The Living Land Farm
The Living Land Farm
5
About
This charming community farm just outside of Luang Prabang overlooks wonderful Rice Fields and Mountains. Rice is planted all year round and they welcome guests who want to learn about Rice planting and other farm activities like bamboo weaving, sugar cane pressing, black smithing. Visitors get to try most of the activities or can just watch. Rodolphe and Susan, the two buffaloes help with the ploughing of the rice paddies and guests can have a go too. The half day programme starts at 08.30 and finishes with a tasting of rice based snacks. The farm is shared by 9 families who also grow organic vegetables and flowers. Lunch is available too and includes a selection of typical Luang Prabang dishes and fruit. Proceeds from the Rice Experience go to supporting over 60 students with their studies and they operate free English classes for the whole village. They have a small Homestay unit made from an old granary. Booking is necessary and pick-up and return by tuk-tuk is included.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience The Living Land Farm and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
71 within 5 kms
Attractions
64 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Niiccoo175 contributionsA great experience!The 'Rice Experience' was a really fantastic and interesting experience, to see what it takes to get rice for eating. Our guide explained every step and could answer all our questions. The Living Land Company is doing so much for the local community! Among many other things, there is a daily free English lesson for kids.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 October 2023
- Philip MSydney, Australia19 contributionsA tour with a differenceA wonderful way to learn how rice is grown. You are taken to a rice field set in spectacular scenery just outside town and you yourself will be asked to get dirty in a paddy and learn how the product is cultivated, picked and processed. At the end of a most interesting tour that helps the local community you get to eat some of the rice grown in the area. This Living Land tour is a memorable way to spend three hours or so in this captivating area. It’s all for a good cause too.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 October 2023
- Tom StanAdelaide, Australia6 contributionsThe highlight of our stay in Luang Prabang!We were so lucky to get a private tour for just the two of us! We visited the farm at around 11am and made a booking for the afternoon tour at 1:30pm and ended up having a private tour with our guide Soy. He walked us through the 13 steps of planting, harvesting and cooking rice with the 14th step of a delicious sweet rice snacks. Each step is a fully immersive experience - our favourite was definitely plowing in the mud with Susan the buffalo! Soy was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour, we absolutely loved it! At the end we got the chance to extract some sugar cane juice from a wooden press, a refreshing end to our little adventure.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 December 2023
- Prayas D14 contributions"Rice Farming Adventure: Unforgettable Experience with a forgettable Lunch!"Had an awesome time with the rice farming tour! The program's design was great, and Shoy, our guide, rocked it with fluent English and solid rice farming knowledge. Loved every bit, but lunch wasn't worth the money. There was a mix-up, and I got makeshift dishes due to a food shortage. Still, I recommend the tour—just have your lunch elsewhere! 🌾🍚Visited December 2023Travelled soloWritten 26 December 2023
- Sue MHarpenden, United Kingdom900 contributionsA fabulous experienceIt was very easy to book online and we were picked up by private tuktuk. We had a great, truly hands on, experience learning all about the growing of rice, right from the initial selection of the seeds right up to how they cook sticky rice. We even got to help plough the field with Susan the buffalo. The whole thing was good fun as long as you're happy to be knee deep in gloopy mud. After cleaning ourselves up, we were served a delicious lunch with rice and ingredients fresh from the farm. We were returned to our hotel by tuktuk. A great day out.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 December 2023
- Ellen C4 contributionsEngaging interesting afternoon with familyWonderful afternoon learning all about rice farming and other Lao traditions. This experience was perfect for our family with teens and toddlers. Hands on, interactive and engaging. Delicious lunch too. Our tour guide Soy was fantastic as he involved the kids really nicely and made jokes. He learned English as a monk and now teaches English in his evenings.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 4 January 2024
- Globe TrotterFrankfurt, Germany314 contributionsGreat experience & great food!The pickup at your hotel via tuktuk is included. The guide was very informative, funny, and spoke good English. Overall a great hands-on experience if you want it to be, if not you can just watch. The food was also great.Visited January 2024Travelled soloWritten 23 January 2024
- Zoe CUnited Kingdom32 contributionsGreat half day trip and Shoy our guide was great!Great half day trip in the morning to the farm, we got picked up by tuk tuk from the hotel at 8am and learnt all about the rice growing and harvesting process, very educational and fun at the same time, suitable for all ages. Got to try some sugar cane juice and rice produce at the end too! Thanks for a fun morning 😊Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 8 February 2024
