LAOS – Luang Prabang – Kayaking on the Nam Khan River

An exciting half-day or full-day kayaking experience on the Nam Khan River.

Theme

Classic, Family

Country - City

Laos - Luang Prabang

Market segment

Thematic Leisure

Price Level

$$

Level of difficulties

LEVEL 2

Max pax

20

Seasonality

All Year Round - not recommended from February to June

Arrival city

LUANG PRABANG

Departure city

LUANG PRABANG

Description

This activity offers an exciting half-day or full-day kayaking experience on the beautiful Nam Khan River. The tour starts with a short transfer to the starting point on the Nam Khan River, where a short safety briefing is held before boarding one of the kayaks. From here, the kayaking journey takes travelers downstream through lush jungle, rice paddies, local villages, and elephant camps. Some stops may be included on the tour such as Tad Sae Waterfall, local ethnic villages, or the sandy beaches along the banks of the river, depending on feasibility and water levels.

Can be combined with

Thematic Leisure

Selling points

  • Witness the beautiful landscape along the banks of the Nam Khan River.
  • Enjoy an active tour complete with a challenging, upstream paddle.
  • A mild adventure expedition by kayak with amazing views, cultural history, and exploration.
  • See the surroundings of Luang Prabang from a unique perspective.

Level Of The Excursion

Medium – This activity offers tangible positive contributions to the local community, culture and/or environment

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Cultural Conservation

Empowerment and education

Involving minorities

Community welfare and health

Time And Transportation

From To Km By Duration Road condition
Luang Prabang Kayaking Starting Point 25 Car / Bus 40 minutes Good

Duration

  • Half day is approximately 4-5 hours
  • Full day is approximately 7-8 hours

Min pax

1

Max pax

20

How to sell it

  • Half-day or full-day options are available.
  • No experience required and it is a light enough activity for most travelers to enjoy.
  • Only private options are available.
  • For those who want a full day of kayaking, guests can visit the seasonal waterfalls of Tad Sae, which includes a picnic stop along the river.
  • For those who want a shorter route, a half-day of kayaking, without the visit of Tad Sae, the afternoon option can be easily combined with a visit to the Elephant Village or other activities in Luang Prabang.
  • For guests that do not want to visit the Elephant camp, Tad Sae Waterfall (on the full day option) is an excellent alternative.
  • Suitable for families with older children (14+).

Why this activity

  • This is a safe and mildly active adventure, designed for all ability levels.
  • The timing of the activity is entirely flexible.
  • We offer two different possibilities: either a half-day or full day tour to experience the life and beauty of the Nam Khan River by kayaking.
  • The full-day tour includes a picnic on the banks of the river.

Good to combine with

The half-day option can be easily combined with:

Do not combine with

  • Any other full day activity.

Market suggestion

AUSTRALIA

CANADA

FRANCE

ITALY

SPAIN

PORTUGAL

BENELUX

SCANDINAVIA

CEE

US

GERMANY

UK

BEST FOR FIT

Competitor comparison

  • May be available through other DMCs.

Pros

  • Easy to organize – supplier takes care of everything.

Cons

  • The activity is dependent upon weather conditions.

Information

  • Possible, though not recommended during dry season (mid-Jan to mid-Jul) because the river doesn’t contain much water and the waterfall is dry.
  • We use the supplier Tiger Trail for all such tours now-our preferred supplier for due the superior quality of their kayaks.

Alerts

  • Only recommended for people who can swim.

Important information

  • We use supplier Tiger Trail for full day and half day tours
    • Max 20 pax for clients.
    • Easia Guide/ tour leader is FOC
  • Kayaking – Level: 1-2
    • In the dry season, the voyage is slower and easy going which enables guests to leisurely discover the many types of vegetation and the river’s inhabitant’s cultures. In the rainy season, the voyage is more active, but still safe to do. Depending on the season, the flow and speed of the river varies. The length of the course could be changed slightly depending on the water level according to the seasons.
  • HD or FD
    • Note that the HD option includes a village visit but NO visit of Tad Sae or lunch. For guests wanting to visit Tad Sae, please inform them that they should choose the FD activity.
    • The HD option can be done in the afternoon after an activity and lunch at one of the elephant camps.
    • The HD option can be done in the morning with lunch back in Luang Prabang.

