A Taste of Laos
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Highlights:
When you combine an exotic culinary experience with an exploration of one of Laos’ most alluring destinations you have a program that appeals to a broad spectrum of sophisticated and discerning travelers. Your experience will involve a hands-on cooking class from a Lao chef, and a visit to the plantations where the “Champagne of Coffee” is produced.
Exploring country markets in search of new and exotic produce. Observing the brightly-colored monks in the early morning light receiving alms from the population and dining on superb French cuisine in a city that was, at one time part of French Indochina. Sound tempting?
When you combine an exotic culinary experience with an exploration of one of Laos’ most alluring destinations you have a program that appeals to a broad spectrum of sophisticated and discerning travelers. Your experience will involve a hands-on cooking class from a Lao chef, and a visit to the plantations where the “Champagne of Coffee” is produced.
Exploring country markets in search of new and exotic produce. Observing the brightly-colored monks in the early morning light receiving alms from the population and dining on superb French cuisine in a city that was, at one time part of French Indochina. Sound tempting?
SKU:
Explore: A taste of laos
Customizable Itinerary - 9 Days (from $2,974 per person)
Days 1 & 2: USA-Laos
You will depart for the Far East crossing the International Date Line on the way. You will connect in a variety of gateways in Asia.
Day 3: Arrival in Luang Prabang
You will arrive in Luang Prabang and be met by one of our representatives who will facilitate your movement through customs and escort you to the car that will take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. At your option in the evening, we can secure tickets for the Royal Ballet Theatre.
Day 4: Aspects of Luang Prabang
For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful and serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Lao people. Return to the hotel for breakfast and then take a private tour of some of the main sites in the city including the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. For lunch, enjoy a meal at Tamarind Restaurant one of the most celebrated eateries. In the afternoon take part in a Baci ceremony performed in celebration of an important event such as a birth, a wedding or welcoming new guests. The Lao believe that each person has 32 spirits which constitute their spiritual essence and the Baci is the ritual used to call back any escaped spirits into the body. In the evening you will be transferred to the river to board an elegant and traditional riverboat. Cruising gently down the Mekong River, soak in the views of rural villages as the sun sets behind the surrounding mountains. The riverboat will moor on the opposite bank in time for dinner which will include a selection of classic Lao dishes and traditional local entertainment. Cruise back to Luang Prabang where you have the option of visiting the evening hill tribe market.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: Phosy Market and Lao Techniques in Cooking
The day begins after breakfast when you meet your guide and get custom fit for E-bikes which you will use for exploring. The tour starts with a visit to Phosy Market. Explore and sample some of the unique items on sale. Continue the ride to Ock Pop Tock, a non-profit organization working to preserve traditional weaving techniques, a trade which was once an important source of income for many Lao families. A short tour introduces the processes of silk weaving from the initial stages of creating the dyes to the final process of loom weaving. Ride along the Mekong back into town and enjoy lunch at Le Tangor, one of Luang Prabang’s top restaurants. After lunch return to the hotel for some leisure time. In the mid-afternoon begin a private cooking experience. The expert chefs will first demonstrate how to prepare authentic Lao dishes, before giving you the opportunity to cook in the traditional way. At the end of the hands-on course you sample all the delicacies.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Big Brother Mouse and the island of Don Daeng
In the morning you can participate in an event out in the countryside involving children and books. Big Brother Mouse is a not-for-profit, Lao-owned project employing local staff who work towards the goal of helping young Lao citizens develop new and beneficial skills. Started by a retired American publisher with several bright Lao college students, Big Brother Mouse started publishing “books that make literacy fun.” You will visit the children and distribute a “Bucket of Books” which includes five books written and illustrated by Lao writers. Your participation underwrites the books with that money going directly to Big Brother Mouse. A picnic lunch catered by L’Elephant restaurant is included for your enjoyment. You then head to the airport for a flight to Pakse where you are transferred to a car free island located in the Mekong River across from the town of Champasak. You have time for a swim in the pool before dinner is served.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Discovering Champasak
This morning you cross the Mekong to the town of Champasak. Follow a quiet and authentic shaded path along the Mekong River and immerse yourself in the simple life of Southern Laos. The walk offers insights into the daily on-goings of the village, including some traditional handicrafts and spiritual practices. Depending on the season in which you visit you can participate in different village activities such as fishing in the Mekong, basket weaving, rice planting and harvesting. Having worked up an appetite based on the activity selected you can head to a local family to help cook a traditional Lao dish. Rejoin your host to enjoy the homemade lunch. After lunch you are taken to Champasak Spa and Wellness Center for an indulgent treat. Situated on the banks of the Mekong River, the spa’s tranquil ambience makes it a perfect place to truly unwind - experience a traditional massage in a pavilion with a river view. The well-trained local therapist will adept the treatment to your different needs and physical conditions.
