Epic Luang Prabang Inside Tour: 7 Days of Culture & Adventure

On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel. Situated in the centre of northern Laos, Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment. After a soft rest, our guide will walk you through the small streets of Luang Prabang to admire the local life. We will make a stop at one of the petanque course, where we will join a game with a local team. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.  Overnight in Luang Prabang Tip:  + In the evening, we recommend joining the Royal Ballet Theatre at the National Museum to watch the traditional show of Phralak Phralam and learn about the history and culture of Laos (not included – payable on spot) + There is also the chance to join the Garavek Traditional Storytelling, which also focuses on showing the history & culture of Laos. (not included – payable on spot) + Guide & Driver + Meal: NONE + Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

After breakfast at the hotel, we will go to the bike shop to choose a suitable bicycle before setting off on a scenic, 30-kilometer paved-road ride along the Mekong River to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfall. The ride lasts 2-3 hours, is medium grade with some hills, and we’ll make a stop to explore villages along the way. Kuang Si Waterfall spans a large area through some of the lushest jungle around Luang Prabang. Easy walking trails wind past numerous pools and cascading waterfalls where you can relax and swim.  There are small private changing rooms near the waterfall where you can change into your swimming suit. You can also see up close Asiatic bears at the Bear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall. After plenty of recreation time at the waterfall, hop back onto the bikes for a fun downhill ride to the Mekong River, where you’ll board a long-tail boat for a 1.5-2 hour scenic cruise up the Mekong River back to Luang Prabang. You’ll ride the short distance back to the bike shop to wrap up a great day. Transfer by tuk tuk back to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang Note: 30KM by bike | 2-hour cruise upstream the Mekong River + Guide & Driver + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch + Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang + Pick-up: 08:30AM

After breakfast, transfer to Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre, set in a peaceful garden on the banks of the Mekong just outside town. Join a half-day natural dyeing class with a local artisan: learn how leaves, bark, roots and flowers are turned into the colours of Lao silk, then dye your own silk scarf to take home as a souvenir. Lunch is served at the centre’s riverside café overlooking the Mekong. After a short rest at your hotel, we transfer to the nearby Heuan Chan, a traditional wooden house dating back to the 19th century, with a white and blue façade topped by the “Eyes of Gods”. Here we join a class of making Lue-style dreamcatchers, which are used in important ceremonies to chase bad luck away and bring in only good luck. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch + Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang + Pick-up: 08:30AM

After breakfast, we will join the transfer to the nearby market to buy the fresh foods before continuing further to Muang Soune, which locates 65Km from the center in the north of Luang Prabang by the bank of Nam Ou river. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by the host family, before strolling around the village to see the life of local people. We then visit the house of the chief of the village, and talk with him about the living condition, the history, or anything about the village. The lunch will then be served at the house of the host family. In the afternoon, you can choose to either relax or to enjoy agricultural activities such as rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields (depending on the season); Traditional fishing techniques (you can sample your catch for dinner!); or walk around the farm and rice field. If you wish, the dip in the Nam Ou river is very inviting and worth a try. You may wish to join and help the host with preparing the dinner. This is the chance to learn about Lao cuisine. Before the dinner, we will join the Baci Ceremony, held by the elders of the village. The Baci ceremony as a traditional ritual of the Lao people expresses the spirituality of the country and is a highly memorable experience and a deep insight into Lao culture for the participants. During the dinner, the folk tales will be told by the host family, and translated by our guide. You may wish to stroll around the riverbank, and sense the nature, admiring the starry sky before going to bed. + Guide & Driver + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Accommodation: Muang Soune Homestay + Pick-up: 08:30AM

Wake up early, you never want to miss the chance to admire the sunrise over the Nam Ou river, and the nearby mountains. After breakfast, the morning will be dedicated to the fishing by the stunning Nam Ou river, experience traditional fishing techniques. You will also take the boat trip exploring the surrounding areas. We come back to the village at 11:00AM to join the transfer back to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, check in your hotel. Free for the rest of the day to relax and refresh. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Tip: We recommend trying a traditional Lao massage at Lao Red Cross, which will help you recover from the exploration in the last 2 days. The price ranges from $5-8 per hour depending on the set that you choose, with or without oil. (not included – payable on spot). + Guide & Driver + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: Luang Prabang + Pick-up: 11:00AM

The cooking class and bamboo weaving is a joining class with English speaking guide and with our transfer from the hotel to the meeting point 8:30AM: transferred by our driver from the hotel to Bamboo Experience house. Discover a little about the secret of bamboo in Laos culture as well as enjoying some of the beautiful nature and rice fields' surroundings, our Bamboo Experience venue located just outside Luang Prabang town centre.  Begin your half-day at The Bamboo Experience, where you will meet with the rest of your group for an explanation of the traditional and modern uses of bamboo and its significance within Lao culture.  Your knowledgeable guide will show and explain to you the uses and importance of many bamboo products that Lao people have been using for hundreds of years, such fishing traps, musical instruments, carry bags, weapons, sticky rice containers, furniture, floor mats and roof thatching.  Next, start your simple bamboo weaving class with a craftsman (and patient!) bamboo weaver. Try your hand at the knife sharpening, bamboo cutting (into pieces) and then try the traditional bamboo weaving for about one hour to complete your own drinks coaster to take home with you, as a souvenir.  Then, proceed to the cooking class demonstration (where you are free to assist) including deep-fried stuffed bamboo shoot with pork, steamed fish, bamboo shoot wrapped in banana leaf, fermented bamboo shoot dipping and sticky rice. Sample your dishes at the end of the session sitting in a traditional Lao house (Pavilion style) overlooking the wonderful scenery and rice fields. The emphasis is to have fun and learn a little about bamboo products, foods & Lao culture. We then transfer back to your hotel to refresh. Overnight in Luang Prabang Tip: Late afternoon, join the cinema at Amalea Restaurant to watch the 100-year-old Chang Movie, which is the oldest film about Laos. This is a silent film about a poor farmer in northern Nan Province (northern Thailand) and his daily struggle for survival in the jungle.  The dinner is recommended at the restaurant before returning to your hotel (not included – payable on spot) + Guide & Driver + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch + Accommodation: Luang Prabang + Pick-up: 08:30AM

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. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. After breakfast, we ascend to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.  From there, you will visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. Your city tour continues with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall. We have ample time to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight + Guide & Driver + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: None + Pick-up: 2.5 hours before departure flight