Unseen Luang Prabang

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be met by your local guide in the arrivals area holding a name-board. After a brief introduction, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Then, guide and car will meet you again at the hotel lobby at 16:30 for an evening during which you will see how the locals live.

First you will join the local petanque players. Try your skills at this sport, which is a favorite pastime of the Lao people. They will cheer you on and give you hints as you play a few games and enjoy snacks and drinks. This is great fun for all ages and a brilliant introduction to the charming Lao culture.

As the sun begins to set, climb the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside. Descend to the Mekong side of the peninsula and find yourself in the evening hill tribe market. Here where you may find plenty of local souvenirs to buy such as handicrafts and textiles.

Enjoy dinner on the banks of the Mekong at a Sindat restaurant. Sindat is a Lao style barbeque which is very popular with the locals.

You will be transferred back to your hotel by 21:00. If you prefer to stay out later then you can take a tuk-tuk.

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Luang Prabang at 08:30 with your adapted bikes. After doing a fitting and adjusting your bike, you will start your tour by the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, where you will explore the history of Laos. Continue to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief.

Visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple in the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. Continue passed Wat Aham, which was first built in the 1500s, and on to Wat That where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are kept inside the large central stupa.

Ride along the Nam Khan River to visit Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang. Located at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong, this temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat and is decorated with ornate carvings and mosaics.

Lunch at Tamarind (Note: closed on Sundays) for some of the best local food in Luang Prabang (Lao set menu included).

This afternoon you will leave the town behind and ride to the Phosy Market, where you can join the locals and support vendors by buying fresh products or fruit. Your guide will be here to encourage you to taste some of the exotic flavors of the local fruits, helping to identify new items not found in your grocery store back home!

Continue your ride to Ock Pop Tock. This non-profit organization seeks to preserve traditional weaving techniques, a trade which was once an important source of income for many Lao families but is slowly fading out as modern technology has evolved. A short tour introduces the process of silk weaving from the initial stages of creating the dyes to the final process of loom weaving.

Ride along the Mekong back in to town for your final stop of the day. The Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre is dedicated to exploring the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities. Traditional costumes, tools, and artifacts are on display alongside in-depth descriptions and written histories. It is a great opportunity to gain insight in to the Lao people (Note: closed on Mondays).Return to your hotel by bike.  

For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the 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. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Take a short transfer through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls. Along the way, you will drive through beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills, and small villages. There are also viewpoints overlooking the Mekong River.

Stop en-route to visit a small village which is home to one of the area’s many ethnic minorities. You will have an opportunity to learn about their traditions and culture, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries.

Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. The water tumbles down a large drop and cascades gently in to several cool, clear pools where you can enjoy a refreshing swim (please dress modestly).

Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch next to the falls.

For the adventurous, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where stunning views await you at the top.You might also like to visit the bear sanctuary which is next to the falls, run by Free The Bears Fund Inc. There are currently 23 Asiatic Black Bears living in the sanctuary, which has saved them from poaching. The main threat to these bears is poaching due to the use of their bile in Chinese medicine. You can read about their habits and observe their playful nature, whilst learning about the difficulties they are facing.

Transfer back to Luang Prabang this afternoon. Cross the Mekong River and visit a village where you can see how the local people live. Continue to Wat Chomphet and ascend the 200 steps to the temple for a different view of the Luang Prabang. Visit Wat Long Khoun, a former center for royal retreats that also features some beautiful royal artwork. Lastly visit the sacred limestone caves of Wat Tham Sakkalin before enjoying refreshments and watching the sun set along the Mekong. Return to your hotel in Luang Prabang to freshen up before dinner.

Dinner tonight is at L’Elephant. Located in a beautiful French colonial building, this is widely considered to be Luang Prabang’s finest restaurant.

After breakfast, you have time at leisure until it is time to depart. Your private guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.