LUANG PRABANG STOPOVER

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel. After a soft rest, your city tour begins with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. From there, we walk to the Royal Palace Museum, which offers a captivating glimpse into Laos' regal history, featuring stunning artifacts, beautiful architecture, and exhibits that highlight the country's rich cultural heritage.

A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete without ascending the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Meal: No Meal

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, transfer to Heuan Chan Heritage House.

Upon arrival at Heuan Chan Heritage House, embark on a captivating journey through history by visiting the historical house and museum.

Here, you'll delve into the rich heritage of Luang Prabang, exploring its unique architecture and significant artifacts that narrate the story of this UNESCO World Heritage city.

Following this enlightening tour, immerse yourself in a traditional cooking class where you'll learn to prepare authentic dishes using the cherished recipes of Phia Sing, the former Royal chef of Luang Prabang. Emphasizing freshness and sustainability, the ingredients used are organic and locally sourced, varying with the seasons to ensure the best flavors. After the hands-on culinary experience, sit down to enjoy a delicious lunch featuring the exquisite dishes you've crafted, providing a genuine taste of Luang Prabang's culinary tradition.

In the afternoon, we embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.

We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace which offers a glimpse into daily life, with vendors selling fresh produce, handmade crafts, and textiles. These experiences provide a unique and authentic cultural immersion.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si, which is the biggest waterfall in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals There is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene, and explore the hidden waterfalls, which is rarely visited by other tourists

If you wish, take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.

Returning to town, we make a brief stop at the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, nestled peacefully by the Mekong River. Here, artisans craft high-quality fabrics using traditional techniques. You're encouraged to enhance your experience with a complimentary audio guide detailing the center's significance in Lao culture and history.

Transfer to the airport to take the departure flight

Meal: Breakfast