Day 1: Luang Prabang arrival (-/-/D)

Luang Prabang - Airport: 5km, ~11min drive

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to hotel by our guide and driver. After making sure of your successful hotel check-in, they will be pleased to leave you free time for your own lunch and leisure to recover after the long flight.

This afternoon, our guide will take you through the town for a brief orientation tour for a taste of the unique atmosphere of this UNESCO-listed town. Wedged between the mighty Mekong River and its tributary, the Nam Khan, Luang Prabang is a beautiful blend of French colonial buildings and Lao architecture. Stop to join in a game of petanque with the friendly locals. This is the perfect way to interact with Lao people, gaining an insight in to their lifestyle, which mixes ancient traditions with colonial influences. It is also a good opportunity to try sample Beerlao (for the adults!) and local snacks. Finish the half-day tour by climbing the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside. Stop at the evening hill tribe market. Enjoy dinner at Coconut Garden. This is a great introduction to Lao food which also caters for western tastes and children.

Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 2: Luang Prabang Half-day City (B/L/-)

After breakfast at hotel, we start the city tour at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, where you will be able to discover the history of Laos. Continue on foot to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, and Wat Sensoukarahm, which features a beautiful dazzling golden façade. Finish the tour at 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. Enjoy lunch at family run restaurant dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of the local cuisine. Upon your request, the friendly staff will explain the ingredients and customs of the cuisine. (Note: closed on Sundays). This afternoon is free at leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 3: Luang Prabang - Shangri Lao Elephant Adventure (B/L/-)

Luang Prabang - Shangri Lao: 15km, 30min drive

After breakfast at hotel, we follow the footsteps of Dr. P Neis who on October 14th 1883 explored the Nam Khan River. At 08:30a.m, transfer them to the Explorer Camp located 15km outside the city. Our guide and a local veterinarian will provide information about the elephants, before you have a chance to feed the elephants or simply relax by the riverside. Then it’s time to start an elephant ride through forests and over hills to the protected Huay Sae hidden valley. Here, you will leave your elephant to spend the night. Enjoy a luxury lunch of traditional Lao food by a secluded waterfall. Swimming in the natural pools may be possible, depending on the water level. After lunch, continue trekking for 1.5 hours on foot. The adventurous trail crosses bamboo bridges and passes waterfalls with blue pools in dense jungle. As you reach the end of the valley, traditional horses from the hill tribes will be waiting for you to carry your bags. They will accompany you for another 30 minutes’ trekking along fields and forest to Nam Khan River. Board a luxury bamboo raft and slowly float downstream, which is a relaxing 1.5-hour journey with an optional 30-minute stop at the Tad Sae Waterfall. At 16:30 transfer back to Luang Prabang.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 4: Luang Prabang - Kamu Lodge (B/L/D)

After breakfast at hotel, we visit Luang Prabang’s the most photographed temple, Wat Xieng Thong. Located at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong River, this temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat, the library was added in 1828. A short walk will then take you to Wat Xieng pier where you will embark on a cruise up the Mekong River from Luang Prabang to the Kamu Lodge. Along the way stop at the Pak Ou Caves. Locally referred to as Tam Ting, these two caves are carved out of towering limestone cliffs and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues. The Buddhas range in size from a few centimeters to the size of a human. The caves are as well a destination for local pilgrimages. Continue upriver for another hour to reach the Kamu Lodge for lunch. The Kamu Lodge features 20 private canvas tents, each one of which is protected from the elements by a thatch roof. The tents are also decorated with bamboo and wooden furniture allowing the Lodges’ grounds to harmoniously blend with surrounding nature. They each feature private attached bathroom and toilet with solar powered hot water and electricity.

This afternoon, you may choose to participate in a variety of different activities. You will be rewarded with a very original Lao experience:

-          Rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields

-          Gold panning (January to June) in the Mekong. Anything you find is yours!

-          Traditional fishing techniques in the Mekong. 

-          Local village visit and encounters

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at the Lodge

Day 5: Kamu Lodge - Luang Prabang (B/L/-)

Enjoy breakfast in the cool morning air and spend your morning as you wish. You might like to relax or visit the nearby local village with your guide. (check-out time: 10:30a.m).After lunch at the Lodge, the boat will depart around 2p.m for the cruise down to Luang Prabang, arriving around 5p.m. On arrival, your driver and guide will meet you at the boat pier for a private transfer to your hotel. This evening you will have a chance to participate in a unique, traditional Lao ceremony.  The Baci is performed in celebration of an important event such as weddings, births, or for welcoming guests and is a means of expressing good will and good luck to others. The Lao believe that each person has 32 spirits which constitute their spiritual essence and the Baci is the ritual used to call back any escaped spirits in to the body.  During the Baci, special flower trays and food treats are prepared which are then touch by the participants while a Buddhist mantra is chanted.  After the chanting is completed, cotton threads are tied around the participants’ wrist whilst they receive an individual blessing.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 6: Luang Prabang - Departure (B/-/-)

Luang Prabang - Airport : 5km, 11min drive

Breakfast is served at hotel. Depending on your departing flight you may have time at leisure before your transfer to the airport for departure. End of our services.

Meals Included: Breakfast