Luang Prabang Discovery Tour – 3 Days

Duration: 3 Days/ 2 Nights
Start/End: Luang Prabang / Luang Prabang
Tour type: Explore and Experience
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Guides: Local Guide (English Speaking Guide, Other Languages upon Request)
Transportation: Private first-class air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Listed below or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Luang Prabang Arrival - Boat Trip Mekong River - Xieng Men Village - Temples
Day 2: Luang Prabang City Tour: Morning market - Temples of the city - Mount Phou Si Climb - Royal Palace
Day 3: Luang Prabang Boat Trip - Departure

Day 1: Luang Prabang Arrival - Boat Trip Mekong River - Xieng Men Village - Temples (L, D)

After having your check-in and your installation in your hotel, start your discovery of the ancient capital of the millions of elephants country by a stroll on the right bank of Luang Prabang (Village of Xieng Men). You will need to cross the Mekong river: many boats are present at the pier of the Royal Palace Luang Prabang. Planning kips for the payment of the boat crossing and entry fees to the sites. Once reaching the right bank, walk to discover the village of Xieng Men.

While crossing this village, you will find the Wat Xieng Men in front of the temple of the village. Continue to the temples of Wat Chomphet and Wat Long Khoun. You will enjoy an amazing view of Luang Prabang from Wat Chomphet.

Then take the boat and return to the left bank of the city. Then continue to Wat Sene (high place of pilgrimage), located on the main street of Luang Prabang (Sisavangvong Street), the great venerable Luang Prabang resides in this temple. Around 5 pm/5.30 pm, participate in the chants and evening prayers of the bones of the temple, which is a unique experience within 3 days in Luang Prabang.

You can then stroll to the Hmong Night Market on Luang Prabang's main street (Sisavangvong Street). The Hmong Night Market takes place every evening from 5.30 pm on the main street.

Day 2: Luang Prabang City Tour: Morning market - Temples of the city - Mount Phou Si Climb - Royal Palace (B, L, D)

The sun just comes out until around 9.30 am/10pm, if you are a lover of photography, start visiting Luang Prabang’s monuments at this time. Before 9.30am/10.am you can visit the food market of Luang Prabang, located at the crossroads of the beginning of Sisouvangvong Street. Visit the temple of Wat Aham which is revered by locals. This temple is said to shelter the protective spirits of the city. Then continue by visiting Wat Visoun, located next to Wat Aham. Wat Visoun has been completely rebuilt according to Delaporte's sketches.

 

Then climb 328 steps to Mount Phou Si to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. You can also visit the Ethnic Museum, the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center (TAEC) to learn more about the different ethnic minorities in Laos. The TAEC center is located near Mount Phou Si in the village of Ban Khamyong, it is open from Tuesday to Sunday without interruption from 9.00am to 18.00pm. (Entrance fee 25.000 kips)

It will then be lunchtime. In the afternoon, visit the former Royal Palace Luang Prabang, the city's must-see monument (closed on Tuesdays), the site is less crowded in the afternoon. Then go to Wat Mai, located right next to the Royal Palace Luang Prabang. Continue your afternoon with the visit of Wat Pra Bat Thai, the only Buddhist temple of the small vehicle of Luang Prabang.

Finish your day by the visit of the most beautiful temple of Luang Prabang, Wat Xieng Thong around 4 pm/4.30 pm. That is the only temple to have been spared from the destruction during the invasion of the Black Pavilions; therefore, the Wat Xieng Thong has a typical architecture among other temples of Luang Prabang.

Then return to the hotel to enjoy the pool or to rest. In the evening, you can relax with a small cocktail in the bars of Luang Prabang's main street or those located on the banks of the Nam Khan River.

Day 3: Luang Prabang Boat Trip - Luang Prabang Departure (B, L)

In the morning (around 6.00 am/6.30 am) observe monks during their morning alms ritual. If you are not Buddhist, respect the ceremony and the monks. (Do not put yourself on the path of the monks, do not focus your goals on the monks...) Avoid the main street (Sisavanvong street) where is crowded with the horde of tourists. Join the quest of the monks in Luang Prabang from Sisavangvong Street. To join in the ceremony, please tell your guide that you need for the ritual, then they will prepare for you, or you can also buy in the spot near there. End of the ritual, back to your hotel to have breakfast or go to the local's restaurant for a bowl of delicious noodle soup

Note: During your ritual, please dress appropriately - some part of your body shouldn't show out including shoulders, chest, and legs

Then dedicate this last day for excursions outside the city.

Start by discovering the Wat Pa Phon Pao temple, located on one of the Luang Prabang hills to see the sunrise. Wat Pao Pao is a temple dedicated to meditation. Then continue to the village of Ban Phanom, the village of weavers, which at the time of the kings was specialized in making outfits of the Royal Palace Luang Prabang. A few kilometers from the village of Ban Phanom, along the Nam Khan River, pay tribute to Henri Mouhot, a French adventurer, discoverer of Angkor Wat. Then continue your day to the Tad Sae Falls where you can go on an elephant ride along the Nam Khan.

It will be time to return downtown for lunch. In the early afternoon, head to the pier in Luang Prabang and board a long-tail boat for a cruise on the Mekong River to the Pak Ou (or Tam Ting) Caves. The boat ride to the Pak Ou Caves takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Stop at or head back to Ban Xang Hai village where you will discover the art of distilling the local rice liquor - the Lao Lao. Once you arrived at the Pak Ou Caves, do not forget to visit the upper part of the cave.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.