Luang Prabang Culture Experience 5 Days 4 Nights

DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL

Welcome to Laos: after a long time on airplane, you will reach Laos – the Country of Elephants

In the afternoon

• On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel
• After a soft rest, your city tour begins with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture
• Late afternoon, you will climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River
• Then you will join a private Baci ceremony at a local family. The Baci ceremony as a traditional ritual of the Lao people expresses the spirituality of the country and is a highly memorable experience and a deep insight into Lao culture for the participants

In the evening

• Dinner will be served at local family house which gives you the best chance to have first experience of local life and culture

Meals included: __/__/Dinner

Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 2: CULTURE EXPERIENCE AT TRADITIONAL ARTS & ETHNOLOGY CENTER

In the morning

• After having breakfast at the hotel, you will first visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts
• From there, you will transfer to Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center, the collection of diverse Lao ethnic groups. You will stroll around to visit the center to understand more about the Lao diverse ethnic culture
• After that, you will join the seminars of “Ethnic Diversity and Cultural Change in Laos”. This fascinating 60-minute presentation and question-and-answer session gives background on Laos’ ethnic communities, their history, and their cultural practices, including livelihoods and crafts. Guests have an opportunity to learn about lifestyles in ethnic villages, and are shown unique artefacts fromTAEC’s collection that are not accessible to the general public. The seminars are led by one of the two TAEC Founder/Directors, either Thongkhoun Soutthivilay, a Luang Prabang-native who worked at the Luang Prabang National Museum for 10 years, and who has attended trainings and conferences in the US, Thailand, Netherlands, Japan, and Brunei; or Tara Gujadhur, an American who has worked in Luang Prabang for over 10 years, with a background in anthropology and sustainable tourism development
• Lunch will be served at a local restaurant

In the afternoon

• After lunch, you will drive out of the city to visit Ban Xangkhong, the Thai Lue village, which is famous for its arts and crafts
• Here, you will join the demonstration of the process of making the Saa paper, which is the special handmade paper of Lao people, made from mulberry tree. The demonstration will take about 01 hour, then you can try making some products from the paper such as lantern, handbag, or book. You can bring what you do back home as the souvenir
• If time permits, you can visit some traditional textile looms, and the nearby Ban Xienglek
• Next, you will be transferred back to your hotel late afternoon

Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/__

Overnight in Luang Prabang 

DAY 3: OCK POP TOCK LIVING CRAFT CENTER

In the morning

• After having breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer to Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Center, which is set on the grounds of stunning tropical garden on the Mekong, it’s the perfect place to learn more about this unique Lao art
• First, you will join 2.5–hour hands-on workshop & learning experience, which is the great introduction to the world of Lao textiles where visitors get to try a bit of everything and dye their own scarf

• Here is the workshop structure:
  • Meet the Silkworms – an explanation of the worms’ lives; some interesting facts regarding sericulture; Guests prepare mulberry leaves and feed the worms
  • Preparing Natural Dyes – a brief introduction to natural dyes; guests are invited to prepare two dye sources sourced from plants growing in the LCC gardens; guests dye white scarves in their chosen colours
• Refreshments Break: Fruit platters and Lao-style drinks
  • Meet the Weavers – an introduction to the looms and the different weaving techniques
  • Ikat Weaving Demonstration – guests are invited to try weaving and spinning on our demonstration looms
• Lunch will be served at a local restaurant

In the afternoon

• After lunch time, you will have the option to join 01 of the following classes (not included in the price):
  • Natural Dye Class: You will be taught the secrets of natural dye preparation and try mixing them yourself, with many of the ingredients coming from the surrounding gardens. By the end of the class you will have 3 dyed silk skeins to take home as souvenirs
  • Weaving Class: One of the expert weavers will be your personal tutor to help you master the impressive art of weaving. As a novice you will select just two colors and create a placemat with a Lao motif. You can witness the Lao ladies weaving incredibly intricate patterns and truly appreciate their skill having tried yourself!
  • Hmong Batik Drawing Class: The Hmong Batik Class is an introduction to Hmong culture. Each student will create a wax resist, Hmong style design on hand loomed hemp. Due to time constraints it is not possible to complete the dye portion of the process. The natural hemp renders a beautiful finished piece
  • Bamboo weaving class: Join the master bamboo weaver and learn about the many uses of bamboo in Laos. Half day class students will weave a placemat or traditional fan
• After that you will finish the day at Silk Road café overlooking the Mekong river, and admire the sun setting behind the mountains
• Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon

Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/__

Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 4: MORNING ALMS GIVING – MEKONG CRUISE − PAK OU CAVES

In the morning

• An 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 there, you will take a short visit to the morning local market near the Royal Palace. At the market, you can find anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground, this is what the locals do every day. This is really the chance for you to get a real flavor of the local culture
• After having breakfast at the hotel, you will board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims
• Along the way, you will stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine
• Lunch will be served at a local restaurant

In the afternoon

• After lunch time, you will take the cruise further onto Nam Ou river, and make a stop at Ban Vanglae, home to the lovely Nam Ou Riverside Resort, where you spend the rest of the day to relax by the inviting pool or walk around the nearby village

Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/__

Overnight at Nam Ou Riverside Resort

DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG DEPARTURE

• After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be free to stroll around the resort and the nearby village, or just relax at the inviting pool before taking the departure flight

Meals included: Breakfast/__/__

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