LUANG PRABANG & MEKONG RIVER 5D/4NT

Welcome to Laos! We will pick you up at the airport and transfer to your hotel for check in. Meet your guide, refresh and enjoy your first Lao culinary adventure in a restaurant nearby.

The first half of the day is spent visiting the museum at the former Royal Palace Museum which was built between 1904 & 1905, during the French colonial times as a residence for King Sisavangvong. This fascinating museum features the original royal chambers, paintings depicting traditional Lao life, a throne room, and four of the old royal cars, including an Easel.
We then continue to the monasteries of Wat Xieng Thong which was built by King Sayasettha back in 1565. It is also known as the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang.

The next stop is Wat Visoun temple which was built by King Visounnarath 500 years ago in 1513! After enjoying lunch we head to Ock Pop Tok weaving center – a Lao fair trade textile enterprise. The next stop is the incredibly scenic Kuang Xi Waterfall which is surrounded with turquoise blue pools and an ideal place for swimming! You will pass by the Free the Bears Center, a rescue center for endangered Asiatic black bears. If available, chat with the centers Program Manager and learn about the pan-Asian organization which provides a home for black bears res-cued from poachers and traffickers. Back in Luang Prabang we will visit Wat Phousi to enjoy the rewarding view of the city.

Approximately: 2 hours transfer & 5 hours sight seeing

We depart from your accommodation and get transfer to the boat pier. We board the boat and begin our cruise along the amazing Mekong which takes us past idyllic scenes of rural riverside life and spectacular scenery until reaching the beautiful Pak Ou Caves which sit amongst the limestone cliffs where the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers meet. The caves are spilt in two, one named Tham Ting and the other Tham Theung. They are both filled with thousands of Buddha images and statues which have been deposited here over centuries. A short distance away from Pak Ou Caves we visit the village of Ban Xang Hai which has for centuries made the clay jars which are used to ferment Lao wine. Nowadays the tradition continues however the village now also specialises in producing a wide range of ‘Lau Lao’ Lao whisky and ‘Lau Hai’ Lao wine. Be sure to try just a little before we head of back down river to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.

In the morning, you can take the option between take the elephant experience at Elephant Village or take zip lining course.In the morning, you can take the option between take the elephant experience at Elephant Village or take zip lining course.

Elephant Experience:

• 8:00 am – 8:30 am: Pick up by our English speaking guide from your hotel lobby
• Arrival at the Elephant Village Camp: Welcome greeting by our camp manager and participate in a short briefing about elephants• Ride the Elephant: Enjoy the impressive experience of a 1 km bareback elephant ride! 1 person per elephant
• Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Ride in a traditional Lao longboat to the Tad Sae Waterfall and relax or swim in the clear water (swimsuit recommended!)
• Lunch: Dine at our Elephant Camp restaurant. Buffet lunch served with coffee/tea and drinking water (vegetarian options are available)
• Depart: Transfer back to your Hotel in Luang Prabang around 1:00 pm

Zip lining: Start with a Sharing Pickup by Minivan from Luang Prabang to Hoi Khua Waterfall Ban Pak Luang Village, Chomphet District. (About 45 Minutes 15 KM).
At your arrival on spot relax for a Tea or a coffee at Hoi Khua Coffee shop to fill our security acknowledgement form, following by a training safety riding Zip Line with our experience guide and start climb up to the higher trees for 13 stations and 900 meters of Zip Line down to the Valley with, fly between the trees, cross the Green Jungle Canopy, enjoy or challenge your friends with 180m of Twin Line and fly above the Green Garden Flower on 290 meters before abseil down of the tree and then back to the coffee shop by the Green Organic Trail, take a short rest and  return back to Luang Prabang.

Pickup will be around 08:30 to 9:00 am / back to town at around 12:30 am. In the afternoon, you can join a Lao cooking class and  enjoy self cooked dinner.

Free time to explore Luang Prabang. Get pickup at your accommodation to the airport 2 hours before your flight.