The Real Luang Prabang

On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to check in 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.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Begin today's close-up look at daily Laotian life by heading out for a morning at a community-based living rice farm in the idyllic countryside outside Luang Prabang. 

Surrounded by mountains and rice paddies, you'll have an opportunity to experience rural life as a Laotian farmer would, trying your hand at various farm activities – or observing them from a traditional Lao rice house balcony, set amidst rice terraces and an organic vegetable farm.

You'll have time to check out nearby workshops where local bamboo weavers, blacksmiths and sugar cane processors practice their crafts. Then take a tour of the organic garden to learn how natural herbs are used in traditional medicine.

In the afternoon, your city tour begins with a visit to the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday) to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. 

We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture before continuing further to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.  

A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete without ascending the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. 

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

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temples to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.

We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. 

After breakfast at the hotel, we have ample time to relax before transferring to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center, the collection of diverse Lao ethnic groups. We will stroll around to visit the center to understand more about the Lao ethnic culture.

After that, we will join the seminars of “Ethnic Diversity and Cultural Change in Laos”

This fascinating 60-minute presentation and question-and-answer session gives background on Laos’ ethnic communities, their history, and their cultural practices, including livelihoods and crafts. Guests have an opportunity to learn about lifestyles in ethnic villages and are shown unique artefacts from TAEC’s collection that are not accessible to the general public.

The seminars are led by one of the two TAEC Founder/Directors, either Thongkhoun Soutthivilay, a Luang Prabang-native who worked at the Luang Prabang National Museum for 10 years, and who has attended trainings and conferences in the US, Thailand, Netherlands, Japan, and Brunei; or Tara Gujadhur, an American who has worked in Luang Prabang for over 10 years, with a background in anthropology and sustainable tourism development

The sample ethnic Khmu lunch will be served at TAEC Café.

In the afternoon, transfer to the beautiful Kuang Si, which is the biggest waterfall in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals

There is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene, and explore the hidden waterfalls, which is rarely visited by other tourists

If you wish, take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.

On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour. This is also one of the best spots to admire the sunset in Luang Prabang

Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Our guide will walk with you to the bike shop where you will be fitted with bikes and head for the most famous Lao coffee shop where you sit by the Mekong River enjoying coffee and share the local Lao pastry Khanom Khrok.

Next head to the nearby morning market where locals from the countryside around Luang Prabang sell their goods. Discover different meats, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices and learn from your guide how they are used in Lao kitchens. Each year previously unknown varieties of plants are discovered at this morning market. A few local delicacies will be sampled, as well.

We then cycle to the Wat That Luang area to eat Khao Poon, a coconut noodle style soup, which is a delicious, rare find in Luang Prabang! A short distance away at Ban Vieng Xay village, we sit at a local street restaurant and try a variety of food including Naem Khao (a rice noodle crepe, filled with minced meat, mushrooms, and assorted herbs, cut in little pieces, served with a dipping sauce containing minced nuts, lemon, chili, coriander and sweet fish sauce) and Khao Piak Khao (a local rice soup, that is usually eaten in the morning, slowly cooked with pork meat and meat broth, rounded with crushed black pepper and chopped coriander). Depending on your taste, an egg and / or fresh chili can be added to this meal.

To burn some calories, we cycle across the “old” bridge to the other side of the Nam Khan River. After passing by the "German Butcher", a stop at the scenic meeting point of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers for some photos and a quick drink of water is in order. Continuing on, we cycle through Ban Xieng Lek village to check out local weaving and Saa paper handicrafts. Here is where you see local shops and a non-touristy side of town.

A new restaurant made 100% of bamboo nestled on another river, the Nam Khan, is the next stop. The food is to die for, and we'll have more top-quality local Lao food. Your taste buds won’t know what hit them!

In the afternoon, our guide will take you on an in-depth cycling tour of the city. 

The walk is oriented towards the lesser-known parts of the town including charming lanes showing the more traditional atmosphere of the heritage town. 

Along the way, we will see the four different types of buildings categorized by UNESCO. 

The first one is the traditional Lao house which is made from tropical hardwood or bamboo and built on stilts.

The second is a half wood and half cement house built after the arrival of the French. 

The third is the traditional French colonial buildings that are similar to those found in Vietnam and Cambodia. 

The last form of architecture you will see is the old Chinese shop houses that were built to be used for both commercial and residential purposes.

