Luang Prabang, the former royal capital, is situated on the Mekong River and surrounded by beautiful green mountains. The town itself is picturesque and offers a wonderful mix of ancient temples and French-Indochinese architecture. 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 5 days (+ free airport pickup in the day before the tour starts) offers you an itinerary mainly focused on highlights of Luang Prabang

• Luang Prabang world heritage city tour (private)
• Kuang Si Waterfalls and ethnic minorities and local villages (private)
• Living land farm (private transfer / joint in half day experience + lunch in the farm)
• Longtail slow boat trip to Pak Ou Caves (joint in)
• 2 day elephant experience (joint in)
• 3 nights in Luang Prabang and 1 night in Elephant Camp
• Stay in a newly built private cottage overlooking the Mekong River surrounded by majestic nature in the Elephant Camp.

Sep 29th (Day 0): Pickup from airport

Upon arrival at the airport in the late afternoon, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Sep 30th (Day 1): Luang Prabang Heritage City (…/…/…) 

early start at early morning around 5:15 am in March to October and 5:45 in November to February. We rise early to observe the sunrise procession of monks receiving alms and experience offering food to monks. Morning Alms (Sai Bat) is a longstanding tradition in Laos Buddhist culture, and is very unique to Laos. Laos is the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

We then visit Luang Prabang morning market. The market lining a couple of quiet streets near the Royal Palace, starts early and is over by mid-morning. It sets up along a couple of side-streets next to one of the city’s many Wats. A butcher and some of the more touristy stalls have actual tables for their wares. But most of the vendors, selling anything from rice to fresh vegetables to steamed fish to frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground. 

We then go back to the hotel at 7:00 and have breakfast. Pickup again from hotel at 8:30 am, we start with a visit to Mount Phousi that is a 100 m high hill in the centre of the old town, located on the peninsula between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. 328 steps to the top will be an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa Wat Tham. In the top of the hill, we enjoy the view over the heritage town. Our guide gives a brief introduction to today’s tour and geography of Luang Prabang.

We climb down the hill and moved by car to the tip of Luang Prabang peninsula. We start walking tour from the confluence between the Mekong and the Nam Khan river to the Royal Palace located in the center. Our guide will take you to the many temples and historical architectures as much as time allows until lunch break. 

Wat Xieng Thong, once known as “The Temple of the Golden City”, holds great cultural, historic and architectural importance. It is serenely situated near the tip of the peninsula at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, with a grand staircase leading up from the Mekong. For centuries it was considered the ceremonial gateway to the town, with visiting dignitaries and soon-to-be-crowned kings arriving via these steps.

Wat Sene, The temple was built in 1718 by King Kitsarath with 100,000 stones from the Mekong river. It literally means "Temple of 100,000 treasures"

Wat Mai, built in 1788, known for its glorious bas-relief work, golden stencilling of its sim (assembly hall), and for the ritual cleansing of the Phra Bang during Lao New Year.

Heuan Chan Heritage, is a traditional wooden house dated back to over 100 years ago and a very rare surviving example of a pre-colonial Lao style aristocratic mansion.

After lunch break, we start the second section of the city tour and visit the Royal Palace, which is today the national museum and built by French colonialists between 1904-09, displays a lovely collection of artefacts and offers you an insight into the fascinating history and culture of Laos. 

Next it’s on to the impressive stupa of Wat Wisunarat that is the oldest Buddhist temple dating to the 16th century, known for its large, watermelon-domed stupaand and also the shrine of Wat Aham. 

The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) has been a private non-profit making museum devoted to the different ethnic groups in Laos, exhibits items of ethnic clothing, religious artefacts, working tools. Its intention is to increase understanding of the different ways of life and the traditions of different ethnic groups in Laos.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Oct 1st (Day 2): Kuang Si Falls and local villages (…/…/…) 

The best way to know the wonder of nature and the rich diversity of culture in Laos is visiting the real places by yourself rather than virtual experiences in museum or National Geography. 

