Mekong Cruise to Luang Prabang

You will be picked up at the border town of Huay Xai and transferred to the pier to board your boat for a cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng. Stop to observe rural life along the river and visit ethnic minority villages. A picnic lunch is served on board. The boat will arrive at Pakbeng before sunset, giving plenty of time to freshen up, enjoy the river scenery and admire the surrounding nature.

The boat departs for another day of nature discovery along the river to Luang Prabang. Stop to visit a hill tribe village, where you can watch the traditional process of making Lao whiskey.

Continue down the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves, famed for their thousand Buddha statues. After a day on the wide Mekong river, with beautiful mountain scenery, wild nature and rural life, the cruise arrives at Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos.

Begin your tour at Wat Xieng Thong, an exquisite 500-year-old temple, the best example of the classic Luang Prabang style. From here, make your way through small side streets to beautiful Wat Sene, known as the Temple of 100,000 Treasures. Continue walking up the peninsula, stopping at temples and other sites as you wish.

Visit the National Museum in the former Royal Palace, with exhibits from Laos’s royal past. Overlooking the palace is Phousi Mountain. It is said that those who do not climb the 328 steps up have not really arrived in the city. Venture up the hill to be rewarded with remarkable views of the city and the Mekong River.

For a late visit, we suggest the night market, where you can find a beautiful collection of hand-woven textiles and other crafts made by the hill tribes and local people of Luang Prabang.

Travel to the impressive Kuang Si Waterfalls and discover Lao ethnic minority groups at villages along the way. At the waterfalls, you can swim in the clear water or just relax in the natural environment. On the way back, stop at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) to learn about Laos’s many ethnic cultures. The rest of your day can be spent exploring your surroundings at your leisure.

Option: Early risers can attend the morning Buddhist Alms Giving and watch hundreds of orange-robed monks walk through the streets of Luang Prabang receiving offerings of food from residents and businesses. Laos is one of the few Buddhist nations which preserves this tradition.

A day at leisure to explore Luang Prabang on foot or by bicycle, walk around the old town, go shopping, or simply find a quiet café along the river bank and relax.

Option 1: Market Tour & Cooking Class

The cooking class starts with an early guided visit to the local food market to learn about the various foods and local customs. Head to the cooking class venue where you will learn to cook delicious Lao dishes, then taste the food you have prepared.

Option 2: Evening Traditional Baci Ceremony

Experience a traditional Baci Ceremony in the evening, which involves tying strings to your wrists to keep bad spirits away and bring good luck.

Enjoy your remaining time at your leisure and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.