GoRoam

Laos · Trip plan

3 days in Luang Prabang

Saffron-robed monks, Mekong sunsets and turquoise waterfalls.

Best time
Nov – Feb
Ideal length
3 days
A day, mid-range
$100 per person
Trip for two
about $600

Planning a 3-day trip to Luang Prabang? Here's a day-by-day Luang Prabang itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.

Why go now

November to February is cool and dry, with misty mornings on the Mekong.

Luang Prabang is a UNESCO town at the meeting of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, full of temples and French colonial houses.

  1. Jan: a good time to go
  2. Feb: a good time to go
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov: a good time to go
  12. Dec: a good time to go

November to February: 15–28°C.

Create my Luang Prabang trip

Don't miss

Best things to do in Luang Prabang

  • 01

    Alms giving

    Monks collecting rice at dawn.

  • 02

    Kuang Si Falls

    Turquoise pools in the jungle.

  • 03

    Mount Phousi

    Sunset over the town.

  • 04

    Night market

    Handicrafts and street food.

Day by day

Luang Prabang itinerary for 3 days

  1. D1

    Day 1: Monks and temples

    Morning
    Rise before dawn to watch saffron-robed monks walk the streets collecting alms of sticky rice.
    Afternoon
    Visit Wat Xieng Thong, the town's most beautiful temple, with its sweeping roofs and glass mosaics.
    Evening
    Climb Mount Phousi's 328 steps for sunset over the Mekong, then browse the night market.

    Watch alms giving quietly from a distance and never use flash.

  2. D2

    Day 2: Kuang Si Falls

    Morning
    Drive about 45 minutes to Kuang Si Falls, a series of turquoise pools cascading through the jungle.
    Afternoon
    Visit the Asiatic black bear rescue centre at the falls' entrance.
    Evening
    Sunset cruise on the Mekong.

    Swim in the lower pools; the upper falls are for viewing.

  3. D3

    Day 3: Pak Ou Caves and home

    Morning
    Take a slow boat up the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of Buddha statues.
    Afternoon
    Lunch of laap and sticky rice.
    Evening
    Fly home.

    The boat takes about 2 hours each way.

Want it hour by hour?GoRoam plans every stop with times, maps, costs and bookings for your dates.

Shorter or longer

Luang Prabang in 2, 3 or 5 days

2 days in Luang Prabang

Follow days 1 to 2 above and leave out “Pak Ou Caves and home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.

5 days in Luang Prabang

Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering.

What it costs

Luang Prabang trip budget

StylePer person, a day3 days for two
Budget$40$240
Mid-range$100$600
Luxury$350+$2,100

Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Luang Prabang is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.

Where to stay

Best hotels in Luang Prabang for every budget

  • Budget

    Guesthouses in the old town

    Peninsula

    Walk everywhere.

    from $25 /night

    Prices
  • Mid-range

    Boutique hotels by the Mekong

    Riverside

    Colonial charm.

    from $100 /night

    Prices
  • Luxury

    Rosewood Luang Prabang

    Hillside

    Tented villas by a waterfall.

    from $600 /night

    Prices

What to eat

Food to try in Luang Prabang

  • Laap

    Minced meat salad with herbs.

  • Khao soi Lao

    Noodle soup with pork.

  • Sticky rice

    Eaten with hands.

Getting there

How to reach Luang Prabang

Travel
Luang Prabang airport, or the high-speed train from Vientiane.
Getting around
Walk, cycle or tuk-tuk.
  • Watch alms giving respectfully; don't use flash.
  • Carry cash; ATMs can run dry.

Before you go

What to pack for Luang Prabang

  • Power bank and charging cables
  • Passport and visa printouts
  • Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples
  • A forex card or some local cash
  • Travel insurance

Good questions

Luang Prabang trip FAQs

How many days are enough for Luang Prabang?

3 days are enough to see the highlights: Alms giving, Kuang Si Falls, Mount Phousi. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.

How much does a 3-day Luang Prabang trip cost?

Roughly $40 a day per person on a budget, $100 mid-range and $350+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $600 for 3 days.

What is the best time to visit Luang Prabang?

Nov – Feb. November to February is cool and dry, with misty mornings on the Mekong.

Where should I stay in Luang Prabang?

Budget: Guesthouses in the old town (Peninsula), from about $25 a night. Mid-range: Boutique hotels by the Mekong (Riverside), from about $100 a night. Luxury: Rosewood Luang Prabang (Hillside), from about $600 a night.

How do I reach Luang Prabang?

Luang Prabang airport, or the high-speed train from Vientiane.

Is 2 days enough for Luang Prabang?

Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 2 of the itinerary above and skip "Pak Ou Caves and home". 3 days is the comfortable length.

What is the weather like in Luang Prabang?

November to February: 15–28°C.

What food should I try in Luang Prabang?

Laap: Minced meat salad with herbs. Khao soi Lao: Noodle soup with pork. Sticky rice: Eaten with hands.

How do I get around Luang Prabang?

Walk, cycle or tuk-tuk.

You might also like

More trips like Luang Prabang

All trending trips