On the trails of Laotian history

We have arrived at Wattay Vientiane International Airport and are proceeding with immigration formalities. Our English-speaking guide welcomes us there.

We head to our hotel by private car to settle in.

We walk through the streets of the city centre to observe the temples that majestically line the main street. The beautiful colonial houses are also wonders not to be missed. They evoke the characteristics of Vientiane and its past.

At the end of the day, we meet at the night market and at Chao Anouvong Park to watch the magnificent sunset over the Mekong. It is the meeting place of locals.

Dinner is free. The Pha Khao Lao is a good option if we want to taste authentic cuisine. It is located just a stone's throw from the quays, in a very pleasant setting.

Hotel breakfast (included). Our guide awaits us in front of our hotel at 8 o'clock. He takes us for the day on a tour of the monuments that have built the capital's reputation.

At the top of the list, we have That Luang. This beloved and emblematic stupa of the country is impressive with its golden reflections.

We continue with the discovery of Patuxay or the Arc de Triomphe of Laos and the fabulous Vat Sisaket temple.

The adventure continues at Vat Sisaket, a magnificent monastery, then at Vat Hoprakeo, the sanctuary that housed the Emerald Buddha now moved to Bangkok.

We move away for a moment from the heart of Vientiane to reach the "Buddha Park". This place is an important site for professional reintegration for disabled Lao women. It offers them a chance to rebuild themselves by participating in handicraft creation workshops.

On site, we are presented with the project of the center. We then have the opportunity to ask questions, to see these women engaged in their tasks or even participate in a newspaper recycling workshop.

We treat ourselves to a unique experience by having lunch on silent drifting boats, as the locals do on weekends in couples, families or with friends.

For this, we go to Tha Ngon which is located about 25 km from the city. The meal is prepared on the banks so we can board the boat that goes upstream by motor. We eat seated on board a wooden pirogue, on cushions and with low tables. A thatched roof covers it all to form a real little floating cabin along the Nam Ngum river. No engine noise allows us to enjoy our meal calmly. Along the way, we stop at the Dong Mak Kai market to taste fried insects.

We continue our day of discovery with the Buddha Park located about thirty kilometers from the city center. Remarkable sculptures dating from 1958 are scattered throughout. This place is located on the banks of the Mekong River. It is a park known for its originality and its mix of Asian religions (Hinduism and Buddhism).

Return to Vientiane.

At the end of the day, we can visit the COPE exhibition center which shows us the impacts of the second Vietnam War on the local population through UXOs.

Free dinner, but we recommend the Tummour restaurant located on the banks of the Mekong which offers us an ideal setting with a beautiful view of Thailand.

The day begins with the discovery of the first site of the Plain of Jars. The latter consists of numerous sites, but only three of them are accessible to the public, including Thong Hai Hin which houses 250 jars weighing between 600 kg and 6 tonnes. We then proceed to visit the two other sites.

We have lunch in the form of a picnic.

We arrive at the Mulberries Farm around 1 pm. We immerse ourselves in local life which revolves around silk and its closely guarded secrets. Laotian silk is renowned for having a manual and artisanal manufacturing method. Being part of what is called wild silks, it is characterized by its rougher and less smooth appearance, which gives it a noble, living and 100% organic character. All stages of production are carried out manually. We thus have the opportunity to participate in a workshop of our choice.

Returning to Xieng Khouang around 4:30 pm, we visit the MAG exhibition centre to learn more about the consequences of the bombings during the last conflicts in the area.

Local dinner on site.

Optionally, we can wake up at dawn to participate in the alms-giving ceremony to the monks of the city. This takes place between 5:30 and 6 a.m.

Before returning to the hotel, we could make a detour to the morning market.

We start the day with a delicious breakfast (included).

We then begin exploring the iconic monuments of Luang Prabang.

Among the must-see sites is the Vat Xieng Thong located at the confluence of the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River. It is an emblematic temple of the city that stands out for its typical local architecture. Countless devotees consider it a major pilgrimage site.

The National Museum, former Royal Palace and Vat Mai are also essential sites that we will not fail to visit.

Within the Vat Xieng Mouane, we will have the opportunity to discover crafts dedicated to Buddhist art at its training center. We then walk along the facade of the French Institute of Luang Prabang, former residence of humorist Pierre Desproges.

Continuing with a visit to Ock Pop Tok: this center is dedicated to promoting products from traditional textile craftsmanship in Laos.

Lunch on site (included).

If we feel like it, a visit to an ethnology museum can occupy our afternoon (closed on Mondays). With this option, we will have the opportunity to better understand the ethnic diversity of Laos as well as its culture.

We could add to this participation in a spinning top-making workshop. It is a toy very much appreciated by Hmong children. For several decades, adults have been playing it as part of a throwing competition. Here, you will have the chance to design your own wooden spinning tops and use them with the villagers. A moment of conviviality and fun guaranteed!

In the late afternoon, we enjoy the last rays of daylight with a visit to Vat Prabat Tai to admire the twilight sunset reflected on the Mekong.

Optionally, we can play a game of pétanque with seasoned locals. It's ideal for immersing yourself in the laid-back atmosphere of the region.

Dinner on your own. On recommendation, we can try the Tamarind restaurant with its fresh products and dishes following traditional or even ancestral Laotian cuisine.

After breakfast, we head towards The Bamboo Experience located on the outskirts of the city. Going there will be an opportunity to observe the surrounding nature and rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see.

On site, we will attend a bamboo weaving class. Then, we will have a few awareness sessions on the usefulness of bamboo-based products in the daily life of a Laotian (fishing or hunting equipment, musical instruments, etc…). We will also participate in a cooking workshop with a bamboo-based dishes theme. Among other things, the class will consist of preparing dishes to taste from the side of a sala overlooking a splendid landscape (group activity).

In the afternoon, we head to the famous Kuang Si Falls. These waterfalls are located 32 km from Luang Prabang. The road leading there is lined with splendid rice field landscapes. On site, we enjoy its pools of crystal-clear waters. We will visit its small permanent exhibition focused on the preservation of Southeast Asian black bears threatened with extinction.

Apart from the waterfalls which constitute a major attraction in the region, we have the possibility to indulge in swimming in natural pools with turquoise and crystal-clear waters.

Before returning to the city, we will take a short thirty-minute detour to the buffalo farm «Lao Buffalo Dairy». We will receive clarifications about the situation of this animal in Laos and the care administered to them. We can also approach some of them and bottle-feed the young ones.

At the end of the visit, we taste ice cream made from buffalo milk which are flavored differently depending on the season: with fruit, sesame, lemongrass…

Intimate dinner. The day's recommendation is given to the Luang Prabang Kitchen restaurant. We enjoy delicious affordable cuisine from its terrace. And we appreciate the view overlooking the main street.

Hotel breakfast (included).

In the company of our guide, we leave our accommodation at 8:30 AM to head towards the Nam Khan river valley. We will go down to the elephant camp.

Upon arrival, we receive a brief introduction to the camp and its elephants before starting the visit. In particular, we are told about their living conditions: veterinary care, food, well-being, etc. We will have the chance to walk alongside one of these Asian giants through the forest.

As an option, we can make a detour to the Tad Sae waterfall (detour possible depending on the season, preferably from July to December when the pools are full of water).

Buffet lunch at the camp (included).

Return to Luang Prabang in early afternoon.

Collection of our luggage at the hotel and transfer to Luang Prabang airport.

We take our return flight (flight booked by the traveler, flight and times to be reconfirmed).

Note: hotel rooms must be vacated by 12 PM. Luggage can be left at reception. Otherwise, it is possible to keep these rooms until 6 PM for an additional fee.