Meals: None

Welcome to Laos. Upon your arrival, obtain your Laos visa on arrival if you haven't already obtained this prior to travel, then clear Immigration and Customs. Proceed into the arrival area and meet your private guide and transfer to your accommodation for check in.

Rest afternoon at leisure.

Optional: VIP Fast-track and welcome gift

Accommodation options

 Standard: Sanctuary Luang Prabang Hotel, Superior Room

 Superior: Satri House, Deluxe Room

 Deluxe: Sofitel Luang Prabang Hotel, Garden Suite Room

Meals: B L

Luang Prabang, Pearl of the Mekong.

At 08:30am. After breakfast, you will explore this historic and charming World Heritage Town. Transfer to begin your journey at the most popular of temples – Wat Xieng Thong. This 500-year-old temple is exquisite and is the best example of the classic Luang Prabang style.

From here, explore small side streets, along back alleys and through temples – a city that could have been designed with slow travel in mind, a morning walking tour allows you to soak up the ambiance and appreciate the hidden charms of Luang Prabang. Through your guide, feel free to ask the locals questions as they go about their daily lives.

Continue wandering up the peninsula, stopping at temples and other sites as you wish. Visit the National Museum, which is the former Royal Palace. Relics from Laos’ royalist past remain here. Overlooking the palace is Phousi Mountain. It is said that those who do not climb the 328 steps up have not really made it to the city. Venture up the hill and be rewarded with remarkable views of the area.

Before lunch, you will visit to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, a museum dedicated to the ethnic minorities of Laos.

Lunch at a local restaurant in Luang Prabang.

Kuang Si Waterfall.

After lunch, you will travel south of town to the Kuang Si Waterfall by songthaew. Stop along the way to visit the Living Crafts Centre, a place where you will have a short visit and see how textiles are made and meet the weavers who help to keep these traditions alive.

At the falls, crystal waters cascade into idyllic turquoise pools. Bring a bathing suit if you would like to swim! Also take time to visit the nearby Sunbear Refuge to learn more about the poaching of these endangered creatures.

On the way back to the town, you will stop to visit the Buffalo Dairy Farm, known for their sustainable approach to local farming. An excellent way to finish your day. Definitely not only fun for kids but a real educational experience. This includes: A guided tour of the farm & information on how they work with the local community; Buffalo feeding & bathing, Milking demonstration; Feeding chickens, pigs and rabbits; Bottle feeding calves. Relax in the café and enjoy the ‘cake of the day’ served with ice cream and tea or coffee.

At the end of the day, return to your accommodation, rest evening at leisure. 

Accommodation options

ü  Standard: Sanctuary Luang Prabang Hotel, Superior Room

ü  Superior: Satri House, Deluxe Room

Meals: B, L

Participate in Almsgiving.

At 05.30am, the bells of the town ‘s monasteries toll at dawn when golden lines of monks emerge to receive their morning rice from the townspeople.

Wake up early to respectfully witness this sacred ritual typical of old Laos-long lines of barefoot monks weaving through the streets on their alms rounds. This will be in a village out of town where rarely any tourists are seen. You will have the opportunity to witness the almsgiving in a real traditional way. You will be supplied with alms you can traditionally give to the monks.

We also encourage that if you must take photographs that it does not interfere with this highly revered Ritual. Afterwards, visit the Morning Market and see an array of meats, vegetables and spices the locals use in their cooking.

Return to your hotel for breakfast.

Home Cooking Class (Private).

A day of exploring Lao food first hand - from market to home cooking, snack making and whiskey tasting.

Today you will be picked up by your guide and continue by car to a local fresh market, where you will meet your chef and teacher for today, Mrs. Noy. After learning about local produce you will soon be boarding a boat to cross the Mekong River where you will be greeted by friendly villagers and the family of Noy. Don’t expect a star awarded kitchen but a simple private cooking lesson in the family's home with local specialties.

Pak Ou Caves.

After you have enjoyed your lunch in the local village, you will continue by boat upstream to visit the Pak Ou Caves. Peering into dark corners, your eyes gradually adjust to reveal the serene faces and figures of more than 3,000 Buddha images, some inlaid with semiprecious stones. That these images remain undisturbed in this remote site in one of the world‘s poorest countries is a testament to the devotion of the people. Return by boat to Luang Prabang, stop at some local villages. One of the villages is a wonderful silk weaving village called Ban Sang Khong. The weaving techniques employed in Ban San Khong date back many centuries and are used to create some of Asia‘s most highly prized textiles. Some villagers are also engaged in Sa Paper production, visit some more villages where the famous river weed snacks, rice crackers and other delicacies are produced.

At the end of the day, while floating gently down the water, enjoy a Lao rice whiskey tasting while slowly approaching Luang Prabang.

At the end of the day, return to your accommodation.

Accommodation options

ü  Standard: Sanctuary Luang Prabang Hotel, Superior Room

ü  Superior: Satri House, Deluxe Room

Meals: B

This morning is at leisure until you are picked up for your transfer to the airport.