Enjoy breakfast at hotel.

Hop on Tuk Tuk and we 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. The National Museum and the Central Market are not to be missed. We enjoy a short tour seeing the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and Wat Xieng Thong, a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty, and traditional art. Later we’ll visit the impressive Wat Visoun, the oldest temple that houses many Buddha images. Next is Wat Aham, the ‘Monastery of the Blossomed Heart’ exudes serenity, and Wat Mai, the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in this city.

You can plan the rest of the afternoon yourself.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Travel south of town to the famous Kuangsi Waterfall; the turquoise color of the water with a backdrop of white limestone cliffs gives the waterfall a magical appearance. Depending on the season the water level varies, and you can be swimming in the beautiful pools. While there, you also will have the opportunity to visit the Sun Bear Reserve, a conservation center that rescues animals from the wildlife trade. We also visited Kuang Si Butterfly Park is a project that was initiated in January 2014 by 2 Dutch passionate people from Holland. The mission is to create a research center studying and publishing about Laos butterflies, host plants and preservation because of environmental issues in Laos. Finally, we visit Laos Buffalo Dairy is a socially responsible, sustainable farm, and social enterprise.

Evening, enjoy Luang Prabang night maket, offering a lovely variety of handmade textiles crafted by local and hill-tribe people, along with street food, knick-knacks and friendly banter.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Breakfast at the hotel, then drive to Nong Khiaw. The trip is about a 3-hour drive from Luang Prabang. Nong Khiaw is a small, rustic town by the bridge. This little settlement is blessed with some of the most attractive natural settings in Northern Laos. Vertical limestone mountains with a river that runs through them take the breath away. Visit Tai Lue (cotton weaving center) in Ban Nayang to see handmade cotton, natural color dyes, and admire the people's slow pace of life. The opportunity to meet Mr. Somdet, the project's founder, provides an in-depth look into how weaving and dying are traditionally carried out before proceeding to Nong Khiaw, check in, and rest at leisure.

Travel time/distance: approximately 3-4 hours/ 142 kms

Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

Today we set out on a FairTrek to Ban Na Luang. The FairTrek Initiative aims to give back to local communities and encourage conservation through responsible tourism. By taking part in a FairTrek and homestay you will be giving back to the local villages through the FairTrek Fund whilst enjoying an authentic cultural exchange.

The trek takes around 2-3 hours and is suitable for most levels of fitness.

In the ethnically diverse village of Ban Na Luang, we can learn about the local traditions and the lifestyle of the local population. The Lao Looum and Lao Soung represent different ethnic minority groups and we can experience the differences while we stay at their homes here for the night.

The landscape is dominated by rice fields and stunning rock formations, making this a beautiful natural environment to spend the evening.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

Today you will take a private boat trip from Nong Khiaw to Muang Khua. Along the way you will pass small villages and have a beautiful view of the limestone mountains. You will have lunch on the boat today and arrive in Muang Khua in the afternoon. From here you will travel on to the hotel. You will stay overnight in the middle of the jungle.

Overnight in Oudomxay.

An active day in the jungle. You will take a walk today to the Namkat Waterfall. You walk through the jungle and part of the route you cover via 13 rope bridges. A real adventure! Are you afraid of heights? Let us know and we will adjust the walk. Lunch is organized at the waterfall and then you walk back to the starting point. On the way we stop at a few giant trees.

Overnight in Oudomxay.

After breakfast, we catch the express train to Luang Namtha, which is located on the banks of the Tha River or Nam Tha. Upon arrival, our staff will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Free for your own time.

Overnight in Luang Namtha in a nice guesthouse.

Today you will also go on a beautiful hike. The driver will take you to Ban Nam Yang, which is the starting point of the hike. Today you will walk through the forest to the top of the mountain. Along the way you will pass an Akha cemetery. The view from the top is beautiful and after you have rested, the hike continues to an Akha village. The guide will tell you about life in the mountains in the village. On the way back to the hotel we will stop at a Black Tai village.

Overnight in Luang Namtha in a nice guesthouse.

Today you travel further to Houayxay. You are now close to the border and can see Thailand. Houayxay is located on the Mekong River and tomorrow your two-day cruise will start.

Overnight in Houayxay.

You board a ready traditional boat for the trip down the Mekong River. Serene, timeless Laos is one of Asia's most unvisited, unchanged countries. This once-powerful kingdom known as Lane Xang (Million Elephants) was founded in the 14th century with the help of the Khmers, and it went on to become one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia until its demise in the late 19th century. Bisected and bordered by the Mekong River, omnipresent symbol of Indochina, Laos today is an amalgam of cultural influences, Theravada Buddhism, animism, France, and the socialist ideal. It is a peaceful place, and the legendary hospitality, resilience and friendliness of the Lao people is much in evidence. Laos is Old Asia preserved. As your journey downriver you will stop at some tribal minority villages such as the Hmong, Yao, and Khmu.

Overnight in Pakbeng.

Breakfast, as you sail downriver as a second leg, you will pass areas of un-spoilt forest with little villages along the riverbanks and perhaps the odd elephant or two with his mahout. You visit a fishing village and a rice winemaking village and perhaps even taste some of the infamous beverage known as Lao Rice wine. You also visit the Pak-Ou caves, where thousands of Buddha statues are stored. You arrive in Luang Prabang around sunset and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Today you have a free day in Luang Prabang. Relax by the pool or maybe take a bike ride through the city? The choice is yours!

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Pick up by driver and transfer to Luang Prabang airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.