Luxury Tailor Made Journeys depart on the dates that work for you and feature expert local guides throughout your journey. The itinerary below can be customized to your interests.
ARRIVE LUANG PRABANG, LAOS
Arrive in Luang Prabang, where you are met, and enjoy VIP Fast Track Service before being transferred to your hotel. After checking in, spend the balance of the day at leisure.
LUANG PRABANG | GIVING ALMS
Rise before dawn to participate in the daily ceremonial offering of food to the local monks. As a procession of robed monks passes, place a small amount of rice into their alms bowls. This deeply spiritual ritual is a serene part of everyday life. Stop at a local fresh market before returning to your hotel for breakfast. Then, immerse yourself in the rich history of the region with a full-day, guided tour of Luang Prabang, known for its many beautiful Buddhist temples. First, visit the Royal Palace Museum, whose quaint appearance belies its stormy past. Its exhibits trace the story of the seven turbulent centuries of the Lan Xang Kingdom, as well as the colonial era up to the present. Next, visit the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its impressive tree of life mosaic and richly decorated wooden columns. And finally, transfer to Wat Khili, an excellent example of architecture from Xiengkhouang Province, which lies to the east. The monastery is said to have been founded for the commemoration of the marriage of a Phuan prince from Xiengkhouang to a princess from Luang Prabang in the early 19th century. After lunch at a local restaurant, view artifacts from the ethnic minorities of the region at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center. Head upriver to visit two artisan villages, as well as a few small traditional Lao villages. Each specializes in a particular handicraft such as woodcarving, papermaking or silk weaving. Finally, tour Wat Visoun, the city's oldest operating temple, and enjoy the sunset at the summit of Mount Phousi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to your hotel, and enjoy the evening at leisure.
LUANG PRABANG | CROP-TO-BOWL ORGANIC FARM EXPERIENCE
Learn more about the nation’s staple crop — rice — and other natural treasures on a half-day guided tour. First, meet a friendly local farmer and experience a typical day on his family’s organic farm, learning about the various crops that are harvested. Enjoy an authentic, hands-on “crop to bowl” experience, strolling through the verdant fields, tending to the produce in the organic vegetable garden and picking some ingredients before heading indoors to prepare a bowl of kaopun — Laotian noodles served in a delicious, aromatic broth.
DEPART LUANG PRABANG
This morning, set off for the cascading waters of Kuang Si Falls Park. Explore a path that runs alongside a wide multi-tiered waterfall tumbling over limestone formations. Cool off with a refreshing swim, or walk along the forest trails. Cap off your visit at a wildlife rescue dedicated to protecting and rehabilitating the rare and magnificent Asiatic black bear. Transfer to the airport and board your departure flight.
Enhance Your Journey
Elevate your experience with a host of options available for an additional cost.
ATTEND A BACI CEREMONY
Partake in an evening baci ceremony, a Laotian ritual of welcome, music and a traditional dance harkening back to the eighth century.
Private Sunset Cruise
In the late afternoon, you will be met for a short transfer to the Mekong Riverside, where you board the stylish boat for a private sunset cruise. Take in the panoramic views as the sun sinks behind the mountains, witnessing a changing sky of oranges, reds, pinks and purples. Relax and enjoy the luxury of the Mekong River. Sample traditional Lao canapés and sip a cold Beerlao, a refreshing glass of wine or a tasty mocktail. Return to town, and transfer back to your hotel by early evening.
MANDALAO ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE
After a 40-minute drive from Luang Prabang, meet with one of the sanctuary's directors, who shares fascinating stories about the majestic creatures, the refuge where they reside and the challenges they face. Follow the elephants on a two-hour trek through rice paddies and meandering creeks while witnessing their unique bond with their trainers. As you learn about Laos’ elephant history, reach a lovely patch of forest, where you sit down to a traditional Laotian picnic lunch, eating on bamboo mats on the forest floor.