Laotian Culinary Delights

Start: Luang Prabang
End: Pakse
Duration: 10 Days/ 9 Nights
Departure: Daily, upon your request.
Itinerary: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Khong Island, Pakse
Extendable with optional tours from Pakse and from Luang Prabang.

PRIVATE TOUR RATE: Prices are quoted in US dollars per person double occupancy

Combine your love for food with your passion for travel on this unique culinary tour. Learn the secrets of Laos’ world famous cuisine, as you explore the landscape, meet the people and delve into the history of the country – finding inspiration in the favorite local dishes.

Day 1 – Arrival in Luang Prabang 
Upon arrival at the airport in Luang Prabang you are greeted by a guide who will then escort you to the hotel. After a short rest, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred gilded stupa as well as enjoy the beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From here, we explore the Street Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection and handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people. Overnight in hotel.

Day 2 – Luang Prabang Cooking Class ( B, L)
We start the day by meeting at a restaurant and before transferring to the local market.
Learn more about the market while taking in the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy place. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson. You will be transferred to a picturesque lakeside pavilion where you will be introduced to the Laos kitchen.
The chef will give you an introduction to all the fresh ingredients you have just bought from the market.
Learn how to make Jeow, this is a spicy Laotian dipping sauce and Mok Pa, a popular fish dish steamed with herbs in banana leaves….
Enjoy the tastes of your newly discovered recipes for lunch.  Overnight in hotel.

Day 3 – Luang Prabang – Elephant Riding ( B, L)
08:30 – 09:00 am depart your hotel for a tour of the Elephant Village. The camp manager will greet you and conduct a short briefing before our elephant ride.  Enjoy a one and a half hour walk through a unique natural jungle valley and limestone cascades to the Elephant Jungle where a boxed lunch will be served. Visit Tad Sae Waterfall and relax on a boat trip on the Khan River back to the   Elephant Village.  We should arrive back in Luang Prabang around 4pm. Overnight in hotel.

Day 4 – Luang Prabang – Flight to Vientiane ( B)
The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture, dates back from the days of the early king through the last sovereign. The National Museum and Central Market are not to be missed! Today, we visit these sights before catching a flight to Vientiane. After checking into hotel, we continue exploring the capital city and famous sacred structure of That Luang Stupa. We’ll stop for a photo opportunty of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Overnight in hotel.

Day 5 – Vientiane – City Tour & Cooking Class ( B, L)
We begin by visiting the major sights of the capital including the oldest Wat Sisaket, with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.
Meet at Full Moon Cafe at 10:00am to begin your epicurean experience.
Travel to a garden on the Mekong River and begin preparations for a wonderful lunch. 
Traditional Lao cooking utensils will be used to create a variety of dishes and learn the secrets of making perfect sticky rice. Lao cooking is light and fragrant and you’ll be able to customize your dishes to your own palate. While dining you’ll also learn about Lao culture and etiquette. 
A Lao Recipe Booklet will be provided so you can take your experience home. Overnight in hotel.

Day 6 – Vientiane – Flight to Pakse – Bolaven ( B)
After breakfast, you will fly to Pakse. Upon arrival, take an excursion by car to visit the highlights of the fascinating Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau, was formed by an ancient volcano and is famous for its agricultural products including many coffee and tea plantations. The plateau has a number of tribal villages; some of them still practicing Stone Age culture. They use extremely primitive agriculture tools and conduct frequent spiritual ceremonies.
The first stop is the Phaseum Resort. Here you will visit the Tribal Villages Museum to learn about the tribal architecture and life of the southern Laotian tribes. Continue to Tadlo on the northern edge of the Bolaven Plateau. Tadlo is touted as an eco-friendly resort near the Xeset Waterfall. After lunch at Tadlo, continue on visiting Alack and Nge Tribal Villages. Drive back to Pakse, via Paksong with stops to visit the impressive Tad Fane Waterfalls and a tea & coffee plantation. Dinner at the hotel. 

Day 7– Pakse – Wat Phou – Khong Island ( B)
On the way to Kohong Island visit Wat Phou, the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire. We then continue on to Nagasang, and then cruise by boat to the beautiful Island of Ban Khone, where you can sometime see Irrawadee dolphins. Overnight in Ban Khone. Overnight in hotel.

Day 8 – Khong Island – Khong Phapheng Waterfall ( B)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before cruising by boat and to Khone Phapeng Waterfall, which spans 14km across the width of the mighty Mekong River. This waterfall is listed as the world's widest waterfall it is quite impressive especially during the rainy season when the water in running fast and furious. Overnight in hotel.

Day 9 – Khong Island – Don Daeng ( B)
Enjoy breakfast then transfer by car and boat to Don Daeng. Overnight in hotel.

Day 10 – Don Daeng – Pakse – Departure  ( B)
Breakfast at the hotel then transfer by boat to Pakse. If time permits, visit Pakse before transferring to the airport for your departure flight.

NOTE:

All above itinerary is flexible, depending on arrival, departure flights of passengers and real situation.
Remark: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner
 

 Includes:
• Domestic flights: Luang Prabang  -Vientiane – Pakse
• Private tours, transfers and all services as mentioned in the itinerary
• Services of a private driver and air-conditioned vehicles
• Boat Trip on Mekong River
• Vientiane & Luang Prabang Cooking Class
• Service of English speaking guides in every location
• Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary

Not includes:
• International flights
• Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
• Early check-in and late check-out at hotels.
• Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Personal travel insurance
• Visa fees (contact us for further information