LUANG PRABANG NATURE AND CULTURE

Tour description

On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel.
After a soft rest, your “6-day Luang Prabang Adventure Tour” begins with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall.

If time permits, we will take a short walk around the small streets of city center, watching the life of local people.

After that, you will visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.

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 hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

We depart Luang Prabang by starting cycling to the suburb and then heading up the north road number 13 to explore the beautiful country side. We cycle approximately 2 hours to Ban Xang Hai village which has for centuries made the clay jars which are used to ferment Lao wine. Nowadays the tradition still continues, however today the village now specializes in producing a wide range of ‘Lau Lao’ the Lao whisky and ‘Lau Hai’ Lao wine.

After the visit we continue to cycling on dirt road approximately for 45 minutes to Ban Pak Ou where we will stop for lunch in local restaurant.

After enjoying our lunch, we cross the Mekong River to visit the famous Buddha Caves which sit amongst the limestone cliffs where the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers meet. The caves are spilt in two, one named Tham Ting and the other Tham Theung. They are both filled with thousands of Buddha images and statues which have been deposited here over centuries. Pak Ou remains a popular pilgrimage site for Lao people, especially during the Lao New Year in April when the caves become crowded with pilgrims who gain merit by ceremonially washing the Buddha statues.

After the visit we put our bicycles in the boat and head down the mighty Mekong towards Luang Prabang. During the trip you will enjoy the beautiful scenery along the river. If time allows, we will stop on our way to visit Ban Xang Khong village to see expert of mulberry paper making. Arriving back in Luang Prabang at approximately 4:30pm. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Begin today’s close-up look at daily Laotian life by heading out for a morning at a community-based living rice farm in the idyllic countryside outside Luang Prabang. Surrounded by mountains and rice paddies, you’ll have an opportunity to experience rural life as a Laotian farmer would, trying your hand at various farm activities – or observing them from a traditional Lao rice house balcony, set amidst rice terraces and an organic vegetable farm. You’ll have time to check out nearby workshops where local bamboo weavers, blacksmiths and sugar cane processors practice their crafts. Then take a tour of the organic garden to learn how natural herbs are used in traditional medicine.

Later on, we drive to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall 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.

On the way back to the town, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour. This place is also the perfect spot to admire the sunset.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, transfer to the meeting point in town and take the boat at Ban Wat That and journey across the Mekong River to reach the 40 hectares of Pha Tad Ke.

The garden staff will welcome you to the garden and ensure that you have maps and the information you need to make the most of your visit.

Simply follow the map provided to embark on a self-guided stroll around the unique collection of the flora of Laos.

Look out for gingers, orchids, ferns, bamboos and palms clustered around the limestone cliffs. There are plenty of signs provided to explain the medicinal, handicraft and spiritual significance of the plants on show.

For those wanting a more challenging trek, take the path to the Buddha Cave (1 hour round trip). In addition to the flora, the Garden contains a Permaculture Demonstration Farm and a Slow Food Garden.

There are free workshops available on tea-tasting (all day at the Cafe), bamboo handicraft (10-11am and 2-3pm), a conservation talk (10am) and an orchid talk (3pm).

For a cultural and artistic focus visit the exhibitions at Project Space - Pha Tad Ke. Exhibits here combine contemporary art, museum-quality textiles, photography, tribal sculpture and crafts.
After wandering around the gardens relax at the quiet cafe overlooking the lotus pond. Enjoy sipping tea and savouring the Lao dishes as part of your set lunch. This is an opportunity to sample some of Chef Chan’s classic Farm to Table Lao cuisine including Pomelo salad and pumpkin curry.

At the end enjoy a leisurely cruise back to the peninsula with drop off at Ban Wat That.
From there, take the tuk tuk back to your hotel. Free for the rest of the day. Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, your knowledgeable and experienced local guide will bring you straight to the elephant camp for the first part of today’s activities. The elephant camp is located in the middle of a wonderful forested mountainous area at the banks of the scenic Nam Khan River. Enjoy a new perspective from riding on the top of an elephant. Stunning landscapes and the quietness of nature make for a relaxing ride on the back of a local Asian elephant.

Transfer by small boat across the river to begin trekking. This is an easy hike through beautiful jungle with surrounding mountains in the river valley. Arrive at a Khmu hill tribe village where your local guide will help you explore life nestled in the mountains. The village is nestled at the foot of a big mountain range. Most of the people here are farmers and fishermen and subsist on their traditional way of agriculture. They even speak a different language here, and your guide will help to ask any questions you have.

We’ll refresh with a break before a scenic and easy walk off the mountain to the Tad Sae Waterfall. At the waterfall, you can hang out for some swimming and bathing in the refreshing cool water. Conditions range from impressive strong currents during the height of the rainy season to slow-flowing and inviting crystal clear waters great for swimming. (Note: During the dry season, from Feb. to Jul., the Tad Sae Waterfall can be low or even dry. The itinerary remains the same with the exception that instead of the waterfall, trekking is extended to visit a riverside village and a longer boat ride is enjoyed on the Nam Khan River through jungle)

A Lao Style Lunch will be served either at the magnificent waterfalls or at a local village.
Return by boat and vehicle to conclude your Laos elephant and jungle adventure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

In the morning, transfer to the airport for your departure flight. End of Services_____________