Laos – Luang Prabang 4 Days 3 Nights

As the sun begins to rise, you wake up early to witness one of the most sacred traditions in Laos, the daily morning almsgiving. You join in with the locals as more than 200 Buddhist monks depart from their temples and make their way to the old quarter of Luang Prabang to receive alms from the devoted followers. The monks move with grace and serenity on their bare feet while the locals offer sticky rice, bananas, sweets, and other foods in the monks' bowls. After the almsgiving, you visit the morning market, where locals exchange their daily catch for rice, vegetables, fish, or chicken, providing an excellent opportunity to experience local life and flavors.

Your private tour guide and driver meet you in the lobby for a full-day city tour in Luang Prabang. The first stop is the Royal Palace Museum, constructed during the French colonial era in 1904 for King Sisavang Vong and his family. Afterward, you board a private longtail boat for a cruise on the Mekong River to the famous Pak Ou Caves, also known as Tam Ting. The caves are filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of varying sizes, and you can observe the fishermen and villagers on the river as they go about their daily lives. The Mekong River is a critical part of life for many people in the region, as it is one of their primary means of transportation and commerce. You may stop at Ban Xang Hay, which specializes in making rice wine, if time allows. On your return to Luang Prabang, you enjoy lunch at the highly regarded restaurant, Tamarind (closed on Sundays).

In the afternoon, you visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, a stunning example of Laos' architectural temples, with its two-tiered roof and intricate mosaics, including a beautiful tree of life glass montage on the rear temple wall. Next, you travel along the Mekong to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre to learn more about the rich diversity of Laos' ethnic minorities through traditional costumes, tools, and artifacts on display. In the late afternoon, you ascend Mount Phousi for a breathtaking view of the city and Mekong River from the top of the gilded stupa during sunset. The tour ends with a visit to the Night Market, where you can browse a delightful selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. You spend the night in Luang Prabang, ready for more adventures the next day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After a delicious breakfast, you'll head out to the Elephant Village Camp located 15 kilometers from Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, a local guide will greet you and provide a brief introduction to Lao elephants and their unique herds. You will then meet your own elephant and take care of them, starting with feeding them and spending some time getting to know them better.

Next, you'll explore the Elephant Village Camp, which includes a hospital, museum, gallery, and even a dung paper-making facility. You'll then enjoy an impressive experience of being a Mahout, where you'll have a one-on-one experience with your elephant. Afterward, embark on a 2 km trek on foot along the exclusive Trail of Falls, passing through the diverse jungle landscape.

Enjoy a freshly prepared picnic lunch in the forest, with vegetarian options available. Then, continue the Trail of Falls with another 1 km trek leading up to Tad Sae Waterfalls, where you can relax or swim in its natural pools (water levels vary with seasonal conditions). Finally, ride a traditional longtail boat from the waterfall back to the Elephant Camp, where you can observe traditional fishing and local river life.

In the mid-afternoon, you'll return to your hotel downtown, and the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you will be escorted by your private tour guide and driver to the Luang Prabang airport for your onward flight.