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:
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 to begin your foodie walking tour around UNESCO town of Luang Prabang with your guide and discover all the tasty food spots that the locals love. Sample traditional snacks, learn about monks’ Buddhist traditions and visit a food market and a temple. Start your walking tour at your accommodation, your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby for a short transfer by vintage Tuk tuk. Walk through Luang Prabang morning food market to learn about the ingredients of Lao food. Smell the sweet aroma of spices and freshly cooked food as you walk around. Learn all about the rich, spicy flavor of Lao food from your guide. Taste one of Lao’s special specialty dishes of the Luang Prabang.
Need a morning coffee Don’t worry, kick start your day with a Lao hot coffee. Visit a temple in the UNESCO town to learn about Buddhism from a Monk. Next head for a good feast and eat a delicious lunch of Papaya salad with sticky rice and, of course, enjoy a Beer Lao.
In the afternoon, travel by slow boat to Pak Ou Caves, Over the following two hours, enjoy a leisurely boat journey along the Mekong to the mysterious ‘Cave of 1,000 Buddhas’ at Pak Ou. Along the way, soak up the Mekong riverside scenery: villages, local fisherman, and mountains carpeted with thick green forest. At the caves, in a tradition that has lasted for centuries, local people add annually to a repository of Buddha statues near the base of the small cave. On the way back to Luang Prabang, visit a riverside village and sample the local rice wine (Lao-Lao). After gliding back into town.
Today you will discover a little about the secrets of Lao cuisine as well as enjoying some the wonderful scenery just outside Luang Prabang town.
Begin with mini Van pick-up from your hotel at 8:30am and head to Tamarind restaurant, to meet the rest of your group and have a briefing for your hands-on cooking demonstration. Then, head to a local market for an introduction to some of the wonderful fresh ingredients which define Lao cooking. At the Tamarind cooking school (10 km outside town), be introduced to some simple yet delicious Lao recipes by an expert (but patient!) instructor. Try your hand at traditional Lao dips, sticky rice, dishes steamed in banana leaf ... and more. Savour your creations at the end of your session as you enjoy the Idyllic garden setting of the cooking school. The emphasis today is on having fun, and on learning a little about a little-known, yet delicious cuisine. After the class, travel by private vehicle to Kuang Si Falls (approximately 35 minutes drive), one of the most beautiful falls in Laos. Have the chance to swim and relax amidst verdant jungle surrounds, in the turquoise pools at the base of the falls. Also have the chance to get up close to some 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 at the falls, return to your hotel, Lunch included.
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…
