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Description: Upon arrival at Luang Prabang Airport, after clearing all customs procedures, please proceed to the exit gate where you guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore on your own.
Description: Luang Prabang Alms Giving Departure: 05:30am Duration: 1 Hrs 30 Mins The morning alms round, called ‘Tak Bat’ in Lao, is a living Buddhist tradition for the people of Luang Prabang and dates back generations. Wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to a procession of hundreds of saffron robed Monks in the early morning light, truly a spiritual occasion! If you wish to make an offering, please inform your guide a day in advance so that a gift of alms can be prepared. After the alms giving, watch the town come to life during a visit to the bustling morning market before returning to your hotel in time for breakfast. City Highlights and Pak Ou Caves Located at the confluence of the Mekong River and the Nam Khan ‘Khan River’, UNESCO Protected Luang Prabang is a beautiful mix of ancient, gilded Temples, saffron clad Monks, faded Indochinese villas and peaceful river scenery. Enjoy a half day walking tour exploring some of the highlights of this incredibly picturesque town. Start with a visit to the Royal Palace, which is now a National Museum housing precious artefacts that belonged to the Royal Family. Drive or enjoy a leisurely walk to explore some of Luang Prabang’s famed Temples including Wat Visoun, Luang Prabang’s oldest Temple. Notice its unusually shaped Stupa designed to look like a Lotus Flower however, it is referred to by locals as ‘The Watermelon Stupa’. Additionally, see Wat That Luang, traditionally the cremation site for Lao Royalty, the gorgeous Wat Mai with its detailed golden reliefs depicting scenes from village life and Wat Xieng Thong, built in the 17th Century. Notice the stunning ‘Tree of Life’ mosaic set on its western exterior wall. Later, enjoy some free time for lunch in town (own expense). In the afternoon, enjoy a half day river cruise to the famed Pak Ou Caves. Board a long-tail boat and begin cruising past scenes of typical Laotian villages, barely visible behind thick foliage, wooden canoes bobbing by the shore attached to bamboo poles and floats marking the location of nets and fish traps. Located next to the mighty Mekong and opposite the mouth of the Mekong and the Ou Rivers, explore the two limestone grottoes, which house approximately 4,000 sacred Buddhist Statues and images, which range from mere centimetres up to 2 metres in height. Return to Luang Prabang by boat with a stop along the way at the village of Ban Muang Keo. While here, observe local weavers and Whisky Distillers honouring their timeworn traditional crafts..
Description: Luang Prabang Half Day Tour to Kuang Si Waterfall In the morning, spend a half day exploring one of Luang Prabang’s most picturesque sights, the cascading Kuang Si Waterfall with electric turquoise waters. Depart on a 1 hour drive south of Luang Prabang, with stops at the vibrant Phousi Market and the nearby Ock Pop Tock Weaving Centre, a social enterprise working primarily in the field of textiles, handicrafts and design. Continue to the waterfalls and take a leisurely hike through the natural park past the Asian Bear Rescue Centre. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible, although between November and January the water temperature is very cool. Enjoy your lunch before returning to your hotel by private vehicle. The afternoon is free at leisure for you to explore or relax before tonight’s festivities. Baci Ceremony at a Local Home Baci Ceremonies are an integral part of Lao culture. Held to celebrate a special event like a marriage, homecoming or departure. It is based on an ancient belief that the Baci Ceremony re-aligns the Kwan ‘soul’, which watches over the body and its 32 organs. At the ceremony, a village elder will wrap a white cotton thread around your wrist while chanting an invocation to strengthen the power of the blessing. In Laos, white is the colour of peace, good fortune and warmth. Enjoy this authentic experience in a local family’s home and feel refreshed and enlightened by taking part in this ancient practice. Evening of Traditional Lao Storytelling and Dinner Where did Mount Phousi get its name? Who established the ancient city of Luang Prabang and how did it happen? Spend an evening of storytelling with Garavek and learn all about local myths, legends and folktales. In an intimate theatre in Luang Prabang’s historic Old Town, listen as a Lao storyteller presents stories in English, with the live accompaniment of the Khene, a Lao folk mouth instrument. After the performance, transfer to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner, you will be transferred back to the hotel by private car.