We then return the bicycle at the shop and return to your hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After picking you up from town or your hotel we will leave Luang Prabang around 08:30 for the nearby village of Xieng Lom. Upon arrival you are invited to have coffee or tea as your guide for the day provides an in-depth introduction to elephant behavior and the ways we should interact with them.

A quick boat ride across the Nam Khan River will deliver you to the waiting elephants. You will be introduced to your new friends and feed them some special treats - a sure way to begin an instant friendship.

Enjoy observing elephants from the river bank as Mahouts wash them in the Nam Khan river. You can experience elephants washing, swimming and playing in the water. Please note this is voluntary activity for the elephants and Mandalao does not force them to get in the water. (On cold days the elephants are less likely to want to get wet.)

After 2 hours crossing through a beautiful stretch of traditional Lao gardens you will arrive at the jungle-covered Huay Nok stream. As you walk alongside the elephants and crisscross through the cool water you will experience a profound sense of understanding, respect, and caring for these amazing animals. As you prepare to start your walk back to MandaLao, you will bid farewell to your new friends with more treats and goodbye hugs.

When you get back to MandaLao, you will head to the restaurant and enjoy a delicious fresh Lao meal made from our own organically grown produce. There you can relax, kick-back, and process the day’s experiences on the veranda overlooking the river and misty mountains.

Following lunch, you will take the short ride back into Luang Prabang and have one more chance to ask your guides any lingering questions. You have ample time to stroll around the camp before walking to the nearby Chateau Orientale.

Set among the beautiful Lao jungle in Ban Xienglom, Chateau Orientale is a tranquil setting, tastefully decorated in an ancient style.

All decorations have been faithfully restored and chosen in order to blend in with the surrounding environment.

Free for the rest of the day to relax.

Overnight at Chateau Orientale.

08:00AM, our guide & driver will come and transfer you to Nahm Dong park, which is located in Ban Xiengmouk, 10Km from the city center.

Arriving at the park, we will have a short welcome by the park manager before joining the morning activities here.

First, we will join the cooking class, by which you can discover the Lao cuisine through several traditional dishes. Not only can you learn techniques and recipes, but you can visit the gardens of the park and pick your own ingredients.

The course has a minimum of 5 dishes depending on the season. A booklet with all recipes is provided.

The lunch will be served with what you have created.

In the afternoon, we will start exploring the beauties of the park with the Zipline flying over the jungle and the waterfalls admiring the amazing evergreen scenery. The zipline will take about 1 hour. 

Then we will walk back via the jungle trail crossing some flying bridges, small streams, and clear natural pools, where you can take a refreshing splash if you wish.

You can either spend the rest of the afternoon stroll around the park, relax by one of the huts at the camp, or enjoy the fresh cool clear natural pools.

Late afternoon, we walk to the nearby Hillside Ecolodge, where we will spend the night.

9am: Departure from your hotel in Luang Prabang

9:30am - 10:30am: Food tour in the local market to pick up fresh ingredients to cook during your stay

12pm – 12:30pm: Arrival in the village area and river crossing with local ferry or pirogue. Introduction with the family.

12:30pm - 1:30pm: Lunch time with family

1:30pm – 2pm: Rest

2pm – 5pm: Explore local activity in the village, visit the school,  visit the weavers who can tailor-make a local dress for you ;) and other village artisans.

5pm – 6pm: Bathe in the river or shower in the house

6pm – 7pm: Baci ceremony

Prepare dinner with Kham or enjoy a fresh beer Lao or a local drink with your hosts

7:30pm – 9pm: Dinner with the family

9pm till ….: Kham’s favorite after dinner activity is playing cards with her uncle. You are welcome to join, but beware… Kham and her uncle are very good!

5am - 6am: Wake up early to prepare sticky rice for Monk’s offering later on.

6am – 7am: Alms giving in the temple

7am – 8am: Breakfast with the family

8am – 10am: Go with Kham and her uncle fishing on the Ou River and learn some new techniques

10am – 1pm: Hike to the rice fields and explore the rural life of farmers. Visit some family organic gardens on the way too.

1pm – 2pm: Lunch time with the family

2pm – 3pm: Free time to go around the village and purchase souvenirs if you wish

3pm - 3:30pm: River crossing with local boat and departure to Luang Prabang

5pm: Arrival at the airport in Luang Prabang to take your departure flight