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Luang Prabang Royal Palace museum Luang Prabang temporary morning market
Laos

Luang Prabang short break: Intriguing 4 days classic tour

Duration
4D3N
Tour Code
VIL.15
Tour Style
Culinary, Culture, Honeymoon, Private, Wildlife

Overview

location_on Wat Xieng Thong - Pak Ou Cave - Mekong River - Elephant Camp

We have designed this tour just for you who have little time but want to capture the spirit of Laos. 4 days and 3-nights is just enough time to explore the ancient town of Luang Prabang, where you can find the Laotian cultural beauties at its best. To get a deep insight into local religious life, we invite you to visit the magnificent temple system and participate in the daily morning almsgiving and the Baci ceremony. To enjoy fresh air & green, you can visit an elephant camp, make friends with giants and have fun with them. The tour activities are all very gentle, so this program is suitable for all of us.

You can combine it with your Vietnam trip or do it separately.

Planning a Luang Prabang getaway? Call us for more great tips, deals, and insider information.

Trip highlights

  • Join the daily morning almsgiving, the most sacred tradition in Laos.
  • Be mesmerized by the idyllic beauty of Luang Prabang’s old town.
  • Board a private longtail boat for the Mekong River cruise to the famous Pak Ou Caves.
  • Relax and swim at Tad Sea Waterfalls.
  • Make friends with giants.

Use this itinerary to inspire your bespoke journey

Welcome to Luang Prabang!

Luang Prabang being beautiful, colorful, and ancient is what the UNESCO World Heritage Site leaves in the impression of visitors. Colorful stalls, local restaurants, and old houses make up Luang Prabang with all the bold features of Laos. Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, but in return, the beauty of the river here still makes people easily intoxicated. Wandering around in Luang Prabang makes everyone feel that it’s okay to slow down and be a little lazy.

A warm greeting awaits you at Luang Prabang International airport; process the immigration procedure (visa on arrival is available or obtained in advance via Laos E-visa ) your private guide and driver will meet you in the arrivals lounge and transfer you to your hotel in downtown. While every effort is made to have your room available upon arrival, check-in time is at 2:00 pm; your room may or may not be ready before this time. The welcome dinner will be at the local restaurant with traditional dance & folk songs, the best way to experience Lao culture.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: A welcome dinner.


You get up as the sun rises to join the daily morning almsgiving, the most sacred tradition in Laos. In the early morning, more than 200 Buddhist monks depart from temples for the old quarter to receive alms from devotees. The monks meditate while moving lightly on their bare feet. The Buddhists prepared offerings such as sticky rice, fruit (mainly bananas), sweets, and some other food and put them in the monk’s bowl. Next, you will visit the temporary morning market, where the locals exchange their daily catch for rice, vegetables, fish, or chicken. It is the best chance to experience the flavor of local life.

You see your private tour guide and driver in the lobby for a full-day city tour.

The first visit is to the Royal Palace Museum, built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. Afterward, board a private longtail boat for a Mekong River cruise to the famous Pak Ou Caves. Locally called Tam Ting, the caves are filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues and come in a wide range of sizes. During the boat ride, take note of the fishermen and villagers going about their daily lives on the river. For many, the Mekong plays an integral role in life and represents one of the only means of transportation and commerce. After visiting the caves, cruise back to Luang Prabang.

If time permits, stop at Ban Xang Hay, which specializes in making rice wine. Once back in Luang Prabang, enjoy lunch at one of the town’s most celebrated restaurants, Tamarind (closed on Sundays).

In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, a superb piece of Laos architectural temple, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics, including a beautiful tree of life glass montage on the rear temple wall. Drive along the Mekong to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre to explore the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities with many traditional costumes, tools, and artifacts on display. In the late afternoon, you ascend to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of a gilded stupa and a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.

The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding there.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.


Luang Prabang almsgiving ceremony Laos

After having breakfast, you drive 15 kilometers out of the town to see elephants in the Elephant Village Camp. Upon arrival, you will receive a warm welcome from the local tour guide. He provides you with a short briefing about the Laos Elephants and their special herd. Then, you meet up with your personal elephants and participate in some taking care activities as followed:

  • Elephant Feeding:Get up close and personal with elephants
  • Explore Elephant Village: Visit our elephant hospital, museum, gallery, and dung paper-making facility!
  • One-on-One Experience: Take in the unforgettable experience of being a Mahout! 1 person per elephant
  • Trail of Falls Trek: Enjoy a 2 km trek on foot through the diverse jungle landscape of our exclusive Trail of Falls.
  • Lunch: Enjoy a freshly picnicked lunch in the forest. Vegetarian options are available.
  • Continue the Trail of Falls: Enjoy another 1 km trek on foot along our exclusive Trail of Falls leading up to Tad Sae Waterfalls, where you can relax or swim in its natural pools (water levels vary with seasonal conditions).
  • Ride a traditional long-tail boat from the waterfall back to the Elephant Camp, giving you a chance to observe the traditional fishing, and the local river life.

In the mid-afternoon, you travel back to your Hotel in downtown. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.


Following the hotel breakfast, you will be taken to the Luang Prabang airport for a short flight to the next country on your tour.

Meals: Breakfast.


Luang Prabang old streets

Useful Information

This sample itinerary was created by our travel experts as inspiration for your next trip. Ready for your customization. You pick to suit your budget, desires, and cultural experiences. The price of this trip will vary, depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and the availability of ground services. Please click on Inquire Now (above) and give us the necessary information to enable us to send you a FREE personalized quote within 48 hours if not sooner!

Our Service Include:

  • Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room
  • Meals as mentioned.
  • English or French speaking guide (for other languages and a national guide supplements apply).
  • Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Entrance fees for mentioned visits.
  • Boat trip as mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Drinking water while touring.
  • Tax & service charge.

Our Service exclude:

  • Visa to Laos
  • Other non-mentioned meals
  • Other non-mentioned services
  • International Flights to/from Luang Prabang.
  • Laundry, telephone calls, and personal expenditures
  • Tips, Travel insurance

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