Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang has been recognized by UNESCO as the best-preserved city in Southeast Asia. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a short guided tour, starting with the city’s oldest temple, Wat Sene, and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Laotian architecture. You’ll then visit the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts, and the Arts and Ethnology Centre, where you’ll learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures.

If you wish, you’ll also have the option to drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall, where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths. There’s also an opportunity to visit the nearby bear sanctuary, run by Free The Bears Fund Inc.

You’ll then climb to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa, as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. The tour ends with a visit to the famous Night Market, where you’ll find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people from around Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents.

After breakfast, you’ll board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, offering you a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside and an intriguing visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These two linked caves are crammed with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes, left by pilgrims. Once back in Luang Prabang, you’ll take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving. You’ll also have time to visit Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek, small villages famous for silk weaving and Saa (jute) papermaking.

Laos is renowned for its traditional crafts, so you’ll take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Center. Here, you’ll enjoy a brief tour, where you’ll learn about silk, weaving, and the women who work at the center. You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Your time will be your own until your private car and driver arrives to take you to the airport for your departure flight. End of services.