa Travel office in Luang Prabang to join the tour, or upgrade to a private tour.
Please fill in the name of your accommodation in "Special Requirements" field on booking. If your accommodation is not yet decided, please fill "not yet decided" in the field and notice us by the day before tour.
As this is a join in tour, please be patient in cases of unforeseen delays along the pick up route

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Options

Shared 1/2Day Tour+alms giving

Additional:: Including an additional alms giving and morning market tour. Pick up at sunrise time.

Require cash payment on site: Wat Xignthong (30,000 LAK) Royal Palace (60,000 LAK) Mount Phousi (30,000LAK) total about US$6

Duration: 4 hours: Starting with alms giving ceremony and morning market visit, followed by a 4 hour city tour. The tour ends around 12:30 PM

Destinations: Visit the city's main temples and royal palaces.

Dress Code: During sightseeing, you will enter the temple. Please do not wear revealing clothing as this is a sacred place.

Pickup included
Private 1/2day tour+alms givin

Additional:: Including an additional alms giving and morning market tour. Pick up at sunrise time.

Require cash payment on site: Wat Xignthong (30,000 LAK) Royal Palace (60,000 LAK) Mount Phousi (30,000LAK) total about US$6

Duration: 4 hours: Starting with alms ceremony and morning market visit, followed by a 4 hour city tour. The tour ends between 12:00 and 12:30pm

Destinations: Visit the city's main temples and royal palaces.

Dress Code: During sightseeing, you will enter the temple. Please do not wear revealing clothing as this is a sacred place.

Pickup included
Private 1/2-day city tour

Require cash payment on site: Wat Xignthong (30,000 LAK) Royal Palace (60,000 LAK) Mount Phousi (30,000LAK) total about US$6

Duration: 4 hours: 6am option to add alms ceremony and morning market visit, followed by a 4 hour city tour. The tour ends around 12:30 PM

Destinations: Visit the city's main temples and royal palaces.

Dress Code: During sightseeing, you will enter the temple. Please do not wear revealing clothing as this is a sacred place.

Pickup included
Private 1-day city tour

Require cash payment on site: Wat Xignthong (30,000 LAK) Royal Palace (60,000 LAK) Mount Phousi (30,000LAK) total about US$6

Duration: 7 hours: About 7 hour city tour. The tour ends between 4 and 5:30pm

lunch: not including. Your guide will suggest and send you restaurants of your choice

Visit: all destinations including Wat Xiengthong, Wat Sene, Royal Palace, Ban Xang Khong, UXO, Wat Wisun, Mount Phousi .

Dress Code: During sightseeing, you will enter the temple. Please do not wear revealing clothing as this is a sacred place.

Pickup included
Private 1-day tour+alms giving

Additional:: Including an additional "Alms giving and Morning Market tour"

Require cash payment on site: Wat Xignthong (30,000 LAK) Royal Palace (60,000 LAK) Mount Phousi (30,000LAK) total about US$6

Duration: 7 hours: Starting with alms ceremony and morning market visit, followed by a 7 hour city tour. The tour ends between 4:00 and 5:30pm

lunch: not including. Your guide will suggest and send you restaurants of your choice

Visit: all destinations including Wat Xiengthong, Wat Sene, Royal Palace, Ban Xang Khong, UXO, Wat Wisun, Mount Phousi .

Dress Code: During sightseeing, you will enter the temple. Please do not wear revealing clothing as this is a sacred place.

Pickup included
Shared 1/2 Day Morning Tour

Booking by solo travelers : will only be accepted if there are already other participants.

Require cash payment on site.: Wat Xignthong (30,000 LAK) Royal Palace (60,000 LAK) Mount Phousi (30,000LAK) total about US$6

Duration: 4 hours: morning city tour. Pickup time 8:30. The tour ends around 12:30.

Dress Code: During sightseeing, you will enter the temple. Please do not wear revealing clothing as this is a sacred place.

Pickup included