DAY1: LUANG PRABANG - ARRIVAL 

Welcome to Luang Prabang! Upon rrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and then escort you to your hotel for check-in. Free at leisure at the rest of day on your own.

Late afternoon, we will climb up 328 steps of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. We then will explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang.

DAY2: LUANG PRABANG – NONG KHIEW (B)  

Today we set off by road for the scenic town of Nong Khiaw. The condition of the roads in this part of the country is very much dependent on the weather and we should be prepared for some landslides and delays. The scenery however is spectacular - it's mostly forested with 'slash and burn' cultivation very much in evidence, along with the many hill tribe villages along the way. Slash and burn usually takes place in April and May, when rural fires can be witnessed and smoke can fill the air often drifting into nearby towns and creating a hazy sky. We plan to arrive in Nong Khiaw in the early afternoon where the rest of the day is free to spend at leisure in this sleepy river-side town.

DAY3: NONG KHIEW – FULL DAY TOUR (B)

Nong Khiaw is a small settlement located upon the banks of the gentle Nam Ou River, overshowed on all sides by towering limestone karts and lush forested hills. This morning we take a longboat upriver to the remote village of Muang Ngoi Neu, where this we will be able to chat to the locals and learn a little about the traditional way of life in this rural part of Laos. We plan to have lunch beside a waterfall, where it's possible to take a refreshing dip in the natural pools there. After lunch we will take to the river again, but this time on kayaks as we paddle downstream back to Nong Khiaw. The total time kayaking will be approximately two hours, and those not wishing to kayak can return to Nong Khiaw by long boat.

Approximately: 2 hours boating, 2 hours walking & 2.5 hours kayaking(NK-B-001.2)

DAY4: NONG KHIEW – LUANG PRABANG (B) BY ROAD & BOAT

This morning we board boats for our journey further down the Nam Ou River - south towards Luang Prabang. The river journey is stunning, passing many villages and forests, with the back drop of large rolling mountains. We must leave the boat at Dong Ngern in order to avoid the Nam Ou River dam, from here we continue by road to Luang Prabang. On arrival we board long-tail boats on the Mekong River to visit the Pak Ou Caves, where we climb steps up the limestone cliffs to reach the sacred Buddhist shrine. Although now abandoned by the monks, there is an altar for incense burning, flower offerings and numerous rock shelves crammed with thousands of Buddha images of all shapes and sizes. We continue our journey to Luang Prabang, the country's former capital

DAY5: LUANG PRABANG – CITY TOUR – KHUANG SI WATERFALL (B)

All the main sights of interest are close together, so this morning we walk around the various wats including Wat Xieng Thong (the Golden Temple built in 1559) which is strikingly decorated in brilliant red and gold designs, with an imposing tiled roof and mosaic dragon motifs. We also include Wat Visoun site of the impressiveThad Makmo Stupa . A visit will also be made to the Ock Pop Tock weaving centre. Ock Pop Tok, meaning 'east meets west', was founded in 2000 by a local weaver and an English photographer. Combining a passion for textiles and a driving force for positive change in the community, the centre aims to empower women through their traditional skills, as well as promoting the beauty of Laotian textiles. Laos is known for its traditional crafts, and today we visit the ethnic villages of Ban Ouay, (Hmong), Ban Ou (Lowland Lao) and Ban Thapene (Khmu). Continue driving to the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfalls where we can splash around in the pools or walk along forest paths.

DAY6: LUANG PRABANG –  DEPARTURE (B)

You have the option to wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks – an awe-inspiring sight. Please tell your guide a day in advance if you wish to make an offering so he/she can prepare some food for you to hand over to the monks. This early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning then return to the hotel for breakfast or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the alms giving ritual. (If you do not wish to make an offering, please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Dress appropriately – shoulders, chest and legs should be covered).

We then visit the Morning Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. it will be time to start your discovery of Luang Prabang. Start to visit The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. In the afternoon, continue to airport for departure.