WPTS-C:(LAOS)RELAXINGLUANGPRABANG5DAYSTOUR

(LAOS) RELAXING LUANGPRABANG 5 DAYS TOUR PACKAGE

inclusions:
* Round trip Plane Ticket
* Philippine Travel Tax 1,620
* Transfers
* Accommodation
* Meals as per itinerary
* Air-conditioned Bus & Tour Guide Service
* Sightseeing tours as per itinerary

exclusion:
* Complementary Tipping

Rates start for as low as US$ 1,139/pax

ITINERARY:

DAY 1 ARRIVE LUANGPRABANG (L/D)
Arrive Luangprabang welcome by local guide and transfer to hotel for check in.Next we set out for a sightseeing tour, which includes stops at important Luang Prabang temples like Wat Visoun (known as the ‘Watermelon Stupa’ on account of its spherical shape) and Wat Mai. We’ll also see the 16th century temple Wat Xieng Thong, which epitomizes all the elegance and grace of the city’s architecture. We end the day by walking up Phousi Hill - the 328 steps lead to the summit and provide the finest panoramic city view.This evening we transfer out to a local village, where you take part in a traditional Baci Ceremony, involving the tying of strings to ones wrists aims to keep bad spirits away and bring good luck. Overnight in Luangprabang.

DAY 2 LUANGPRABANG – PAK OU CAVE – COOKING CLASS (B/L/D)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the boat pier for a boat trip on the Mekong River to visit Pak ou cave with thousand of antique Buddha images located in front of Pak ou, On the way back, stop to visit Ban Sanghai local rice whisky distillation and ancient pottery village. Lunch is at local restaurant overlooking the Mekong and cruising downstream for a 02 hours on the Mekong River. Visit Ban Muangkeo where locals collecting river-weed, making one of the most distinctive snacks of Luang Prabang. Return to Luang Prabang by the same boat, continue by car to visit Ban Xangkhong, the well-known village for its wood paper making and also Lao silk weavings with natural dyes, where you can do shopping there. At 5:30 Pm transfer to the Tamarind Cooking School for a join-in evening class. The expert chefs will first demonstrate how to prepare authentic Lao dishes. Then it’s your turn to try your hand at cooking local Lao cuisine. Slice and pound your way through the ingredients before cooking each dish in the traditional way. You will be given a cook book that you can take home to practice your newly learnt cooking skills and relive your time in Laos. Overnight in Luangprabang.

DAY 3 LUANGPRABANG – KUNGSI WATER FALL & BEAR SANCTUARY (B/L/D)
We have an optional early wake-up call to participate in giving food to hundreds of Buddhist monks returning from dawn prayers. Otherwise we take a stroll through the morning market. We then head back to the hotel for breakfast. We will drive to visit the National Museum and the former Royal Palace, home to a collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue as well as gifts received from foreign dignitaries. A H’mong market and craft shop are also worthwhile stops. A winding road takes you through small minority villages (Lao Lum, Khmu & Hmong ) & rice paddies into the lush area of kungsi water fall. As you wander through the cool rain forest you will come upon a majestic tiered water fall tumbling a 100 meters over white limestone formations into turquoise multi-level pools. It is possible to cool off in some of the pools below, or just wade in the water. Walk down the path that follows the stream, passing small pools and ancient trees before arriving at the bear sanctuary. Asiatic black bears, now a class I endangered species, are poached throughout Asia for their supposed medicinal value, young cubs are trafficked from Laos to ‘Bile farms’ where they are kept imprisoned in small cages while their bile is extracted. Free the bears fund established the rescue centre at Tad Kungsi to care for bears rescued from illegal poachers and traders. The rescue centre is now home to around 23 bears from newly orphaned cubs to full grown adults. Get back to Luangprabang late after noon. At 5:30 transfer to Traditional story telling theater is promoting and preserving the local traditional
stories – myths, legends, and folktales. Every evening, from 5-6pm, 2 Lao people present a selection of traditional Lao stories in an intimate twenty-five seat theatre. The stories are told in English, by a Lao storyteller, with the live musical accompaniment of the khene.
Over night in Luangprabang.

DAY 4 LUANGPRABANG – ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE (B/L/D)
We have an optional early wake-up call to participate in giving food to hundreds of Buddhist monks returning from dawn prayers.Otherwise we take a stroll through the morning market. We then head back to the hotel for breakfast. After break fast at the hotel together with your local guide you will proceed to the Elephant Project and the "Elephant Village" about 15 km out of town and in the middle of a green, natural surrounding, settled on the banks of the Nam Khan river. Here you will be introduced to the protected Asian Elephants and go out for a scenic ride in the beautiful settings along the river. Enjoy the new perspective and the wonderful nature on this 1 hour Elephant ride through which you support the rescue of our former logging Elephants. A stunning landscape, tranquility and lush nature gives you a relaxed stay on the back of the Elephant. Lean back in your seat and enjoy...Transfer back to luangprabang. We stop at Yensabai, where you will see some Lao traditional stensils made with Saa paper. Our next stop is the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which gives us a further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos (closed on Monday).Evening performance at the Royal Ballet Theater. Founded in 2002 in cooperation with the Institute of Cultural Research, the Ballet aims to preserve this important aspect of Lao cultural heritage. Watching the spectacular performances of the Royal Ballet, including scenes from the Lao-Ramayana, Lao folk dances and tribal dances will provide a unique experience that you will never forget. Show starts at 6:00pm (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday). Please note that the Royal Ballet Theater is normally closed from June to September. Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 5 LUANGPRABANG – DEPARTURE (B)
After breakfast at the Hotel. Free until transfer to airport for flight to next destination

- ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC & WEATHER CONDITIONS -