Kuang Si Waterfall is a great escape from Luang Prabang, offering a chance to enjoy the natural beauty of Laos. Whether you’re swimming in the beautiful blue pools or hiking the trails, it’s an easy day trip you won’t want to miss.
Honestly, this was one of my favourite spots in Laos, and I think you’ll love it too! Keep reading for all the details you need to make the most of your visit.
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How to get to Kuang Si Waterfall from Luang Prabang
The waterfall is located about 30km outside of Luang Prabang, via a long dirt road. We opted to travel via songthaew, which was a practical choice given the rough road conditions. The journey one-way takes around 50 minutes.
Travel by Songthaew
Hiring a private songthaew for a full day, including the round trip and waiting time at the falls, cost 500,000 kip ($22.95 USD or £18.50 GBP). If you split this between a full truck of 8 people, it works out pretty cheap.
Travel by Van
Travelling by van is the most comfortable option, as it’s a closed vehicle, keeping you protected from the (very!) dusty road. It’s around 900,000 kip ($41 USD or £33 GBP) for a private van from Luang Prabang.
Travel by Motorbike
Alternatively, it will cost you roughly 120,000 kip ($6 USD or £5 GBP) per day to hire a scooter or motorbike in Luang Prabang. While it may sound like a fun way to explore, I wouldn’t recommend it – many of the roads, especially on the way to Kuang Si Waterfall, are in poor condition with uneven surfaces, potholes and loose gravel, making it a tricky and potentially unsafe ride. If you’re set on going by bike, just be extra cautious!
Travel by Tour
If you’d like transportation to be arranged for you, the tours listed below from Luang Prabang are highly recommended:
- Half Day Tour Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hmong village
- Full Day Cruise to Pak Ou Caves & Kuang Si Waterfalls
- Full Day Kuang Si Waterfall, Treetop Cafe & Zipline
Admission to the Waterfall
Upon arrival at the ticket office, the entry fee is 65,000 kip per person ($3 USD, £2.40 GBP). The price includes a short electric buddy ride from the ticket office to the park entrance – this part isn’t optional.
Admission also grants access to the Black Bear Rescue Centre which is located along the walking trail leading up to the waterfall.
Getting around Kuang Si Waterfall Park
When you first enter Kuang Si Waterfall park, you’ll notice two initial paths. I’d recommend taking the left path straight up to the main waterfall. Most visitors take their time exploring the smaller pools on the way, so if you head directly there, you’ll have a better chance of enjoying the main waterfall – and the best photo spot – without the crowds.
Afterwards, you can return via the walking trail, taking your time to explore the smaller pools and beautiful surrounding areas.
Hiking to the Top of the Waterfall
If you choose to make the ascent to the very top of the waterfall, you have two choices:
- The Stairs Route: This starts under a triangle structure to the left of the main pool at the bottom of the waterfall. There are 500 steps up and it takes around 15 minutes to get to the top. It’s well-maintained and the easier of the two routes up.
- The Dirt Path: This path starts to the right of the main pool, once you have crossed the bridge. This is the more adventurous option that we tried. It was fine on a dry day, though it isn’t very well maintained or much of a defined path. Most of the path is steep and could be slippery and dangerous in wet weather. Therefore, I’d suggest to only use this route if you’re comfortable with climbing uneven terrain.
Swimming at Kuang Si Waterfall
If you’re wondering if you can swim at Kuang Si Waterfall, the answer is yes! Unfortunately you can’t swim in the main pool in front of the waterfall itself, however there are so many other great swim spots available in the smaller pools (including the pool at the top of the falls).
Swimming in the top pool
This was my favourite swimming spot at Kuang Si as it feels so secluded and quite magical. I would advise getting there as early as possible to try get this pool to yourself. After your hike up to the top of the waterfall, follow the path around and you will come to a beautiful pool surrounded by jungle.
The water is freezing as it doesn’t get much sun up there, but I promise it’s worth it. The water is super clean and this is really the best of wild swimming in Laos. Plus, it has a really cute rope swing!
Swimming pools along Kuang Si Waterfall Trail
At the bottom of the waterfall, you can follow a path down the walking trail to find many beautiful blue natural swimming pools. There are clear signs to show where you can (and can’t) enter the water.
These are the more popular swim spots at Kuang Si, so expect a bit of crowding depending on the time of day you’re there. Swimming here makes such a unique experience, and you really feel like you’re ‘in‘ the waterfall as you can go right up to the smaller cascades.
Activities to Try (and What to Skip)
Though you could easily spend your whole time at Kuang Si Falls exploring the trails, swimming in the natural pools, and taking in the views, here are a few other options to consider – plus a couple you might want to skip.
Things to Do at Kuang Si Falls
- The bamboo boat ride at the top of the falls is such a peaceful and unique experience. It costs 20,000 kip ($1 USD, 0.75p GBP) per person, and for that, you get a lovely ride through the jungle to the source of the waterfall. It’s a nice relaxing experience, and they even have drinks available if you would like.
- For a little more adventure, you could try the ziplines at the top of the falls. There are five different ziplines, and it’s a fun way to see the waterfall and surrounds from above. This costs 550,000 kip ($25 USD, £20 GBP).
Things to Skip…
- There’s a butterfly farm down the road from the falls, but to be honest, I’d suggest spending extra time at the waterfall instead. You’ll see plenty of butterflies fluttering around the area naturally, and the farm doesn’t seem to offer much extra.
- Please avoid the elephant park nearby. The operation has received significant criticism for its treatment of the elephants, and it doesn’t prioritise their welfare. If you want to see elephants in Laos, look for reputable sanctuaries that focus on conservation and the well-being of the animals.
Map of Kuang Si Waterfall
FAQs
What time does Kuang Si Waterfall open?
Kuang Si Waterfall is open between 8am – 5pm.
How long do I need at Kuang Si Falls?
I would recommend between 3-4 hours to hike to the top of the waterfall, explore all the trails, and have time to visit some of the swimming spots.
When is the best time of day to visit the Falls?
To avoid the crowds, the best time of day to visit Kuang Si Falls is at 8am (when it opens). At this time, the waterfall is still peaceful, and the light is perfect for photos. By 10am, the crowds start to trickle in, so early mornings are your best bet for a more tranquil visit.
Avoid the early afternoon, as this is when most tours arrive and the area gets really busy.
When is the best time of year to visit the Falls?
- November to April: Dry season, perfect weather, and steady water flow. This is the most popular time of year to visit the waterfall.
- May to July: A bit rainy, but the falls are super powerful (and therefore look amazing on photos).
- August to October: Heavy rains can make the trails muddy, and the water won’t look as blue and clear.
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