Luang Prabang Story

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. Luang Prabang is the great place to start the new chapter of your life story. After a soft rest, you may want to stroll around for the first impression of this ancient city stopping here and there to admire the local life and chat with the local people. Late afternoon, join a private Baci ceremony at a local family. 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. Joining the ceremony will bring you luck and the endless happiness during your marriage life. The day will be ended with a romantic candlelight dinner along the Mekong River under the starry skies. Overnight in Luang Prabang + Guide & Driver + Meal: Dinner + Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, our guide will take you on an in-depth walking tour of the city. The walk is oriented towards the lesser known parts of the town including charming lanes showing the more traditional atmosphere of the heritage town. Along the way, we will see the four different types of buildings categorized by UNESCO. The first one is the traditional Lao house which is made from tropical hardwood or bamboo and built on stilts. The second is a half wood and half cement house built after the arrival of the French. The third is the traditional French colonial building that are similar to those found in Vietnam and Cambodia. The last form of architecture you will see is the old Chinese shop houses that were built to be used for both commercial and residential purposes. In the afternoon, we will visit some famous attractions inside city center including the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then continue with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.  Late afternoon, we climb up 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. 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) + Guide & Driver + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang + Pick-up: 09:30AM

This morning is dedicated to Lao cuisine. Your guide takes you to a local morning market to choose fresh herbs, vegetables and spices, before joining a hands-on Lao cooking class with a local chef. Learn to prepare classics such as laap, jeow dips, fish steamed in banana leaf and sticky rice, then enjoy the dishes you have cooked for lunch. In the afternoon, we stop at Ban Xang Khong, a quiet village known for its handmade saa (mulberry bark) paper and silk weaving, where you can watch the artisans at work in their family workshops. Continue to the beautiful Chateau Orientale Resort on the banks of the Nam Khan River, which may remind you of a faraway land lost in the mist of history. Leisurely relax at the terrace overlooking the river or enjoy the activities offered by the resort. Overnight at Chateau Orientale + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch + Accommodation: Chateau Orientale + Pick-up: 08:30AM Private transfer with escorting guide

You have the full day to relax at the resort or enjoy plenty of activities offer on spot including kayaking, cycling, or walking. Overnight at Chateau Orientale + NO Driver & NO Guide + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: Chateau Orientale + Pick-up: NONE

After breakfast, 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. On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour. This is also one of the best spots to admire the sunset in Luang Prabang Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang Tip: For the dinner, we recommend you try a bowl of Khaupoon at Tamarind Restaurant, which will be the highlight of your culinary exploration of Luang Prabang (not included – payable on spot – pre-reservation is recommended) + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang + Pick-up: 09:00AM

After breakfast, transfer to boat pier to take the private long-tail boat upstream the Mekong River to Pak Ou cave  Our first stop will be the remote island temple shrine of Wat Done Khoun Nelemith, 16 km from Luang Prabang. Surrounded by the Mekong River on all sides, this fascinating temple and its monks see very few visitors. We continue north to the famous Pak Ou Caves. These ancient shrines are filled with thousands of Buddha images and have long served as a pilgrimage for all, including the former Royal Family. Leave the dramatic karst caves and head back downstream to enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant. Arriving back in town, we will enjoy a traditional Lao massage at Lao Red Cross, which will help you recover from the exploration in the last some days.  After that, stroll along the Mekong river to admire the sunset before joining 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 will be served after that at the restaurant before transferring back to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang   Tip: If you are fond of various ethnic cultures, you can visit Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday). + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang + Pick-up: 08:30AM

After departing at 8:30 am from your hotel, transfer to Green Jungle Park, a nature park in the forest south of town with shaded jungle trails, wooden bridges, small waterfalls and clear natural pools. Walk the jungle trails at your own pace with your guide, cool off in the natural pools if you wish, or try the zipline over the forest canopy (optional). A picnic lunch is served in the park. In the afternoon, transfer to the hidden charm of Hillside Resort, where you will spend the rest of the day relaxing by the inviting pool or walking around to explore the surrounding area. Overnight at Hillside Resort + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch + Accommodation: Hillside Resort + Pick-up: 08:30AM Private transfer with escorting guide

Free for the whole day for your own exploration for just relax to enjoy your last day in Laos. Overnight at Hillside Resort  + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: Hillside Resort + Pick-up: 08:30AM

You are free before transferring back to Luang Prabang International Airport to take the departure flight + Driver only + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: None + Pick-up: 3.5 hour before departure flight