Laos – North Laos Luang Prabang

Meal: No Meal

Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Luang Prabang is a very special city! It is enchanting with its magnificent location amidst mountain ranges and its historic temples, which gave the city the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang (-)

Meal: Breakfast and Lunch

Explore the city by Tuk Tuk. The Tuk Tuk (a motorized rickshaw) was brought to Southeast Asia in 1934 from Japan, and has since then become an icon of the region. The classic Tuk Tuk has a sheet-metal roof covering an open frame which rests on three wheels. They’re one of the most popular forms of transportation in Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, and this Southeast Asian emblem is the perfect vehicle for an open-air tour of Luang Prabang.
Depart from the hotel at 08:30, get on the Tuk Tuk to the open-air Morning Market in the old town. There are only a few large grocery stores here—instead, food is still produced by small farming families and villages and brought to Luang Prabang from the surrounding rural areas. Guide will explain the common vegetables and fruits that are in season and pick up some snacks for later.
A short walk from the market is Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham (“New Monastery ''), the National Museum (Royal Palace) and Hor Phra Bang. After the museum, travel again by tuk tuk through more of the picturesque town to Wat Visounnalath. Continue to Heuan Chan Luang Prabang for a short activity and learn how to make Banana Leaf and Flower.
Another short tuk tuk ride along the Nam Khan River to Wat Xieng Thong. End the day’s tour on top of Mount Phousi.

MORNING MARKET

This small market is the Laotian "supermarket" where they come to buy their fresh fruit, vegetables and meat, which are offered in showcases which are not always the way we used to see in most of our countries. Some products are coming from the jungle around, and will be for sure highly exotic for travelers from western countries.

WAT MAI SUWANNAPHUMAHAM

The impressive Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham is one of Luang Prabang’s largest and most richly decorated temples. Both its interior and exterior are extensively adorned with black and red lacquer decoration and gold leaf. The temple, also known as Wat Mai, meaning “new temple” , was founded around 1780 by King Anurat of Luang Prabang Kingdom.

NATIONAL MUSEUM (ROYAL PALACE) AND HOR PHRA BANG

Set in a spacious, well-tended garden just off one of Luang Prabang’s main boulevards (Sisavangvong Road), you will find the fascinating Royal Palace Museum, which is also known as Hor Kham. The museum is well worth a couple of hours of your time if you want to learn more about Lao history and culture. Originally the residence of the king, the museum was designed in the French Beaux-Arts style, with many tasteful accents of traditional Lao culture. When the communists came to power in 1975, they took over the palace and sent the royal family to re-education camps. The palace was converted into a museum that was opened to the public in 1995 after careful renovation, and remains in good condition. The grounds contain a number of other buildings including a new exhibition hall and a chapel (Hor Phra Bang), and a statue of King Sisavangvong.

WAT VISOUNNALATH

Founded in 1512 during the reign of King Visounnalath (1501-1520), this temple was a symbol of the Kingdom’s unity. The carved wooden railings in the temple’s windows are reminiscent of the Wat Phou temple in Champasak, in the far South of Laos. Inside you can admire ancient statues and steeples. Also located on the grounds of this temple is the That Pathoume, also known as That Mak Mo (the watermelon stupa) because of its shape.

HEUAN CHAN LUANG PRABANG

A treasure trove of Lao antiques,built in the early 1900's is an almost 115 year-old house. It is a rare surviving example in Luang Prabang of a pre-colonial Lao style aristocratic mansion dating back from the days before the colonial influences.

Banana Leaf and Flower Workshop (1 hour): Get new experiences and knowledge about Laos Culture by learning how to make handmade banana leaves. In Lao Culture, the flowers are always used on special days such as: Lao’s New Year Ceremony, Wedding, Baci ceremony, especially on the holy day of Buddhism, we use flowers for worshiping and offering to Buddha.

WAT XIENG THONG

Founded at the tip of the Luang Prabang peninsula is one of Laos most beautiful and richly decorated temples. This temple is a Royal temple built by King Setthathirath in 1559 on the banks of the Mekong River. It is one of the few temples that was not destroyed during the Black Flag Army invasion of 1887.

MOUNT PHOUSI

Rising 150 m above the center of town, Mount Phousi cuts a distinctive figure on the Luang Prabang skyline. The hill is popular as a place to watch the sun rise or set over the Mekong River. From the summit, enjoy a spectacular 360 degree outlook across the city and its many temples, and out over the surrounding landscape to the mountains in the distance. For a complete experience, go up Mount Phousi on one side and use the other set of steps to make your way down again.

The tour will end with a tuk tuk trip back to the hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang (B/L)

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Travel by boat to Tham Pak Ou Caves and by vehicle to the beautiful Tad Kuang Si Waterfall, stopping on the way to visit Hmong and Khamu villages. Hmong and Khamu villages have different structures and ways of life; here, we learn about their traditions and the differences between Lao, Khamu and Hmong culture.

THAM PAK OU CAVES

One of the most respected holy sites in Lao; Pak Ou Caves have a history dating back thousands of years. Packed with over 4,000 Buddha icons, the caves, a shrine to the river spirit and Lord Buddha, are set in a dramatic limestone cliff at the point where the Mekong joins the Nam Ou River. There are two caves to visit, the lower cave called Tham Ting and the upper cave Tham Thueng, both boasting miniature Buddhist figures that are mostly made from wood.

TAD KUANG SI WATERFALL AND BEAR RESCUE CENTER

Prabang Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office to create a safe haven for these victims of the illegal wildlife trade. The bears can now relax in hammocks, play with new friends and live a safe, healthy life.

ADDON OPTION: We offer an exciting chance to go behind-the-scenes. You'll hear the unique and moving rescue stories of the bears and meet the bears and help the Bear Care Team to prepare their food and enrichment treats - and then watch the bears search them out and gobble them down. By taking part in this unique experience you'll be contributing directly towards helping care for bears rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.

KUANG SI BUTTERFLY PARK

Situated 300 m before the entry of Kuang Si Waterfall. Kuang Si Butterfly Park is a project that was initiated in January 2014 by 2 passionate people from Holland. The mission was to create a research center studying and publishing about Laos butterflies, host plants and preservation due to environmental issues in Laos. A nice little café on the pond can finish the visit, for having a good coffee, delicious baguette in a beautiful surrounding.

Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B/L)

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, free time until private transfer to the airport for your departure flight.