Arrival Luang Prabang, welcome to the spiritual capital of Laos.

Your private car and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

In the late afternoon you will join the local petanque players. Try your skills at this sport, which is a favorite pastime of the Lao people. They will cheer you on and give you hints as you play a few games and enjoy snacks and drinks. This is great fun for all ages and a brilliant introduction to the charming Lao culture.

As the sun begins to set, climb the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside. Return to your hotel via a stroll through the evening hill tribe market, where you may find plenty of local souvenirs to buy such as handicrafts and textiles.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang Airport – Luang Prabang (4 km): 15 min

For early risers there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting the alms.  As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

This morning your guide will collect you from your hotel at 0900. You start with a visit to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre for insight in to the countries various ethnic groups and traditional crafts. Your tour will provide you with information in to the wonders of Laos, enhancing your understanding of this little-known country and its people (Note: closed on Monday). 

Take a short transfer through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls. Along the way, you will drive through beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills, and small villages. There are also viewpoints overlooking the Mekong River.

Stop en-route to visit a small village which is home to one of the area’s many ethnic minorities. You will have an opportunity to learn about their traditions and culture, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries.

Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. The water tumbles down a large drop and cascades gently in to several cool, clear pools where you can enjoy a refreshing swim (please dress modestly).

Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch next to the falls.

For the adventurous, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where stunning views await you at the top.

You might also like to visit the bear sanctuary which is next to the falls, run by Free The Bears Fund Inc. There are currently 23 Asiatic Black Bears living in the sanctuary, which has saved them from poaching. The main threat to these bears is poaching due to the use of their bile in Chinese medicine. You can read about their habits and observe their playful nature, whilst learning about the difficulties they are facing.

On the way back to Luang Prabang, you will stop at the Kuang Si Butterfly Park to visit the beautiful garden filled of hundreds of Laos’s butterflies! (Note: closed on Tuesday)

Transfer back to your hotel this afternoon.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang – Kuang Si (32 km): 1 hour

After breakfast your guide and private car will pick you up from you hotel and you will drive about 2.5 hours to Nong Khiaw. After checking in to your hotel will enjoy lunch at Nong Khiaw Riverside.

After lunch visit the historical cave of Phathok. The Nong Khiaw villagers used this cave as a war shelter during the “Secret War”, to shelter people from bombs dropped in the region. It is about a 30 minute gentle walk from Nong Khiaw town and takes you through beautiful scenery. Learn more about a secret part of the Lao history and explore the historical caves with your guide. From the cave you will have a beautiful view of rice paddies and the valley. Walk back to Nong Khiaw along a small path through the rice paddies.

Enjoy the sunset over the river. There is a choice of local restaurants within walking distance.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw

Luang Prabang – Nong Khiaw (134 km): 2.5 / 3 hours

Enjoy breakfast overlooking the river as the mist hangs in the valley.

This morning, you will start your tour at 08:30 with a boat cruise up the Nam Ou River surrounded by tall jungle-covered mountains.  After about 15 minutes, arrive at a riverside Lao Leum village. Your guide will explain the local lifestyle along the Nam Ou River in these traditional villages.

From the village you will follow a little trail through the nearby mountain area. Rice fields, forests and agricultural land guide your way towards the next highlight, a small refreshing waterfall.  After an extended break, you hike 1 hour to the next village Sop Vanh where you will visit a beautiful local temple and learn about the history of Buddhism and this temple.

After lunch and tour of this traditional Lao- Khamu village you will cross over by boat to visit a pig farm before taking a boat ride back to Nong Khiaw.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw

After breakfast you will be driven to Luang Prabang, taking approximately 2.5 hours. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang (134 km): 3 hours

Free time at leisure in the morning. Your guide and private vehicle will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

Luang Prabang– Luang Prabang Airport (4 km): 15 min