Laos At A Glance

Set off after breakfast for a visit of the Morning Market where, together with the guide and local host lady, we pick all ingredients needed for our upcoming cooking class . Today, we will not take part in a regular tourist-oriented cooking class. We will instead drive a little outside Luang Prabang center to a small village where you will join your hands to cook some major dishes. You will experience how typical Laos dishes such as Laap Laos, Orlam soup and papaya salad are cooked. The food is then brought to a local temple to offer for the monks' lunch, and as part of this ritual, your name will be asked for a blessing chant. Later, join in an open talk about Buddhism in Laos with monks. We will also have the opportunity to have further exchange with the community before returning to Luang Prabang for a light lunch with the left food you will have cooked.

Afternoon: explore the city highlights including The National Museum , housed in the former Royal Palace, showcases many treasures of Laos' royal past and features the Prabang, the sacred Buddha image for which Luang Prabang was named. Our next stop at the most reputed and beautiful temple of the city, Wat Xieng Thong – Luang Prabang's largest and most splendid temple, is best known for its impressive Tree of Life mural depicting the Buddhist story. 

16:30: experience the wonders of the Mekong, aboard a Luang Prabang cruise for two hours. Enjoy charming views of the mystical city of gilded temples and ancient wonder nestled among the mountains of northern Laos and a lavish dinner from the comfort of your boat. A pleasantly surprised way to finish your day. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meal Plan: Breakfast lunch and Dinner

Optional: We have the possibility this morning to wake up very early to go witness the Tak Bat ceremony, when the monks proceed along the streets of the town to receive the daily alms from locals (Surcharge applied).

After a short transfer to the outskirts of the town, in a tranquil setting made of rice fields and lush green trees, we discover the importance of bamboo in the Laotian culture . Spend the morning learning about several aspects of the local culture, from crafts to music and food. We will have a chance to learn from a skilled craftsman and to enjoy a hands-on cooking class. We will then dine on the food we have prepared.

This afternoon, we drive out through beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills and villages. You will stop to visit an ethnic minority village to learn about their traditions and culture. Continue to Kuangsi Waterfall , where water tumbles over tiered limestone formations into crystal clear pools, ideal for escaping the heat. Between cooling off in the pools, you can also explore the lush forest setting around the falls. A short walk brings you down to the abrupt waterfall where you will have time to swim or simply relax by the water's edge. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast at your hotel. Free time until we transfer to Luang Prabang Train station for your 1-hour high speed train to Vangvieng, a small town which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with its limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. 

Arrive Vang Vieng in the afternoon, you are greeted by your guide and driver at the train station then transfer to check in at your hotel in town. A short rest before we cross the Nam Song River and visit Tham Chang Cave with its stunning view over the valley, once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders in the early 19th century. return to your hotel and enjoy rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Breakfast at hotel, we took a small boat on Nam Song River for a tour amid beautiful scenery before heading to Vientiane. Vientiane is the capital city of Laos and, located on the banks of the Mekong River, it conjures up exotic images with a curious mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French influences.

We continue to see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket , the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo , which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Next, we will stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument , which is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph, before continuing to Lao's national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa . Overnight in Vientiane.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Do you eat your way through life? Us too! Tuk Tuk Safari loves food and Vientiane is a foodie's paradise just waiting to be devoured. This gourmet safari visits local restaurants, hole-in-the-wall eateries, markets, factories and outdoor kitchens – so you can sample a smorgasbord of authentic and modern Lao food. Activities include:
· See how kao larm (sticky rice and coconut snack roasted in bamboo tubes) is made and try some fresh from production.
· Visit a local fresh food market and observe the market activity.
· Stop at a local coffee shop to try a traditional Lao coffee.
· Lunch at the most popular Kao Piak (handmade rice noodles in soup) shop in town, where you can visit the kitchen and watch the preparation for the lunchtime rush.
· Learn how to make traditional Tam Mak Hung (green papaya salad).
· Visit a local ice-cream or dessert shop, see how they make their produce, and try a popular local treat.
· Have a Beer Lao and some deep fried bugs at a popular beer bar on the Mekong.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the Airport for flight to your next destination. Tour ends here.

Meal Plan: Breakfast