A Lao trio: Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang

After your hotel breakfast, you begin at 8:30 AM discovering the main monuments of Vientiane, a small peaceful capital full of charm. You start with the That Luang (Pha That Luang), the most venerated stupa in the country, then discover Patuxay, Vientiane's Arc of Triumph. You continue to Vat Sisaket, before visiting the Ho Phra Keo Museum, which once housed the Emerald Buddha, now preserved in Bangkok.

Your morning ends at the COPE exhibition center, where you can better understand the consequences of the second Vietnam War and the devastation that UXOs continue to cause to local populations.

For lunch, you head to the Doi Ka Noi restaurant, located slightly outside the city center and committed to sustainable development. The first establishment of its kind in Laos to follow the slow food movement, it offers authentic and tasty Lao cuisine. Here, there is no fixed menu: dishes change daily according to products available at the market, the season as well as the wishes of chef Noy.

In the afternoon, you discover a flagship activity of Laotian culture: Muay Lao, similar to Thai boxing and practiced with feet, fists and knees. You learn more about this sport before participating in an accessible training session, where rigor and concentration blend with a convivial moment to share with your family.

At the end of the day, you head to a local sauna to discover another Laotian tradition: a medicinal herb sauna. A real gathering place, it allows people to meet up with friends or family, or simply enjoy a moment of relaxation. You alternate between steam bath and patio, where you can chat over a herbal infusion, before taking a cold shower. You can also observe local habits around body and skin care, particularly the use of creams and tamarind-based products.

Dinner on your own.

You continue your discovery of the region with a 3 to 4 hour kayaking excursion towards an organic farm. It is notably known for its organic infusions, goat cheese and fruit wines.

Not far from there, you reach the Tham None (Sleeping Cave), which extends deep into the mountain. Allow approximately 45 minutes to explore this cavity and observe its stalagmites and stalactites. It is the second largest cave in this region of Laos. Like many rock shelters in the country, it served as a refuge for the local population during the Second Indochina War.

After your breakfast (included), you set out to discover the main monuments of Luang Prabang. You visit the Wat Xieng Thong, located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, an iconic temple with local architecture and an important pilgrimage site. You continue with the National Museum, housed in the former Royal Palace, then Vat Mai.

At Vat Xieng Mouane, you discover crafts related to Buddhist art within its training center, before passing by the French Institute of Luang Prabang, the former residence of humorist Pierre Desproges.

You then head to Boutique Ock Pop Tok, a workshop committed to preserving Lao textile craftsmanship. You discover manual silk weaving and natural dyes, as well as the ingredients used to obtain different colors. A practical workshop in weaving or dyeing is also available as an optional extra.

Lunch on site (included).

In the afternoon, you can visit the ethnology museum (closed Mondays) to better understand the ethnic and cultural diversity of Laos. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a top-making workshop, a game enjoyed by Hmong children and practiced by adults during throwing competitions. You make your wooden top before testing it with the villagers.

At the end of the day, meet at Vat Pha Bat Tai to admire the sunset over the Mekong. Optionally, you can join in a game of pétanque with local residents.

Dinner on your own.

Optionally, you can wake up early to participate in the alms-giving ceremony with monks, between 5:30 and 6:00 AM, then discover the morning market before returning to your hotel.

You then head to The Bamboo Experience, on the outskirts of Luang Prabang, in the heart of a rice field environment. You participate in a bamboo weaving course and discover the many uses of this plant in the daily life of Laotians: fishing or hunting equipment, musical instruments, among others. You also take part in a bamboo cooking workshop, before tasting your creations in a sala overlooking the landscape. (Group activity).

In the afternoon, you head to Kuang Si Falls, located 32 km from Luang Prabang, crossing rice field landscapes. There, you enjoy the pools with crystal-clear waters and discover a small permanent exhibition dedicated to the conservation of Asian black bears, which are threatened with extinction.

Before returning to Luang Prabang, you make a stop of approximately 30 minutes at Lao Buffalo Dairy. You learn about the situation of buffalo in Laos, the care provided to them as well as prevention and breeding programs developed with local farmers. An emblematic animal of Asian countryside, the buffalo experiences a birth mortality rate that can reach 50% due to insufficient access to certain nutrients. The farm also works around dairy and cheese production.

You can get close to the buffalo, bottle-feed the calves and end the visit with a tasting of artisanal buffalo milk ice cream, flavored seasonally with fruits, sesame or lemongrass.

Dinner on your own. We recommend the Luang Prabang Kitchen restaurant, which offers affordable cuisine to enjoy on the terrace, with a view of the main street.

After your breakfast (included), transfer to the Luang Prabang pier. You board a private boat, accompanied by your English-speaking guide, for an excursion on the Mekong.

You first navigate south on a section of the river less frequented by travelers. First stop at Mekong Eden Farm, accessible only by boat. Created around 2017, this farm works to promote ecological agricultural methods and develop sustainable agro-ecotourism to support rural Laotian life. On site, you can exchange with experts and ask them your questions.

Traditional Laotian lunch (included), served aboard the boat or on a beach depending on weather conditions.

In the afternoon, you navigate north to reach the Pak Ou caves. Inside, you discover several hundred Buddha statues. The caves are an important pilgrimage site for Laotians, particularly during the Lao New Year, celebrated in mid-April.

Return to Luang Prabang, then transfer to your hotel to enjoy your evening freely.

Dinner at your own expense.

At 8:30 AM, you depart with your guide to the heart of the Nam Khan river valley to reach an elephant camp. Upon arrival, you discover how the camp operates, the condition of elephants in Laos, and the various aspects that structure their daily lives, including veterinary care, feeding, and bathing.

You then head out for a walk alongside elephants through the forest. In a commitment to protecting and respecting the animals, elephant riding is no longer practiced in Laos.

If you wish and depending on the time of year, you can also discover the Tad Sae waterfalls. The visit is mainly possible from July to December, when the pools are filled with water, depending on rainfall. You then return to the camp for a buffet lunch, before heading back to Luang Prabang.

In the afternoon, you head to the Ban Vat That pier and cruise on the Mekong for approximately 15 minutes to reach the Pha Tad Ke botanical garden. The garden is closed every Wednesday. Upon arrival, a presentation allows you to better understand its diversity and the history of its creation.

You continue your discovery along a trail offering views of the karst formations and the Mekong. At the hunters' lodge, you participate in a workshop where you craft your own bamboo walking stick.

Your journey continues through the arboretum, the palm garden, a bamboo forest, and rice paddies. In the House of Mists, you attend a presentation on the importance of biodiversity and its conservation. You then proceed to the nursery, where an optional discussion about Laos orchids may be offered to you.

You finally return to the peninsula, where you meet your minivan for the transfer to your hotel.

You collect your luggage from the hotel before your transfer to the Luang Prabang airport for your return flight. (Flight booked by yourself, flight and times to be reconfirmed).

Note: rooms must be vacated before 12pm. Your luggage can be left at reception. It is also possible to keep your room until 6pm for an additional fee.