AMAZING LUANG PRABANG

AMAZING LUANG PRABANG

BRIEFING AND TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DETAILED TOUR ITINERARY 

Day 1
LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL

Meet your guide on arrival, transfer and check-in to your hotel. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Luang Prabang, answer any questions you have, and make arrangements for the following day. Enjoy free time for the remainder of the first day.

Nestled in a mountain valley at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers is the enchanting World Heritage town and former royal capital of Luang Prabang. It’s a magical and captivating place with stunning colonial architecture, ornate monasteries and colourful markets. Rise early to witness the ancient dawn ritual of saffron robed monks collecting alms, discover the hundreds of Buddha sculptures in Pak Ou Caves, see the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfall and climb Phou Si hill to watch the sun sink slowly behind the Mekong River.

Luang Prabang has many great cafes and restaurants and also night food stalls which emerge at dusk. Ask your guide for personal recommendations.

Included meals: None
Accommodation in LUANG PRABANG

Day 2
LUANG PRABANG – HIGHLIGHTS CITY VISIT

You can discuss with your guide for an early morning start (5.30am) to witness and partake in the daily morning ritual of ‘Tak Bat’ or giving alms to the monks.  This is a unique ritual still followed by the locals in Luang Prabang. We can also visit the local fresh market to see how the locals shop, before returning to your hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we visit the quaint Royal Palace Museum that provides a fine overview of the culture and history of this ancient city.  We follow the quiet back lanes to the beautiful historical Huan Chuan Heritage House, taking in its historical items and architectural charms while learning about the connection it has with the Royal Palace. After a refreshing Iced Tea in the gardens, we continue our walk up the peninsula to the country’s most historic and enchanting temple, Wat Xiengthong. With its roof that sweeps low towards the ground, this temple’s architecture best represents the classical Luang Prabang style. We wander the temple grounds before crossing the road to Wat Khili where this temple’s charming traditional library building houses an historic photo exhibition of Buddhist heritage.

In the early afternoon, we first visit the excellent ‘Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre’, which gives a great insight into the rich and diverse ethnic and cultural blend of Laos.  We then transfer out of town and visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek. Back in town, we continue to Wat Visoun, known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to its shape.

There are 3 options for the final stop of the day;

• Transfer to Mt Phousi for a climb up the sacred hill that offers spectacular sunset vista and a panoramic view over Luang Prabang and across the Mekong River.
• If you prefer to beat the steps (or the crowds on busy days) transfer to Wat Prabath Tai for a more accessible sunset experience.
• If you prefer to witness the evening Monk Chants, visit Wat Aham, where monks and novices come together in the colourful prayer hall for their daily rituals. Greet the eager novices returning from monk school and take in the meditative chants.

Note: The T.A.E.C. is closed on Mondays

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in LUANG PRABANG

Day 3
LUANG PRABANG – MANDALAO ELEPHANT SANCTUARY – NEW BEGINNINGS

Beginning in the morning, you will be met at 07:45 – 08:15 AM at your hotel by our Elephant Specialist Guide and transferred to a beautiful elephant oasis just 40 minutes outside of Luang Prabang. During the shuttle our guide will give you a brief introduction to himself and the recently opened sanctuary. On arrival, you will meet with one of the directors of the Elephant Sanctuary who will fill you in on more detail with some fascinating stories about the elephants and their refuge. Learn the challenges they’ve faced and how they are learning to improve the situation one elephant at a time. After being regaled you will cross the river by boat where you will be met by a family of Asian Elephants, including a recently rescued and reunited daughter!  Your guide and the mahouts will help you feed and later bath these majestic creatures in the river. Next, follow the elephants on a 1-hour trek through rice paddies and meandering creeks during which you will witness the unique bond between the mahouts and their elephants while the guide explains more about the incredible history that Laos has with the elephant. After saying goodbye to your pachyderm friends, you’ll head back to camp where a tasty lunch of local specialties awaits you.

After lunch overlooking the Nam Khan River, it is time for a transfer back to town, arriving in the early afternoon.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in LUANG PRABANG

Day 4
LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI WATEFALL & PHA TAD KE BOTANICAL GARDENS

After breakfast, we drive out of the town, to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails. Next to the falls is a Bear Rescue Centre, which does a great job of rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear. Just a few hundred meters from the Kuang Si Waterfall is a Butterfly Park, where you will find thousands of butterflies in a colorful flower garden. Meet the botanists who run this project and learn about the wide variety of Laos’s butterflies, host-plants and preservation because of environmental issues in Laos. Wander around in the 900 m2 netted paradise, which apart from the butterflies also holds hundreds of types of plants and even waterfalls.

We then transfer to a small village located on the Mekong riverside. Here we board a traditional boat for a gentle cruise upstream this mighty river. Take in the captivating river landscape while we cruise approx. 1 hour to the Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden. On arrival, you will be given a short presentation about the gardens. Afterwards, stroll through the Ginger Garden and the Ethno-Botanic Garden, which is the centerpiece of the botanical garden. Stop by the Mist House where you will learn more about the importance of biodiversity conservation and finish your morning excursion with an optional orchid talk at the Pha Tad Ke Nursery. Stroll through the beautiful gardens to the riverside, we board our boat for a cruise upstream, enjoying stunning landscapes in the golden hour glory.

Note: The Botanical Gardens are closed on Wednesdays

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in LUANG PRABANG

Day 5
LUANG PRABANG DEPARTURE

Depending on your departure flight, you may have free time at leisure, before being transferred to the airport for your flight.

Included meals: Breakfast

TOUR PRICE(S):

Standard 3*    : from US $ 539
Superior 4*     : from US $ 685
Deluxe 5*        : from US $ 852

* Prices are based on twin/ double share for group of at least 02 passengers travelling together and depend on availability and season.

All our itineraries can be customised. For questions or further information, Enquire Now!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION