ENCHANTING LUANG PRABANG 5 DAYS

One of the region’s cultural and atmospheric highlights, Luang Prabang is sure to enchant its royal traditions, deep-rooted Buddhist customs, and classic architecture. The locals are always happy to explain and cherish their experiences and talents with curious foreigners. Participate in a fascinating tour taking in the key sites of this quaint town as well deeper excursions into the heritage of the city and to the lesser-known destinations with like-minded travelers like yourself. Interact with the locals and come away with a new understanding of life in Luang Prabang! - Highlight Laos Tour, Luang Prabang Highlight Discover, Best Destination in Laos, Must-go Destination in Laos.

Tour type: Private tour, Join in tour                                   Duration: 5 Days  

Departure: Daily from Luang Prabang                               Tour Styles: Relaxation, Cultural, Nature

Destination: Luang Prabang - Baci Ceremony - Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre - Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center - Pak Ou Caves - Ban Chan Village

ITINERARY TOUR:

DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL - SIGHTSEEING TOUR

Welcome to Laos - "The Land of a milion elephants". Upon arrival, tour guide and driver welcome you at airport then take you to hotel to check in.

After taking a soft rest, you will start the city tour with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall. If we have enough time, we will take a short walk around the small streets of city center, watching the life of local people, and visiting the traditional house of Heuan Chan, the Chantal wooden house dating back to 100 years old. After that, you will visit Haw Kham Royal Palace, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.

In the 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. From there, we 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. Dinner will be served after that for you to share with the host family. This is a great chance to learn more about customs, culture of Laos.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG CULTURE EXPERIENCE

After breakfast, tour guide and driver pick up you at hotel to start the cultural tour with the first visit to Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. Then we drive to 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 diverse ethnic culture. After that, 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 culturalpractices, including livelihoods and crafts. Guests have an opportunity to learn about lifestyles in ethnic villages, and are shown unique artefacts fromTAEC’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 The ethnic Khmu lunch will be served at TAEC Café.

In the afternoon, we will drive out of the city to visit Ban Xangkhong, the Thai Lue village, which is famous for its arts and crafts. Here, we will join the demonstration of the process of making the Saa paper, which is the special handmade paper of Lao people, made from mulberry tree. The demonstration will take about 01 hour, then you can try making some products from the paper such as lantern, handbag, or book. You can bring what you do back home as the souvenir. If time permit, we can visit some traditional textile loom, and the nearby Ban Xienglek. After that, we come back to hotel and relax in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

TAEC closes on Monday

DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG - OCK POP TOCK LIVING CRAFT CENTER

This morning, we will visit Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Center, which is set on the grounds of stunning tropical garden on the Mekong, it’s the perfect place to learn more about this unique Lao art. First, we will join 2.5–hour hands-on workshop & learning experience, which is the great introduction to the world of Lao textiles where visitors get to try a bit of everything and dye their own scarf. Here is the workshop structure: Meet the Silkworms – an explanation of the worms’ lives; some interesting facts regarding sericulture; Guests prepare mulberry leaves and feed the worms. Preparing Natural Dyes – a brief introduction to natural dyes; guests are invited to prepare two dye sources sourced from plants growing in the LCC gardens; guests dye white scarves in their chosen colours. Refreshments Break: Fruit platters and Lao-style drinks Meet the Weavers – an introduction to the looms and the different weaving techniques. Ikat Weaving Demonstration – guests are invited to try weaving and spinning on our demonstration looms. The lunch will be served at the Silk Road Café. In the afternoon, you have the option to join 01 of the following classes (not included in the price, extra charge as below): Natural Dye Class You will be taught the secrets of natural dye preparation and try mixing them yourself, with many of the ingredients coming from the surrounding gardens. By the end of the class you will have 3 dyed silk skeins to take home as souvenirs. Weaving Class One of the expert weavers will be your personal tutor to help you master the impressive art of weaving. As a novice you will select just two colours and create a placemat with a Lao motif. You can witness the Lao ladies weaving incredibly intricate patterns and truly appreciate their skill having tried yourself! Hmong Batik Drawing Class The Hmong Batik Class is an introduction to Hmong culture. Each student will create a wax resist, Hmong style design on hand loomed hemp. Due to time constraints it is not possible to complete the dye portion of the process. The natural hemp renders a beautiful finished piece. Bamboo weaving class Join the master bamboo weaver and learn about the many uses of bamboo in Laos. Half day class students will weave a placemat or traditional fan. Then, we return to our hotel in the late afternoon. The whole evening is free on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG - MORNING ALMS GIVING - PAK OU CAVES - BAN CHAN

