LUANG PRABANG HIGHLIGHTs
Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Cave – Elephant Camp
4 Days/3 Nights
4 Days/3 Nights
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Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. This tour is a collection of all “must-see”, “must-experience” things in Luang Prabang – a sunset dinner cruise, a half day boat trip to Pak Ou Cave, a half day of city tour and a full day of being an elephant mahout.
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Day 1: Luang Prabang – Arrival (D)
Arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
In the evening, enjoy your Welcome dinner at a boutique and elegant restaurant with Lao food or disembark a sunset dinner cruise and motor 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. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 2: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Cave by boat & the City’s highlights (B)
There is a very special dawn ceremony that you must see - 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. Visit Morning Market where you can find all ingredients for local food. Return to your hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, you board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives you a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Before approaching the caves, we get off the boat to visit the village of Ban Xang Hai which has for centuries made the clay jars which are used to ferment Lao wine. Nowadays the tradition continues however the villagers now specialize in producing 2 Lao specialties, ‘Lau Lao’ whisky and ‘Lau Hai’ wine.
Return to the town by noon time for lunch at your own expense.
In the afternoon, you will visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a precious collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. Continue our city tour with the impressive stupa of Wat Mai and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing the classic architecture of Luang Prabang temples. Then you will climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 3: Luang Prabang - JOINT TOUR of Mahout Experience with Bathing (B)
After breakfast, you’re picked up by our guide and drive out of Luang Prabang to the Elephant Village Camp:
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Departure (B)
After breakfast, you will be free in Luang Prabang to visit more ancient temples on foot, or chill out at a coffee shop by Mekong River Bank, or relax with Lao Massage before driving to the airport for your departure flight.
:>> Our prices include:
> Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room
> Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver
> The services of an experienced English-speaking guide throughout the tour (please note: guides will be on hand from pick-up until guests’ return to their hotel or reaching their destination)
> Where necessary, entry fees and permission to enter border areas for all visits mentioned in the program
> Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available
> VAT and other taxes
:>> Our prices do not include:
> International flight tickets and airport tax
> Visa handling and stamp fee
> Dinners, except as specified above
> Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses
> Camera fees (if any)
> Insurance
Arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
In the evening, enjoy your Welcome dinner at a boutique and elegant restaurant with Lao food or disembark a sunset dinner cruise and motor 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. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 2: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Cave by boat & the City’s highlights (B)
There is a very special dawn ceremony that you must see - 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. Visit Morning Market where you can find all ingredients for local food. Return to your hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, you board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives you a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Before approaching the caves, we get off the boat to visit the village of Ban Xang Hai which has for centuries made the clay jars which are used to ferment Lao wine. Nowadays the tradition continues however the villagers now specialize in producing 2 Lao specialties, ‘Lau Lao’ whisky and ‘Lau Hai’ wine.
Return to the town by noon time for lunch at your own expense.
In the afternoon, you will visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a precious collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. Continue our city tour with the impressive stupa of Wat Mai and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing the classic architecture of Luang Prabang temples. Then you will climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 3: Luang Prabang - JOINT TOUR of Mahout Experience with Bathing (B)
After breakfast, you’re picked up by our guide and drive out of Luang Prabang to the Elephant Village Camp:
- Welcome and greeting by the camp manager and participate in a short briefing about elephants
- Ride the Elephant: Enjoy the impressive experience of a 3 km elephant ride on the howdah (elephant seat) or on your elephant’s neck! 2 per elephant
- Mahout Training: Receive your basic mahout training on how to control an elephant!
- Lunch: Dine at our Elephant Camp restaurant. Buffet lunch served with coffee / tea and drinking water (vegetarian options available)
- Bathe Your Elephant: Take your own elephant down to the Nam Khan river for an exhilarating and once in a lifetime bathing experience!
- Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Take a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall and relax, dip your feet or take a swim in the clear, cool water
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Departure (B)
After breakfast, you will be free in Luang Prabang to visit more ancient temples on foot, or chill out at a coffee shop by Mekong River Bank, or relax with Lao Massage before driving to the airport for your departure flight.
:>> Our prices include:
> Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room
> Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver
> The services of an experienced English-speaking guide throughout the tour (please note: guides will be on hand from pick-up until guests’ return to their hotel or reaching their destination)
> Where necessary, entry fees and permission to enter border areas for all visits mentioned in the program
> Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available
> VAT and other taxes
:>> Our prices do not include:
> International flight tickets and airport tax
> Visa handling and stamp fee
> Dinners, except as specified above
> Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses
> Camera fees (if any)
> Insurance