Welcome to enchanting Luang Prabang, where golden temples gleam and Buddhist monks can be seen on every corner. Upon arrival, our driver will meet you at the airport and then escort you to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the day free at leisure to get acquainted with one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful cities. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang 

Fill up on breakfast and depart from the hotel to Luang Prabang’s National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of Lao artifacts detailing historical art, culture, and history, as well as impressive murals, mosaics, and architecture. The magnificent golden tree monastery is nearby, Wat Xieng Thong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, elaborate tree of life mosaic and intricately carved walls representative of classic Lao design. 

Now it's time to explore some of the exquisite natural scenery surrounding Luang Prabang on an upstream cruise along the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. 

Along the way, make stops at several villages to catch a glimpse of daily life in the rural countryside, like Ban Xang Hai where potent rice wine is distilled. Peek inside Tham Ting and Tham Phoum caves, which like Pak Ou, house numerous Buddha statues. 

Return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon and learn all about silk hand-weaving and traditional Saa paper at Ban Xang Khong before ending the day with a climb of 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi, taking in extraordinary sunset views over the gilded city and rugged Mekong River. 

On the way back to the hotel, check out the daily Night Market and browse its selection of handmade textiles, carvings, and souvenirs made by ethnic minorities from the surrounding area and Luang Prabang natives alike. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Take part in an ancient Luang Prabang ritual this morning* and wake up before dawn to offer alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks as they make their way to their respective temples. Watch the town come to life during the procession and treat yourself to a hot bowl of delicious noodle soup at a local stall afterwards or return to the hotel to partake in the buffet if that’s more to your liking. 

The day continues with a tour of the Morning Market, filled with a diverse number of products such as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpetre amongst chickens, vegetables, and hill-tribe handicrafts, followed by an informational tour of Luang Prabang’s holiest temple, Wat Visoun.

Head out of the city again on an exciting excursion to the impressive Kuang Si waterfalls. A beautiful 50m high waterfall with multiple turquoise rock pools, set amidst lush tropical rainforest. Within the grounds you can also visit The Asian Bear Rescue Centre, an amazing wildlife refuge dedicated to creating a safe haven for bears saved from bile farms and the illegal wildlife trade. 

You’ll have a chance to swim in the fairy-tale like pools, feeling the mist on your face, as well as a learning about the daily life of ethnic minorities in Ban Na Ouane H’Mong Village nearby. 

Lunch at Kuang Si, returning to Luang Prabang via Buffalo Dairy Farm, a social enterprise supporting the local community by renting buffalos out to farmers to help them earn extra income. Not only do they improve the health and well-being of the buffalos by supplying the animals with better feed, vaccinations, and overall care, they also work at improving animal care standards in the country. Tour the farm, cuddle the buffalos and even give them a bath or feed them if you’re brave enough. After trying some tasty ice-cream and cheese, return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang

*Please tell your guide a day in advance if you wish to participate in this experience so they can prepare an appropriate offering. 

Spend your last day free at leisure until it’s time to depart to the airport to catch your outbound flight. For those keen on exploring more of Southeast Asia, talk to one of our lovely consultants to extend your trip with an elephant sanctuary experience or pop over to Vietnam or Cambodia!

SERVICES INCLUDED

+ 03-night hotel stay in Luang Prabang, twin/double share (see Accommodation section for details)

+ Daily breakfast at hotel’s restaurants

+ 02 lunches at local restaurants on day tours

+ Service of English-speaking local guide (please enquire for other languages)

+ Private boat trip to Pak Ou Cave

+ Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle unless stated otherwise

+ Entrance fees for mentioned visits

+ Taxes and service charges 

SERVICES EXCLUDED

+ International and domestic flights (quote separately on request)

+ Visa fees, travel insurances

+ Meals other than mentioned above

+ Early check-in or late check-out fees

+ Camera/video entrance fees (if any)

+ Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, etc)

+ Tips for guides and drivers (at your discretion)

+ Additional transfers required due to emergency situation

+ Peak season surcharge and compulsory gala dinner on 24 Dec and 31 Dec

+ Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above.

PAYMENT 

A non-refundable deposit of 10% of the total booking is required within three (3) days from the date of confirmation. The balance payment is due 45 days prior to the tour commencement date. For bookings made less than 45 days, full payment is required. Bookings will be cancelled if payments are not received by the due date(s).

Payment can be made via bank transfer or credit cards.

CANCELLATION

Confirmed bookings must be cancelled by the party leader in writing (by email) and this will only be effective once the written cancellation is confirmed by ATA Holidays. Cancellation will be subject to the following cancellation fees from the date the written cancellation is received:

• more than 45 days prior to the tour commencement date - 10% of total cost

• between 31 and 45 days prior to the tour commencement date - 25% of total cost

• between 16 and 30 days prior to the tour commencement date - 50% of total cost

• within 15 days prior to the tour commencement date or “no show” - 100% of total cost.

AMENDMENT

Requests for amendments to confirmed bookings must be submitted in writing via email by the party leader. While ATA Holidays will endeavor to accommodate all reasonable amendment requests, we cannot guarantee that such requests can always be fulfilled. If the requested amendments are possible, a revised quotation will be provided, which may include additional charges arising from the amendment itself, fees imposed by Third-Party Travel Providers, or administrative fees applied by ATA Holiday. In all cases, the following amendment fees shall apply:

• For amendments made more than 45 days prior to the tour commencement date: a charge of $100 per amendment for itineraries of less than seven (7) nights, or $200 per amendment for itineraries of seven (7) nights or longer.

• For amendments made within 45 days of the tour commencement date: the standard cancellation fees outlined above shall apply, and new arrangements will be charged at the prevailing rates.

No cancellation or amendment fees shall be applied in cases where changes arise due to a breach of contractual obligations or an error on the part of ATA Holidays, or when such changes are made by a Third-Party Travel Provider through no fault of the customer.