HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience the authentic lao lifestyle while discovering the warmth and hospitality of the Laotian people.
• Be enchanted by Luang Prabang, a UNESCO Heritage site.
• Experience the centuries old tradition of morning alms in Luang Prabang.
• Stay in tented accommodation at Kamu Lodge.
• See the beauty of the Mekong River.
• Enjoy superb river scenery along Nam Ou River.

Day by Day itineraries

Day 1: Luang Prabang Arrival.

"Sabaidee" - Welcome to magical Laos! Upon arrival at Luang Prabang International Airport, you will be picked up by Laos Travel's representative and transferred to your hotel for checking in. Enjoy a welcome drink and choose to relax or explore nearby sights on your leisure time.

Nestled in a mountain valley at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers is the enchanting World Heritage town and former royal capital of Luang Prabang. It's a magical and captivating place with stunning colonial architecture, ornate monasteries and colourful markets. Luang Prabang has many great cafés, restaurants and night food stalls which emerge at dusk, ask the guide for personal recommendations to enjoy your dinner.



Meals: N/A.

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Discover Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage City.

An early start provides the fantastic opportunity to witness the captivating centuries old daily tradition of the alms giving ceremony, Tak Bat. Before sunrise, hundreds of saffron-clad monks file out from the old town's 35 temples to collect their daily alms from faithful local residents.

Following the ceremony, wander around the beautiful ancient town of Luang Prabang, also written as Luang Phabang or Luang Phrabang, taking in all of the sights. Enjoy a leisurely walk to the magnificent stupa of Wat Wisunarat, one of Luang Prabang's most historically important temples, built in the 16th century and serving as a small museum for religious artefacts. Next stop is Wat That Luang, traditionally the cremation site for Lao Royalty and housing the ashes of King Sisavang Vong and his brother, interred inside the large stupa, erected in 1910.

Continue to Wat Xieng Thong, a 16th century temple which epitomizes the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture and showcases classic Lao style roofs. This temple was one of only two temples spared by the Black Flag army in 1887, and it was then used as the leaders headquarters during the invasion.

Pay visits to Wat Mai and the nearby former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, before climbing to the top of Mount Phousi. The 100 meter (328 feet) hill is crowned by a gilded stupa, That Chomsi, which dominates the old city centre. Enjoy a sunset view of the gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city and surrounding landscape.



Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 3: Luang Prabang Kuang Si Waterfall.

After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the area around one of Luang Prabang's most impressive and picturesque waterfalls, Kuang Si. Trek through jungle park-lands to Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, located nearby. Established in 2003, the centre has rescued numerous bears from wildlife traffickers and traditional medicine traders. Here, you will help-out with the bears' midday scatter feed. Afterwards, stroll to Kuang Si Waterfall, where a 60m cascade feeds into multi-tiered turquoise pools set in a beautiful lush forest setting. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool water or choose to walk up the trails to the upper section.

After a picnic lunch in the tranquil park, return to the town to relax or explore more of the local area independently.



Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch.

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang Pak Ou Caves Kamu Lodge.

Depart Luang Prabang on a 2.5 to 3 hour journey by boat up the Mekong River to the Kamu Lodge - a rustic ecolodge committed to low-impact environment, set in a remote river valley of rice paddies backed by forested mountains.

Stop at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, near Pak Ou Village, to visit the Tam Thing Cave. Translated as Rock Cave, it is famous for housing over 2,500 Buddha statues of all sizes and for being a place of pilgrimage for locals.

Continue upriver to your rural experiences base where you will enjoy a lovely local lunch at Kamu Lodge. Every bend here illustrates that old South-East Asian adage: "same same but different" timeless, unspoiled, hypnotically beautiful.

In the afternoon, there are a variety of activities to choose from including, rice planting and harvesting, gold panning (January to June), traditional fishing, local village visits or even an archery contest.

Enjoy dinner in the open-sided fale in the centre of the rice paddy and overnight accommodation in one of 20 safari-style tents on the banks of the Mekong.



Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Accommodation: Kamu Lodge.

Day 5: Kamu Lodge Luang Prabang.

This morning you will get to enjoy another half-day at your rural retreat where you can again choose the activities that your group will participate in. Then jump back in to your long boat a head back to Luang Prabang, where you have some free time before going out and exploring the fascinating night market that lines the main street in town.



Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 6: Luang Prabang Living Land Farm Experience Nong Khiaw.

Agriculture is a key part of life in Laos, making up half of the country's economic output, and nowhere is this more apparent than at Living Land. Please note that the below experience will be operated on a shared basis.

This morning head into the countryside to visit the Living Land Farm for a fun and hands on half-day farming experience. You are invited to interact and try a hand at each step of the rice harvest, and see how different tools are created. Enjoy a tasty lunch of traditional Lao dishes at the farm's Rice House, while soaking up the spectacular views of rice terraces and mountains beyond.

Then drive a 3-hour journey to Nong Khiaw, a rustic little town on the bank of Nam Ou River in Northern Laos. Check in to the hotel and relax.

Later in the afternoon, take a short walk down over a bridge before beginning the trek up Pha Daeng Peak. The hike will take about 2 hours to reach the summit.



Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Nong Khiaw.

Day 7: Nong Kiaw Muang Ngoy.

A small rustic town, Nong Khiaw's managed to escape the influx of tourism that nearby areas have seen, and visitors can still take in the sights while enjoying the sounds of birds singing and cicadas chirping.

Enjoy breakfast overlooking the river as the mist hangs in the valley then head out with your guide to the village of Muang Ngoy, an isolated fishing village, to trek and kayak along the scenic Nam Ou River. Ride a traditional boat upstream on the Nam Ou River for 45 minutes. You will have opportunities to see buffaloes bathing in water, local people fishing and children swimming in the river. It is an idyllic location and surely gives you a sense of peaceful serenity.

En route, stop at a small Khmu village of of Ban Sopkonh where you can learn about local people's way of life. Then trek through local farmland and rice paddies to the start of the jungle and discover the beautiful limestone Tad Mook Waterfall. Relax and enjoy a refreshing splash in this perfect setting where picnic lunch will be held.

Return to the Nam Ou River to continue your journey by kayak. On the last section of the river paddle through some easy rapids on the approach to Nong Khiaw.



Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch.

Accommodation: Hotel in Nong Khiaw.

Day 8: Nong Khiaw Luang Prabang Departure.

After breakfast, enjoy the scenic ride from Nong Khiaw back to Luang Prabang, where your journey ends.

Depending on flight schedules, it may be necessary to book a day-use hotel or another overnight stay in Luang Prabang (at additional charge).

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: N/A.