Jewels Of The Mekong

The Luang Say boat leaves Huay Xai pier at 9.30am (please be at Luang Say Houei Sai office not later than at 8.30) for a cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng. En route, one stop is made to observe rural life along the Mekong and observe minorities. A buffet lunch is served on board. We arrive in Pakbeng before sunset and check in at the Luang Say Lodge. Dinner on the terrace overlooking the Mekong River 

You will enjoy a full breakfast at the Lodge from 7.00am. (Optional: walk to Pakbeng market, where people from the surrounding village of minorities sell their goods, please ask at Luang Say lodge). At 8.00am board the boat for the second leg of the cruise. A short stop is made to visit a hilltribe village where you can watch the traditional process of Lao whiskey production before having a buffet lunch on board. Continue to Pak Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, where you visit the Tam Thing Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. Arrive at Luang Prabang around 16h00 or 17h00. Transfer to your hotel; free for the rest of the day. 

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From here, we visit local market near the Royal Palace where you can find anything from fresh vegetables, rice, streamed fish, frogs and many other things. This is an opportunity to get a real flavor of the local culture.

We then drive to Kuang Si Falls, located 30 kilometers south of Luang Prabang. The many tiered waterfalls have scooped out small basins of turquoise color. You can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools and hike around the falls if wanted. You’ll also visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park, one of the must-visit spots, newly opened on January 2014.

From there, we will transfer to the Living Craft Center, where we will be welcomed by the Manager, who will offer us the tour around the center and give us the detailed explanation of what the center are doing to promote the traditional Lao silk. This is the good chance for you to have a soft knowledge of the Lao traditional weaving techniques.

After the tour, we will enjoy the wonderful sunset cocktail at the Living Craft Center terrace overlooking the Mekong River. This is the really unforgettable experience for you when visiting Laos; the best way to catch the last beauties of the day. We then transfer back to your hotel. 

In the morning, your guide and driver will take you to Elephant Village. On arrival, the Camp Manager will welcome and greet you and brief shortly about the village. After, enjoy the impressive experience of approx. 30 minute elephant ride on the Howdah – the name of Elephant seat, you will then take boat trip to the nearby jungle.

Lunch at the Elephant Restaurant

Bathe Your Elephant: Take your own elephant down to the Nam Khan River for an exhilarating bathing experience! Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Take a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall and relax in the clear water.

We are free to stroll around the Elephant Village before transferring back to city center

A prominent Luang Prabang silver smith’s, the Fine Arts School and the Central Market are of interest to many people and we can visit these sights prior to bidding farewell to Luang Prabang and catching the departure flight