Under the Sign of Relaxation in Laos

We arrive at the international airport of Vientiane Wattay and proceed with immigration formalities. Our English-speaking guide welcomes us there.

We head to our hotel by private car to settle in.

We have lunch at the Dok Ka Noi restaurant which offers a different menu every day depending on seasonal products, market finds and Chef Noy's inspiration. This restaurant is committed to sustainable development and sees itself as the first of its kind in Laos. A little off the beaten path, the typically Lao cuisine is worth the trip. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

In the afternoon, we board a songthew, one of the country's local forms of transport, to explore the capital through its iconic sites. Among the monuments to visit, That Luang is unmissable. It is the most important stupa in the country. We pass by the Patuxay (Laotian triumphal arch) before heading to Vat Sisaket, a sumptuous monastery. We don't miss seeing Vat Hoprakeo, the former refuge of the Emerald Buddha.

At the end of the day, we meet at the night market and at the Parc Chao Anouvong to witness the magnificent sunset over the Mekong. It is the meeting place for locals.

We then head to the Naga Boat moored along the Mekong for a delightful welcome dinner in a warm atmosphere.

Early in the morning, we head to the banks of the Mekong for a Tai Chi session led by an experienced instructor. The objective of this session lasting nearly an hour is to channel our energies. (It is possible to organize this activity in the evening or the next morning before departure).

We have breakfast at the hotel, then set off to discover the Laotian capital through an extraordinary experience.

To better understand the capital Vientiane, we are offered a complete immersion in the life of Vientiane residents in the company of a local host. Very flexible, there is no program to follow, nor any predefined itinerary; our host listens to our wishes and advises us on places and sites to discover. Our companion will lead us through the city to unique locations little or not known to travelers in general. It is a true sharing of knowledge and experiences that is offered to us. We will discover certain secret spots in the capital where only locals have left their mark.

The return to the hotel is done according to our preference.

To know: the hosts are not professional tourism guides and propose this day with the desire to share "their" Vientiane. All profiles are different, from students to retirees to expatriates. Hosts make themselves available according to their availability.

Note: Each local host is unique and cannot be in two places at once! It goes without saying that their availability is only guaranteed from the moment we have fixed dates, that you have committed to us and that they confirm their availability to us. First come, first served. In the event of unavailability or unfortunate cancellation by the local host at any time, we will make every effort to find you a backup solution with another local host with a similar profile. Have no concerns in this regard. This "local host" offer is unique and we encourage you to adopt an open and tolerant attitude.

After visiting the capital, we head to Lao Disabled Women Development Center, a center whose purpose is the professional reinsertion of disabled women. We find there in particular craft production workshops. The visit allows us to observe their production process and to learn more about their activities. It is even possible to participate in a manual newspaper recycling workshop.

We have lunch at the center with the learners and trainers.

Return to Vientiane for a free afternoon.

In the late afternoon, we take a short detour to the COPE exhibition center if we have time. An opportunity to learn more about the impact of the second Vietnam War on local populations through UXO.

Free dinner, but the Pha Khao Lao restaurant is recommended. This discreet Lao-Thai establishment is located in a picturesque alley in the city center and offers delicious Lao-Thai cuisine.

This morning, we depart on board a comfortable boat to reach a small town located about ten minutes from Luang Prabang. Monica, an Austrian expatriate, welcomes us with pleasure and takes us to the main street to witness the daily morning alms-giving of novices and monks. This religious practice is not always viewed favorably by tourists and can cause discomfort to the monks. Monica will tell us a bit more about this alms-giving. It is possible for us, upon invitation from the locals, to participate in the offering to the monk.

We have a full breakfast (sweet or savory of your choice) at Monica's place which has a magnificent view of the Mekong.

We resume our journey to Luang Prabang to embark on a guided tour of the vat Pa Phai, an important local temple. Here we will learn everything related to Laotian Buddhism (architecture, culture, daily routine of monks and novices…).

We then engage in a guided meditation session in a local temple. A unique experience that undoubtedly allows us to better understand the importance of meditation in Buddhism.

