Mekong Pier → Wat Xieng Thong
Climb the steps from the riverside pier and walk 300 m along the lane toward the northern tip of the peninsula to reach the main entrance to Wat Xieng Thong.
Cruise port in Laos
Luang Prabang
Allow about 5 min each way from the terminal to the city center. Average time in port: 10 hours. 23 places to explore.
- Ships calling here
- 6 ships
- Upcoming sailings
- 97 sailings
- Average time in port
- About 10 hours
- Lowest fare
- From USD 5,540
After disembarking
Cruise ships dock at Luang Prabang Mekong River Pier. Allow about 5 min each way from the terminal to the city center.
- Where the ship docks
Cruise ships dock at Luang Prabang Mekong River Pier.
- Etiquette for the Dawn Alms-Giving Ceremony (Tak Bat) and Buddhist Temples
When visiting temples throughout Luang Prabang and watching the daily dawn alms-giving procession, wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Unless making an offering directly to a monk, keep an appropriate distance and avoid flash photography.
- Laotian Kip (LAK) and Cash Payment Requirements
Laos uses the Lao kip (LAK) as its official currency. Markets, small cafes, temple admission fees, and similar expenses accept cash only, so exchange and carry enough kip.
- Seasonal Changes in the Mekong River Level and Pier Steps
The Mekong's water level can vary by as much as 8–10 m between the dry season (November–April) and rainy season (May–October), so the berthing location and the height of steps up from the riverbank change considerably by season.
About 10 hours in port: where can you go?
Time available at the destination after subtracting return travel.
- Luang Prabang city centreAbout 5 min each wayTime at destinationAbout 9 hr 30 min
- Kuang Si Falls & Pak Ou CavesAbout 45 min each wayTime at destinationAbout 8 hr 30 min
Return travel Time at destination
Calculated from the average time in port. Return deadlines vary by sailing; check the daily programme on board.
Between the terminal, city and airport
Travel between the terminal, city center, railway station and airport.
Luang Prabang Old Town (Sisavangvong Road) → Mount Phousi summit
From the entrance opposite the Royal Palace Museum, slowly climb about 300 stone steps to reach the That Chomsi stupa at the summit of Mount Phousi in 15 minutes.
Luang Prabang city center → Kuang Si Falls
Take a minivan or tuk-tuk from in front of the post office or a travel agency and travel 29 km southwest to the entrance to Kuang Si Falls National Park.
Mekong Pier → Pak Ou Caves
Take a traditional wooden longtail boat from the pier and travel 25 km upstream on the Mekong to the caves in the limestone cliffs.
Luang Prabang places to explore
Explore 20 checked places. Select a pin to see its card, or choose View on map from a card.
Wat Xieng Thong
Built in 1560 by King Setthathirath, this is a masterpiece of Lao temple architecture. Its elegant three-tiered roof hangs low near the ground, and a glass mosaic 'Tree of Life' adorns the back of the main hall.
- Visit
- about 50 min
- Admission
- LAK 30,000
Entry is restricted if your clothing leaves your shoulders or knees uncovered, and you must remove your shoes inside the temple.
Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham
This ornate temple was built in the late 18th century. Its five-tiered roof and golden bas-relief murals on the front, depicting the Buddha's life and the Ramayana epic, are beautiful.
- Visit
- about 35 min
- Admission
- LAK 30,000
Mount Phousi
This sacred 100-meter hill rises in the city center. From the golden That Chomsi stupa at its summit, visitors can see the old town surrounded by the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.
- Visit
- about 1 hr
- Admission
- LAK 30,000
Wat Visounnarath
Built in 1503, this is one of the oldest surviving temples in Luang Prabang. It is known for a distinctive stupa shaped like a round watermelon, called That Makmo.
- Visit
- about 35 min
- Admission
- LAK 30,000
Royal Palace Museum
Built in 1904 during the French colonial period as a palace for King Sisavangvong, this palace preserves the golden Phra Bang Buddha statue and Lao royal artifacts.
- Visit
- about 1 hr
- Admission
- LAK 60,000
- Hours
- Daily 08:00–11:30, 13:30–16:00
Cameras and bags are not allowed inside the museum and must be left in the lockers at the entrance.
Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre
This nonprofit museum systematically researches and exhibits traditional clothing, weaving techniques, religious ceremonial objects, and musical instruments from Laos’s 49 ethnic minority groups.
- Visit
- about 50 min
- Admission
- LAK 30,000
Trips nearby
With enough time in port, you can explore beyond the city. One-way times are approximate.
Kuang Si Falls & Pak Ou Caves
About 45 min each wayTime at destination About 8 hr 30 min
SightsKuang Si FallsThis three-tiered waterfall cascades over limestone formations. Emerald natural swimming pools rich in minerals and a 60-meter main waterfall create a spectacular scene in the jungle.
SightsPak Ou CavesThese caves are cut into a limestone cliff at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. Tham Ting and Tham Theung together hold at least 4,000 wooden Buddha statues offered by worshippers over centuries.
SightsTat Sae WaterfallsThis broad limestone-terrace waterfall is on a tributary of the Nam Khan River and is reached by boat. It is a good place to swim and relax in cool forest shade.
Water levels can become very low toward the end of the dry season, so visiting from August to January, when water is plentiful, is recommended.
Cruises calling at Luang Prabang
97 sailings are grouped into 12 cruises by ship and route.
Emerald Cruises7 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2028.10Asia cruises · 7 nights
Indochina Mekong Journey
Hanoi → Ho Chi Minh City
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 8,186
Pandaw4 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2027.01Asia cruises · 16 nights · Long cruise
Best of Laos & Northern Thailand
Vientiane → Chiang Mai
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 8,152
Pandaw11 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2028.03Asia cruises · 9 nights · Mid-length cruise
The Laos Mekong
Vientiane → Chiang Khong
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 5,540
Emerald Cruises20 departure dates
Sailing 2026.11 ~ 2028.11Asia cruises · 7 nights
Wonders of Indochina and the Mekong
Ho Chi Minh City → Bangkok
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 5,921
Pandaw3 departure dates
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2027.02Asia cruises · 16 nights · Long cruise
Best of Laos & Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai → Vientiane
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 8,152
Pandaw16 departure dates
Sailing 2026.12 ~ 2028.03Asia cruises · 9 nights · Mid-length cruise
The Laos Mekong
Chiang Khong → Vientiane
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 5,540
Emerald Cruises19 departure dates
Sailing 2027.01 ~ 2028.11Pandaw8 departure dates
Sailing 2027.09 ~ 2028.02
Pandaw2 departure dates
Sailing 2027.10 ~ 2027.12Asia cruises · 20 nights · Long cruise
The Full Mekong, Four Country Combo Cruise
departure · round trip
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 6,099
Pandaw4 departure dates
Sailing 2027.12 ~ 2028.02Asia cruises · 20 nights · Long cruise
Halong Bay, Red River & Laos Mekong
Ha Long Bay → Vientiane
Lowest departure fareFrom USD 11,258
PandawSailing 2028.01Asia cruises · 17 nights · Long cruise
The Full Mekong, Four Country Combo Cruise
Vientiane → Peam Chi Kang
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 10,757
PandawSailing 2028.01Asia cruises · 17 nights · Long cruise
The Full Mekong, Four Country Combo Cruise
departure · round trip
Per person, double occupancyFrom USD 10,282
12 cruises call at this port.
Ships calling at Luang Prabang
Explore cabin types, dining and deck facilities for each ship.
Emerald Cruises · 46 sailings
Emerald Harmony
4 cabin types · 3 dining venues · 11 entertainment options · 5 decks
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Pandaw · 21 sailings
RV Laos Pandaw
2 cabin types · 1 dining venue · 6 entertainment options · 2 decks
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Pandaw · 15 sailings
RV Sabaidee Pandaw
2 cabin types · 1 dining venue · 5 entertainment options · 2 decks
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Pandaw · 8 sailings
RV Champa Pandaw
2 cabin types · 1 dining venue · 5 entertainment options · 2 decks
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About Luang Prabang
The port of Luang Prabang in Laos is visited by Emerald Cruises and Pandaw. It is included on an inland-focused route connecting Siem Reap, Kuang Si Falls, and other destinations.
Cruise lines calling here: 2 places
Emerald CruisesPandaw
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