DAY 1: Arrival in Luang Prabang

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to the hotel by our driver and guide. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquillity and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. After a short rest, we begin our sightseeing tour of some of the major sights in this fabulous city, including the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham, the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and Wat Mai. We visit these sights as well as the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, its exterior architecture is remarkable with decorated gilded stuccoes and doorways, a “tree of life” mosaic pattern set in coloured glass on the back wall and its three tiered roofs sweeping low to the ground representing classical Laotian architecture. A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete without ascending 329 steps to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa and to enjoy a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. From there we experience the hustle and bustle of the colourful Night Market where you can find a selection of traditional textiles, gifts and souvenirs made by the local people. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 2: Luang Prabang – River Kayaking

After breakfast, we begin our full-day tour using the local mode of transport, a tuk tuk, on a 45-minute journey to the starting point of the kayaking area of Ban En, a small village. On arrival, we commence kayaking downstream on the Nam Khan River, passing stunning karsts mountains and observing the local activities at various small villages on our way, kayaking through some small and fun rapids. En route we stop at Tad Sea, a large beautiful waterfall that is situated in the forest with a cool natural swimming pool, where you can refresh yourself in the cool, white waters of the spring in the big pool. We will enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the waterfall on a Sala terrace. After lunch, we continue our boat trip downstream to the tomb of the French explorer Henri Mouhot, who stumbled across Angkor Wat in 1860. We then kayak back to Luang Prabang and change to overland transport at Ban Phanom, visiting the well-known weaving village of Tai Lue that used to produce silk textiles for the Lao royal family. We then kayak back to Luang Prabang by the late evening just before sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 3: Luang Prabang – Departure (B)

After breakfast, we visit The National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. We also visit the Phosi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Transfer to airport for departure flight. End of services.