DAY 1:ARRIVAL IN LUANG PRABANG – BACI CEREMONY – WELCOME DINNER (D)

On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel.
Situated in the centre of northern Laos, Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment.
After a soft rest, you may want to stroll around for the first impression of this ancient city.
Late afternoon, join a private Baci ceremony at a local family. The Baci ceremony as a traditional ritual of the Lao people expresses the spirituality of the country and is a highly memorable experience and a deep insight into Lao culture for the participants.
The welcome dinner will be served at one of the best restaurants in town.
Lunch on your own. Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 2: ANCIENT CITY & HIDDEN CORNERS OF LUANG PRABANG (B)

After breakfast, our guide will take you on an in-depth walking tour of the city.
The walk is oriented towards the lesser-known parts of the town including charming lanes showing the more traditional atmosphere of the heritage town.
Along the way, we will see the four different types of buildings categorized by UNESCO.
The first one is the traditional Lao house which is made from tropical hardwood or bamboo and built on stilts.
The second is a half wood and half cement house built after the arrival of the French.
The third is the traditional French colonial building that are similar to those found in Vietnam and Cambodia.
The last form of architecture you will see is the old Chinese shop houses that were built to be used for both commercial and residential purposes.
In the afternoon, we will visit some famous attractions inside city center including the oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.
We then continue with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. From there, we walk to the nearby Wat Mai, which is one of Luang Prabang’s largest and most richly decorated temples.
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.

Meals on your own. Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 3: BUFFALO DAIRY FARM – KUANG SI WATERFALL – BUTTERFLIES PARK (B)

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.
We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken.
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer out to visit the Buffalo Dairy Farm, which is a socially responsible, sustainable farm, and social enterprise, aiming to improve the rural prosperity, welfare, nutrition, and health of the local population, with a focus on buffalo farming, and childhood nutrition

Then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si, which is the biggest waterfall 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

If you wish, take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center (closed at 15h00 every day for bear care), which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.

After that, you can visit the nearby Butterflies Park (closed every Thursdays), where you can enjoy the afternoon tea with the homemade cookies whilst relaxing inside the green peaceful garden full of colorful butterflies
On the way back to Luang Prabang, 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 is also one of the best spots to admire the sunset in Luang Prabang
Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon. 

Meals on your own. Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 4: MEKONG RIVER – PAK OU CAVES – TAEC SEMINAR (B)

After breakfast, embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. 
Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine.

End of your visit, cruise back to town. 
Arriving back in town, we will visit Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center, the collection of diverse Lao ethnic groups. We will stroll around to visit the center to understand more about the Lao ethnic culture.

Here, we will join the seminars of “Ethnic Diversity and Cultural Change in Laos”

This fascinating 60-minute presentation and question-and-answer session gives background on Laos’ ethnic communities, their history, and their cultural practices, including livelihoods and crafts. Guests have an opportunity to learn about lifestyles in ethnic villages and are shown unique artefacts from TAEC’s collection that are not accessible to the general public.

The seminars are led by one of the two TAEC Founder/Directors, either Thongkhoun Soutthivilay, a Luang Prabang-native who worked at the Luang Prabang National Museum for 10 years, and who has attended trainings and conferences in the US, Thailand, Netherlands, Japan, and Brunei; or Tara Gujadhur, an American who has worked in Luang Prabang for over 10 years, with a background in anthropology and sustainable tourism development.

Meals on your own. Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG - MANDALAO ELEPHANT SANCTUARY (join-in activity on spot/ elephant bathing and riding are not available) – CHATEAU ORIENTALE (B/L)

Pick Up Time: Our tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel lobby at 08:30.

Arrive at MandaLao: Get an in-depth introduction into elephant behavior and communication.

Meet the Elephants: Guests cross the Nam Khan River by long tail boat for the first introduction to our elephants. MandaLao guides will introduce guests to our elephants and mahouts, providing background on our elephants. Guests will be provided bananas and/or sugar cane to feed the elephants.

Trek (total ~6km): Pass beautiful Lao gardens before exploring the jungle-covered Huay Nok stream. Guests walk with the elephants through the jungle as they interact with each other and forage on native foods. MandaLao guides continue to explain elephant behavior as they guide guests through the forest. The trek is 2.5 Km and takes about 1.5 hours, it is flat and shaded most of the way.

After some final treats for the elephants, continue Trekking. The remainder of the trek is flat and goes at a slow pace as guests follow the elephants through the jungle while they continue to forage on native foods.

Lunch: A traditional Lao lunch will be served in banana leaves in the jungle near one of our night enclosures

Tad Kuang Song Waterfall: Guests visit this hidden treasure and have the opportunity to take a cool refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters.

Ban Hua Tad Village: Walk through a Khmu village and see local life.

Say goodbyes: After some final treats for the elephants, guests leave the elephants and mahouts at our night enclosure and begin the trek back to MandaLao with their guide.

Return to restaurant: Guests enjoy a drink and snack at our restaurant as they reflect on the day’s adventure. Tour finishes around 16h00. 

Late afternoon, we will walk, or get transferred if you are tired, to the nearby charming Chateau Orientale, a sanctuary in which to unwind and relax both body & soul. In a setting along a picturesque riverside location, you will find this ancient oriental hermitage in the middle of the Laotian jungle.

Lunch included. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Chateau Orientale.

DAY 6: CHATEAU ORIENTALE – LEISURE DAY NO GUIDE NO DRIVER  (B)

You are free to stroll around the resort for your own exploration. There are plenty of activities on spots such as kayaking, cycling, or trekking. Check with us in advance to pre-arrange the activities that you want to have.

Meals on your own. Overnight at Chateau Orientale

DAY 7: CHATEAU ORIENTALE – LEISURE DAY NO GUIDE NO DRIVER  (B)

You are free to stroll around the resort for your own exploration. There are plenty of activities on spots such as kayaking, cycling, or trekking. Check with us in advance to pre-arrange the activities that you want to have.

Meals on your own. Overnight at Chateau Orientale

DAY 8:  BACK TO LUANG PRABANG – DEPARTURE (B)

Free to stroll around the lodge before our driver pick you up for transferring back to Luang Prabang Airport to take the departure flight. Meals on your own. 

We look forward to seeing you again on your next adventure with Vinasoul Travel!

PRICE INCLUDING:

PRICE EXCLUDING:

Suggestions for tipping and gratuities: 

+ Group under 6 pax: 20 USD per Group per day.

+ Group from 6 pax up: 3 - 5 USD per pax per day 

+ Group under 6 pax: 10 USD per Group per day. 

+ Group from 6 pax up: 2 USD per pax per day