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Experience Luang Prabang Luang Prabang toursLocated on the banks of the legendary Mekong River in Northern Laos, you'll find the colonial city of Luang Prabang. The combination of Laotian hospitality, lush greenery and extraordinary temples make this one of our favourite places to visit in Laos. This Luang Prabang tours module allows you to get to know this charming city, where monks in orange robes are a common sight, at a relaxed pace. You'll spend three nights in a small scale hotel within walking distance from the centre of the city. A great way to explore the city is by bicycle. This will allow you to visit the most beautiful places in town quickly or as slowly as you like. There are also many options available for arranging your own tours in and around the Luang Prabang area. |
Duration | 4 days/ 3 nights | Accommodation | Three nights in a small-scale guest house in a room with en-suite. Comfort level 3 (see accommodation) |
Price per person | £77 - per person - based on 2 people | Included | Accommodation with breakfast |
Airport transfer (if required) | Excluded | All other meals and excursions |
Luang PrabangIn the 90's, Luang Prabang was declared a World Heritage Site and has since been added to the list of important cultural sites. One of our favourite temples is the Wat Xieng Thong temple. The stunning mosaics show scenes from the daily life of a Laotian man. An interesting part of the temples in Luang Prabang are their roofs: they have long points that run all the way to the ground. We also visited the palace of the former king of Laos which currently serves as a city museum. This is where the most holy and largest golden statue of the country is kept, the Phra Bang.Besides the many impressive temples and museums, Luang Prabang also has beautiful natural surroundings. There are many nice restaurants along the banks of the Mekong where you can get to know the sophisticated Laotian cuisine. You can also go on various day trips and tours to visit attractions in the area such as the Pak Ou caves and the Kuang Si waterfalls. |
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Day 1: Arrival in Luang PrabangToday you'll arrive in Luang Prabang. If you choose to arrive by plane, we can arrange a transfer for you from the airport to your hotel, just let us know. We'll book a small-scale, charming guest house within walking distance from the centre of the city. Many of the guest houses were built in French style, and are run by friendly Laotians. You'll feel right at home here and you'll also become acquainted with the typical relaxing atmosphere and friendliness that the city is known for. You can explore the city on foot or rent a bicycle locally, there are plenty of Luang Prabang tour options. Your hostess will gladly help you find the necessary route for visiting the most enjoyable attractions. You could even try starting up a conversation with a monk at one of the many temples in the city, they love to practise their English and can tell you more about the role of Buddhism in the life of a Laotian. |
Day 2: Luang PrabangAfter breakfast, you can explore the city independently or you could arrange yourself a tour to the Kuang Si waterfalls for a refreshing swim. The waterfalls are a 1.5 hour drive away from Luang Prabang. If you have enough time, you could also visit the Pak Ou caves (both these Luang Prabang tours can be booked locally). There are thousands of Buddha statues in the caves, large and small and in different styles. We didn't think the caves were that spectacular; however if you do choose to visit them, you'll definitely enjoy the boat ride across the Mekong River.The best place to purchase souvenirs is at the night market. The market takes place daily in the centre of Luang Prabang. Many different mountain tribes sell their hand-made goods at the market. For instance, they sell brightly coloured scarves, woodwork, paintings and jewellery. Haggling over prices is very common in Laos; you'll see that it gets easier as you try to do so more frequently. However, do remember that aggressive bargaining is frowned upon in Laos and that many of the people here survive on little more than US$1 a day. |
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Day 3: Luang PrabangIf you are an early riser, you won't want to miss a particularly memorable alms giving ritual that takes place every morning at sunrise; the monk procession. Religious Laotians bow their heads and give monks rice and fruit while on their knees. Gradually the morning mist lifts and you'll see a trail of monks, dressed in orange robes, walking by to collect the alms. Remember to keep your distance and be respectful towards the monks.After this unique experience you'll be able to have breakfast in the guest house and you'll have the rest of the day to explore surrounding area on some Luang Prabang tours. During the day, but especially at sunset, it's well worth climbing the Phu Si hill. After 329 steps you'll be rewarded with a wide view of the city. If you enjoy culture and theatre, you could try to acquire a ticket for a traditional dance performance. These masked dances are performed in the Royal Palace several times a week. Or, how about a massage at the Laos Red Cross? All proceeds fund local community projects, so all that relaxation is purely selfless! |
Day 4: Departure from Luang PrabangThis Luang Prabang tours module ends after breakfast.While in Luang Prabang you'll have the opportunity to care for elephants for two days with our module Live like a Mahout. If you would like to visit traditional villages, add the Hill tribe encounter : 2 day trek module to your travel plan. If you've started your Laos journey in Luang Prabang, you may want to continue on to Vang Vieng or Vientiane. |
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Luang Prabang tours accommodation pictures |
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