Pak Ou - The Sacred Cave in the Limestone Cliff

Brief Information of Pak Ou Caves

• Location: Approximately 25 kilometers north of Luang Prabang, where the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers meet
• Entrance Fee: 20,000 LAK/adult, free of charge for children under 10
• Opening Hours: Usually open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Best Time to Visit: During the dry season, from November to April, when the river level is stable and weather is pleasant
• Suggested Duration: Half-day trip, often combined with stops at local villages (such as Ban Xang Hai, known for rice whisky)

The Historical Background of Pak Ou Caves

According to local accounts, the existence of the caves was first officially recognized in the 16th century, during the reign of King Setthathirath, one of the most revered monarchs in Lao history.

Archaeological evidence suggests that the caves were once buried beneath the water. Tectonic activity gradually pushed the mountains and caves upward, exposing them over time. Ancient tribal groups are believed to have once inhabited the caves, where they began religious practices, initially worshipping nature spirits and later turning to river deities.

Later, during the reign of King Chao Pho Thi Sarath, Buddhism was formally adopted, and the royal family began making annual pilgrimages to the caves. Over time, local people from Luang Prabang also began bringing Buddha statues to the site, gradually creating the large and diverse collection seen today.

Another legend tells of a group of monks whose boat capsized while approaching the caves. They saw this as a spiritual sign and decided to bring Buddha images to the cave for safekeeping, believing the site to be sacred.

How to Get There

Pak Ou Caves are located about 25 kilometers from the center of Luang Prabang town, making the journey relatively easy. You can consider a few suggested travel options below to reach Pak Ou Caves.

Renting a Vehicle to Pak Ou Village

Renting a vehicle is a popular choice among independent travelers who wish to explore Pak Ou Caves on their own. You can rent a motorbike or hire a tuk-tuk driver for a reasonably low cost. The total journey takes about 45 minutes. If you choose to drive yourself, make sure to carry all necessary documents, including your driver’s license. Upon arrival at the village gate, you’ll need to park your vehicle and continue the journey by boat to reach the caves.

Taking a Boat from Luang Prabang

In addition to traveling by road, you can also take a boat ride upstream along the Mekong River, which takes approximately 2 hours to reach Pak Ou Caves. This option offers an unforgettable experience as you enjoy the scenic beauty and tranquil landscapes along the majestic Mekong. Here are two boat rental options and prices for travelers to choose from:

Shared boat (group tour)

• Price: Around 120,000 to 150,000 LAK per person (approximately 6–8 USD)
• Includes: Round-trip boat ride, short stop at Ban Xang Hai (Whisky Village), and basic commentary from a guide
• Departure: Typically departs in the morning (around 8:30–9:00 AM) from Luang Prabang pier
• Duration: About 4 hours round-trip, including stops

Private boat rental

• Price: From 400,000 to 700,000 LAK per boat (approximately 20–35 USD, depending on boat size and season)
• Good for families, small groups, or those who want a more flexible schedule
• Boats can be arranged at the pier or through local travel agencies and hotels
• Note: Entrance fee to Pak Ou Caves (20,000 LAK) is usually not included in the boat price, unless specified by a tour operator.

Booking with a local operator

For travelers who prefer a more organized and effortless way to visit Pak Ou Caves, booking a tour through a local operator like Top Mekong is a convenient option. Instead of planning transportation and entrance tickets separately, you can rely on a trusted provider to take care of the essential arrangements.

Top Mekong focuses on river-based travel experiences across the Mekong, offering cruise journeys that connect travelers with the culture, history, and landscapes of Laos and the wider region. Our local partners and network of boat providers help ensure that your trip to Pak Ou Caves is smooth, enjoyable, and culturally enriching.

What to Expect in Pak Ou Caves 

"Pak Ou Caves" is the collective name for two main sacred caves: Tham Ting (the lower cave) and Tham Theung (the upper cave). These caves house more than 4,000 ancient Buddha images, some dating back over 300 years. During times of foreign invasion in the Luang Prabang era, local Lao people would row across the river under the cover of night to hide their sacred statues in the caves, protecting them from destruction.

The path from the lower to the upper cave consists of around 200 stone steps. Along the way and within the caves, thousands of Buddha statues can be seen, some still intact, others chipped or worn. They range in size from large, prominent sculptures to tiny figures scattered throughout the cave chambers.

Tham Ting

The lower cave, Tham Ting, is smaller in size. It has natural light shining in and notably offers a scenic view of the river. Equipped with a side walkway along the cliff leading up to the upper cave, this one is darker but holds the majority of the Buddha statues. Some of the statues are reclining, others are standing, and some are in meditative sitting positions. It is said that these Buddha images were placed in the caves by local villagers over many centuries. In the early days, before Buddhism began to spread, the caves were used for worshipping river deities.

This small cave enables you to contemplate more than 2500 Buddha statues and the altars used for praying. These statues are the retired ones or they are damaged in some points. Instead of tossing them, the local people put them in caves for many years with the respectful behavior. Some of the statues date from 18th and 19th century. Unlike other Buddhism site, variety of different sized Buddha statues in different pose are mixed position together, face to the river and fill the cave. That makes the cave seem not to be aesthetic, but makes it has it own unique features. This cave offers you the chance to see not only glistening Buddha statues, but the old ones which was cover by cobwebs and put into the cave’s crevices. 

Tham Theung

Tham Theung is the upper cave, significantly larger and deeper than Tham Ting. It takes about five minutes to climb up by following a steep yet well-constructed staircase. The entrance to Tham Theung is adorned with a large and beautifully crafted wooden door.

It’s truly worth the effort because this cave is much less crowded. In fact, this is where most of the artifacts are kept. Every surface is covered with sacred objects, creating a strange blend between a temple and a souvenir shop! It gets very dark inside Tham Theung, so make sure to bring a flashlight if you want to see everything clearly.

Going out of the lower cave, climbing up more steps on the beautiful stair, you can reach teak wood door of the Tham Theung cave.

Unlike the lower cave, this cave is not easy to capture the sunlight directly and it’s quiet dark. Therefore, flashlights are necessary for making a discovery inside the cave. It’s the shelter to other 1500 statues and maintained many drawing on the walls.

Except for contemplating the beauty of statue and the limestone cave, the views from the cave can satisfy you expectation. 

On the way to the cave, Bang Xang Hai village which is famous as the village of whisky is a worth-stop destination.

It’s not the tour trap but it offers you the opportunity to observe the local life with the path being full of weavers’ looms, stunning fabric stalls, Buddha wat and sample their home-brewed drinks.

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