Luang Prabang Alms Giving Experience: An Insight into Laotian Spirituality and Buddhism
4.0
2 Ratings
Luang Prabang
Experience the spiritual and enlightening alms giving ritual in Luang Prabang, Laos. Witness hundreds of saffron-robed monks walking through the streets and learn about the deep respect for Buddhism.
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Luang Prabang - Accompanied by a guide who speaks English, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in this sacred ceremony as they provide insight into its history and ensure that respect is shown to the local community and the monks. This enigmatic ceremony is a core aspect of Buddhist teachings, and participants can gain ‘bun’, or merit, for their future lives, potentially enhancing their next existence.

A procession of monks in vibrant orange robes stands out against the gentle dawn light, with the backdrop of terracotta monastery roofs, soaring palm trees, and the classic white facades of colonial buildings. Within the span of an hour, the monks conclude their alms collection and disappear into their monastic residences, leaving the streets to resume their everyday appearance. While this tradition is observed in various locations across South-East Asia, it is particularly notable in Luang Prabang due to the high number of temples and the large monk population. Following this, explore Luang Prabang’s morning wet market before you head back to your hotel.

What's Included
  • Morning tour with professional English-speaking guide
  • All taxes and service charges included
  • Transport in air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver
  • Included entrance fees for all described visits
  • Donation food for Luang Prabang monks
What's Not Included
  • Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees
  • Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
  • Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
  • Single supplement charges for single travellers, where applicable
  • Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
  • Transfers from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
  • Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)
Additional Information

Any visitor to Luang Prabang should allow for an early morning rousing to attend and participate in the act of giving alms to monks. This ceremony is steeped in spirituality, elegance, and commitment to Buddhism, ensuring it’s a standout aspect of Laos.

• Engage in one of Luang Prabang’s holiest customs – the Tak Bat
• Witness the parade of hundreds of monks in their orange-coloured attire moving through the streets
• Absorb the profound reverence locals demonstrate for Buddhism and monks during this pre-dawn journey towards enlightenment.

  • This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply
  • Return transfers for this excursion apply only / are inclusive for customers staying in and inside Luang Prabang. Transfers outside these areas, including any accommodation outside this area such as Kuang Si, along the Ou and Nam Khan River, Nong Kiau and Luang Prabang International Airport are excluded. Supplements apply for customers who want to join this excursion outside one of these regions
  • To respect local customs and respecting the Tak Bat alms giving ceremony on this tour, it is customary for guests to take off their shoes before presenting the alms to the monks.
  • Please dress respectfully by wearing clothing that covers the knees and shoulders. It is of the greatest importance to follow the guide’s instructions during this event in paying respect to the local customs.
  • This includes approaching the monks, taking photographs and obeying the unwritten rules and regulations of this deeply-spiritual encounter.
  • We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation. For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour.
  • Please note pickup and drop-off services may not be confirmed for customers staying at private residences, apartment complexes, or other non-registered tourism accommodations. Customers may be asked to meet at a nearby hotel for pick-up and drop off.
  • Certain scenes during this excursion may not be photographed for specific reasons. We kindly ask for your understanding by following local regulations.
  • Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It is the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this.
  • Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
  • It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 24 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 24 hours may be on request.
  • In the event of no-show or change of accommodation without prior consent and confirmation from us within 24 hours may result in the applicable cancellation charges as outlined in the terms and conditions.
Location
Luang Prabang
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.0
(2 Ratings)
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Kimmiecarroll
Oct 14, 2018
Definitely worth the early wake up! - So nice to see a community come together and pay respect to the monks. Although it’s mostly tourists! There are ladies in the street selling the sticky rice for you to give monks. They also provide small stools to sit on, as well as the scarf to wear to show respect. It goes by quickly- I was back at my hotel by 6:15 am
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cooksha
Feb 25, 2019
Interesting to see but stay on the side roads - The Early Morning Alms Giving is good to see to experience one piece of the local culture; however, we were very put off by all the tourists who were just gawking, taking photos and being disrespectful - without any understanding of what the ceremony signifies. People should research it before going so you understand what it is. We discovered later that more monks were accepting alms on the side-streets than on the main road. My only guess is that they wanted to avoid the ridiculous spectacle on the main road. Good for them! People - BE RESPECTFUL !!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 8 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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