Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll rise for the dawn alms-giving, explore the town's beautiful temples and climb Mount Phousi for sunset, swim beneath the turquoise Kuang Si Falls, and cruise the Mekong to the Buddha-filled Pak Ou caves. Night markets, riverside cafes and unhurried days complete the picture.
With a comfortable hotel, a private guide and the highlights arranged, all you have to do is slow down and soak up Luang Prabang.
Trip Highlights
- The dawn alms-giving procession
- The gilded Wat Xieng Thong and royal temples
- Sunset from Mount Phousi over the Mekong
- The turquoise cascades of the Kuang Si Falls
- A Mekong cruise to the Pak Ou caves
- The lively Luang Prabang night market
- French-colonial streets and riverside cafes
- A private guide throughout
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 5-day journey.
Arrive in the enchanting old royal capital and settle in, with a welcome dinner of Lao flavours.
Rise for the dawn alms-giving, then explore Wat Xieng Thong and the royal temples, the museum and the morning market, ending with sunset from Mount Phousi.
A day at the turquoise Kuang Si Falls, swimming in the tiered pools and visiting the bear rescue centre, with a village and a lunch en route.
A serene Mekong cruise to the Pak Ou caves and their thousands of Buddha images, with a whisky and weaving village stop and lunch aboard.
A final breakfast before your transfer to Luang Prabang airport.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and a private guide
- 4 nights in a Luang Prabang hotel
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Mekong cruise lunch
- A Luang Prabang city tour with Wat Xieng Thong and Mount Phousi
- The Kuang Si Falls and the bear rescue centre
- A Mekong cruise to the Pak Ou caves
- All temple and site entrance fees per the itinerary
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Laos
- Laos visa fees (visa on arrival or eVisa)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or an eVisa for Laos; check your passport's eligibility. Your passport should be valid at least six months with a blank page
- Currency: The currency is the Lao Kip. Cash is king outside the main towns, and while US dollars and Thai baht are sometimes accepted, carry kip for markets, temples and rural areas — ATMs are limited
- Best season: The cool, dry season from November to February is ideal; March to May is hot and can be hazy from farming fires, and June to October brings the green monsoon
- The pace of Laos: Laos is famously laid-back and unhurried — embrace 'bor pen nyang' (no worries) and the gentle rhythm, which is part of its charm
- The alms-giving: In Luang Prabang, monks collect alms at dawn in a moving ritual. Observe quietly and respectfully from a distance, or participate sensitively with your guide's advice — never intrude
- Temple etiquette: Cover your shoulders and knees and remove your shoes at temples. Women should never touch a monk, and always lower yourself below monks and Buddha images
- Getting around: Mountain roads are winding and slow, so some legs use short domestic flights or scenic river boats, all arranged for you
- UXO awareness: Parts of Laos still hold unexploded ordnance from past conflict, so always stay on marked paths and trails, especially around the Plain of Jars
- Health: Drink bottled or filtered water, use mosquito repellent, and enjoy freshly cooked food. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended
- Connectivity & power: A local SIM is cheap but signal can be patchy in remote areas — a welcome excuse to slow down. Power is 230V with type A/B/C plugs, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific meals named in the itinerary, such as a Mekong cruise lunch. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy Laos's fragrant, French-influenced cuisine.
Are transfers and touring private?
Yes — you travel with your own licensed guide and private driver (or boat on the Mekong), so everything is arranged for you.
Do I need a visa for Laos?
Most visitors can get a visa on arrival or an eVisa. We guide you to the requirements for your nationality before you travel.
When is the best time to visit?
November to February is the cool, dry and most comfortable season. March to May is hot and sometimes hazy, and June to October is the lush, quieter green season.
What is the alms-giving ceremony?
At dawn in Luang Prabang, hundreds of monks walk the streets to collect alms of rice from kneeling locals. It is a moving, sacred ritual best observed quietly and respectfully, or joined sensitively with your guide's advice.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, towns, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add a Mekong cruise, the 4000 Islands, Vang Vieng or trekking. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel around Laos?
By a mix of short domestic flights, private cars and scenic river boats, all included and arranged, with a private guide in each region.
Is Luang Prabang good as a short break?
Perfectly — four nights lets you savour its temples, falls and river at a relaxed pace, and it pairs easily with Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Thailand or Vietnam.
What is there to do in the evenings?
Browse the atmospheric night market, dine in a colonial-era restaurant, enjoy the riverside cafes, or watch the sunset from Mount Phousi — evenings are gentle and charming.
More City Tour Journeys
City Tour
Customizable
Sydney Honeymoon
Sydney Honeymoon
Sydney, Australia
City Tour
Customizable
Sydney & Hunter Valley Wine Escape
Sydney & Hunter Valley Wine Escape
Sydney & the Hunter Valley, Australia
City Tour
Customizable
Luxury Sydney: Harbour, Helicopters & Fine Dining
Luxury Sydney: Harbour, Helicopters & Fine Dining
Sydney, Australia