Luang Prabang, Laos
An exciting journey in a timeless land
ITINERARY
DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL (D)
Meet upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, transfer and check in at hotel.
The crown jewel of Laos, Luang Prabang is perhaps the best preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. Magical and charming, it has preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao culture with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. In 1995, Luang Prabang was voted by UNESCO as a World Heritage City.
Dinner at 3 Nagas Restauruant
Accommodaton at the Residence Phou Vao*****
DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL (D)
Meet upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, transfer and check in at hotel.
The crown jewel of Laos, Luang Prabang is perhaps the best preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. Magical and charming, it has preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao culture with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. In 1995, Luang Prabang was voted by UNESCO as a World Heritage City.
Dinner at 3 Nagas Restauruant
Accommodaton at the Residence Phou Vao*****
DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG FULL DAY CITY TOUR (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Vat Visoun, the site of an impressive stupa; That Makmo, and then walk to the nearby Vat Aham, one of the city's major shrines. Visit Vat Mai, built in 1796 and famous for it's exquisite five-tiered roof constructed in typical Luang Prabang style. Climb Vat Phousi hill for an outstanding view of the city.
Lunch at Un Petit Ned restaurant.
Visit the National Museum, formerly the King's Palace, displaying an interesting collection of personal aritfacts of the Royal Family. Visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center, a museum dedicated to the ethnic culture of Laos. The Center is housed in a heritage building and exhibits ethnic clothing, household objects, religious artifacts and handicrafts.
Sunset at Vatsiphuthabath Tai
Dinner at L'Elephant Restaurant, famous for it's Laotian and French cuisine.
Accommodation at the Residence Phou Vao
DAY 3 Full Day Expedition ( B/L/D)
The Laotian Countryside: Elephants...Jungles... River Valleys.. .Bamboo Raft...Waterfalls
Following breakfast at the hotel, we will be transfered by VIP minibus to the "Shangri-Lao Explorer Camp" 15 km outside Luang Prabang. On arrival we will get an introductory tour of the camp where our guide will teach us about elephants. We will be able to talk with the staff, feed the elephants and relax by the riverside.
Our expedition begins with an elephant ride across the river and continues for abut 1.5 hrs through teak forests, jungle and over hills to reach the protected Huay Sae Valley. Allong the way we stop to see the amazing scenery of the Nam Khan River Valley.
Upon reaching the Huay Sae Valley, we leave the elephants and rest at the jungle Sala, enjoying a luxury lunch with traditional Lao food and wine by a secluded waterfall. Opportunities to refresh and swim in the the natural pools.
Continue with an easy trek on foot along the marvelous Huay Sae mountain stream. Cross bamboo bridges and pass waterfalls, fantastic limestone formations and turquouise blue pools.
Tradtional horses from the Hmong hill tribes will await us to carry us up a more demanding hill section. for the last half hour through fields, plantations and a Teak forest. Enjoy the stunning views to the mountain ranges while our naturalist guide explains local agriculture and faming methods.
Down at the Nam Khan River, a luxury bamboo raft is waiting to take us back. Have a coffee, relax and watch the traditional villlage life of farmers and fishermen along the river. Slowly floating down the river, the relaxing journey, with an optional stop at the Tad Seae Waterfall, brings you back to the camp. Return by VIP minibus to Luang Prabang, returning to the hotel by about 5PM.
Enjoy a well deserved gourmet dinner at the Coconut restaurant.
Accomodation at the Residence Phou Vao
The Laotian Countryside: Elephants...Jungles... River Valleys.. .Bamboo Raft...Waterfalls
Following breakfast at the hotel, we will be transfered by VIP minibus to the "Shangri-Lao Explorer Camp" 15 km outside Luang Prabang. On arrival we will get an introductory tour of the camp where our guide will teach us about elephants. We will be able to talk with the staff, feed the elephants and relax by the riverside.
Our expedition begins with an elephant ride across the river and continues for abut 1.5 hrs through teak forests, jungle and over hills to reach the protected Huay Sae Valley. Allong the way we stop to see the amazing scenery of the Nam Khan River Valley.
Upon reaching the Huay Sae Valley, we leave the elephants and rest at the jungle Sala, enjoying a luxury lunch with traditional Lao food and wine by a secluded waterfall. Opportunities to refresh and swim in the the natural pools.
Continue with an easy trek on foot along the marvelous Huay Sae mountain stream. Cross bamboo bridges and pass waterfalls, fantastic limestone formations and turquouise blue pools.
Tradtional horses from the Hmong hill tribes will await us to carry us up a more demanding hill section. for the last half hour through fields, plantations and a Teak forest. Enjoy the stunning views to the mountain ranges while our naturalist guide explains local agriculture and faming methods.
Down at the Nam Khan River, a luxury bamboo raft is waiting to take us back. Have a coffee, relax and watch the traditional villlage life of farmers and fishermen along the river. Slowly floating down the river, the relaxing journey, with an optional stop at the Tad Seae Waterfall, brings you back to the camp. Return by VIP minibus to Luang Prabang, returning to the hotel by about 5PM.
Enjoy a well deserved gourmet dinner at the Coconut restaurant.
Accomodation at the Residence Phou Vao
DAY 4 LUANG PRABANG (B/L/D)
Early this morning at 0600 hours, you depart from your hotel to see the monks gather for early morning alms. You will join with the local people giving alms to the monks. The custom of alms gathering is an ancient monastic tradition where the monks or nuns, who may not beg, stand quietly with their alms bowl visible, allowing interested people to approach and offer food- if so inclined.
Visit the local fresh morning market. Depart by road to the Kuangsi Waterfalls, which tumble over multi-tiered limestone formations into cool, clear pools ideal for swimming and relaxing. On the way to the waterfalls, visit the small villages of Ban N Oune, Hmong village.
Pinic luch at the waterfalls.
Return to Luang Prabang, stopping on the way to visit Ban Ou, a lowland Lao village know for it's cotton production, Continue on to see silk production at Ban Phanom.
Dinner at Tamnaklao Restaurant
Evening at the Night Market
Accommodation at the Residence Phou Vao Hotel.
DAY 5 LUANG PRABANG-BANGKOK
Breakfast at the hotel and free time to relax until transfer to the airport for departure.
