The Kuang Si waterfalls, the jewel of Luang Prabang
Dernière mise à jour : 7 juil. 2023
Who hasn't heard of the Kuang Si waterfalls? The must-see site on your trip to Laos. A veritable haven of peace, combining flora and fauna, it's the ideal place for a stroll for lovers, family or friends.
The ORLA Tours family tells you all about these fabulous natural waterfalls and the flora and fauna that inhabit this magnificent forest and its surroundings.
We leave you to enjoy the unfiltered photos taken by our team :)
Enjoy your reading!
How to get to Kuang Si Falls?
The Kuang Si waterfalls can be reached by car (30 min), scooter (40 min), motorcycle (30 min), bicycle (between 3 and 4 hours) or tuktuk (45 min) and are 29 kilometers from the city center.
You can rent a bike for around 50,000 kips (5 euros) a day, or a scooter for around 120,000 kips a day, depending on the season, the condition of the scooter and the store you choose. If you'd like to hire a tuktuk with a driver for the day, you'll need to reckon on 150,000 to 250,000 kips round trip, including waiting for the driver on site. A private minivan for up to 9 people will cost around 350,000 kips, including the driver's waiting time.
The main waterfall rises to 60 meters and spans three levels. You can take a dip in the turquoise-blue pools (rather pleasant after passing through the forest). Only one pool is not open to bathing. It's located at the top of the cliff and is considered sacred by the Laotians, who use the ever-flowing water to feed the rest of the falls.
The waterfalls are purely magnificent to see and photograph. A number of activities are available on site, such as a trip in a traditional non-motorized boat to the highest point of the water source. A ranger will explain the history of the falls and introduce you to the flora present during this short 15-minute ride. You'll find handmade wooden benches where you can sit and take some pretty pictures :) This activity costs 10,000 kip per person.
Our expert Charly's tip? to make the most of the site: don't forget to bring your swimsuits (changing rooms are available at various locations). Swings and ropes are available so you can make the most of the cool water of the falls. Several pools are open for swimming.
Admission to the waterfalls costs 20,000 kip.
How to get to Kuang Si by trek
There's another way to get to the waterfalls. Leaving town, you'll need to take a local tuktuk or minivan to Ban Long Lao, a remote Hmong village well worth a visit. The journey takes around 1 hour, starting on the road and continuing on a long mountain track in rather poor condition. But that's how the adventure begins for this full day off the beaten track in Luang Prabang.
The village is located in the mountains above the falls. From here, a trek of 2h30 to 3h, depending on your speed, will take you directly to the Kuang Si Falls via the main spring at the top of the waterfall's first plateau.
To do it properly, this adventure must be organized by an agency, as travel documents must be up to date to cross this part of the region, and you'll need to be accompanied by a guide with a valid guide card. Also, in the event of an incident during the trek, the guide will be able to take care of your group, act as your translator in the village, and above all guide you along the right path :)
We invite you to contact us here to organize your private adventure.
Bears in Laos protected from poaching
At the entrance to the park, take the first path on the right and you'll come across a bear conservation park. Supported by an Australian association, it preserves the bears, cares for them and feeds them. Above all, it protects them from poaching with the aim of selling them to China.
You can also make a donation or buy bear prints to play an active part in saving the bears. Since early 2020, the Luang Prabang authorities have banned picnics in the park for ecological reasons. You can enjoy a local meal in one of the small Laotian restaurants before entering the park.
Don't forget to buy your drinks before entering the park, as there are no stalls inside, except at the very top of the waterfall, but not everyone will want to trek up so high to buy water :)
Other activities near Kuang Si waterfall
There's plenty to do during your day in Kuang Si. Along the way, you can visit the buffalo farm, which produces excellent cheeses, the elephant camp, the butterfly farm, etc... If you would like us to organize your Kuang Si tour over several days, please contact our team.
We hope you've enjoyed this article and that it has inspired you to visit this must-see site with your family, partner or friends. Don't wait any longer, start planning your tailor-made trip to Laos by contacting Vasanath, Phasouk or Charly to create your private tour.
We advise you to visit the site as early as possible in the morning to climb to the top of the falls at an acceptable temperature, but also to avoid the crowds in the middle of the day :)
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