 

Price range

$$$

Quotation guideline

On ERP:

  • Full day tour:
    LAOS > Luang Prabang > Activity > Tiger Trail > (Private) FD Kayaking on Nam Khan River / HDK
  • Half Day tour:
    LAOS > Luang Prabang > Activity > Tiger Trail > (Private) HD Kayaking on Nam Khan River / HDK
Cancellation Policy 
7 – 30 days before tour date 50% of tour price
1 – 6 days before tour date 100% of tour price
No shows and cancellations on the tour start date 100% of tour price

 

Inclusion

  • Supplier provided English-Speaking Guide
  • Kayak Rental
  • Drinking Water
  • Permissions
  • Safety Equipment and Life Jackets (child sizes available)
  • Transfer provided by supplier.
  • If full day: lunch also included.

Exclusion

  • Easia guide (for non-English speakers)
  • If half day: lunch

Important notes

  • The supplier is Tiger Trail Travel.
  • Pick-up can be arranged at the hotel by the supplier.
  • Our guides and TL are welcome to join if necessary (for example with groups that do not speak English).

Different Choice

Contact

English

Kayaking on the Nam Khan River (Half-Day)

This morning you will be taken the picturesque banks of the Nam Khan River. After receiving a short kayaking and safety briefing, you will kayak downstream through lush green jungle, rice paddies, local villages, and elephant camps. If you are lucky, you may even spot the elephants having a swim in the river! Along the way enjoy a stop in a local village of one of the ethnic groups of Northern Laos before continuing downstream. If you would like, and weather permitting, you will have the opportunity to stop on the exposed sandbanks of the river or go for a splash in the water to cool off. You will return to Luang Prabang by road around 13:00.

Meals included: None
Distance and duration of the kayaking expedition: Varies depending on the season. Approximately 15-20 kilometers – approximately 3-4 hours. Total duration of the activity is 4 to 5 hours.

Kayaking on the Nam Khan River (Full-Day)

This morning you will travel by road to the banks of the Nam Khan River. After receiving a short kayaking and safety briefing you will kayak downstream for about 20 minutes to a small village where you will have the chance to see three of the ethnic groups living in norther Laos – Khmu, Hmong, and Lao Loum. From here you will continue for 30 minutes to the Tad Sae Waterfall where you will stop for a lunch picnic. Afterwards, you will kayak downstream through lush green jungle, rice paddies, and past elephant camps. At certain times of the year there may be small rapids for some added excitement. You will complete your adventure and transfer back to Luang Prabang at around 16:30.

Meals included: Lunch
Distance and duration of the kayaking: 20 kilometers – approximately 8 hours including stops and transfers.
Note: Tad Sae waterfalls are dry from February to June so there may not be a lot to see there. Pick-up at 08:30 and return at 16:30.

French

Excursion en kayak sur la Rivière Nam Khan (Demi-journée)

Ce matin, vous serez emmenés sur les rives pittoresques de la rivière Nam Khan. Après un bref briefing sur le kayak et la sécurité, vous descendrez la rivière en kayak en traversant une jungle verdoyante, des rizières, des villages locaux et des camps d’éléphants. Si vous avez de la chance, vous pourrez même apercevoir les éléphants en train de se baigner dans la rivière ! En cours de route, vous ferez une halte dans un village local de l’un des groupes ethniques du nord du Laos avant de continuer à descendre la rivière. Si vous le souhaitez, et si le temps le permet, vous aurez la possibilité de vous arrêter sur les bancs de sable exposés de la rivière ou d’aller vous rafraîchir dans l’eau. Vous retournerez à Luang Prabang par la route vers 13 heures.

Repas inclus: Aucun
Distance et durée de l’expédition en kayak: varie en fonction de la saison. Environ 15-20 kilomètres soit 3 à 4 heures. L’activité dure au total entre 4 et 5 heures.

