The Best of Luang Prabang – 5 Days

DAY 01: LUANG PRABANG - ARRIVAL (-/-/D)
On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel.
After a soft rest, your city tour begins with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. After that, you will visit Royal Palace Museum which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.
If time permits, we will take a short walk around the small streets of city center, watching the life of local people, and visiting the traditional house of Heuan Chan, the Chantal wooden house dating back to 100 years old. Late afternoon, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and 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 hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Optional: Private Baci Ceremony
Enjoy a private Baci ceremony after sunset 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

DAY 02: LUANG PRABANG - KUANG SI WATERFALLS - SUNSET CRUISE (B/-/D)
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From there, we will take a short visit to the morning local market near the Royal Palace. At the market, you can find anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground, this is what the locals do every day. This is really the chance for you to get a real flavor of the local culture.
After breakfast, we will first visit the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene. We then visit Wat Mai, which is one of the most beautiful temple of Luang Prabang. We continue to Wat Visoun, dating back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), this is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and were once home to the Prabang Buddhas.
Our next stop today is the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday) to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures.
After that, we transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls which is the biggest in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals
We will also take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.
Before returning to Luang Prabang, we stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park (closed from 15 APR – 30 JUN; 01-14 SEP, & 01 JAN every year), whose mission is to create a research centre studying and publishing about Laos butterflies, host plants and preservation.
Afterward, the sunset cruise in Luang Prabang embarks daily at 5:00 pm and motors downstream to moor near a traditional village where traditional Lao dancers perform age-old sets that include interpretations of the royal ballet, rural life, folk tales and legends. The authentic Lao dinner will be served on the boat.
The cruise returns to Luang Prabang at around 08:00PM.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang City

Royal Palace Museum

DAY 03: LUANG PRABANG - SHANGRI LAO EXPERIENCE (B/L/D)
8:30am to 9:00am: Pick up by our English speaking guide at your hotel lobby within Luang Prabang, Laos
Arrival at the Elephant Village Camp: Welcome greeting by your guide and participate in a short briefing about elephants
Bareback Elephant Ride: Enjoy the impressive experience of a 1 km bareback elephant ride! 1 person per elephant.
Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Take a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae waterfall and relax, dip your feet or go for a swim in the clear, cool ponds
Mahout Training: Receive your mahout training on how to control an elephant like a mahout
Lunch: Dine at our Elephant Camp restaurant. Buffet lunch served with coffee / tea and drinking water (vegetarian options available)
Bring Your Elephant to the Jungle: Enjoy the unique experience of riding your elephant in the evening to her jungle hideaway where she gets to retire for the evening
Dinner: Enjoy dinner at the Elephant Camp restaurant (set menu served with drinking water)
Overnight: Enjoy a relaxing night at our Elephant Lodge with stunning views of the Nam Khan River
Overnight in tent

DAY 04: SHANGRI LAOS - LAOS SPIRIT RESORT (B/L/-)
Awake from your Slumber: You won’t believe how tranquil and beautiful the Lao jungle mornings are!
Pick Up Your Own Elephant: In the morning, retrieve your elephant from her jungle hide away
Bathe Your Elephant: Take your own elephant down to the Nam Khan river for an exhilarating bathing experience!
Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at our Elephant Camp restaurant (set menu with coffee / tea and drinking water)
Depart: Transfer back to your Hotel in Luang Prabang between 10:00 am and 11:00 am
Overnight in Lao Spirit Resort.

DAY 05: LAO SPIRIT RESORT - DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
You are free to stroll around the resort for your own exploration before transferring back to the city and taking the departure flight for the next destination.

What's included ?

• Transportation with air-condition in private
• Accommodation in twin/double shared room
• Boat trip as stated in above sights
• English speaking guide
• Admission fee to indicated sights
• Meals as per program
• Gov’t tax and service charge
• Luggage handling and drinking waterr

What's Excluded ?

• Visa stamping fee on arrival
• All air tickets quoted separately
• Travel Insurance in all kinds
• Single room (quoted separately)
• Other foreign language guide
• Peak tourist season or special event rates
• Tip, drinks and other personal expenses

Additional Remarks:

• Itinerary is subject to change depending on the confirmed flights, road conditions, and room availability.
• Hotels listed in above might not be up to standard of your expectation, especially in the remote area where limitation of accommodation.
• Prices are subject to change in case of VAT or other tax increases and USD currency fluctuations