Description: After breakfast at your hotel, you will be met and transferred to the Airport for your onward journey or departure flight home. • Optional Extras (Pricing on Request) Cycling to Pak Ou Caves People often say that time has forgotten Laos and its people as this country has hardly changed over the years. Take this chance to explore Laos in one of the most eco-friendly ways. Among the green jungles and paddy fields that abundantly cover the mountains and land is where Laotians still practice many ancient traditions. Cycle around Ban Xieng Man, a separated and remote village on the edge of Mekong River. Follow the dirt road to Ban Na Kham, a small village known for sugarcane fields and sticky rice cooked within bamboo sticks. Head to Ban Som and Ban Na for lunch, prepared by a local chef. Continue to Ban Chan, a village known for making jars used in the area. During this trip, take time to admire the natural landscape and the rural life of the Laotians as you cycle your way through their villages. Eco-Friendly Luang Prabang City Tour Luang Prabang was once the Royal Capital of Laos and is now known for its well-preserved architectural, religious and cultural heritage. Luang Prabang was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, to keep this ancient town protected and partially restored to its former glory. In an effort to create a greener and more environmentally friendly Luang Prabang, electric carts were recently introduced to the city. Hop-on one of the first of its kind to a tour around the UNESCO World Heritage City. Pay a visit to the Royal Palace, which is now a National Museum, which houses the precious exhibits that used to be in possession of the former Lao Royal Family. Then, visit a handful of the most revered Temples in Luang Prabang, which is home to over 33 distinct Temples. Enjoy a short climb to the top of Mount Phousi and admire the wonderful view across the Mekong and Khan Rivers as well as the surrounding mountain ranges. Lao Evening Food Corner in Luang Prabang Your journey is not complete until you have sampled the variety of Lao cuisine. The best place to do that is at the local market, where an abundant variety is on offer. Walk through Luang Prabang’s famous night market and head towards the small streets, which are dedicated to the local street food. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the different foods as you pass through the narrow alleys. After nibbling on a variety of dishes, continue to a famous local restaurant for Sindad BBQ, a Lao style personal BBQ at your table. The Art of Laotian Stencilling Today, there are still more than 33 Temples scattered throughout Luang Prabang. Built in the classic Luang Prabang style of architecture with multi-tiered sweeping roofs adorned with Naga ‘Dragon Head’ Statues, these intricate beauties enhance Luang Prabang’s surroundings. Murals of stencil work on the walls and doors, depicting various themes of nature and symbols, bring beauty to the Temples’ interior and exterior. The stencil work is simply amazing as each Temple was designed differently and the work was handmade entirely. Join us to visit a workshop where you can admire many different designs of stencils and experience a hands on lesson learning how to produce this traditional style of artwork. Bounmi Cruise & Camping on the Mekong Cruise along the Mekong River and observe the surrounding local life on a late afternoon boating excursion. Watch as the last rays of light illuminate the sky as the sun goes down. As we reach our destination, enjoy a fantastic camping trip on the banks of the Mekong. With a volleyball and net, football and badminton, you can sweat it out on the beach or take a dip in the water and cool off. Enjoy some fishing or simply relax and read a book in the shade. Not to mention, there will be an outdoor BBQ dinner served and we will set up speakers and Karaoke on shore. This overnight experience offers a great way to separate yourself from the city life and relive the memories of your teenage camping trips. • Travel Information Visa Requirements: A tourist visa should be obtained in advance. It is not possible to get Visa upon arrival. Please ensure your passport is valid more than 6 months from the date of return for every country you are visiting. Please also ensure there is sufficient space in your passport to allow for all immigration procedures, taking note that some South East Asian countries take up a full page for the visa sticker and need yet more space on a separate page for entry and exit stamps. Please contact Europe Holidays for any visa service or guidance. Please note the following general information is subject to change concerning visas. Trip and Travel Insurance: The tour price does not include personal insurance. Travellers are highly recommended to purchase Travel Insurance upon commitment of the booking. Europe Holidays can assist with your travel requirements. Travel Advice for New Year: If the dates of travel fall during Pi Mai Lao, the Laos New Year (Apr 14 – 16, 2022), many shops and businesses are closed during this period or may operate on a limited schedule although most restaurants remain open. As it is a tradition to splash water on each other to bring good luck during this period, travellers should take care of their phones, cameras and laptops. Additionally, travel times might need to be adjusted during this period as some festivals are held in the streets and cause small delays.