Today, we go on a road trip to discover the gem of the countryside and the most beautiful waterfalls in Laos, Tad Kuang Si. 

The countryside is an ethnic patchwork as complex as the paddy plots. We visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village. Those villages still preserve their traditional lifestyles and culture while facing rapid modernization. We meet the village people directly and learn from our guide about their different roots and culture.

Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfalls, we have lunch break and relax and enjoy the magnificent natural surroundings. The water tumbles down and cascades gently into several cool, clear pools where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. The adventurous may walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where stunning views are awaiting them. Kuang Si Waterfalls also is a place where a rescue center for protecting sunbears, the endangered species, is located.

On the return journey, we have a stop at Lao Buffalo Dairy farm and try some incredible ice cream. If time allows, we enter the farm and observe their activity as an excellent example of sustainability in action. We then visit Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre where you will meet the Master Weavers and see silk weaving on your very own. You will discover the fascinating world of Lao textiles and handicrafts. After the visit you can have a stroll in the beautiful tropical garden with a nice sunset view of the mighty Mekong River.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Oct 2nd (Day 3): The Living Land: Rice Farm Experience (…/L/…) 

After breakfast, we drive to Ban Phong Van about 5kms outside Luang Prabang, among lush rice fields and overlooked by wooded hills and mountains to join in a Living Rice Farm where they grow organic vegetables, salads, herbs and rice and supply leading restaurants and hotels in Luang Prabang. Coming here you will be shown how rice is grown on the farm, experience the life of a farmer and try your hand at some of the activities. Or just view it all from the comfort of our traditional Lao rice house balcony, which is surrounded by rice terraces and our organic vegetable farm. All the family can join in and there are great photo opportunities. After experience in the farm, we enjoy lunch at restaurant overlooking their rice fields and taste typical Lao dishes.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Oct 4th (Day 4): Morning Alms, Boat trip to Pak Ou Caves, Elephant Experience (B/L/D) 

At 8:00, we go to Luang Prabang boat pier and embark on a boat trip to Pak Ou Caves on the Mekong River. We see a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as the mysterious nature on the way. After 1 and a half hours, we reach Pak Ou where the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers. Pak Ou Caves are two linked caves crammed with thousands of lacquered Buddha Status of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Exploring the caves about 40 min, the boat trip takes us to Manifa Elephant Camp. We enjoy beautiful buffet style lunch at the restaurant – overlooking the Mekong river.

At about 1 PM, we start “MAHOUT EXPERIENCE PROGRAM“.

• Get used to being close to and comfortable with (one of our) elephants
• Share in the experience of cruelty free riding (optional bareneck or howdah)
• Feed our elephants their favorite snacks
• Splash around in the water during bathing time
• Learn from mahouts the basic communication commands to help you learn how to safely control the elephant by yourself
• Take elephants back to their home into the forest on our property

The program temporarily last in the late afternoon. In the end, we take elephants to their resident bamboo forests. From evening to next morning, we have free time in the Mekong riverside and enjoy Lao style BBQ for dinner.

Overnight in Manifa Elephant Camp

Oct 5th (Day 5): Continue Elephant Experience (B/L/…) 

We resume Mahout Program in early morning at 6:30 to bring elephants from forests with Manifa mahout team,  then we take elephants to the Mekong river for bathing and interaction for a while.

Having a breakfast break, then we join Manifa Mahout team and experience Mahout work from around 10 – 12 AM. “MAHOUT EXPERIENCES　TRAINING PROGRAM” ends with this 2 hours experience working as Mahout. After lunch we have free time to relax in the elephant camp. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for departure.

*Additional 3% Charge for Credit Card Payments

Inclusive of above prices:

• Private transportation in private air-conditioned
• English speaking guide 
• Gov’t tax and service charge
• Luggage handling

Exclusive of above prices:

• Accommodation
• Visa stamping fee 
• Domestic airticket with airport tax
• Int’l air tickets to / from Laos
• Travel Insurance in all kinds
• Meals:lunch or dinner where not stated
• Tip, drinks, personal expenses and others