Laos cultural tour: a week in Luang Prabang

The tour

Laos, the old kingdom of a million elephants, is still one of Southeast Asia’s most overlooked countries. This week in Luang Prabang gives you the keys: customs, the dos and don’ts, a few words of the language, and plenty of time spent with local people.

You spend a day in a village to see rural life up close and try traditional crafts with local artisans, take part in a flower offering ceremony at a temple and join a Lao cooking class. The next day takes in UNESCO-listed historic temples, the morning market, a forest temple, a swim at Kuang Si Waterfall, the bear conservation centre and a hill tribe village. The end of the week introduces you to a local community project.

It suits travellers, on their own, with friends or as a family, who want to take time to understand the country, and anyone about to stay on for longer.

What makes it different

Traditional crafts in a Lao village
A Lao cooking class and a shared barbecue
Luang Prabang’s UNESCO-listed temples
A swim at Kuang Si Waterfall
A visit to a bear conservation centre

Day by day

Monday: Welcome to Luang Prabang

Welcome breakfast and a chance to meet the other travellers. A briefing on Lao culture, customs, rules, health and safety, then a guided walk around the area. Group dinner.

Tuesday: Village life

A village visit to learn about rural life, a crafts session with local artisans, a flower offering ceremony at a temple and a Lao cooking class. Barbecue back at the accommodation in the evening.

Wednesday: Temples and Kuang Si Waterfall

Historic temples and UNESCO World Heritage sites, the morning market, a forest temple, a swim at Kuang Si Waterfall, the bear conservation centre and a hill tribe village. The night market before dinner.

Thursday: First steps on a local project

An introduction to the project after breakfast, first activities with the community, then a group dinner to share the day.

Friday: Wrapping up the week

Back to the project, lunch and planning for the following week for those staying on, then a farewell dinner.

The programme may change depending on the weather and local conditions.

On site

Accommodation

Accommodation in a shared house in Luang Prabang for the whole week.

Meals

Meals are included, with a welcome breakfast on Monday, a barbecue on Tuesday evening and a farewell dinner on Friday.

Arrival

Airport pick-up and transfer to the accommodation are included; the return transfer is not. The programme starts on Monday morning.

Included

Airport welcome and transfer
Accommodation in a shared house
Meals
All activities in the programme
24/7 support and supervision
A donation to the local project

Not included

Flights
Travel and repatriation insurance
Return transfer

Cultural tour in Laos