LUANG PRBANG MISTERY

The Ancient Town of Luang Prabang in the center of northern Laos has been described as one of the most charming and best preserved towns in Southeast Asia. There are 34 Buddhist temples among Luang Prabang's colonial and Chinese architectures, all set in a backdrop of lush green mountains. The Mekong River frames the town's western border, and it remains an important commercial and recreational transportation link.

Pick up at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Relax Traditional Lao Massage and Sauna at the Lao Garden Massage & Sauna Centre.
We explore the Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local villagers and the hill tribes surrounding Luang Prabang. We enjoy a dinner around the lively night market. There are plenty of street food options to choose from and also some more traditional Western dishes to try. Remember, the French have had a big influence here on the local cuisine.
Overnight at Luang Prabang hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Explore Luang Prabang by bicycle, a fun and eco-friendly way of exploring the town. We visit Wat Visun, Wat Aham, and the beautiful Wat Xieng Thong.
Enjoy the visit specialized textile shops proposing “high value products” as Ock Pop Tock, Le Pavillon de Jade, Antique House or Caruso.
Dead out to Phone Say village by car, a hidden village specializing in beautiful textile weavings just a few kilometres from Luang Prabang. Phone Say still appears to be one of the most intact traditional Lao villages in the area, the charming village cannot be reached by vehicles but is only a 20-minute walk away from the main road. We meet Ms. Ting who has inherited her hand-weaving skills from her mom almost 30 years ago, and who now teaches young Laotian women a valuable skill. After a short visit to her workshop we enjoy a home-hosted lunch cooked by her younger sister Mrs. Bounkhong who also teaches cooking at a college in Luang Prabang. We have lunch on a hand-made bamboo terrace by the Mekong River, another memorable experience and a taste of real Lao traditions.
Early afternoon we make our way to the famous Khouang Si waterfall. A short walk and visit to the Bear Sanctuary are on the menu first before we have time for a relaxing swim or some relaxing by the water’s edge.
On our way back to town we go up Phou Sy Mountain and enjoy the fantastic view of Luang Prabang, and the Nam Kan River joining the Mekong.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.
 

After breakfast,  start the day at the handicraft day (9am to 4pm). We’re off to the weaving centre, an organization that is offering the weavers in the area the chance to earn a decent income through their weaving skills. All classes give an insight into the culture of weaving. The aim is to provide the student with weaving skills and put weaving in a social context. Working alongside local weavers, this is a fun opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture. The knowledgeable English speaking assistants are the link between you and your weaving teacher. The students gain technical skills whilst feeling an emotional connection to the weavers around them.
A special dinner at the Somboun Restaurant to enjoy traditional dances with people from the 3 main ethnic groups of Laos : the Lao Loum, Lao Theung, and Lao Soung with their traditional dresses.
 

The days begins with the visit of the Luang Prabang Traditional Art & Ethnology Centre. This Centre is an independent, non-profit museum dedicated to the ethnic cultures in Laos.
 
Continue to visit the Thai Lu center, in Ban Aphai
On the way to Nong Khiaw, we visit Ban Xang Khong village where we learn more about Saa paper (mulberry paper).
We will also have a quick visit of Ban Xieng Lek village, specialized in the producing, weaving and promoting the art of textiles in Laos
Have lunch with Joy and evaluate our creations.
Go forward to Ban Na Gnang, a village specialized in producing and weaving local cotton.
We should arrive before the sunset, that we will enjoy in Nong Khiaw, a small cute town located on the bank of the Nam Ou River, in a Karstic area.

After breakfast, Take  a private boat to cruise the Nam Ou & the Mekong Rivers. The spectacular scenic area make this trip a satisfaction for the eyes, and a real pleasure of leisure.
We will stop during the lunch on one of the numerous sand bank of the Nam Ou.
On the way to Luang Prabang, in the middle afternoon, we will visit the Pak Ou Caves, a holy place where the devotes still give representations of Buddha (more than 1000 statues are exposed there)

Optional early wake-up call possible to join the locals giving food to hundreds of Buddhist monks returning from morning prayers. Take a stroll through Ban Pakham morning market and take part in this everyday ritual.
After breakfast we explore the Museum and ancient Royal Palace, and its collection of artefacts and presents from the foreigner countries before the government change, in 1975.
Airport transfer for return flight.