6 DAYS: DEPARTURE FROM HOUAY XAI TO PAKBANG TO LUANG PRABANG, UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE VIA PAK OU CAVES. (NORTHEAST THAILAND BORDER CROSSING)

Your experienced local guide will meet you at the Houay Xai border crossing at approx. 8:00AM. Your guide will assist you with securing your travel VISA on arrival and with completing the necessary immigration forms to enter Laos. Once you have crossed into Laos you will take a Tuk-Tuk to the boat pier and board a traditional Mekong River ‘slow boat’, you will then enjoy a beautiful cruise along the mighty Mekong River to Pakbeng. The cruise will last approx. 7 hours, and for the first hour of so you will be able to experience the scenery of 2 countries at once. As you travel along the river it makes the border between both Laos on one side and Thailand on the other. Throughout the cruise you can experience the beautiful rural landscape and diverse wildlife along the banks of the Mekong, and see what day to day life is like for the people that live there. Along the way you will stop at various sites such as Khmu and Hmong tribal village, before having a traditional Laos lunch overlooking the water. Arriving at Pakbang you will check into the luxurious Pakbeng Le Grand resort, which is one of the best Resort in Laos. Situated alongside the mighty Mekong River and the surrounding mountain, its paradise nestled in the lush undulating jungle.

Your experienced local guide will meet you after breakfast, and you will check out of the hotel at approx. 8:00AM. From here you will be picked up and transfer to boat pier, then continue by ‘slow boat’ cruise along the Mekong River for approx. 5 hours to visit the Pak Ou cave system, stopping for lunch on the way. After lunch you will visit the incredible Pak Ou caves, including the spectacular Tham Thing cave. The ancient Pak Ou cave system, (‘Pak meaning mouth, ‘Ou meaning River) has significant spiritual and religious meaning to the Laos people. Especially during Lao New Year celebrations, where it’s used in ceremonies to bring good luck, health, wealth and prosperity. Our tour will see this influence first-hand from the thousands of images of buddha lining the cave as you explore both the lower and upper cave systems with the help of experienced local guides who will help you navigate your way through the amazing cave and river systems. Once finished at the caves you will reboard the boat continuing along the Mekong River for approx. 30 minutes. Our tour then stops to visit Xanghai village, where you will meet the local people and learn the traditional crate of silk weaving and traditional Lao whisky making. There you will get the opportunity to sample and purchase the handmade local produce perfect for gifts and souvenirs, which also helps to support the local community allowing our traditional skills to continue. From the village you will reboard the boat and travel a short distance to Luang Prabang city. Arriving at the boat pier our minibus will take you and transfer to your hotel for check in, and your guide will give you the welcome tour of Luang Prabang, then go out for dinner.

Your experienced local guide will meet you at you accommodation, pick up is approx. 5:30AM. From here you will go to experience the morning ritual of the budhist monks as they collect food offering for the day. For religious reasons the monks are forbidden to cook for themselves and are only permitted to consume 2 meals a day, one at breakfast, and one at lunch although they are allowed to drink water throughout the day. From there you will visit the local morning market and witness the local people purchasing produce and supplies from the surrounding area. You will have the opportunity to purchase local food and snacks before returning to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast you will head to the Vat Mai temple and then visit Luang Prabang’s Royal Palace Museum. After your guide will give a walking tour of Luang Prabang’s French inspired architecture dating back to the French colonization of Laos. You will then visit the ancient temples of Vat Xieng Thong and Vat Visoon Narat before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch you will participate in a traditional Laos cooking class where you will learn how to cook a variety of fabulous local delicacies. The chef will take you to a local market to buy fresh ingredients then teach you how to prepare and cook a selection of simple yet delicious meals. You can choose from a variety of dishes to prepare and afterwards can share the food you’ve cook together with the class, in the traditional Laos style. Your tour guide will collect you from you from the lesson and accompany you back to your accommodation, where the rest of the evening is your own to explore Luang Prabang.

You experienced local guide will meet you at your accommodation, pick up is approx. 8:00AM. From there we will travel the rural roads out of Luang Prabang for approx. 40 minutes to Long Lao Hmong village. There our experienced local tour guide will take you on a walking tour of the village explaining the Hmong tribal culture. Then you will trek from the village through the local surroundings seeing the traditional farming culture through various rubber, teak, corn, and rice crops, along the way. Continuing up-hill through the jungle to the peak of the hill where you will stop for lunch this will take approx. 2.5 hours. After lunch you will visit the ‘hermit cave’ and see the natural springs. Our tour continues to the top of the truly spectacular Kuang Si waterfall system. Its cascading waterfalls continue twisting through the luscious green jungle forming picturesque blue pools of water perfect for a relaxing paradise swim. This really is a tour highlight and must be seen when visiting Luang Prabang, it’s an unforgettable experience you have to see to believe. After the option of swimming or exploring the area  you can change your clothes and continue the tour on to visit the endangered Sun Bears at the Bear Rescue Centre. Before boarding transport back Luang Prabang city. There your guide will accompany you back to your accommodation.

Your experienced local guide will meet you at your accommodation, pick up is at approx. 8:00AM. From there you will travel to the rice plantation. Where you will experience the local agriculture. You will see how rice is grown traditionally on the farm and try the different types of things the local people make with it. We then make our way back to the city for lunch. After lunch we will climb the 328 steps of Phou Si Mountain Pagoda, in time to see the breathtaking sunset across the Mekong River. This is the best time for enjoying the unique scenery and landscape surrounding Luang Prabang city! After dark the city comes alive and you guide will take you back down the mountain, helping to navigate Luang Prabang’ bustling night market as you go to a local restaurant for dinner. After dinner your guide will accompany you through the night market giving and opportunity for souvenirs shopping on the way. Your guide will return you back to your accommodation and say goodbye before the tour ends.

Optional transfers to include travel From Luang Prabang, (various destinations available by prior arrangement).