"Sabaidee" is how people in Laos say hello. Three days and two nights in Luang Prabang, a small, slow town on the Mekong with a lot of temples.
Day 1: Arrival – Luang Prabang
Saibaidee! Welcome to Luang Prabang, Laos!
Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its old temples and buildings are well kept. Boasting over 30 splendid palaces dating back to the 14th century and approximately 40 ancient temples from various dynasties, each of these structures represents a culturally significant and artistically valuable masterpiece. The streets are quiet and lined with old wooden houses, each a little different.
Upon your arrival at the airport, your private guide and driver eagerly await to greet you, holding up a personalized welcome signboard with your names on it. They will accompany you directly to your hotel. Luang Prabang is hailed as one of the best-preserved traditional cities in Southeast Asia. With the mountains, the river and the temples, it is one of the nicest places to visit in Laos.
As the evening unfolds, you'll have leisure time to explore the Night Market, with handmade textiles from the hill tribes and villages around Luang Prabang. Spend the night in Luang Prabang.
Day 2: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Khoang Si waterfall (B)
If you want, get up before dawn to watch or join the alms giving, when the monks in orange robes walk the streets to collect food. Please stay quiet and keep some distance. To partake in this, kindly inform your guide a day in advance so that preparations can be made to provide food for you to present to the monks. This ancient morning ritual has been passed down through generations in Laos. After the alms giving, watch the town wake up, then go back to the hotel for breakfast or have a bowl of noodle soup with the locals. (If you prefer not to make an offering, please maintain a respectful distance and quietly observe the ritual. It's important to dress appropriately, ensuring that shoulders, chest, and legs are covered.)
After breakfast at the hotel, we take a boat up the Mekong River. As the boat goes up the river, you see the quiet countryside along the banks. The highlight of our journey awaits at the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, where two interconnected caves are adorned with thousands of mesmerizing gold lacquered Buddha statues, each with its unique shape and size, testimony to the devotion of pilgrims.
Our adventure unfolds with a stop at Ban Xang Hai village, known for its traditional rice wine distillation techniques. You can watch how it is made, the way it has been done for a long time. Then we go to the Tham Ting and Tham Phoum caves beckon, revealing a mesmerizing display of hundreds of Buddha statues, each telling its own story.
In the afternoon, a private car takes you to the Khouang Si waterfall. On the way, stop at Ban Na Ouane Village of the Lao people and the H'Mong Village, enriching your cultural experience. At the falls, an easy walk through the national park takes you up to the Khouang Si waterfalls, while also passing by the Asian bear rescue center.
Walking through the park you feel the cool mist from the turquoise pools and falls. Take advantage of the inviting pools for a rejuvenating swim, making this journey not only a scenic delight but also a sensory experience. It is a nice mix of villages and nature for one afternoon.
Day 3: Luang Prabang – City tour - Departure (B)
After breakfast, a visit to the Morning Market, where a myriad of offerings awaits, from dried buffalo skin and local tea to chickens, vegetables, and exquisite hill-tribe weavings. It is busy and full of local life.
Next is Wat Xiengthong, an architectural gem exemplifying classical Laotian design, with its sweeping roofs gracefully touching the ground. Continue the cultural journey with a visit to the National Museum in the old Royal Palace, with objects from the early kings up to the last king of Laos.
After that, you have some free time to walk around the town and look at the shops. The tour culminates with your transfer to the airport for departure, marking the end of our services. We hope you enjoyed your days in Laos.
