The day is spent with your guide discovering the magical temples and ancient crafts practised in this beautiful city in the mountains. Exactly what you choose to do on this day is up to you and can be discussed with your guide, but generally, the tour includes visits to the Royal Palace Museum, Wat Xieng Thong and the Water Melon Stupa in the morning. You will then be taken back to your hotel or to a local restaurant for lunch (at own expense).
In the afternoon you head out toward the Mekong River, just south of the town to visit the textile and weaving villages of Xangkhong and Xienglek. Here you can see their unique method of dying, using bark from the mulberry tree. Returning to town you can visit the temple Wat Mai and the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre; this museum is dedicated to providing information on the different ethnic groups of Laos, the exhibits contain a mixture of photographs, text and traditional clothes making for an interesting and insightful visit. As dusk approaches, the day is likely to end with a walk up the central hill, to holy Phu Si temple to watch the spectacular sunset over the town. Alternatively you could walk around some of the smaller ‘forgotten’ temples as the monks say their evening prayers.
Please note that the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre is closed on Mondays, however if this is the case, your guide will be able to suggest suitable alternative options.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Laos specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Alms giving by Buddhist monks
Each morning at dawn in Luang Prabang the local Buddhist monks form a procession around the streets of this charming town, collecting alms of rice and vegetables from the local population.
Evening Baci ceremony
The Baci ceremony is a mix of Animism and Buddhism. These ceremonies are common to Laos. Their purpose is to call back your own spirits to your body because they sometimes escape.
Kuang Si waterfalls
Kuang Si Falls are 30 kilometres from town. The excursion leaves Luang Prabang in the morning and heads toward Ban Ou by boat.
Living land rice experience
This is a great opportunity to experience the hard life of a farmer and try your hand at some of the activities, such as working with Suzuki the water buffalo, in knee-deep muddy rice paddies. Enjoyable and very educational, you will learn about the 13 steps and various methods involved in planting, growing, harvesting and cooking rice.
Nam Ou River adventure
The Ou River is a tributary of the Mekong and its valley has some of the most stunning scenery in the whole of Laos. You will take longtail motorboats to cover the distance through the valley back to Luang Prabang, stopping en route to visit some of the local hill tribe villages and the holy Pak Ou Caves.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
