The rice paddies of Muang La, northern Laos

LUANG PRABANG
Departure from Paris with a stopover in Hanoi before your flight to Luang Prabang.
On arrival at the airport, welcome and transfer to your hotel.
Dinner at your own expense and overnight with breakfast.

At first light (before breakfast), you will see numerous monks crossing the old town to collect alms from villagers. It is a striking sight.

After breakfast you will visit the national museum (former royal palace) of Luang Prabang. Visit to Wat May; visit to Wat Manorom and Wat That Louang, where the highest dignitaries of the Royal Family were once cremated.

Lunch at your own expense.

You will pass by Wat Xieng Thong, certainly the city’s finest temple, located at the northern tip of the peninsula. You will walk from temple to temple while observing Laotians going about their daily lives: visit to Wat Aphay, Wat Phraphoutthabat, Wat That, Wat Sieng Mouane and Wat Choum Khong, the last building in Laos built in the Xieng Khouang style.

You will climb to the top of the popular Mount Phousi to watch the sunset. The effort of climbing more than 300 steps is rewarded with a unique view over the city. In the evening, you can visit the night market where many villagers come to sell their handicrafts and the fabrics for which Luang Prabang is renowned.

KUANG SI
The morning begins with a visit to the museum dedicated to the various ethnic groups of Laos.
You will then cross the Mekong to discover the small village of Ban Xieng Maene, visiting Wat Long Khoun, the monastery of the blessed chant with its finely carved wooden pediment, then Wat Chom Pet, the monastery of the diamond point, set on a hill overlooking the Mekong.
After lunch (at your own expense), you will leave the peninsula for the “Kuang Si” waterfalls. As well as being refreshing, they offer a truly beautiful sight. This is one of the favourite spots of Luang Prabang residents. Couples and families also come here to picnic and relax during the hottest times of day.

Return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.

PAKHOU AND MUANG LA
Departure by boat for the Pakhou caves. After 1.5 hours of navigation, we reach the point where the Nam Ou flows into the Mekong. Here you will find the famous caves: Tham Ting and Tham Phoum. Carved into the hillside, they house thousands of Buddha statues of every size and style, left by pilgrims over the past centuries.
Lunch (at your own expense) at a restaurant overlooking the Mekong.
We rejoin our vehicle to continue towards Oudom Xay province. Striking mountain scenery, with the road reaching over 1,400 m in altitude in places.
Arrival in the afternoon at Muang La Resort. Set between river and mountain, this lodge is without doubt the “Pearl of Northern Laos”.

MUANG LA
A day by 4×4 to meet Ikho and Hmong communities, two typical ethnic groups of Laos. The track you will follow is superb, climbing an impressive 1,400 m to a unique and memorable viewpoint. You will first visit a beautiful, completely isolated Ikho village. This community, originally from Yunnan and Tibet, has remained highly traditional.
A picnic lunch will be taken along the way.
You will then reach the Hmong village of Ban Tauser. This ethnic group, originally from the high steppes of Tibet, will show you their customs, the important place animals (pigs, buffaloes…) hold in their way of life, and the care they give them. The path to this completely isolated village offers numerous striking viewpoints. A few minutes from the village lies a vantage point with a unique 360° panorama over the region.

Return to the resort in the late afternoon. In the evening, you will cross the Resort’s bridge to reach a private island in the middle of the Nam Pak river.
La Sala will be privatised for you. This open 30m² space, set 4m above ground on an island facing the Resort, offers an unobstructed view over the river and rice paddies.
While watching the sunset, enjoy a glass of wine with an assortment of skewers.
After sunset, your personal “Butler” will set your table in the sala for a candlelit dinner prepared by your chef.

To preserve the tranquillity of the villages, the itinerary may be adjusted on certain occasions.

LUANG PRABANG
Drive to Luang Prabang along a road with striking views.
You will stop several times to take in the scenery.
You will have a picnic along the way.
Arrival in Luang Prabang, transfer to the airport.
Flight to Hanoi with connection to the Vietnam Airlines flight to Paris.
Meals and overnight on board.

In summary:
– 3 nights in Luang Prabang in a charming hotel
– 2 nights at Muang La Resort, exceptional charm