MEKONG VOYAGE TO LUANG PRABANG

Upon your arrival at the border, you will be met our guide then take the local boat down the Mekong river to Pakbeng. En route one stop is made to observe rural life along the Mekong and visit minority ethnic groups; your lunch serves on board and flow slowly down stream. You will arrive in Pakbeng before sunset. Overnight in Pakbeng.

After breakfast, (Optional: walk to Pakbeng market, where people from the surrounding minority villages exchange their goods) board the boat for the second leg of the cruise. Take a short stop to discover Hmong village before having your lunch on board. Continue to Pak-Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, and then visit Pak Ou Caves "Cave of a thousand Buddha's". On the way to Luang Prabang a brief stop is made to observe the traditional process of manufacturing local rice alcohol. Arrive at Luang Prabang before sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
 

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace 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; then visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. Continue past Wat Aham, which was first built in the 1500s and we then to Khouangsi waterfall. On the way, you can stop to visit to the Lao ethnic minority groups - Ban Ouay Village, Ban Ou village and Ban Thapene Village. Once at the waterfalls, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Khouangsi waterfall and pass by the Asian bear rescue center. You will enjoy feeling the mist of the cool, turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible. Transfer back to Luang Prabang for 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. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
 

After breakfast, spend the morning on a community based living rice farm situated in the idyllic countryside, surrounded by mountains and rice paddies. Experience the life of a farmer and try your hand at some of the activities. Or just view it all from the comfort of our traditional Lao rice house balcony, which is surrounded by rice terraces and our organic vegetable farm. All can join in and there are great photo opportunities. While there, spend some time to visit some local handicraft workshops like bamboo weaving, blacksmith work, and sugar cane processing. Finally, join a tour of the organic garden with explanation on how natural herbs are used in traditional medicine. Then have lunch at rice farm. Afternoon is free at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
 

After breakfast, pick up by your guide from the hotel. Today, you will learn how to be a mahout and then get ready to get wet as you plunge into the Nam Khan River and give your personal elephant a refreshing bath! Upon arrival at the Elephant Village Camp, we will participate in a short briefing about elephants. Then enjoy the impressive experience of a 3 km elephant ride on the elephant back (without elephant seat or howdah) or on your elephant’s neck. After that, receive a basic mahout training on how to control an elephant. Have lunch at Elephant Camp restaurant before taking your own elephant down to the Nam Khan river for an exhilarating and once in a lifetime bathing experience. It's time to board a traditional long boat to the Tad Sae waterfall and relax, dip your feet or take a swim in the clear, cool water. Late afternooon, transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, free at leisure until transferring to the airport for flight onward.
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