- Lori MCalifornia2,010 contributionsunique and interesting way to spend half a day.nice way to spend half a day. learned a lot about subsistence farming. pickup from hotel was on time and easy. the guide spoke good English and was able to answer everyone's questions. the mud was pretty mucky and it's hot but that is part of the experience - so wear shorts and clothing you don't care if it gets dirty. cool to meet Susan the water buffalo and get to try some of the farming implements. at the end we enjoyed some of the fantastic sticky rice and freshly pressed sugar cane juice. it's a little expensive but you are helping the community so it's definitely worth it.Visited February 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 10 February 2024
- Anonymous17 contributionsMust Do Experience in LaosHighly Highly recommend the Rice Farm Experience, it was one of the best most authentic things I've done in Laos, such care with the crop and animals. So cool and great price for what you get. Thank you The Living Land Farm and Keo our guideVisited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 16 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,081 reviews
Excellent
1,002
Very good
65
Average
9
Poor
5
Terrible
0
siobhanstewart
Edinburgh, UK93 contributions
Feb 2020
We spent half a day in this rice plantation, learning about the 13 steps of rice production. We got our hands and knees dirty in the process and we ended getting one of the best meals of our trip for lunch, fresh and tasty. We won’t waste any rice from now seeing how much hard work is behind the rice harvest. Great experience and a fun day.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MWashatkaphotography
Bonn, Germany233 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
We had the best time!!! We have 4 and 7 year old and they had a blast learning the process of how rice is grown and dealt with. We also did bamboo weaving and sugarcane juice processing! My daughter rode a water buffalo and my son was able to plow the rice field with Susan the water buffalo. They loved getting their toes into the mud and planting rice....We added they lunch into our package which was tasty as well. Our guide was fantastic and they put us with another family with small children.....so smart! 😆
Can’t recommend this experience enough!
Can’t recommend this experience enough!
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann P
Los Altos, CA73 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
My husband and I spent the morning at the
living land farm. It was absolutely wonderful! Our guide was a young man named Tham and he and his wife and 6 month old daughter live and work on the farm. Tham’s English was excellent! He was friendly and kind and very informative!
My wife removed her shoes and walked in the mud and helped plant the rice plants and walked behind the water buffalo pulling the plow! Fantastic! We watched men weaving baskets; we helped thresh the rice; we milled it and saw how sticky rice is made.
We saw how rice was planted and harvested in each step. We then had a delicious lunch prepared by the staff. The experience here is an absolute must!
living land farm. It was absolutely wonderful! Our guide was a young man named Tham and he and his wife and 6 month old daughter live and work on the farm. Tham’s English was excellent! He was friendly and kind and very informative!
My wife removed her shoes and walked in the mud and helped plant the rice plants and walked behind the water buffalo pulling the plow! Fantastic! We watched men weaving baskets; we helped thresh the rice; we milled it and saw how sticky rice is made.
We saw how rice was planted and harvested in each step. We then had a delicious lunch prepared by the staff. The experience here is an absolute must!
Written 15 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan K
Princeton, NJ651 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
This is a very interesting and well-conceived tour. Our guide was personable and informative and spoke English well. You are taken through every step of rice growing, from germination through threshing through the forging of tools for harvesting. Unless you are on a very tight budget I would recommend shelling out a bit extra for the lunch, which was bounteous and tasty. They provide water and a hat, but do bring sunscreen. And do be prepared for the somewhat disconcerting sensation of being immersed up to mid-calf in sucking mud at the very beginning of the tour.
Written 6 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin G
St. Andrews, UK11 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
We had a superb morning at the Living Land Farm learning about the local community and their traditional rice farming. Our local guide was outstanding and took us through each of the steps of rice growing, harvesting, preparation and cooking. The whole morning was really interactive and the whole group got the chance to try out each step of the process.
This is a genuine and positive community enterprise helping the local families with education and livelihood. It was not at all commercial - they did not have a shop or try to sell us any touristy stuff. It was all about educating us and supporting their local community.
