The Pak Ou Caves are not accessible by foot from Luang Prabang. It is around 25 kilometers from the town core. The caverns may be explored by boat, tuk tuk, or organized Laos day trips.
By boat
Traveling by boat is an exciting way to relax and enjoy the magnificent sights along the Mekong River. You may either join a shared boat or hire a boat.
Shared boat
A public boat departs from the Luang Prabang boat port at 8.30 a.m. The journey to the Pak Ou caves takes around 2 hours, with a 10-minute break at the Lao Lao whiskey hamlet in between. You will have around 30 minutes to explore the cave before returning. The return trip takes only one hour if you head downstream. A boat ticket may be purchased from the dock directly in front of the Saffron Cafe. The pier opens at 8:00 a.m. and tickets cost 65.000 Kip (7 USD). The boat does not give meals.
Another choice is a little more luxury and comfy. The Nava Mekong provides a 4-hour lunch cruise that departs at 10 a.m. Nava cruise will stop at Pak Ou cave for sightseeing during the voyage. The cost is $25 per participant, which includes lunch. You should make your reservation at least one day in advance.
Private boat
It is the greatest way to see the caverns. Private boats allow you to be flexible and private. You may leave whenever you want, stay as long as you want, and choose whether or not to visit the Whisky Village. The boats are identical to the shared ones, and the trip is the same length. The cost of renting a whole boat is around US$ 40. A single boat may carry up to 25 passengers.
You should arrange a private boat in advance. Along the river, you may easily meet boat owners to discuss and haggle for your trip.
By Tuk-tuk
It is very simple to hire a tuk-tuk taxi driver to transport you to Ban Pak Ou hamlet for around 200,000 Kip (US$ 26). The town is located on the other side of the river from the caverns. As a result, you must cross the river by boat for 10,000 Kip (US$ 1.30) each person. However, this alternative is less appealing because you will miss the beautiful scenery section of the boat tour. Furthermore, the trip might be rocky.
By the organized tours
If you want to save time when traveling, taking a guided tour is the way to go. Laos Travel will take care of everything before you arrive in Laos. So you don’t have to bother about preparations, timelines, or anything else.
Pak Ou Caves is one of several trip alternatives available. A half-day Pak Ou Caves trip that includes a visit to the Whisky Village is available. If you buy a full-day trip, we will combine it with other activities such as a visit to the town’s prominent attractions or swimming in the blue waters of the Kuang Si Falls. Private excursions include pick-up and drop-off at your hotel. You’ll be accompanied by a local guide who will explain every detail about the locations you visit.