Excursion en kayak sur la Rivière Nam Khan (Journée complète)

Ce matin, vous vous rendrez par la route sur les rives de la rivière Nam Khan. Après un bref briefing sur le kayak et la sécurité, vous descendrez la rivière en kayak pendant environ 20 minutes jusqu’à un petit village où vous aurez la chance de voir trois des groupes ethniques vivant dans le nord du Laos – Khmu, Hmong et Lao Loum. De là, vous continuerez pendant 30 minutes jusqu’à la cascade de Tad Sae où vous vous arrêterez pour un déjeuner pique-nique. Ensuite, vous descendrez en kayak à travers une jungle verdoyante, des rizières et des camps d’éléphants. À certaines périodes de l’année, il peut y avoir de petits rapides pour plus d’excitation. Vous terminerez votre aventure et retournerez à Luang Prabang vers 16 h 30.

Repas inclus : déjeuner

Distance et durée de l’activité: 20 kilomètres – environ 8 heures en comptant les pauses et les trajets. 

Remarques : les cascades de Tad Sae sont sèches de février à juin donc il n’y aura peut-être pas grand-chose à voir à ce moment-là.  Le départ est prévu à 8 h 30 pour un retour à 16 h 30. 

Spanish

Kayak en el río Nam Khan (medio día)

Esta mañana le llevaremos a las pintorescas orillas del río Nam Khan. Tras recibir unas breves instrucciones sobre kayak y seguridad, navegará río abajo a través de una exuberante selva verde, arrozales, aldeas locales y campamentos de elefantes. Si tiene suerte, incluso podrá ver a los elefantes bañándose en el río. Por el camino, podrá hacer una parada en una aldea local de uno de los grupos étnicos del norte de Laos antes de continuar río abajo. Si el tiempo lo permite, podrá detenerse en los bancos de arena del río o darse un chapuzón para refrescarse. Regresará a Luang Prabang por carretera hacia las 13:00.

Comidas incluidas: ninguna.
Distancia y duración de la actividad en kayak: varía dependiendo de la estación. Aproximadamente 15-20 kilómetros; cerca de 3-4 horas. Duración total de la actividad: de 4 a 5 horas.

Kayak en el río Nam Khan (día completo) 

Esta mañana viajará por carretera hasta las orillas del río Nam Khan. Tras recibir unas breves instrucciones sobre seguridad y navegación en kayak, descenderá en kayak durante unos 20 minutos hasta una pequeña aldea donde tendrá la oportunidad de ver a tres de los grupos étnicos que viven en el norte de Laos: Khmu, Hmong y Lao Loum. Desde aquí continuará durante 30 minutos hasta la cascada de Tad Sae, donde hará una parada para almorzar al aire libre. Después, navegará en kayak río abajo a través de una exuberante selva verde, arrozales y campamentos de elefantes. En algunas épocas del año puede haber pequeños rápidos que añaden emoción. Terminará su aventura y regresará a Luang Prabang sobre las 16:30.

Comidas incluidas: almuerzo. 

Distancia y duración de la excursión en kayak: 20 kilómetros – aproximadamente 8 horas (incluidas las paradas y el traslado). 

Nota: las cataratas de Tad Sae están secas desde febrero hasta junio, así que quizá no haya mucho que ver allí. Recogida a las 8:30 y regreso a las 16:30. 

Italian

Kayak sul fiume Nam Khan (mezza giornata)

Questa mattina sarete accompagnati sulle pittoresche rive del fiume Nam Khan. Dopo aver ricevuto un breve briefing sul kayak e sulla sicurezza, scenderete a valle attraverso una giungla verdeggiante, risaie, villaggi locali e accampamenti di elefanti. Se sarete fortunati, potrete persino avvistare gli elefanti mentre fanno il bagno nel fiume! Lungo il percorso potrete fare una sosta in un villaggio locale di uno dei gruppi etnici del Laos settentrionale prima di proseguire a valle. Se lo desiderate, e se il tempo lo permette, avrete l’opportunità di fermarvi sui banchi di sabbia esposti del fiume o di fare un tuffo in acqua per rinfrescarvi. Rientrerete a Luang Prabang su strada verso le 13:00.