Today we will wake up early to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents (Tak Bat: Lao Monks' Morning Alms). This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From there, we will take a short visit to the morning local market near the Royal Palace. At the market, you can find anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground, this is what the locals do every day. This is really the chance for you to get a real flavor of the local culture.

After that, we come back to hotel to enjoy the brekfast then we board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of 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. On our way back, we pass the local villages at Ban Chan. The village is renowned in the region for its pottery making. Admire a young man work the clay into a small bowl, and visit the underground kilns which are used to cook hundreds of jars at a time. These ancestral methods are transferred, from one generation to another and require patience and dexterity. Feel free to support them by buying a little figurine in order to support their handicraft (at own expenses). We then walk to the nearby Chanthavinh Resort, where we will spend the night peaceful night in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Chanthavinh Resort

DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG DEPARTURE

Have breakfast at your hotel. Free time until driver picks up at lobby then transfer to airport for your depature flight.

Thanks for joining us and we hope to see you in the future.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: N.A

PACKAGE PRICES:

Notes:

• *All prices are based on per adult, in Double/Twin sharing
• Small group tour available (max 10 guests): HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
• Surcharge will be applied for single traveler or single room request

OUR PRICE INCLUDE:

• 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 1 Dinner
• Car, Cruise
• Hotel (3 nights), Chanthavinh Resort (1 night), N.A (1 night)
• Accommodation in TWN/ DBL sharing except overnight at local homestay or on train
• All transport and transfer by air conditioned vehicle (including airport pick up & see off), as per itinerary
• All in-tour stationed local English speaking guide.
• Entrance fees as per itinerary
• Meals as indicated in the program

OUR PRICE EXCLUDE:

• Hotel EARLY check in & LATE check out
• Peak season surcharge & compulsory dinner at the hotel (if any)
• International flights with taxes
• Travel Insurance
• Tips, laundry and gratuities
• Meals not marked on itinerary, and water during meals

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Cancellation by Customer

• 60 days prior to the arrival date: Non Refundable deposit charge and the cancellation fees applied by the concerned services suppliers such as flight company, boat company, train, hotels… in accordance with their cancellations policies if any.
• 59 – 31 days prior to arrival date: Cancellations fee of 30% per group/booking and plus the cancellation fees applied by the concerned services suppliers such as flight company, boat company, train, hotels… in accordance with their cancellations policies if any.
• 30 days – 15 days prior to arrival date: Cancellations fee of 50% per group/booking plus the cancellation fees applied by the concerned services suppliers such as flight company, boat company, train, hotels… in accordance with their cancellations policies if any.
• 14 – 7 days before arrival: Cancellations fee 70% charge plus the cancellation fees applied by the concerned services suppliers such as flight company, boat company, train, hotels… in accordance with their cancellations policies if any.
• Less than 7 days before arrival Or No show: 100 % charge per group/booking.

*** Nonrefundable deposit and banking service fee will be forfeited in all cancellation cases.

CHILDREN PRICES:

• The rate for children applicable for one child sharing a twin or double cabin with two adults
• For infant (<04 years old): FOC except domestic ticket cost
• 04 - 11 years old without bed: 50% adult rate
• 04 - 11 years old with extra bed: 75% adult rate
• 04 - 11 years old in twin share: 90% adult rate

Viet Green Payment Policies

Flexibility is our strongest point. You can amend your booking when it is made. Just contact us at info@vietgreentravel.com with your booking number. Our reservations team is glad to amend your booking accordingly.

Tags: Highlight Laos Tour, Luang Prabang Highlight Discover, Best Destination in Laos, Must-go Destination in Laos