Luang Prabang, Laos’ most enchanting town and a UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Surrounded by mountainous forests and situated at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang has a tranquil, old-world charm. Well-preserved French architecture and careful street planning has blended beautifully with more than 30 gilded Buddhist temples to create a town rich in atmosphere and history.
Itinerary:
This morning, after your breakfast transfer by private vehicle to Kuang Si Falls (approximately 45 minutes drive), one of the most beautiful falls in Laos. Here, have the chance to swim and relax amidst verdant jungle surrounds, in turquoise pools at the base of the falls. Also have the chance to get up close with Asiatic Black Bears which are cared for at a bear sanctuary near the falls. Many of these bears have been saved from the illegal wildlife trade or have been placed here as a result of habitat degradation. Following your visit, return to Luang Prabang for Lunch.
After Lunch, you will discover the ancient home-made Saa paper at a local family-run workshop in Ban Xang Khong. You will see the process and try your hands-on to make your own Saa paper decorated by flowers and leaves that available in the garden. After that you will create a souvenir out of Saa paper ie. Lantern, notebook etc. you can take away with you at the end of the workshop. Lunch included.
Rise early this morning to see robed Buddhist monks collecting morning alms, following a centuries-old ritual, visit Mount Phousi for sunrise and enjoy the panoramic view of Luang Prabang, Stroll down the local morning Market before return to your hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, be met by your guide at the hotel lobby at 8:30 am, for the short transfer to the bike shop. Begin your short cycling to the Mekong River where you will board the local car ferry to across the river to the quiet district of Chomphet. Over there you will not see many, if any, other tourists and very little traffic. Enjoy a day discovering local village life and visiting Old temples then, continue your cycling trip to pottery village that used to make pottery for the Royal Family. Disembark the ferry and cycle the south-west direction of Luang Prabang towards Ban Chan, the pottery village where you will participate in the hands-on pottery making class. Upon arrival you will be shown around the village to learn more about village life and the technique of pottery making that passed by for many generations. After the class, you will visit Ban Nakham a famous Sugar cane making village where you will enjoy a home-host lunch prepared by Mr Phaeng and his family. They normally invite you for a game of Petanque the popular sport for Locals. Take your bike and cycle back to Luang Prabang, stop en route to visit the old temple Wat Chomphet, Wat Long Khoun to see the view of Luang Prabang in the opposite side of the Mekong.
In the afternoon, learn the ancient art of Hmong Batik by attending one of our workshops with our last master batik in Laos and our two young master batiks. Under the expert guidance of the Master Batik, you will create a beautiful Hmong design drawn with beeswax on handwoven hemp using traditional tools and materials.
After breakfast, free time for your own exploration of Luang Prabang on your own, the rest of the morning is free at leisure until your departure flight…
