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Day 1 - Luang Prabang Arrival
Arrival Luang Prabang. Welcome to the spiritual capital of Laos.
Your private car and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.
At the end of the day, climb the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside and get back to your hotel by the evening hilltribe market where you may find plenty of local souvenirs to buy such as handicrafts and textiles.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 2 - Laung Prabang City Tour (B)
Today, start with a visit to the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum where you will learn about the history of Laos. Visit Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. Walk down one of Luang Prabang’ prettiest laneways to Saaifone Contemporary Gallery where you can see Luang Prabang represented through the eyes of Lao Canadian artist Thep Thavonsouk. Continue to the Kinnaly photography gallery where you can get an overview of the various ethnic minorities in the country. Continue to Wat Sensoukarahm, which features a beautiful dazzling golden façade. On the way you will pass by a noodle soup shop run by the chef of the former Royal family. Continue to Caruso Lao where you will see stunning Lao wood, silk and silver products. Visit the most revered temple in Luang Prabang, Wat Xienthong.
Enjoy lunch by the Mekong River at Big Tree Café (on guests account). This also features a gallery of work by famous photographer, Adri Berger.
Following lunch, continue your tour of enchanting Luang Prabang. Visit du Pavillon du Jade. Set in a beautifully restored French Colonial building this features a collection from Lao Frenchman, Patrice Bleton, a connoisseur of the arts and Asian antiques. Continue to Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. Continue past Wat Aham, which was first built in the 1500s, and on to Wat That where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are kept inside the large central stupa.
Visit the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre, a museum dedicated to exploring the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities. Traditional costumes, tools, and artifacts are on display alongside in-depth descriptions and written histories. It is a great opportunity to gain insight in to the Lao people (note: closed on Monday).
End your tour with a visit to Project Space, a non-profit multifunction space for producing exhibits and events in the cultural capital of Laos. Engoy a glass of wine and snacks while watching the sunset over Luang Prabang from the gallerie’s roof top terrace (note: closed on Monday).
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 3 - Laung Prabang - Pak Ou Caves (B,L)
After breakfast you will be transferred to a small pier on the banks of the Mekong River. You will then board a traditional wooden boat, Nava Mekong, for a relaxing cruise on the mighty Mekong River. Enjoy stunning mountain scenery and witness the simple rural lifestyles which rely on the river as you make your way upstream for 1.5 – 2 hours.
You will reach Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers In these 2 caves are displayed hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha images which are the object of pilgrimages during the Lao New Year festivities around mid April. The boat then keeps cruising in the vicinity of the caves and will moor during lunch time at the foot of beautiful limestone cliffs. A selection of typical Lao dishes will be served onboard. Cruise back to Luang Prabang and return in the early afternoon.
Option: Evening performance at the Royal Ballet Theater. Founded in 2002 in cooperation with the Institute of Cultural Research, the Ballet aims to preserve this important aspect of Lao cultural heritage. Watching the spectacular performances of the Royal Ballet, including scenes from the Lao-Ramayana, Lao folk dances and tribal dances will provide a unique experience that you will never forget. Show starts at 6:00pm (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday). Attention: subject to change without prior notice from the company.
Rates: 20 to 38 US$/personaccording to seat selection
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 4 - Luang Prabang Departure (B)
After your breakfast, your private car and driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure.
If time allows, on the way to the airport, visit a weaving village (Xang Khong) where traditional Lao textiles are woven and where mulberry paper is made
Then transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
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