5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS - LUANG PRABANG AND ITS TEMPLES

(LUANG PRABANG - TEMPLES - KUANGSI WATERFALL - PAK OU CAVE)

 

DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG / ARRIVAL

"Sawadeeeee" - your guide will greet you upon arrival in Luang Prabang. Nestled on the banks of the Mekong River and surrounded by montains, Luang Prabang is one of Asia's most beautiful and enchanting cities. Take in the special feel of this unique town during your stay. The sightseeing of today depends on your arrival time. For sure is you will have enough time to walk up the 329 steps of Mt. Phousy and enjoy the view of the World Cultural Heritage City and the Mekong. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

 

DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG - TEMPLE VISITS

After breakfast visit the exquisite Royal Palace Museum. Built in 1904, during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family, architecturally it combines a blend of traditional Lao motifs and the French Beaux-Art styles. This museum houses a wonderful collection of objects of art, costumes from the Royal Theater, jewelry and other interesting treasures belonging to former kings. Then start the visits to the temples of Luang Prabang.

 

 

•  Wat Mai Tempel: The Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham or Wat Mai (New Monastery) is one of the biggest and most beautiful temples in Luang Prabang. Its central position (in front of the night market and beside the Royal Palace) makes it one of the most visited temples of this ancient royal town.

• Wat Visoun orVisunalat, Wat Wisunalat (Vixoun, Visounnarath, Vixunhalat, Wisunarat) was originally built during the reign of King Wisunarat (or Vixoun, 1501-1520) in 1513 (some suggest 1512) and represents the earliest style, sometimes referred to as Luang Prabang Style I, of Lao temple architecture. This style also includes the sims of Wat That Luang and Wat Mai. Wat Wisunalat is Luang Prabang’s oldest operating temple.

• Wat Ahan,  which is close by.

• Wat Xienthong, "monastery of the golden city", is the religious emblem of Luang Prabang and one of the highest symbols of Buddhism in Laos which was the reason why it was spared from the plunder of 1887. It is the most historically significant and impressive of Luang Prabang’s many wats. The low sweeping double-tiered roof (the front portico actually forms a third tier) and the rich interior and exterior decoration of its sim create an exceptionally fine example of the classic Luang Prabang style. Close by is the 

• Wat Sene  Souk Haram or literally "Temple of a 100 000 treasures"  which is one of the most beautiful temples in Luang Prabang, singular by its restored painting of a deep ochre colour, flamboyant and glittering with gold. Constructed in 1718 by king Kitsarath with 100 000 stones from the Mekong river, the temple is made up of a vihan, a that, several koutis, a pirogue shelter (where you can see a racing pirogue of extreme beauty), and a drum shelter (see photo). It is also the first monastery in town whose vihan was covered with yellow and red tiles in the modern Thai fashion. You can see the same type of colours at

• the Wat Nong Sikhounmuang.

• Wat Xieng Monuane, is situated in the centre of town, is very peaceful. You can admire the numerous decorative pieces of work, especially the paintings, stencilling and woodwork, the gilding, as well as the numerous portrayals of Buddha. And

• watch the sunset over the hill at Wat Phabat on the bank of the Mekong river. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

 

DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG - PAK OU CAVE

•  Today enjoy a boat ride (a few hours) upstream on the Mekong River. Watch slender canoes bobbing by the shore, floating poles marking the location of nets and fish traps, children playing on the sand beach, women washing laundry or taking showers. Visit Pak Ou cave, situated in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mount of Mekong and Ou rivers. Two large caves are home for one thousand Buddhas which are allegedly more than 300 years old. It is believed by the locals that many good-natured spirits reside in these caves. Climb some more steps up to visit a small royal cave Wat nearby you will see Lao typical villages a screen of foliage, slender canoes bobbing by the shore, bamboo poles and floats that mark the location of nets and fish traps. Stop at Ban Muangkeo, well-known for the famous Lao welcome cocktail 'lao khao'. Watch the a rice alcohol-processing plant and learn the step-by-step traditional process. Back to Luang Prabang, visit the Wat Pal Kham, also written Wat pakham which is situated on the point of the peninsula opposite Heritage House. It has not (as yet) been renovated, which gives it a certain fascination, an authenticity that the other temples of the town don’t possess. Overnight in Luang Prabang.  

 

DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG - KUANGSI WATERFALL - VISIT OF VILLAGES

After breakfast drive to Kuangsi Waterfall (30 km) south of Lauparaban which is not very high but its spectacular and green surrounding makes it a preserve National Park. En- route visit Ban Na Oune, a small village of the hilltribe called "Hmong". They are the best known minority group in Laos. Relax at the shady park and take a picnic lunch near by Kuangsi water fall. After lunch time take half day visit by driving to visit various villages of Ban Pa Nor, Khmu tribe and also Ban Long Laoh, Hmong tribe. Overnight in Luang Prabang. 

 

DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG – VILLAGES / DEPARTURE

After breakfast enjoy leisure time till your transfer to the airport.