Culinary Delights

Itinerary

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1. Day 1: Luang Prabang Arrival.

   Profoundly influenced by the French, unquestionably earns the title of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, this exquisite town in Laos is not to be missed under any circumstances. Situated on the peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan River, Luang Prabang is a perfect spot to unwind, eat good food and enjoy the scenery. This relatively small, palm fringed place is packed with fabulous colonial villas, top class restaurants, coffee shops and stunning Buddhist temples. It’s a perfect destination if you are in the process of deciding where to travel in Laos.
   Welcome to Luang Prabang,  meet you guide and be transferred to hotel for check in (check in time from 14:00). Rest of the day is free at leisure.
   Meals: Not Available.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

2. Day 2: Luang Prabang – Cooking Class.

   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. Rest of the day is free at leisure.
   Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

3. Day 3: Luang Prabang – Elephant village.

   The true nature lovers tour! Get it all with this diverse and action packed tour which provides the opportunity to be a mahout, jungle trekking on foot to local villages and a traditional Lao long boat ride. Even your lunch will be an adventure as you picnic in the forest surroundings. You are sure to be delighted (and exhausted) after this adventure!
   8:00 am – 8:30 am: Pick up by our English speaking guide from your hotel lobby within Luang Prabang, Laos
   Arrive at the Elephant Village Camp: Welcome greeting by your guide and participate in a short briefing about Lao elephants and our special herd
   Elephant Feeding: Get up close and personal with elephants
   Explore Elephant Village: Visit our elephant hospital, museum, gallery and dung paper making facility!
   One on One Experience: Enjoy the impressive experience of being a Mahout! 1 person per elephant
   Trail of Falls Trek: Enjoy a 2 km trek on foot through the diverse jungle landscape of our exclusive Trail of Falls
   Lunch: Dine in the forest surroundings with our freshly prepared picnic box lunch from our camp restaurant (vegetarian options available)
   Continue the Trail of Falls: Enjoy another 1 km trek on foot along our exclusive Trail of Falls leading up to Tad Sae Waterfall where you can relax or swim in its cool natural pools (water levels vary with seasonal conditions)
   Boat trip back to camp: Traverse the Nam Khan River in a traditional Lao long boat from the waterfall back to our Elephant Camp. You just might see traditional fishing methods and other various ways with which the local villagers make use of and enjoy the river.
   3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Depart: Transfer back to your Hotel in Luang Prabang between 3 and 4:00 pm
   Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

4. Day 4: Luang Prabang – Fly to Vientiane.

   Enjoy last morning at ancient town with a visit of Royal Palace Museum, was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. Continue our trip to magnificent Wat Xieng Thong - representative of classic Laotian architecture.
   We transfer to airport for flight to Vientiane, Laos’ capital, an old French colonial trading post. This city is both abundant in French architecture as well as beautiful, ornate Buddhist temples. Even though it is the country’s largest city, it has not lost its friendly and laid back character. Afternoon is free at leisure, you may take a walk to riverside park for sunset.
   Meals: Breakfast.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane.
   
   

5. Day 5: Vientiane – City Tour & Cooking Class

   Today we have a full day to explore Vientiane- the charming and fascinating capital of Laos, one of the classic Indo Chinese cities which conjure up exotic images, with its intriguing mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, American and Soviet influences. Our visit will take you to the key sites: National Museum, Wat Sisaket the city ‘s oldest surviving temple with thousands of silver and porcelain images in the gloriously authentic temple compound that offers you a glimpse into the Vientiane of the past, the next stop is Haw Phra Kaeo. This large temple is beautiful both interior and exterior, it was built to house the famed Emerald Buddha in courtyards filled with frangipani trees. Next is the visit Pha That Luang, the giant golden stupa is a sight to see as the bright gold holds a sharp contrast to the pure blue sky. Then you will go to climb the Arc De Triomphe of Laos, Patuxai. The massive arch has a beautiful mosaic tiled ceiling and once at the top you can see for miles around Vientiane.
   You will take a short transfer to home of Mrs. Viengdawon - a local Chef. The chef will lead you to market to prepare the ingredient and then, over the next two hours you will learn how to create local dishes using traditional ingredients and techniques. At around 19:00 it will be time to relax and enjoy the feast, which you have created together.
   Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
   Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane.

6. Day 6: Vientiane – Fly to Pakse – Bolaven Plateau.

   We take a morning flight to Pakse. If you wander around a little, you’ll soon discover old French Colonial Buildings, a Vietnamese quarter, Buddhist and Chinese temples and an old Catholic church, or you can sit and have a freshly brewed Bolaven Coffee or Lao tea while watching people and life go by.
   On arrival, meet your guide then we head to Bolaven Plateau, a mountainous region home to dozens of hill tribes, waterfalls and coffee and tea plantations. Our first destination is Tad Lo Waterfalls, a beautiful formation of three separate falls. From the bridge you will first see Tad Hang and then Tad Lo in the distance. The most impressive of the three, Tad Suong, is located a further 10km upriver. we continue to Tad Yuang and Tad Fane waterfalls. Tad Fane is a set of twin 120-meter high waterfalls formed by the merging waters of the Champy and Pak Koot rivers. These impressive falls are situated on the edge of Dong Hua Sao protected area, 38 km from Paksé. Back to Pakse, rest of the day is free at leisure.
   Meals: Breakfast.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse.

7. Day 7: Pakse – Wat Phou – Don Daeng.

   After breakfast we check out and drive to visit unique Wat Phou temple of Khmer of Wat Ph0ou ruin the majestic pre-Angkorian 10th century temple complex. You have time to take a look at the museum at the ruins site, walk up to the highest temple and take as many photos as you would like. On the summit of the mountain is a 15 meter high monolith, which is the main reason for the site of the temple as this is a natural lingam or symbol of the Hindu god Shiva. Then we drive further and take a short cruise to the rustic island of Don Daeng.
   Spend rest of the day to relax at wooden bungalows, each with private balcony and
   magnificent views over the Mekong or the garden. Enjoy the exceptional natural beauty
   and unspoiled charm of Southern Laos, together with first-class facilities and the
   traditional Laotian hospitality.
   Meals: Breakfast.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Don Daeng.

8. Day 8: Don Daeng – 4000 island – Don Daeng.

   Today we driver further to the South (about 4 hours) for a short along the backwaters to explore Siphandone. During the rainy season, the Mekong River reaches a breadth of 14 kms, the river’s widest reach along its 4,350 km journey from the Tibetan Plateau towards the East Sea (Bien Dong); when the river recedes, it leaves behind thousands of islands and islets.
   At Ban Nakasang pier we take a short boat trip to visit the surrounding islands of Done Det and Done Som for a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the fishermen. Continue to Done Khone Island and hike along its ancient railway built by the French in 1897 in order to bypass the powerful rapids when transporting goods from Cambodia. Continue to the Sumphamith Waterfall (Liphi Waterfall). Continue by car to visit the magnificent Khone Phapheng Waterfall, the largest cascade along the Mekong River. A fault line caused the cascade, which is 6 km wide at this point, and the astonishing force of the water has cut dramatic gorges through the brittle bedrock. Back to Don Daeng for overnight.
   Meals: Breakfast.
   Accommodation: Hotel in Don Daeng.

9. Day 9: Don Daeng – Pakse – Departure.

   Have breakfast at the hotel then we drive to the airport for departure flight.
   Meal: Breakfast.