Pasti inclusi: nessuno

Distanza e durata della spedizione in kayak: varia in base alla stagione. Circa 15-20 chilometri – Approssimativamente 3-4 ore. La durata totale dell’attività è di 4-5 ore.

Kayak sul fiume Nam Khan (intera giornata)

Questa mattina viaggerete su strada fino alle rive del fiume Nam Khan. Dopo aver ricevuto un breve briefing sul kayak e sulla sicurezza, scenderete in kayak per circa 20 minuti fino a un piccolo villaggio dove avrete la possibilità di vedere tre dei gruppi etnici che vivono nel nord del Laos: Khmu, Hmong e Lao Loum. Da qui proseguirete per 30 minuti fino alla cascata Tad Sae, dove vi fermerete per il pranzo al sacco. In seguito, si scende in kayak attraverso la giungla verde e lussureggiante, le risaie e gli accampamenti di elefanti. In alcuni periodi dell’anno potrebbero esserci delle piccole rapide per un’ulteriore emozione. Completerete la vostra avventura e tornerete a Luang Prabang intorno alle 16:30.

Pasti inclusi: pranzo

Distanza e durata del giro in kayak: 20 chilometri – circa 8 ore comprese soste e trasferimenti.

Nota: le cascate di Tad Sae sono asciutte da febbraio a giugno, quindi potrebbe non esserci molto da vedere lì. Incontro alle 08:30 e ritorno alle 16:30

German

Kajak fahren auf dem Nam-Khan-Fluss (halbtägig)

Heute Morgen werden Sie zu den malerischen Ufern des Nam Khan Flusses gebracht. Nach einer kurzen Kajak- und Sicherheitseinweisung fahren Sie mit dem Kajak flussabwärts durch üppig grünen Dschungel, Reisfelder, lokale Dörfer und Elefantencamps. Wenn Sie Glück haben, können Sie sogar Elefanten beim Baden im Fluss beobachten! Unterwegs machen Sie einen Halt in einem Dorf einer der ethnischen Gruppen von Nordlaos, bevor Sie weiter flussabwärts fahren. Wenn Sie möchten und das Wetter es zulässt, haben Sie die Möglichkeit, auf den exponierten Sandbänken des Flusses zu rasten oder sich im Wasser zu erfrischen. Gegen 13 Uhr kehren Sie auf der Straße nach Luang Prabang zurück.

Mahlzeiten inklusive: keine

Länge und Dauer der Kajak-Expedition: Variiert je nach Jahreszeit. Zwischen 15 und 20 Kilometer – etwa 3 bis 4 Stunden. Die Gesamtdauer der Aktivität liegt bei 4 bis 5 Stunden.

Kajak fahren auf dem Nam-Khan-Fluss (ganztägig)

Heute Morgen fahren Sie mit dem Auto zum Ufer des Nam Khan Flusses. Nach einer kurzen Kajak- und Sicherheitseinweisung fahren Sie mit dem Kajak etwa 20 Minuten flussabwärts zu einem kleinen Dorf, wo Sie die Gelegenheit haben, drei der im Norden von Laos lebenden ethnischen Gruppen zu sehen – Khmu, Hmong und Lao Loum. Von hier aus fahren Sie 30 Minuten weiter zum Tad Sae Wasserfall, wo Sie für ein Mittagspicknick anhalten. Anschließend fahren Sie mit dem Kajak flussabwärts durch üppig grünen Dschungel, Reisfelder und vorbei an Elefantencamps. Zu bestimmten Jahreszeiten können kleine Stromschnellen für zusätzlichen Nervenkitzel sorgen. Gegen 16:30 Uhr beenden Sie Ihr Abenteuer und fahren zurück nach Luang Prabang.

Mahlzeiten inklusive: Mittagessen

Strecke und Dauer des Kajak-Ausflugs: 20 Kilometer – etwa 8 Stunden inklusive Stopps und Transfer.

Hinweise: Zwischen Februar und Juni sind die Tad-Sae-Wasserfälle ausgetrocknet, sodass es dort nicht viel zu sehen gibt. Abholung um 8.30 Uhr und Rückkehr um 16.30 Uhr.