Luang Prabang & Beyond – 6 night – 7 days

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN LUANG PRABANG

On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to check into the hotel (early check-in upon availability).

Situated in the centre of northern Laos, Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic, and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment. There are no activities planned for today, so you may stroll around for the first impression of this ancient city.

Meals: None

DAY 02: LUANG PRABANG - CITY TOUR – KUANG SI WATERFALLS

After breakfast, our day begins with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, home to an array of captivating artifacts. Next on our itinerary is the stunning Wat Xiengthong, showcasing the elegant sweep of classical Laotian architecture in its low-slung roofs.

We then journey to the breathtaking Kuang Si Waterfall, where you can indulge in a refreshing swim in the pools or explore the forest trails. Spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure, enjoying the serene beauty of the waterfalls. Optionally, we can also observe Asiatic bears up close at the Bear Rescue Centre during a jungle walk to the waterfall.

Returning to town, we make a brief stop at the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, nestled peacefully by the Mekong River. Here, artisans craft high-quality fabrics using traditional techniques. You’re encouraged to enhance your experience with a complimentary audio guide detailing the center’s significance in Lao culture and history. As we transfer back to Luang Prabang, we ascend the 329 steps to the summit of Phousi Hill for a breathtaking sunset vista overlooking the city and the shimmering Mekong River below. Our tour concludes with a visit to the renowned Night Market, where you can peruse a delightful array of handmade textiles crafted by local artisans and hilltribe communities.

Optional: For enthusiasts of diverse ethnic cultures, a visit to the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center is available (closed on Mondays)

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 03: LUANG PRABANG – NAHM DONG PARK

After departing from your hotel, you will be transferred to Nahm Dong Park, located in Ban Xiengmouk, 10 km from the city center. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed by the park manager, who will provide a brief introduction to the park’s offerings before we embark on the morning’s activities. After that, you will start the hands-on cooking class, where you’ll delve into the rich flavors of Lao cuisine through the preparation of several traditional dishes.

The cooking class features a minimum of five dishes, with the exact selection varying by season to ensure the freshest ingredients. You’ll also receive a booklet containing all the recipes, allowing you to recreate these delicious dishes at home. Finally, savor the fruits of your labor as we enjoy a lunch comprised of the delectable dishes you’ve prepared, celebrating the flavors of Lao cuisine in the serene setting of Nahm Dong Park. You are free before transferring back to your hotel in Luang Prabang.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 04: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVE - NONG KHIAW

Today, we begin our boat trip up the Mekong, enjoying the lush green forests and landscape. We will be able to stop off at a few villages and admire the breathtaking limestone karst scenery. Along the way, we stop to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. After visiting the caves, we will hop in the car and continue the transfer to Nong Khiaw, the small town along the lazy Nam Ou River.

After lunch (your own account), visit the historical cave of Phathok. The Nong Khiaw villagers used this cave as a war shelter during the “Secret War” to shelter people from bombs dropped in the region. It is about a 30-minute gentle walk from Nong Khiaw town and takes you through beautiful scenery. Learn more about a secret part of Lao history and explore the historical caves with your guide. From the cave, you will have a beautiful view of rice paddies and the valley. Walk back to Nong Khiaw along a small path through the rice paddies.

Enjoy the sunset over the river. There is a choice of local restaurants within walking distance (at your own account)

Meal: Breakfast

DAY 05: NONG KHIAW – TAD MORK – MUANG NGOI – NONG KHIAW

We start by boarding a local long boat and head off upstream through some fantastic landscape before making our first stop of the day at a small riverside village. Here we take some time to look around, and if on a weekday, visit the local school to see the charming children as they take part in their classes. After this, we continue onwards to Tad Mork, which is located close to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Sop Kong, an hour trek from the river. At the waterfall, we shall have time to swim and enjoy a picnic lunch.

After enjoying our time at the waterfall, we head back to the river, where we will cruise further upstream to visit Muang Ngoy, which sits nestled amongst some amazing scenery!  If there is time, we can stop for a drink at one of the riverside restaurants before the return journey down the river back to Nong Khiaw. We will head off down the river through a narrow gorge, where we stop at another small but fascinating village. The estimated arrival time in Nong Khiaw is around sunset.

Approximately: 2.5-hour boat trip, 2.5-hour walk

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 06: NONG KHIAW – 100 WATERFALLS – LUANG PRABANG

Start this day of adventure with a peaceful boat ride on the Nam Ou River, where you will be able to explore a small Lao village along the riverside.  Learn about the villagers and their way of life along this Northern Laos River before beginning the ‘100 Waterfalls Adventure Trail’! Walking through small streams and rice paddies, you will arrive at the bottom of the 100 Waterfalls, which were only first explored in October 2008!

Your guide will lead you through the cascades and prepare a local-style lunch that you can enjoy at the falls surrounded by amazingly green nature.  A small village trail on the top of the ‘100 Waterfalls’ will lead us on our hike back down into the valley, offering wide views over the expansive Nam Ou valley.

Once back in the village, we will have some more time to experience the daily life of the Nam Ou riverside village before continuing the boat downstream the Nam Ou River further to the electricity dam. From here, we will hop on the waiting car to transfer back to Luang Prabang.

1-hour transfer | 4-hour trek | 2-hour boat trip.

Meal: Breakfast

DAY 07: LUANG PRABANG – DEPARTURE

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight.

Meal: Breakfast