Day 8: The Coffee of the Bolaven Plateau
This morning you set off for the drive to Salavan Province and the Bolaven Plateau, an area of highlands sitting just east of Pakse. Most of the region sits between 3,000 and 4,000 feet and features dozens of coffee and tea plantations as well as hill tribe communities. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the Tad Fane waterfalls located 23 miles from Pakse. These impressive twin waterfalls stand 360 feet high and are fed by the Champy and Pak Koot Rivers. Stop to visit a coffee or tea plantation. The beans grown in this region produce some of the most famous coffees in the world which is sometimes called the “Champagne of Coffee.” Lao coffee is cultivated almost exclusively in the cool fresh air of the Bolaven Plateau by the families who live in its 250 villages.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
You will depart for the Far East crossing the International Date Line on the way. You will connect in a variety of gateways in Asia.
Day 3: Arrival in Luang Prabang
You will arrive in Luang Prabang and be met by one of our representatives who will facilitate your movement through customs and escort you to the car that will take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. At your option in the evening, we can secure tickets for the Royal Ballet Theatre.
Day 4: Aspects of Luang Prabang
For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful and serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Lao people. Return to the hotel for breakfast and then take a private tour of some of the main sites in the city including the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. For lunch, enjoy a meal at Tamarind Restaurant one of the most celebrated eateries. In the afternoon take part in a Baci ceremony performed in celebration of an important event such as a birth, a wedding or welcoming new guests. The Lao believe that each person has 32 spirits which constitute their spiritual essence and the Baci is the ritual used to call back any escaped spirits into the body. In the evening you will be transferred to the river to board an elegant and traditional riverboat. Cruising gently down the Mekong River, soak in the views of rural villages as the sun sets behind the surrounding mountains. The riverboat will moor on the opposite bank in time for dinner which will include a selection of classic Lao dishes and traditional local entertainment. Cruise back to Luang Prabang where you have the option of visiting the evening hill tribe market.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5: Phosy Market and Lao Techniques in Cooking
The day begins after breakfast when you meet your guide and get custom fit for E-bikes which you will use for exploring. The tour starts with a visit to Phosy Market. Explore and sample some of the unique items on sale. Continue the ride to Ock Pop Tock, a non-profit organization working to preserve traditional weaving techniques, a trade which was once an important source of income for many Lao families. A short tour introduces the processes of silk weaving from the initial stages of creating the dyes to the final process of loom weaving. Ride along the Mekong back into town and enjoy lunch at Le Tangor, one of Luang Prabang’s top restaurants. After lunch return to the hotel for some leisure time. In the mid-afternoon begin a private cooking experience. The expert chefs will first demonstrate how to prepare authentic Lao dishes, before giving you the opportunity to cook in the traditional way. At the end of the hands-on course you sample all the delicacies.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Big Brother Mouse and the island of Don Daeng
In the morning you can participate in an event out in the countryside involving children and books. Big Brother Mouse is a not-for-profit, Lao-owned project employing local staff who work towards the goal of helping young Lao citizens develop new and beneficial skills. Started by a retired American publisher with several bright Lao college students, Big Brother Mouse started publishing “books that make literacy fun.” You will visit the children and distribute a “Bucket of Books” which includes five books written and illustrated by Lao writers. Your participation underwrites the books with that money going directly to Big Brother Mouse. A picnic lunch catered by L’Elephant restaurant is included for your enjoyment. You then head to the airport for a flight to Pakse where you are transferred to a car free island located in the Mekong River across from the town of Champasak. You have time for a swim in the pool before dinner is served.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Discovering Champasak
This morning you cross the Mekong to the town of Champasak. Follow a quiet and authentic shaded path along the Mekong River and immerse yourself in the simple life of Southern Laos. The walk offers insights into the daily on-goings of the village, including some traditional handicrafts and spiritual practices. Depending on the season in which you visit you can participate in different village activities such as fishing in the Mekong, basket weaving, rice planting and harvesting. Having worked up an appetite based on the activity selected you can head to a local family to help cook a traditional Lao dish. Rejoin your host to enjoy the homemade lunch. After lunch you are taken to Champasak Spa and Wellness Center for an indulgent treat. Situated on the banks of the Mekong River, the spa’s tranquil ambience makes it a perfect place to truly unwind - experience a traditional massage in a pavilion with a river view. The well-trained local therapist will adept the treatment to your different needs and physical conditions.
Day 8: The Coffee of the Bolaven Plateau
This morning you set off for the drive to Salavan Province and the Bolaven Plateau, an area of highlands sitting just east of Pakse. Most of the region sits between 3,000 and 4,000 feet and features dozens of coffee and tea plantations as well as hill tribe communities. After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the Tad Fane waterfalls located 23 miles from Pakse. These impressive twin waterfalls stand 360 feet high and are fed by the Champy and Pak Koot Rivers. Stop to visit a coffee or tea plantation. The beans grown in this region produce some of the most famous coffees in the world which is sometimes called the “Champagne of Coffee.” Lao coffee is cultivated almost exclusively in the cool fresh air of the Bolaven Plateau by the families who live in its 250 villages.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
