Day 1

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)

Meal: None
Tour guide: English Speaking guide

Day 2

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

Tip: After visiting Kuang Si waterfalls, you can visit the nearby Butterflies Park, where you can enjoy the afternoon tea with the homemade cookies whilst relaxing inside the green peaceful garden full of colorful butterflies

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English Speaking guide

Day 3

8:00 am – 8:30 am: Pick up by our English speaking guide from your hotel lobby within Luang Prabang, Laos

Arrival at the Elephant Village Camp: Welcome greeting by your guide and participate in a short briefing about elephants
Elephant Feeding: Get up close and personal with elephants
Explore Elephant Village: Visit our elephant hospital, museum, gallery and dung paper making facility
One on One Experience: Enjoy the impressive experience of being a Mahout (1 person per elephant)

Bathe Your Elephant: Take your own elephant down to the Nam Khan river for an exhilarating bathing experience
Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Ride in a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall and relax or swim in the clear water (water levels vary with seasonal conditions)

Lunch: Dine at our Elephant Camp restaurant. Buffet lunch with coffee / tea and drinking water (vegetarian options available)

2:00pm-3:00pm: Depart the camp and transfer back to your hotel in Luang Prabang for a short refresh.

We then transfer to the nearby Heuan Chan, a traditional wooden house dated back to the 19th century. Here we will join a class of making Lue-style dreamcatchers, which are used in important ceremonies to chase bad luck away and bring in good luck.

Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Tip: For dinner, we recommend trying 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 recommended)

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English Speaking guide

Day 4

After breakfast, we transfer to the nearby market to buy fresh food before continuing to Muang Soune, located 65 km north of Luang Prabang along the Nam Ou River.

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by the host family and stroll around the village to see the life of local people. We will also visit the house of the village chief to learn about the village history and lifestyle.

Lunch will be served at the host family’s house.

In the afternoon, you may relax or join agricultural activities such as rice planting and harvesting (depending on season), traditional fishing techniques, or walk around the farm and rice fields.

You may also take a swim in the Nam Ou river.

Before dinner we will join the Baci Ceremony, held by the village elders.

During dinner, folk tales will be told by the host family and translated by our guide.

You may stroll along the riverbank and admire the starry sky before going to bed.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English Speaking guide

Day 5

Wake up early to admire the sunrise over the Nam Ou river and surrounding mountains.

After breakfast, the morning will be dedicated to fishing by the stunning Nam Ou river, learning traditional fishing techniques and taking a boat trip around the surrounding area.

Return to the village at 11:00 AM to transfer back to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy free time to relax.

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. Price ranges from -8 per hour depending on the set that you choose (not included – payable on spot).

Meal: Breakfast
Tour guide: English Speaking guide

Day 6

The cooking class and bamboo weaving is a group class with English speaking guide and transfer from your hotel.

8:30 AM: Transfer to Bamboo Experience house.

Learn about the role of bamboo in Lao culture and the surrounding rice-field countryside.

Begin with an explanation of traditional and modern uses of bamboo in Laos. Your guide will demonstrate bamboo products used for fishing traps, musical instruments, bags, weapons, sticky rice containers, furniture, mats and roofing.

Next, start your simple bamboo weaving class with a craftsman and create your own drinks coaster to take home as a souvenir.

Then proceed to the cooking class demonstration, preparing dishes such as deep-fried stuffed bamboo shoot with pork, steamed fish, bamboo shoot wrapped in banana leaf, fermented bamboo shoot dipping and sticky rice.

Enjoy the meal overlooking beautiful rice-field scenery.

Transfer back to the hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Tip: Late afternoon, join the cinema at Amalea Restaurant to watch the 100-year-old Chang Movie, the oldest film about Laos.
Dinner is recommended at the restaurant before returning to your hotel (not included – payable on spot)

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English Speaking guide