Laos - Cooler adventure

Welcome to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos! Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel.

The afternoon will be spent discovering the architectural and historical wonders of this UNESCO-protected town, on foot. We will visit the many sites, including Xieng Thong, a famous Theravada Buddhist temple in south East Asia, culminating in a climb up Phousi Mountain just in time for a panoramic view of the town and a glorious sunset.When walking in the peninsula, along the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, you can get a sense of Luang Prabang’s true ambiance and the inhabitants’ lifestyle.

The Night Market, opening at 5pm is the best palace to purchase Lao hand-made souvenirs.

Overnight in hotel.

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual, when saffron clad monks wander the streets collecting their daily food supply. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Enjoy your UNESCO morning walk to understand this charming town and stop and visit fresh local markets before returning to your hotel for breakfast.

After your breakfast your guide will escort you to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre. This unique museum is dedicated to exploring the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities. Traditional costumes, tools, and artifacts are on display alongside an in-depth description and written histories. It is a great opportunity to gain knowledge into the Lao people (note: closed on Mondays), and also visit the National Museum, and the former Royal Palace. Continue to a weaving centre and learn about the hand-made silk process, from the worm to the finished article.  You will also have an opportunity to taste Lao coffee and special tea on the terrace on the banks of the River.

After lunch check out from your hotel and transfer south of Luang Prabang. Today’s driving will take you up to a view point where you can see spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Stop and visit different minorities along the way including the farms of local inhabitants. You will arrival at Ban Long Lao in the late afternoon where you will spend the night in a home-stay situation.   

After breakfast at the village headman’s house, you spend some time exploring the village and chatting with the kids. You will then trek through the National Conservation area of Kuang Si waterfall; a day of trekking starts through farms of local people then the rain-forest of the park, with approximately 3-4 hours of light trekking in all to the waterfall.

Reach the stunning Kuang Si Waterfalls; which cascade over calcified rock cliffs toward a series of turquoise pools. The water has a blue-green tint because of its high mineral content. Enjoy a well-earned swim in one of the pools before breaking for lunch. If you wish to swim at the falls please take your towels and swimming suites.

The journey continues with a trek down the hill to visit the Bear Rescue Centre. You’ll also visit a market in Tad Pan Village where you can shop for a few souvenirs or essentials. You will transfer to Ban Sing a low land village then board a long trail boat to for cruise upstream to Ban Pakleun where you will stay for tonight, located on the bank of the Mekong River. 

After breakfast at the village chiefs house you will participate in a monk’s blessing; for good luck and safe travelling that is a special ritual in Buddhist culture. Your guide will help you to understand more of the background of the blessing. Discover and explore the village, and visit local schools and exchange education experiences with local teachers or students, this will assist you to understand more about the country.

After say good bye to the villagers, walk to Hoi Kuan waterfall. On your arrival, relax with a tea or a coffee at Hoi Khua Coffee shop and fill our security acknowledgement form, followed by some safety training with our experience guide, and start the climb up to the higher trees for 24 Stations of bridges and zip Lining.

Challenge your agility and your balance on a Rope course loop of 13 stations with 13 different bridges and obstacles then enjoy the fresh air with 11 stations and 900 meters of Zip Line down the Valley, between trees, across the green jungle canopy to the Green Flower Garden, before you abseil down from the trees and return to the coffee shop, using the Green Organic Trail, take a short rest and then return to Luang Prabang by  minivan.

Overnight in hotel

Free-time in the morning, then meet your driver and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.