Note: for this meditation activity, it is important to wear respectful clothing, that is, to cover your shoulders and knees.

Lunch at the Silk Road Café which is located in the heart of the weaving center Boutique Ock Pop Tok. The latter is dedicated to the preservation of know-how and traditional practices in the textile field, it should be noted that this sector holds a leading place in the country's economy. We take the opportunity to visit the weaving center.

We are transferred to the jetty to begin our Mekong cruise. Navigation for 1 hour 45 minutes to reach the Pak Ou caves located at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Ou river. Upon arrival, we discover mythical caves containing a multitude of Buddha statues. Laotian pilgrims flock there during the Lao New Year in mid-April. Throughout our river cruise, teas of different local flavors will be served to us.

We then return to the peninsula to relax with a traditional Lao massage in a professional salon, an essential Asian culture.

Return to the hotel and free evening.

Dinner at Dyen Sabai, on the banks of the Nam Khan river, accessible by a small bamboo bridge. We can try the sindat, the Lao barbecue much appreciated by locals.

We have breakfast before starting a bike tour of the main monuments of Luang Prabang, a city inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

We start with the Royal Palace which has become the National Museum. This allows us to better understand the policy of protection and enhancement of the city of Luang Prabang.

At the Royal Palace Museum, we will have the opportunity to discover trades dedicated to Buddhist art at its training center. We then walk along the facade of the French Institute of Luang Prabang, former residence of comedian Pierre Desproges.

The adventure continues at the magnificent Kuang Si waterfalls. These cascades are located 32 km from Luang Prabang. The road leading there is adorned with splendid rice field landscapes. On site, we enjoy its pools of crystal-clear waters. We will visit its small permanent exhibition focused on the preservation of black bears in Southeast Asia threatened with extinction.

Apart from the waterfalls which constitute a major attraction of the region, we have the opportunity to swim in natural pools with turquoise and crystal-clear waters.

We head back to Luang Prabang for free time.

At the end of the day, we make a short detour to Vat Prabat Tai where we observe the beautiful sunset. We have the possibility to share moments of fun with locals by playing petanque. Be sure not to miss the night market, located at the foot of Mount Phou Si, with its artisanal stalls.

Free dinner, but Luang Prabang Kitchen is recommended with its wonderful setting on the main street and its delicious cuisine.

This morning, we start the day with an approximately one-hour yoga session. A wonderful way to wake up and get in shape while reconnecting with our inner balance.

We then have breakfast at the hotel.

We climb to the summit of Mount Phou Si, via a staircase of 382 steps, to enjoy a superb panorama of the city and its surroundings. In the morning, the site is quieter and we enjoy a gentle climb.

We head to the dock for a boat trip to the pottery village of Ban Chan where we stroll around. We continue with a approximately one-hour boat ride along the Mekong to reach Vat Chompet, which offers a breathtaking view of the city.

Then, we venture into the shade of the trees towards Vat Longkun, a unique site that was renovated by France and has since been resettled by a community of monks. Here, we enjoy the peaceful and warm atmosphere to share our experiences with the monks who will teach us more about Buddhist culture. We have lunch in their company.

We then board a boat to return to Luang Prabang where our vehicle awaits to transfer us directly to our hotel.

We enjoy some free time to rest before attending the baci ceremony organized for us to ward off evil spirits.

Friendly dinner with the family who organized the ceremony. A wonderful moment of sharing spiritual and culinary experience.

We have breakfast at the hotel before departing for a wonderful culinary experience. A cooking class in groups of 12 people maximum will be led by a local chef. We start the class with a visit to the Phosy market to purchase the essential ingredients for our future Laotian recipe. We return to the kitchen for the practical session.

After preparation, we can finally enjoy the dishes we have prepared with pride (drinks not included).

Our afternoon is free, and we can take advantage of it to do our last souvenir shopping, or to soak in the atmosphere of the city one last time.

We are transferred to the airport for the return flight.

Note : hotel check-out is at noon, but it is possible with an additional charge to keep your room until your departure time. Please contact us to arrange this.