Enchanting Luang Prabang

Assuming your arrival at Luang Prabang International Airport in late morning or midday (Flight and times to be confirmed, booked by yourselves).

Entry formalities into the country then welcome by your English-speaking local guide at the exit.

Transfer to the hotel for your check-in.

Note: Your room will only be available from 2 PM onwards. Before that, subject to availability on the day.

Free time and meals to rest or discover the city at your own pace, in complete peace of mind, meeting its people.

Around 4 PM, you will hike to the summit of Mont Phou Si, where you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and its surroundings at sunset. On your way down, don't miss the night market, a real gem of local craftsmanship (you can also browse it another evening, at your convenience).

In late afternoon, observe the city and in particular the monks. They gather in the wats (Buddhist temples) for prayers and chanting.

After breakfast, meet your local guide at your hotel reception at 08:00 AM.

You will begin your visit of the main monuments of the city of Luang Prabang, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

Start with the former Royal Palace which became the National Museum and the adjoining Vat Mai.

Continue with the Vat Xieng Mouane which will be a unique opportunity to discover a training center for certain manual trades linked to Buddhist art.

Next, the Heritage House (Heuan Chan Heritage House) will allow you to better understand the policies for protection, enhancement and preservation of the city of Luang Prabang. During your visit, you will also pass by the French Institute of Luang Prabang which was once the childhood home of humorist Pierre Desproges.

Lunch at the Café Vat Sène restaurant which is located opposite the primary school of Luang Prabang housed in a building built during the French era, an ideal location to experience the rhythm of the city

This afternoon, you will observe a ritual ceremony very present among the Hmong minorities. We know that currently Laos is home to several ethnic groups and has an immense ethnic wealth displayed through a multitude of behaviors, rituals, beliefs, clothing, languages and dialects throughout the country, but particularly in the North. The largest community is that of the Hmongs. The latter, animists, perceive life as a perpetual circle of birth and rebirth around two physical worlds that coexist together. These beliefs include different types of spirits: those of ancestors in particular. According to their beliefs, the human body is home to a certain number of souls that live together and, if one or more of these souls were to become isolated, the human can then face several illnesses.

Faced with these ailments, the Hmongs believe in healing by Shamans who can enter into contact with the Gods and spirits and act in their favor by making various offerings usually around an animal sacrifice. Indeed, for the Hmongs, the souls of sacrificed animals are in connection with the souls of humans in order to protect them.

Then we will offer you to visit the ethnology museum which allows a better understanding of the ethnic diversity of Laos and its cultural wealth. Ideal for a beautiful educational approach (closed on Mondays).

Return to the hotel and dinner at the Dyen Sabai restaurant, on the opposite bank of the Nam Khan river and accessible in the dry season by a small bamboo bridge that crosses it from the peninsula. This charming place is ideal for an evening of "sin dat", the Lao barbecue where you grill your own meat on a hot plate and boil your vegetables. A dish highly prized by locals, accompanied by a good Beerlao!

Today, early start to attend the alms-giving ceremony to the monks which takes place each morning around 5:30-6:00 in the city streets. Move away from the tourist center for more authenticity. Return to the hotel for breakfast passing through the fresh morning market.

Then, departure at 8:30 for a new experience. Road to the heart of the Nam Khan river valley, with your guide. Once at the elephant camp, introduction and visit of the camp to discover the world of the elephant, its condition in Laos and what surrounds it: the veterinarian, food, bathing etc. This discovery will be followed by a walk alongside the animal through the forest (with the aim of protection and respect for the animal, elephant rides are no longer practiced in Laos).

Discovery (if you wish) of the Tad Sae waterfalls (depending on the time of year. Rather from July to December when the pools are full of water, all this depending however on prior rainfall) and return to the camp for lunch which will be served as a buffet before returning to Luang Prabang

This afternoon, you will leave for the Ban Vat That pier for a short descent of the Mekong for approximately 15 minutes. Once you arrive at the Pha Tad Ke botanical garden (closed all Wednesdays), a presentation of the garden will be given to you so you can better understand its diversity and the history of its construction.

Continue along the trail which will offer you a splendid view of the karstic reliefs and the Mekong. In the hunters' lodge, it will be time to get your hands dirty by crafting your own bamboo hiking stick. The next stage will take you through the arboretum and the palm garden to continue into a bamboo forest and rice fields. In the "House of Mists", you will benefit from a presentation to better understand the importance of biodiversity and its conservation then head to the nursery for an optional discussion about orchids in Laos.

Return to the peninsula to meet your minivan then your hotel.

Dinner on your own. We recommend the refined and very fresh local cuisine of chef Linda which will delight you, in her restaurant Bamboo Tree which she runs with passion along the Nam Khan river, in the heart of the old town.

Breakfast. Free time this morning.

After lunch at the hotel, you will depart to the training center "Luang Prabang Deaf & Mute Community" which is a craft and training center for deaf and mute people in Luang Prabang. Students at the center learn different techniques in weaving, sewing, carpentry, mechanics as well as restoration. This vocational training provides them with the opportunity to become independent in their adult lives.

Discover a place centered on sustainable development and experience sustainable tourism while supporting the community of deaf and mute people!

Once there, you will visit their farm which houses vegetables and a few animals, their craft shop and finally, their weaving workshop.

Note : donation at your discretion

At the end of the day, if time permits, we invite you for a final visit to the « Children Cultural Centre of Luang Prabang » to better understand the daily life of children in Luang Prabang through activities offered on site such as: traditional dance, storytelling, games ... etc. (activities to be paid on site).

Return to your resort.