The distance from the centre of Luang Prabang to Kuang Si waterfall is approximately 25 kilometers. Therefore, there are many ways to travel to the waterfall. Here are our tips to get to Kuang Si waterfall.
Tuk Tuk
A two-way tuk tuk ride might be an easiest and simplest way to get to Kuang Si waterfall. The tuk tuk driver will take you to the fall and wait for you when you want to go back to town. Tourist will pay for the ride at the end of the trip. The ride is rather longer than expected, between 45 to 50 minutes each way. The advantage that you have when taking tuk tuk is that you can choose to go and to come back whenever you like.
However, the price for a single tuk tuk ride is relatively high ranging from 180,000 Kip to 200,000 Kip, around US $22 to $25.
If you are traveling in a group of 3 to 4 people. The tuk tuk ride is the most suitable way as you can split the cost equally in a group. Hence, the price for each person will be reduced to only 50,000 Kip per person.
You can find tuk tuk in big intersections where usually in front of the post office, stalls like fruit shake or baguette stands.
Minivan
Another option to get to Kuang Si waterfall is to book a seat on a minivan through travel agencies. However, they cannot ensure the quality of the minivan, sometimes you might end up with a minivan with no air conditioner.
Should you choose this option, you won’t have to travel anywhere to get on the minivan, the driver will pick up every passenger at their own hotel. The cost of minivan seat is quite cheap, about 60,000 Kip per person.
One downside of using minivan is that your schedule will not be as flexible as choosing a tuk tuk ride, departure times are fixed. The minivan will start the wheel in Luang Prabang at 11:30 a.m and leave Kuang Si waterfall at 1:30 p.m, thus, the time that you can spend at the fall is limited.
Boat
Banana boat is our highest recommendation for transportation to Kuang Si waterfall. By traveling by a banana boat, tourists will have a chance to experience a perfect combination of the view of the Mekong River and the Kuang Si waterfall. The boat ride takes about an hour, during the trip, tourists can enjoy stunning views of the scenic mountains and locals’ life. Unfortunately, it is impossible to take tourists straight to Kuang Si waterfall, therefore, there is always a pickup truck at the nearest stop to the fall to take tourists there, it would a few-kilometer fun ride.
Using this type of transportation, you will have a lot of time in both Kuang Si waterfall and Bear Rescue Center as the departure time for the way back is around 5 p.m. At this time of the day, the boat ride would be as romantic as it could be, you can contemplate the sunset on the gentle Mekong River.
Motorbike
For intrepid travelers, riding motorbikes to Kuang Si waterfall might be the most exciting experience. Normally, a motorbike for rent in Luang Prabang is around US $20 per day (although you would need a driving license for motorbike first).
One thing that motorbikers should notice about Laos’ traffic is that the road doesn’t seem too dangerous to ride, however, do watch out for kids and animals jumping to the street out of nowhere. You might be able to handle the situation without hurting them but you might hurt yourself and it is hard to find a proper medical assistance in the area.
Cycling
Cycling is as fun as riding a motorbike and tourists can have a chance to enjoy the view on two sides of the road. Best time for a bicycle ride to Kuang Si waterfall is during the rainy season from May to October as the weather would not be too hot to ride a bike.
The journey to Kuang Si waterfall is rather exhausting as it’s a bit hilly and bumpy. It would be best to rent a good bike with gears and a bike map – Hobo map of Luang Prabang. The price for bike rental is exclusively cheap at around US $1-2 per day.
Car
If you want a private tour to Kuang Si waterfall, you’d better hire a private vehicle with a driver. The price, of course, will be quite expensive at around 600,000 Kip, approximately US $70 for a day. But you’d get to choose your schedule when and where to pick you up as well as drop you off.
