OVERVIEW
This beautiful city located on the confluence of the Nam Ou and the Mekong River and is made up of distinctive colonial architecture and dazzling temples. Saffron clad monks replace vehicles in this timeless, atmospheric city, as they often scurry the small streets. A trip to the top of Mount Phousi, the best place to start the sightseeing tour, offers astonishing views over Luang Prabang at sunset.
TRIP FACTS
- Travel Style: Cultural & Classic Travel
- Duration: 4 days - 3 nights
- Start / Finish: Luang Prabang / Luang Prabang
- Departure: Departs daily on a private basis
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore the world Khuangsi Water Fall
- Discovery the Unesco Heritage site of Luang Prabang
- Boat Trip upstream in Mekong River
- Participating in the traditional Lao rite of passage by giving alms to the monks in the early morning
- Wandering the quiet streets of ancient Luang Prabang
- Visiting ancient wats (temples), exploring markets and hilltribe villages
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Welcome to Luang Prabang (No Meals)
Day 2: Luang Prabang – Alm Giving Cermony – Khuang Si Water fall – City Tour (B/-/-)
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (B/-/-)
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Elephant Camp (B/-/-)
Day 5: Luang Prabang – Departure (B/-/-)
You will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel. 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.
Meal: N/A
Accomodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Optional: rising early at around 05.30AM to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks (the Buddhist monks) receive alms from local people – an awe-inspiring sight for many travelers.
Please tell your guide if you wish to make an offer so he/she can prepare some food for you. This early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning and then return to hotel for breakfast
After breakfast, take a rural drive (30 km South) to visit Kuangsi Waterfall, though not very high but spectacular and really beautiful with its green surroundings as the preserved National park. We stop en-route to visit a fresh produced market namely Talad Phosy, and also visit Ban Na Oune, a small village of a hill-tribe group “Hmong”, probably the best-known minority group in Laos. Just before arriving at Kuangsi waterfall, there is another village of Khmu minority group, namely Ban Tha Pane that we will visit. Our picnic lunch is served at the shady park nearby Kuangsi waterfall. There is plenty of time for relaxing and a swim in cool water, before heading back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.
Afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of temples; of which nearly fifty still remain in the town and surrounding areas. Visit National Museum, the former Royal Palace which houses the collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue, gifts received from foreign dignitaries…etc, Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps which represent two characters from the Ramayana – Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa; Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple, which more than any temples in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture.
The rest of the day at your leisure, relaxing in one of the city’s many quirky cafés or strolling along the beautiful riverbank.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves (mouth of the Ou river) comprising of the Tham Ting (lower cave) and the Tham Theung (upper cave) which are two caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues in various shapes and sizes offer by the pilgrimers over the centuries.
Along the way back to Luang Prabang, we stop at the village of Ban Xang Hai, where they make the distillation of local rice wine Lau Hai and Lau Lao (Lao whisky). On return, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
After pick up from your Hotel (8:30-9:00 a.m) we proceed to the Adventure and Elephant camp located 15 km out of town in the middle of unspoiled, natural green surroundings. Arrival at the Elephant Village. Welcome and greeting by our Camp Manager and participate in short briefing.
- Ride the Elephant. Enjoy the impressive experience of approx. 1.5 hours elephant ride on the Howdah (Elephant seat) to the Elephant Jungle Camp.
- Enjoy approx. 1.5 hours walk through a unique natural jungle valley with limestone cascades.
- Lunch will be provided at the Elephant Jungle Camp (Picnic lunchbox and drinking water).
- Tad Sae Waterfall visit.
- Boat trip on the Khan River. Take a short boat trip from the Tad Sae Waterfall to our Elephant Village.
- Depart back to Luang Prabang town and drop off at your Hotel, between 03:00 and 04:00 pm.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Free time is at your leisure until the transfer to the airport for departure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accomodation: N/A
***END OF SERVICES***
THE DIFFERENCE OF VANASIA TRAVEL
+ 01 bottle of water/day/person.
+ Post Card for sharing your memorable trip
+ Bookmark with basic Vietnamese lesson.
+ Vietnamese Sim-Card for 24/24 support.
SERVICES INCLUSION
- All of meals as mentioned in the program (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
- Air-conditioned private car
- Professional and Experience local English speaking guide.
- Private boat trip in Nam Ou river Luang Prabang
- All of entrance fees and visiting permission in the restricted area (if applicable) as program
SERVICES EXCLUSION
- International and domestic air-tickets.
- Bank Fee related to the payment.
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Visa to Vietnam, Visa stamping fee
- Beverage, personal expenses
- Tipping for Tour-guide and driver. Our suggestion: 1-3$US/day/driver, 3-5$US/day/person for tour-guide depending your group size.
NOTE
- Time check in: from 13h00 to 14h00, time check out: 12h00 (except the Junk in Ha Long about 10AM)
- Program is subject to change without prior notice due to Vietnam Airlines unexpected changes of schedule or flight cancellation.
- Hotels are subject to change by the time of booking.
- B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner