Luang Prabang In Style

Welcome to the spiritual capital of Laos. VIP welcome inside the immigration area by one of our representatives, collection of the passports, customs papers, visa on arrival forms duly filed in and assistance to proceed visa paperwork. In the meantime, guests proceed through immigration without delay; luggage is handled by our team and will appear in your room along with your arrival gift.

Option: In the arrival hall of the terminal, young ladies in traditional costume will hand in garlands of fresh flowers to the guests as welcome gestures accompanied by children playing traditional music on traditional instruments. Your guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

As the day comes to an end learn more about Laos culture and locally made products at the Stay

Another Day exhibition where you will also enjoy a Lao tea tasting.

Then, climb the stairs of Mount Phousi and watch the sunset over the city and surrounding hills, upon reaching the top of the hill fresh juices will be waiting for you. Transfer back to your hotel, stopping along the way at the hill tribe evening market for some shopping.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals Included: N/A

Travel by boat 2 hours upstream on the Mekong to Pak Ou Caves. Locally called Tam Ting, the Pak Ou contains thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues crammed into two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. The statues range in size from a few centimeters tall to the size of a human, and the view from the mouth of the cave provides sweeping views of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. The caves are as well a destination for local pilgrimages, especially during the Lao New Year period of Pii Mai.

On the way to the caves and on the way back, do not miss that Laos has several waterways that has been used in the past and continue to be a way for transportation actually in some area. To use a local boat to cruise a river is probably one of the most rewarding mean to discover the life along the rivers, to observe the daily activities of fishermen and how they live with the river, how they throw their nets in a elegant arm gesture.

Return to Luang Prabang.

This afternoon, take a guided tour of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Start at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, where you will explore the history of Laos. Continue on foot to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, and Wat Sensoukarahm, which features a beautiful dazzling golden façade. Finish this morning’s tour at Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang. Located at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong, this temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat and is decorated with ornate carvings and mosaics.

One of the highlights of a visit to Luang Prabang is a performance of the Royal Ballet Theater. Founded in 2002 in cooperation with the Institute of Cultural

Research, the Ballet aims to preserve Laos’ cultural heritage. This evening, enjoy a spectacular performance which includes scenes from the Lao-Ramayana, traditional folk dances and tribal dances. The show begins at 0600pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Attention: subject to change without prior notice from the company.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals Included: Breakfast

For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting the alms.  As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents.  It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Following breakfast, continue your tour of enchanting Luang Prabang.  Visit 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.

This afternoon, visit the refreshing waters of the Kuangsi Waterfalls where you will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch. Located 32km from Luang Prabang these waterfalls cascade down a multilevel limestone formation creating a series of turquoise blue pools perfect for swimming in on a hot day.  The jungle and dense woods surrounding the falls is filled with wildlife and pleasant walks can be taken along the natural footpaths.  (Note: when bathing, please wear a sarong, no bare bodies).

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time to visit the Heritage Information Center.  Here you will learn about the methods being used to preserve the unique heritage and culture of Luang Prabang as well as gain further understanding in to the importance of developing sustainable and community-based preservation projects.

After your visit, your private car and driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast