The Lao cuisine has a very special mild taste but can also be hot and spicy. The Lao people love to eat and will use any excuse for a party. They are a very social people and love nothing better than to sit with friends and family and share food and often alcohol. Lao cuisine has many similarities to Thai with lots of aromatic herbs and spices such as lemon grass, chilies, ginger and tamarind. Sticky rice (KhaoNiao) is the staple of the Lao diet, usually served with fermented fish and a fish sauce similar to that used in Vietnamese cuisine called Nam Pa. Chicken and pork dishes are also popular but beef is expensive in comparison. Soups served with noodles, bamboo shoots and fresh vegetables can be found everywhere. Sample as many different dishes as you can during your time in Laos and don’t forget to tell your chef to make it “not too spicy”!
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation in twin shared basis
- Private, Air-conditioned Transport
- Boat trips as stated in the itinerary
- English speaking guide
- Admission fees to sites stated in the itinerary
- Meals: As indicated in above itinerary = B, L, D
- Cooking class
- Living land farm activities
- Govt taxes and service charges
- Luggage handling
- Drinking water
What is NOT included in the tour
- Visas and Immigration fees on arrival
- Domestic air ticket
- International air tickets to/from Laos
- Travel and/or Medical Insurance
- Lunch or dinner unless stated in the itinerary
- Single suppl. room accommodation (quoted separately)
- Child or adult in triple share accommodation
- Foreign language guides other than English
- Peak Season or Special Events Surcharges
- Tip, drinks and other personal expenses
Day 1: Arrival – Luang Prabang
On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening is free for you to explore and get to know Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 2: Luang Prabang – Ban-chan - Khouangsi Waterfalls
A short boat ride this morning takes you across the Mekong River to the steps of Long Khoune Temple, a two hundred years old temple with shady grounds and interesting architectural details and paintings. From there we climb the steps of Chomphet Temple for a panoramic view of Luang Prabang. Your boat awaits you at the steps to take you downstream, past mountains of lush vegetation to a small village, Ban Thin Som. You get off at this village and the captain organizes local transport for you to take you to Khouangsi Waterfall s. Take the path to the waterfall and on the way visit the Bear Sanctuary and enjoy a swim in the natural pools.
Your driver will be waiting to take you back to the boat where you can relax with drinks and snacks and enjoy and watch the sunset as you make your way back to Luang Prabang along the Mekong. This evening is free for you to explore the Night Market or relax at the hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Living Land Farm
This morning we head out to Living Land Farm, a working community farm approximately 5kms outside the town. There you will learn all about the rice growing process and have an opportunity to participate in seasonal farm activities such as identifying viable rice seeds, ploughing with a buffalo, hand planting, weeding and harvesting rice and threshing rice seed.
This afternoon we head off on bicycles to see some of the highlights of Luang Prabang including a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artefacts from the Royal period in Luang Prabang. Cycling on, we are seeing the city’s oldest temples, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Lao architecture, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.
We end the day by climbing up Mount Phousi to explore the sacred gilded stupa and to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sun setting over the Mekong River. Descent the mountain you will find yourself in the midst of the famous Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a unique selection of handmade textiles and handicrafts locally made by both ethnic Lao and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Lao Cooking Class - City tour
Following breakfast at your hotel, you will embark on a full day cooking class by starting at the local market where your chef will explain the different herbs and spices used in Lao cooking and purchase ingredients for today’s dishes. From the market, you will head out to Tamarind Gardens Cooking School set out of town amongst fish ponds and tropical gardens.
Your menu today will include:
- Varieties of jeow: the fundamental Lao spicy dipping sauces
- Mok Pa, a popular dish of fish steamed with herbs in banana leaves
- Tamarind’s speciality: lemongrass stuffed with chicken & herbs
- Orlarm, Luang Prabang eggplant based speciality: delicious & unusual
- Dessert course: a surprise!
- And of course, you’ll learn the art of perfecting sticky rice and its eating etiquette.
Following the class, and with full stomachs, we will head back to town and the rest of the day is free to use as you please. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)
Day 5: Luang Prabang – Departure
Depending on your flight, you may have time at leisure before you will be transferred to the airport in time for your departing flight. (B)
Notes:
- Supplement charges applicable for festival seasons, Christmas and new year.
- For any customization of the packages, Kindly contact support@thekiwivacations.com , and one of our support team will assist you within 12 hours.
