Magical Sojourn in Luang Prabang

Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
Routing: Luang Prabang

Mountains cloaked in clouds, majestic wats, calm rivers, a sacred cave and a magnificent blue-green waterfall await you on a visit to and around ancient Luang Prabang.

Welcome to Luang Prabang! Your guide will meet you at the airport upon arrival and bring you to your hotel. Then enjoy a half -day spin around Luang Prabang…and you will understand why it deserves the World Heritage title!

Visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao. Phou Sii hill stands right in the center of this small city. Climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views for many miles in each direction. Wat Phu Sii sits atop the mountain, along side the skeletons of Indochina war anti-aircraft guns! Then continue to visit Wat Mai. Built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel) epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. Wat Xieng Thong further emphasizes the uniqueness of Luang Prabang, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground. See also the impressive "tree of life" mosaic here. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts semi-erotic episodes from the Ramayana. Then visit the National Museum, once a king's palace. Displayed inside is a lovely collection of personal artifacts of the royal family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Then return to the hotel. This town is wonderful for walking, and today's excursion will also help to give you your bearings! Spend the rest of the day exploring or relaxing on your own. You can find dinner on your own at any number of clean & delicious international restaurants. Lao beer is an excellent pilsner, and many types of French wine are also available at reasonable prices.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: See below
Featured Attractions: Wat Visoun, Wat Phu Sii, Wat Mai, Wat Xieng Thong, Laos National Museum

After breakfast, begin a Mekong riverboat trip with your guide on the mighty Mekong River to visit the famous & sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. These caves, overlooking the confluence of the Mekong & Ou Rivers from on high, have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since 16th century, when King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. Today many still pay respect with this old tradition. Walk through the caves before returning to your boat and to Luang Prabang town. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route. Then visit the village of Ban Phanom, where weaving of traditional Lao textiles takes place on ancient wooden looms. Return to Luang Prabang and spend the rest of the day exploring or relaxing on your own. You can find dinner on your own at any number of excellent restaurants in town.

Meals: Lunch
Accommodation: See below
Featured Attractions: Mekong Riverboat, Pak Ou Buddha Caves, Ban Phanom

After breakfast, drive with your guide by car to the Tad Khuang Sii waterfall. The falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. The water here has a clear blue-green tint due to the high mineral content. You can climb the stairs and look down from various high viewpoints on the way to the top! Enjoy a picnic lunch and later in the afternoon return to the hotel to relax or explore on your own. Luang Prabang is a wonderful walking town, and you can find dinner on your own at any number of fine international restaurants.

Meals: Picnic Lunch
Accommodation: See below
Featured Attractions: Tad Khuang Sii

After breakfast, depending on your flight time, explore on your own until checkout time, and then transfer with your guide to the airport to continue on to your next destination.

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