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 gesture accompanied by children playing traditional music on traditional instruments. Your guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.
A half-day orientation of Luang Prabang gives you a brief, yet informative, look in to the history and culture of this small town. The first stop will take you to a Wat (temple), the spiritual center of Laos’ Buddhist culture. You might have the opportunity to speak with monks or novices who live at the temple and gain insight into the spiritual life of the Lao people. Your next stop will be at Phou Si Mountain, located in the center of town. Climb the 328 steps that lead to the top of the hill where you will be rewarded with marvelous views of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, the neighboring mountain ranges, and the city buildings. The sunset views are particularly spectacular as the sun casts glorious colors over the peaceful scenery below. Descend the steps on the opposite side of the hill and stroll to the nearby colorful Night Market. Every evening along the main street, the area’s ethnic minorities gather to sell their handicrafts. The quiet evening atmosphere and soft lights of the stalls combine to create a magical market setting from which to shop for souvenirs.
This evening enjoy dining at L’Eléphant, one of the city’s best restaurants.
Overnight at Alila Luang Prabang
Meal Included: Lunch, Dinner
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
Transfer by vehicle to the historical old town of central Luang Prabang where your tour begins at the fresh market. Accompanied by your guide, walk through the rows of stalls looking at what is on sale. The locals come here every day to shop for vegetables, fruits and other exotic specialties and delicacies. The market is adjacent to the National Museum, your next stop. Once the Royal Palace of Laos, the National Museum is filled with art, artifacts, and jewels and a visit examines the history and rich culture of the country (note: closed on Tuesdays).
After this, continue your tour of Luang Prabang by visiting some of the city’s most important temples. Start at Wat Visoun, where you will see the famous Watermelon Stupa, shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. This temple was destroyed in 1887 by the invading Black Flags from China, and was restored in 1930 by Buddhist monks and local people. We will also visit Wat Aham where you will see the altar of the 2 guardian spirits of Luang Prabang.
Enjoy lunch in town at Tamarind restaurant where you will have a chance to sample unusual local specialties not available back home.
This afternoon head to Ock Pop Tok to discover more about textiles in Laos- including their history, production, and cultural significance. You will have a chance to design and/or dye your own scarf. Take a break at Le Patio Café, located inside the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center (TAEC), and sip a local brew of coffee. Then, take a tour of TAEC, 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 into the Lao people.
Late this afternoon, experience the wonderful flavors of Lao cuisine with a Lao cooking class. Led by Chef Mr. Chantanong from The Residence Phou Vao, the cooking course is a fun, hands-on way to learn about the ingredients involved and techniques used to create the local cuisine. The cooking class can be organized in the main kitchen or outside, in front of the pool, overlooking the Phousi mountain.
At the end of the course, sit down to enjoy a delicious dinner that you have helped prepare. Participants will also receive a book of Lao recipes and a certificate from the chef.
Overnight at Alila Luang Prabang
Meal Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning venture to Luang Prabang’s peninsula where the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers merge. The beautiful Wat Xieng Thong is located here and a visit to the temple unveils golden gates, ornaments, and colorful murals. After exploring the temple, walk to the nearby pier to board the elegant Nava Mekong for a scenic 2 hour ride to the Pak Ou Caves.
Located upstream from Luang Prabang, Pak Ou Caves, locally called Tam Ting, 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 also a destination for local pilgrimages, especially during the Lao New Year period of Pii Mai.
The boat continues cruising in the vicinity of the caves and will moor during lunchtime at the foot of beautiful limestone cliffs. A selection of typical Lao dishes will be served onboard.
As you cruise back to town, visit 2 villages, Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xien Lek, where traditional Lao textiles and Saa (Mulberry) Paper are produced. The remainder of the day is at your leisure for additional sight-seeing or relaxing in this charming city.
Option: Attend an 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. The show starts at 6:00pm (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday).
Attention: Performance schedule subject to change without prior notice from the company.
Price: USD 17 – 34 Depending on seat selection
Overnight at Alila Luang Prabang
Meal Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Free time this morning in Luang Prabang. Your guide and private car will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight QV102 departing at 1310 to Vientiane. before transferring to the airport for your flight to Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
Arrive in Vientiane on flight QV102 at 1350. Your guide and private car will meet you at the airport and your luggage will be transferred to the hotel while you enjoy a city orientation tour.
Drive along the Mekong River and continue to the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe. Continue to Makphet Restaurant for a late lunch.
Makphet is a charity-run restaurant that supports street children by providing them training and a job at the vocational restaurant. The food served is delicious, made from fresh ingredients, and prepared in a kitchen which meets the highest international standards of hygiene.
This afternoon, visit “Les Artisans Lao”. Here the trainees transform recycled and renewable materials such as bamboo, palm, and mulberry leaves into quality notebooks, stationary and printer paper. Carved wood materials and coconut based products are also crafted here. By visiting the centre, you help promote poverty alleviation by supporting the creation of livelihood opportunities for disadvantaged groups as they learn a new, sustainable trade. If time permits, you will also visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war and the lasting impact of unexploded ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them.
Before sunset, enjoy a stroll along the Mekong River banks and stop, if you wish, to enjoy a cold drink at one of the many riverside food stalls.
This evening, dinner is at Phatoke Laoderm restaurant, one of the best tables in town. Arrive at 1900 to feast on renowned Lao dishes while watching traditional Lao dance performances.
Overnight at Green Park Boutique Hotel
Meal Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start this morning with a visit to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire. Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”. Continue down Lane Xang Avenue the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital, and its breezy teak covered hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.
Enjoy lunch at L’central restaurant, a French style bistro run and managed by French expatriates. The food is delicious “home style” French cuisine with just the right twist to turn each dish into a feast for the eyes! (note: closed on Sundays)
The afternoon is free for you to enjoy shopping, more sight seeing, or a spa treatment. Pamper yourself after a day out by a stop at a local Spa where professionally trained masseuses will take care of you by using different kinds of techniques and natural products to relieve your tensions accumulated during the day.
Option: you will discover another speciality of Laos: coffee. Laos has one of the most famous coffees of the world that grown in the Boloven Plateau in Southern Laos. It has been as well called the “Champagne of Coffee”. Here, you will learn and see how it is roasted, blended and you will participate in a tasting session.
Rates: 25USD/person, minimum 3 people.
For your final evening in Laos, you will have the unique opportunity to experience one of Laos’ oldest traditions: The Baci. The purpose of the Baci, which is a mix of Animist and Buddhist beliefs, is to call back escaped spirits to the body. This is something that is very important before major events such as weddings, births, travel, welcoming friends and farewells. Dinner is served after the Baci ceremony at the home of your evening hosts where you will have the chance to sample some authentic Lao homemade cuisine!
Overnight at Green Park Boutique Hotel.
Meal Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your guide and private car will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
Meal Included: Breakfast