This is a genuine and positive community enterprise helping the local families with education and livelihood. It was not at all commercial - they did not have a shop or try to sell us any touristy stuff. It was all about educating us and supporting their local community.
Written 27 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arthur M
3 contributions
Sept 2024 • Solo
So fun and educational! Plus, these folks give back to the under privileged communities. One of the beneficiaries was my tour guide the day I visited - Johnny. Was able to hear from him personally how this program gave him an opportunity to learn English to better his livelihood coming from a farming village. So glad that my entry fee is doing something good for children like this young man who's intelligent, genuine, and funny and has a bright future ahead of him.
Farming is hard work but Johnny made it fun by telling jokes while showing us all 13 steps of the traditional rice farming process still being used today. Perfect ending after getting our hands and feet dirty was a refreshing freshly squeezed sugar cane drink that we made ourselves and a delicious full course lunch, which thankfully we didn't have to cook ourselves.
Putting myself in someone else's shoes for even just half a day made me realize how privileged I am and should not take life's good fortune for granted. Highly recommended for both kids and adults.
Farming is hard work but Johnny made it fun by telling jokes while showing us all 13 steps of the traditional rice farming process still being used today. Perfect ending after getting our hands and feet dirty was a refreshing freshly squeezed sugar cane drink that we made ourselves and a delicious full course lunch, which thankfully we didn't have to cook ourselves.
Putting myself in someone else's shoes for even just half a day made me realize how privileged I am and should not take life's good fortune for granted. Highly recommended for both kids and adults.
Written 3 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeicesterProperjob
Leicester, UK129 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
What a beautiful place! We were taken through the stages of seeding, planting, ploughing, harvesting etc. Enter into the spirit of the day and be prepared to get your feet and legs muddy and you'll have a blast. The guide was charming and informative and an added bonus was the drink and snacks at the end plus a bird or animal woven from bamboo to take home. Having eaten lots of sticky rice in China, Vietnam, Thailand etc I now have a respect for the people that grew and cooked it for me. Plenty of water and brushes and towels to clean yourself afterwards and good, clean toilets as well ( some members of our party were concerned about this in advance of visiting)
Written 22 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gibran Z
6 contributions
Jun 2022
I visited the Living Land Farm at the beginning of Jun'22. Laos is open!
I spent one month traveling around SEA and as far as organized tours I can say this was the best one I did. It was also a great experience being one of the few tourists around.
The tour is very well organized and structured with different activities that take you over the process of growing rice, you'll learn to appreciate the hard work behind having a bowl of rice in your home. My tour guide Den was extremely professional, you can tell he knows his stuff and the farm is beautiful. This was one of the highlights of my trip, I highly recommend you do it while in Luang Prabang.
I spent one month traveling around SEA and as far as organized tours I can say this was the best one I did. It was also a great experience being one of the few tourists around.
The tour is very well organized and structured with different activities that take you over the process of growing rice, you'll learn to appreciate the hard work behind having a bowl of rice in your home. My tour guide Den was extremely professional, you can tell he knows his stuff and the farm is beautiful. This was one of the highlights of my trip, I highly recommend you do it while in Luang Prabang.
Written 18 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nikoline N
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Family
Our family had an amazing time visiting this farm! Keo (our guide) walked us through the 14 steps of producing rice while sharing a lot of insights to the life of farmers in Laos. It was done in a very organised way with hands-on experience and answers to all questions. It was great fun for both children and adults. An important learning for anyone who is not familiar with the hard work that goes into producing rice in the traditional way. Thank you for teaching us!
We recommend booking with one of the travel agents in Luang Prabang as direct email was not replied.
We recommend booking with one of the travel agents in Luang Prabang as direct email was not replied.
Written 14 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sightsee777821
9 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We had a great time visiting this farm and learning the whole process to produce sticky rice. Our guide, Sai was really informative and funny. We had a chance to have a go at all of the different stages. Standing knee deep in mud planting rice is really good fun. You can even plough with Susan the buffalo. Even if you don't include lunch with your booking you get lots of really delicious rice snacks at the end.
We booked direct with the farm as it's cheaper and they pick you up from the hotel in their own tuk tuk
We booked direct with the farm as it's cheaper and they pick you up from the hotel in their own tuk tuk
Written 24 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, trying to figure out ways to pay for booking - don't want to share credit card info. How have others paid?
Written 9 September 2019
I paid in cash the day before I visited at a local travel agency in LP. They arranged for pickup from my guesthouse.
Written 12 September 2019
Hi,
I emailed to make a booking for July 2 days ago but have had mo reply, are yo7 still open?
Written 12 June 2018
We are planning to do this activity on 12th Dec 2017 with our 7 yr old son. Can anyone let me know what kids get to do here? I do not see kids that young in any picture. Also, what is the best way to book it? The living land farm's website is not operational. I can see it listed on backstreetacademy...
Also, I see everyone wearing same hat in the pictures.. does that cute hat come with the booking? :)
Thanks in advance :)
Priyanka
Written 30 November 2017
Hello. Yes, the hat is a loaner. If you want one as a souvenir you can readily buy one in town. Kids will love it. There were two in my group - a little younger than your son. They participated in each of the activities - well, except for plow the paddy behind Rudolph, the water buffalo. I booked directly via email. I am sure your hotel can arrange a booking with a day or two notice. I doubt there is a limit on the number of participants. The morning that I was there, they divided the guests into two groups. That way everyone had an opportunity to be hands-on. And, I strongly suggest you all get into it. Of al the photos taken on my journey, those from the rice farm are the most popular with my friends.
Written 5 December 2017
Hi, I've sent an email with regards to the home stay experience. May I know how can we make a booking and where can we find out more?
Written 31 March 2017
Hi there, I have called them with the number they provided in their website.
They also have a contact mail
The number is: 856 20 5519 9208
Good luck (:
Written 16 April 2017
Hi,would it be possible to visit The living land Company but just to watch and have oral explanations regarding the work done in it but without taking part of workshop. As we are a group of 7 people containing young kids and older who wouldn't really enjoy an too much immersive experience or spend too long time, we would only be gently initiated.
Another question is what happen the rainy days?
Thanks a lot
Written 11 August 2016
Would recommend you avoid it if you just want to just observe. Reason: you are taken into the fields with a lot of slush and mud around you, with thin and slippery paths, something that can make you slip. And with kids, such area could be a no-go. The whole tour shows 13-14 processes and at least 6-7 of them (and most fun) are the ones in the rice paddy. Hope this helps.
Written 13 August 2016
To Whom It May Concern:
My wife and I are traveling to Luang Prabang from July 24 - July 26. We would very much like to visit the Living Land Company while there. I noticed that your website seems to be hacked. I am unable to get information as to your hours, admission fees, transportation, and general activities provided on site. Would you be so kind as to give me this information via email. We will be staying in the Lakhangthong Boutique Hotel and wanted any suggestions about transportation to and from the Living Land Company.
Much appreciated
Written 15 July 2016
The folks at the Hotel should be able to give you the low down on all the prices and info etc...
Written 28 July 2016
Green13
Toronto, Canada
Hi u-did,
Could you tell me how much the tour was, I can't seem to find much information on prices.
Thanks!
Written 1 July 2016
344k Laotian Kips to be exact. Approx USD 60. Includes a hotel pickup/ drop off
Written 16 July 2016
Thank you Sia Lee. Yes we would like pick-up at hotel. I have also emailed Living Land company to confirm our visit for 3 people. We will be at Villa Chitdara Hotel, Khounsua Road and look forward to seeing you on 7th Jan. at 8:00 a.m.
Written 2 October 2015
lehardi59
Quebec City, Canada
bonjour, je voudrai réserver pour deux personnes à la ferme et également y dormir pour la nuit du 22 au 23 janvier 2017.
Est ce possible et dites moi combien cela va me couter .
merci de bien vouloir répondre
Alain
Written 12 April 2016
Thank you Sia Lee for answer. I would like to confirm our visit Jan.7 as mentioned in earlier note, for 3 people.
Written 19 September 2015
Dear Lesbaldy,
This booking as 3 people on 7th January 2016
we have Free tuk tuk pick up guest around town about 08:00AM If you want that Please advise your hotel name. We will pick you up and drop you off there after The Rice Experience.
Best Regards.
Sia Lee
Written 1 October 2015
Showing results 1-10 of 16
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing