Full Day Luang Prabang Tour

Located in the mountainous north of the country, this former royal capital has been a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site since 1995. Idyllically situated on the Mekong River and surrounded by beautiful green mountains, the town itself is picturesque and offers a wonderful mix of ancient temples and French-Indochinese architecture. Like much of Laos the pace of life in Luang Prabang is relaxed and compliments the visual charm of the town perfectly. Luang Prabang remains the cultural heart of Laos today, yet it simultaneously offers an incredible assortment of things for visitors to see and do. It is simply a must for any first time visitor to the country, and one of our favorite destinations anywhere in Southeast Asia.

DESTINATIONS

• The charms of Luang Prabang and its major must-see sites

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walking the halls of history at the Royal Palace Museum
• Exploring some of the city's oldest temples
• The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre
• Handicraft market and the summit of Phousi Hill to admire the finest panoramic view of Luang Prabang

Day 1: Luang Prabang Full Day Tour (L)

Optional early wake-up call, you'll participate with local people giving food to hundreds of Buddhist monks returning from morning prayers. After that, you'll take a stroll through the morning market where local people gathering for foods and goods exchanges before going back to the hotel for breakfast and refreshment.

We start our sightseeing tour by visiting important Luang Prabang temples Wat Visoun, known as the 'Watermelon Stupa' on account of its stupa's unusual spherical shape and Wat Mai. Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple, which more than any temples in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture; We will then have an interesting visit to The Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre - the first exhibition space and fair trade store dedicated to the collection, preservation, interpretation, and presentation of the traditional arts and lifestyles of Laos. Our next destination is the National Museum, the former Royal Palace which houses the collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue and gifts received from foreign dignitaries. We will make a stop at Wat Sibounheoung, a small quiet temple to meet a young monk - Khampheng who became the temple's head monk at age 20; it's chance to interact with him to have a better understanding about Buddhism in Lao. You will also visit the Saaiffone Contemporary Gallery, opportunity to meet and interact with a well-known artist who arms fluently eight languages: Mr. Thep Thavonsouk (subject to his availability then). We continue to visit the H'mong market in town and also craft shops for browsing. We end the day by walking up Phousi Hill, the 328 steps leads to the summit of Phousi Hill that dominates the sky-line of Luang Prabang providing the finest panoramic view in the whole city. Back to the hotel for the night.

Note:
- The Royal Palace Museum is closed on Tuesdays.
- 25seats coaster is not allowed to enter the old quarter, support local Tuk Tuk or minivans are to be used for city tour.