1 Day de Carné Twin Rivers Explorer Kayaking Adventure on the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers

Experience one of Laos’ most memorable outdoor adventures on this exclusive de Carné Twin Rivers Explorer – a 1-Day Kayaking adventure on the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers, two of Southeast Asia’s most famous rivers.

This bespoke, unique experience combines natural beauty, cultural discovery, and relaxed adventure, all within easy reach of Luang Prabang.

Trip Summary:

Duration (ex Luang Prabang): 1 day
Kayaking Distance: ~ 22 kms kayaking the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers from Baan Hatnga to the port Baan Pakxeung near Luang Prabang
Activity Level: Moderate
Lunch and afternoon refreshments provided
Experienced, English speaking Lao guide(s)
Minimum Age: 12 years (subject to confirmation on booking; and must travel with a parent)

Kayakers on the Nam Ou River approaching the towering, 330 m Pha Hung karst cliff

The Experience

You’ll be met at 08:30 outside the Luang Prabang Central Post Office (corner of Chaofa Ngum Road, and Kitsalat Road, opposite the Avani Hotel) and transferred to Ban Hatgna on the Nam Ou River (literally “Rice Bowl River), about 28 km north from Luang Prabang; where you’ll be kitted out by our professional guide(s), to start your Twin Rivers Explorer Tour.

Following a safety briefing, the adventure begins as you paddle downstream on the tranquil Nam Ou River. You’ll kayak approximately 22 km, taking in dramatic limestone karst cliffs, landscapes, sacred cultural sites, and exotic river scenery that few visitors ever witness or experience from the water.

Along the way, you’ll stop for a relaxed lunch on a sandy beach, set beneath the dramatic 330-metre vertical limestone cliffs of Pha Hung—a truly breathtaking experience, at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers .

Following lunch, you’ll kayak into the Mekong River and cross to the far bank to visit one of Laos’ most revered cultural landmarks, the sacred Pak Ou Caves, where you’ll spend around 40 minutes exploring Tham Ting Cave, home to thousands of Buddha images and statues placed there over the last thousand years by devoted Buddhist pilgrims. (Your cave entrance fees are included in the tour price.)

To the east in the distance you can see the crazy looking Pha An mountain, towering over 1,500 m that looks like it has jumped straight out of a Dr. Seuss book.

The afternoon includes a refreshment stop at Wat Don Khoun, a small temple on Khoun Island in the middle of the Mekong, steeped in local legend and history dating back nearly 600 years.

Twenty minutes further downstream we’ll arrive at either port Baan Pakxeuang or port Don Mai around 1530, where you’ll be collected and driven back to Luang Prabang.

Pak Ou Caves is home to thousands of Buddha images and statues placed there over the last thousand years

Monk coming ashore at the island temple Wat Don Khoun

Price per person in US$:

2–4 people: $180
5–8 people: $130
9–14 people: $100

This one-of-a-kind twin-rivers kayaking experience is unique in Laos, and offers an exotic blend of adventure, scenery, and cultural immersion — an absolute highlight for adventurous travellers.

What’s Included:

Return minibus transportation from Luang Prabang
Experienced, professional English-speaking guide(s)
Twin-seat kayaks, and life jackets, helmets, and all required safety equipment, along with Dry bags
Restaurant-prepared lunch and afternoon refreshments (fruit, tea, coffee, bottled water)
Pak Ou Caves entrance fee
GoPro camera mount on the bow of every kayak

Please note: this tour does not include a support boat.

What to Bring:

Mandatory:

Valid travel/medical insurance (participants without insurance cannot join the tour)
Waterproof day bag with swimsuit, towel, warm top, sun hat, or similar. Ladies please respect the more conservative Lao culture and wear a sarong or swimsuit, rather than bikinis

Optional:

Sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, sunglass retaining strap, mosquito repellent, camera or GoPro
Ziplock/Minigrip bag to protect your phone, passport, or valuables

Dietary Requirements:

Please advise any special dietary requirements at least 1 week in advance. Meals typcally contain chicken, fish, pork and eggs, with fruit, and fresh vegetables, along with bottled water, hot coffee or tea.

For the Curious:

The Nam Ou runs over 400 kms from the mountainous borders of China and Vietnam in Phongsali Province in the far North of Laos, before meandering into the larger Mekong River at Pak Ou about 25kms upstream from Luang Prabang.

There are now 7 cascading dams with their associated lakes along its length before it reaches the Mekong, which has further reduced the habitat for the many endangered species in its catchment area. Entire villages have been moved to higher ground to accommodate the villagers, who previously had led self sustaining lives along its river banks for hundreds of years.

Further downstream on the Mekong River is a rebuilt temple, on an island in the middle of the river, called Wat Don Khoun. This small temple has a very interesting history. In the 16^th century the Lao King Setthathirath, who ruled the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang (translation is a “Million Elephants”) from the tender age of 12, built a temple there. He named the temple Wat Don Khoun meaning Good Luck Island Temple to pay his respects and say thank you for his war victories.

He also became King of Chiang Mai in Thailand in 1547.