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 courses, where we will join a game with a local team.

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.
Dinner will be served after that for you to share with the host family, that gives you the best start of Laos culture exploration.

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: Dinner
Tour guide: English Speaking guide

Day 2

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 visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. Our next stop in the city is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

We then transfer to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. You have the rest of the afternoon to refresh at the waterfalls. If you wish, we also see up close Asiatic bears at the Bear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall.

On the way back to city center, you can visit the Buffalo Dairy Farm on the way to Kuang Si waterfalls, which offer the fun and interesting experience for the kids. Late afternoon, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on 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:

• If you are fond of various ethnic cultures, you can visit Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday).

• For the dinner, we recommend at White Lotus Restaurant with the colorful Ethnic Fashion Show. This is the good chance to learn about the various ethnic customs in Laos.

Day 3

After departing at 8:30 am from your hotel, transfer to Nahm Dong park, which locates in Ban Xiengmouk, 10Km from city center.

Arriving at the park, we will have a short welcome by the park manager before joining the morning activities here.

First, we will join the cooking class, by which you can discover the Lao cuisine through several traditional dishes. Not only can you learn techniques and recipes, but you can visit the gardens of the park and pick your own ingredients.

The course is minimum 5 dishes depending on the season. A booklet with all recipes is provided. The lunch will be served with what you have created.

In the afternoon, we will start exploring the beauties of the park with the Zipline flying over the jungle and the waterfalls admiring the amazing evergreen scenery. The zipline will take about 1 hour.

Then we will walk back via the jungle trail crossing some flying bridges, small streams, and clear natural pools, where you can take a refresh splash if you wish so.

You can either spend the rest of the afternoon stroll around the park, relax by one of the huts at the camp, or enjoy the fresh cool clear natural pools.

Late afternoon, we walk to the nearby Hillside Resort, where we will spend the night.

Note: Zipline in 1 hour, trekking min 1 hour – max 3 hours depending on the route that you choose

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English Speaking guide

Day 4

You are free to stroll around the resort for your own exploration.

There are various activities offered by the resort ranging from walking around the village of Ban Xiengmouk to visiting the local school (supported by the resort); from hiking to the nearby viewpoint via the bamboo forest to riding the pony to the nearby area (suitable for your kids only).

Check the Resort website for more detail. Overnight at Hillside Resort.

Meal: Breakfast
Tour guide: English Speaking guide

Day 5

We take the early transfer back to Luang Prabang and board on a traditional Long River boat at Kamu Lodge pier at 08:30am and take a leisurely cruise upstream while enjoying the refreshments served on the boat.

Marvel at the thousands of gold Buddha statues placed in sacred Pak Ou caves by devotees. Most people failed to marvel at Pak Ou towering limestone cliff.

Continue upriver and you would reach Kamu Lodge around noon. A refreshing welcome drink is served. You can check into your super-size tents with attached modern bathroom amenities and facilities.

After lunch, you can choose to either relax or to enjoy the traditional Kamu lifestyles and activities such as rice planting and harvesting, gold panning in the Mekong, traditional fishing techniques, visit of the Kamu village, and archery contest.

Dinner is a feast by Kamu tribe standards. After dinner, retire to your tent.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English Speaking guide

Day 6

In the morning, you are free to stroll around the lodge or the nearby village. We will take the boat back to Luang Prabang after lunch.

We arrive in Ban Pak Ou around 3PM, where we will hop on the minivan to transfer directly to Nong Khiaw. Arriving in Nong Khiaw just in time to catch the sunset, check in your hotel in town. Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English Speaking guide

Day 7

We begin at 8am and start off by boarding a local Long boat and head off upstream through some fantastic landscape before making our first stop of the day at a small riverside village.

After this we continue onwards to Tad Mork near Ban Sop Kong. At the waterfall we shall have time to swim and enjoy a picnic lunch.

We then cruise further upstream to visit Muang Ngoy, which sits nestled amongst some amazing scenery. If there is time we can stop for a drink at one of the riverside restaurants before the return journey down the river back to Nong Khiaw.

The estimated arrival time in Nong Khiaw is around sunset.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw

Approximately: 2.5-hour boat trip, 2.5-hour walk

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English Speaking guide

Day 8

After breakfast, transfer by car to Ban Muang Soune.

Upon arrival in the village, you will be welcomed by the host family, before strolling around the village to see the life of local people. Lunch will be served at the house of the host family.

In the afternoon you can enjoy agricultural activities such as rice planting, fishing techniques, or walk around the farm and rice field.

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

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English Speaking guide

Day 9

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

After breakfast, the morning will be dedicated to fishing by the stunning Nam Ou river, experiencing traditional fishing techniques.

Return to Luang Prabang and check in the hotel. Later enjoy a traditional Lao massage at Lao Red Cross.

Late afternoon, join the cinema at Amalea Restaurant to watch the 100-year-old Chang Movie, the oldest film about Laos.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour guide: English Speaking guide