Laos

Day 1:Luang Prabang – Arrival

Luang Prabang is a sleepy town, which has kept its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao culture, with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. Set in a luminous tropical mountain range, located just 397km from Vientiane, Luang Prabang is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage listed town, which still retains its original enchanting character. It was also the Royal Residence of the last King, Sisavan Vatthana and is perhaps the best preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia.

• Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, we will be welcomed by our Local Guide, and transferred to our hotel, check in and enjoy your day at own leisure.

• Dinner at Indian Restaurant & Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang – City Tour & Kuangsi Waterfalls (B/L/D)

• After breakfast, you first visit to the National Museum. Housed in the former Royal Palace, uninhabited since the royal family was deposed in 1975, the museum showcases many treasures of Laos' royal past and allows visitors to glimpse the private and public quarters of Lao royalty. Also, displayed here is the Prabang, the sacred Buddha image for which Luang Prabang was named and come on to nearby Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief.

• Then visit to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre. Showing you more about Laos’ Ethnic group especially, minorities around the country.

• Enjoy your lunch at Indian restaurant

• In the afternoon, you travel south of town to the famous Kuangsi Waterfalls, the turquoise colour of the water with a backdrop of white limestone cliffs gives the waterfall a magical appearance. Depending on the season the water level varies and you can be swimming in the beautiful pools.

• While there, you also will have the opportunity to visit the Sun Bear Reserve, a conservation centre that rescues animals from the wildlife trade.

• On return, you stop to visit local villages of Ban Tha Pane (Khmu) and Ban Na Ouane (Hmong). You will learn more about the life style of these people,

• Arrive back to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, climb 328 stairs up to the top of Phou Si Hill. Rising 150m in the center of town, Mount Phousi cuts a distinctive figure on the Luang Prabang skyline. The hill is a popular as a place to watch the sun rise or set. From the summit, you enjoy spectacular 360 degree views across the city and its many temples, and over the surrounding landscape to the mountains in the distance.

• Step down here is the Luang Prabang Night Market, offering a lovely variety of handmade textiles crafted by local and hill-tribe people, along with street food, knick-knacks and friendly banter.

• Dinner at Indian restaurant on the Mekong River bank

• Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves (B/L/D)

• This morning, you take a short drive to Wat Xieng Thong, the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang dating back to the 16th Century. Located at the end of the peninsula close to the Mekong, this temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat and is decorated with ornate carvings and mosaics.

• Step down here to Luang Prabang Pier, where you will board on the local boat and cruise upstream on the Mekong River to the sacred Buddha caves of Pak Ou. Once you arrive the caves, you disembark to visit the Tham Ting or Pak Ou Caves, which house hundreds of Buddha statues.

• After visit the Cave, you cross the Mekong River to the other side and enjoy your lunch at local restaurant before cruising down to Luang Prabang.

• On the way, you will also have opportunity to visit the local riverside villages of Ban Xanghai, a popular stop-over producing some special varieties of Laolao, the local rice wine.

• Second stop at Ban Xang Khong, known for its handmade paper and weaving craft.

• Arrive back to Luang Prabang in the afternoon. This early evening, you will transfer to a local family and participating in the “Baci Ceremony” for blessings and preserving good luck. For Laos people, the belief in kwan (spirits which inhabit the human body, as well as animals, plants and inanimate objects) are an important part of the Laos culture. To allow the kwan to return to the body, a ceremony known as a Baci or Sou Kwuan is carried out. A chant led by an important figure in the village or family is then repeated collectively to call the kwuan to return. Participants then tie white thread around each other’s wrists, symbolically binding the kwan to the body, while wishing them good fortune.

• Enjoy dinner with your host family with local Lao Traditional cuisines.

• Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Departure

• This morning is free time until you transfer to the airport for your flight onwards.

• End of trip!