VL03 Enchanting Luang Prabang ( 4 days / 3 nights )

Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves - Khuang Si Falls

Day 1 Luang Prabang - Arrival
Arrive in Luang Prabang and transfer to hotel. After checking in, take a city tour to Wat Sen and Wat Visun. Take a late afternoon drive to Khuang Si Falls, where the waters tumble over multi-tiered limestone formations into a series of turquoise pools. Return to town to enjoy sunset on top of Mount Phou Si, overlooking the Luang Prabang ancient capital. Afterwards, enjoy visiting the Street Night Market where local people and surrounding hill tribes display their textiles, silk worms and hand-made traditional garments and wares. 
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2 Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves
Take a full-day boat trip on the mighty Mekong River. Our tour begins with a to visit Wat Xiengthong, a most famous royal temple. Then we will cross the Mekong River to explore the villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan. Explore another royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, which once belonged to the royal family, and the nearby Sackarine Caves as well. Continue cruising on the river until reaching Pak Ou Caves. Explore the caves and cross the Mekong River at Ban Ou for lunch at a local restaurant. Return by road to Luang Prabang, stopping en route at Ban Xang Hai, where the residents create a unique rice wine called lao lao. On the way back, also stop at the villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek, well known for their hand weaving and hand made Jute Sar paper.
Overnight in Luang Prabang. [Breakfast]

Day 3 Luang Prabang - Khuang Si Falls
In the morning visit the Phou Si Market with its array of offerings including dried buffalo skin, local tea, saltpeter and hill-tribe weavings as well as vegetables and livestock. Laos is known for its traditional crafts, and today we visit the ethnic villages of Ban Ouay, (Hmong), Ban Ou (Lowland Lao) and Ban Thapene (Khmu). Continue driving to the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfalls where we can splash around in the pools or walk along forest paths. Return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon and continue to Ban Phanom, a well known weaving village, before returning to the city in the late evening to watch the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. 
Overnight in Luang Prabang. [Breakfast] 

Day 4 Luang Prabang - Alms-Giving - Departure
This morning, you may rise early if you wish to participate in the daily morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black alms-giving bowls receiving offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. After breakfast visit several local highlights, including the Former Royal Palace, now the National Museum (closed on Tuesdays). If time permits, visit the Luang Prabang Market and a number of shops selling antiques and silver jewelry made by mountain tribes. Transfer to airport for departure. [Breakfast]