Laos

Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao – Luang Prabang (4 Nights)

Positioned atop a hill, gazing across the sacred mountains, Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao is an unforgettable place to stay.  Its calm, tranquil ambience echoes that of the sleepy World Heritage town of Luang Prabang—former royal capital of Laos—spread out below.  Designed in a traditional style, this intimate hotel is gemmed with teak, silk and fresh cotton accents. It is famed for its wonderful French-influenced local cuisine and an open-air spa beside a water lily pool.  Relax, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy stepping back into a more gracious era.

We strongly suggest extending your stay with our pre-tour to Vietnam and Cambodia

Day One – Arrival in Luang Prabang

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang you will be met by your guide and transferred directly to the city.

This afternoon, visit with Vat Xieng Thong at the top of the peninsula. The oldest and most beautiful temple of the UNESO World heritage town dates back from the 16th century. The roof sweep low to the ground and glass colored panels adorn the walls of the chapels. See the residential neighborhoods of the peninsula, before continuing to the Royal Palace Museum housing the most important treasures of Laos’ recent past and climb up to Phousi Hill for sunset to enjoy the unique view over the city and its surroundings.  If you wish you can stop at the ethnic night market to do some shopping.

Welcome Dinner at the best restaurant in Luang Prabang.

Accommodations: Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao – Junior Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day Two – Luang Prabang

7:40 AM: Meet in Lobby Prior to Departure
7:45 AM: Elephant Sanctuary

Beginning in the morning, we will be met at our hotel by an Elephant Specialist Guide and transferred to a beautiful elephant oasis just 40 minutes outside of Luang Prabang. During the shuttle our guide will give us a brief introduction to himself and the recently opened sanctuary. On arrival, we will meet with one of the directors of the Elephant Sanctuary who will fill us in on more detail with some fascinating stories about the elephants and their refuge. Learn the challenges they’ve faced and how they are learning to improve the situation one elephant at a time. After being regaled we will cross the river by boat where we will be met by 2 adults and a baby Asian elephant! Our guide and the mahouts will help us feed and later bath these majestic creatures in the river. Next, follow the elephants on a 1-hour trek through rice paddies and meandering creeks during which we will witness the unique bond between the mahouts and their elephants while the guide explains more about the incredible history that Laos has with the elephant. After saying goodbye to our pachyderm friends, we’ll head back to camp and return to Luang Prabang at 12:00 PM.

Baci Ceremony.  This evening, you will participate in the traditional Lao Baci Ceremony.  Baci is an important event such as weddings, births, or for welcoming guests and is a means of expressing good will and good luck to others. The ceremony is highlighted by the accompaniment of music and a traditional dance – both integral parts of the Baci ritual.

Zoom Vacations Sunset Cruise on the Mekong.  We then drive a short distance to the picturesque village of Ban Ou, where our private boat will be waiting to take us up the Mekong River for a sunset cruise back to Luang Prabang, while enjoying a glass of prosecco on board.  This stretch of the river is very beautiful.  Arrive back in Luang Prabang by early evening.

Accommodations: Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day Three – Luang Prabang and Kuang Si Waterfall

6:30 AM to 10:30 AM: Buffet Breakfast is served at the hotel.

5:25 AM: Meet in Lobby Prior to Departure
5:30 AM: Takbat Ceremony.  Early morning, when the sun rises, participate in the Takbat ceremony, the monks’ alms offering. This ritual is an important part of Lao people’s life and offers a memorable experience and great snapshots. Our guide will explain how to follow the strict customs and rules involved. After the ceremony, we may have time to visit a local fresh market before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

Luang Prabang Tour.  We walk to the quaint Royal Palace Museum, which gives a good overview of the local history.  We then stroll through the charming lanes, taking in the traditional atmosphere.  We continue our walk to the exquisite Wat Xiengthong and visit this remarkable temple which is the best example of the classical Luang Prabang Style

Lunch at Tangor, a French/Asian fusion restaurant with a contemporary twist.  This casual restaurant offering great food is a favorite among Zoom Vacations travelers.

In the afternoon we drive out to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where we can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails.   Next to the falls is a Bear Rescue Center, that does a great job of protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear.

Just a few hundred meters from the Kuang Si Waterfall is a Butterfly Park, where we will find thousands of butterflies in a colorful flower garden. Meet the botanists who run this project and learn about the wide variety of Laos’s butterflies, host-plants, and preservation because of environmental issues in Laos. Enjoy the 900 m2 netted paradise, which apart from the butterflies also holds hundreds of types of plants and even waterfalls. 

Accommodations: Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day Four – Luang Prabang

6:30 AM to 10:30 AM: Breakfast is served at the hotel.

This morning enjoy our stunning resort, or last minute shopping in town!

Farewell Dinner: Cooking Experience right at the hotel
Our Lao Chef and food guru will guide us through the whole preparation while roll up our sleeves and get involved! We will also be told what to use back home in case we are not able to find local ingredients.  Start by collecting raw ingredients from the garden. We will work, have fun, and experience Lao lifestyle while cooking in our modern rustic cooking school. Finally we inhale the smell of our freshly prepared food and enjoy the dinner we have created.

Day Five – Departure

6:30 AM to 10:30 AM: Breakfast is served at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast

End of services

A tour full of wonderful surprises and unfettered, simple beauty.