Former capital of the Kingdom of a Million Elephants, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1995), Luang Prabang exudes the tranquility and charm that characterizes the entire country. In the heart of the city, sumptuously ornamented wats and pagodas, majestic colonial mansions and traditional Laotian wooden houses bear witness to a vibrant past. Welcome on arrival by your local English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel. End of the day at leisure, with the option of a sunset stroll along the Mekong River and the night market that sets up daily in the late afternoon on the main street (5 pm to 10 pm).

Dinner at the Tropical Mekong Restaurant, located on the Mekong with panoramic views.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Breakfast at the hotel, after which we drive to our starting point for the day’s nature hike to the famous Kuang Si waterfalls. Our driver picks us up and transfers us to Ban Nong Heo; a charming village in the province of Luang Prabang, Laos, known for its serene environment and traditional way of life. Discover the Khmu village with its traditional houses, water buffalo and free-roaming ducks. Watch farmers and blacksmiths at work. The village is surrounded by lush vegetation, making it an excellent starting point for a hike. From Ban Nong Heo, the trek leads to the stunning Kuang Si waterfalls, some 29 kilometers south of Luang Prabang. The route offers magnificent scenery and, on arrival, you’ll see turquoise pools and cascading waters, perfect for a refreshing dip. The falls are surrounded by tropical trees, creating a peaceful setting. Picnic lunch by the turquoise waterfalls.

On our visit to Kuang Si Waterfalls, we’ll have time to marvel at the breathtaking beauty of the falls, which feature tiered cascades of turquoise water tumbling into limestone pools. Don’t forget your swimwear, as you’ll have the chance to cool off in one of the natural pools. This natural attraction features a 50-metre waterfall in spectacular azure pools, and a tree-top café-restaurant at the waterfall’s highest point.

Explore the “Free the Bears” bear rescue center, which cares for moon bears rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. Return by road to Luang Prabang (40 km – approx. 1 hr). Back at the hotel, we have the rest of the day free for dinner. Dinner on own account.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Free day at leisure to enjoy the UNESCO city of Luang Prabang at your own pace. It’s an easy town-village to explore on foot. Day without guide.

Luang Prabang is easy to explore on foot, and its central district boasts a picturesque mix of French colonial and traditional architecture, with the spires of the many Buddhist temples piercing the skyline. We recommend ending the day with a short excursion to Mount Phoussi. The summit of this sacred hill rises to 100 metres and can be reached by climbing over 300 steps. The panoramic view over the city, with the temples below, is well worth the climb. Admire the sunset from the top of Mount Phousi. Go back down the 300 steps to the Royal Palace side and discover the night market, where dozens of vendors display both authentic Laotian handicrafts, such as woven silk, embroidered textiles and silver jewelry, and Chinese-made products, such as counterfeit Beer Lao T-shirts and cotton scarves. The serene atmosphere and beautiful wares make this one of the best places to buy souvenirs.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we rise at dawn around 5:30 a.m. to observe Buddhist monks. This optional activity allows you to take part in the early morning tak bat ritual. Also known as monk almsgiving, this daily event is an important part of Laotian life throughout the country. At dawn, rows of silent monks walking in a line through the streets are a common sight throughout the country. Carrying bowls, they collect food and other offerings from locals in exchange for a blessing. A guide is on hand to explain the customs and strict rules of the ceremony. After the ceremony, you’ll visit a fresh local market to browse the bustling stalls of locals bartering for the freshest produce of the day. We return to the hotel to enjoy breakfast. After breakfast, we board a traditional boat for a cruise on the Mekong to the Pak Ou caves, at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. With an impressive cliff entrance in the middle of lush jungle, these 2 caves are home to hundreds of Buddhas laid down by Laotians over the centuries. Local lunch after visiting the caves.

Return to Luang Prang by boat. Stop to visit Ban Xang Hai, a village known for its production of Lao Lao handicrafts and local alcohol, which can be tasted and purchased on site.
Returning mid-afternoon, we continue with a cultural visit to a local Buddhist temple, focusing on Buddhist culture, architecture, temple etiquette and the daily lives of novices and monks. This is your chance to find out all you ever wanted to know about Buddhism in Laos. We continue this unique experience with a guided meditation (lasting 60 minutes – seated cross-legged on a mat – not recommended for people with knee problems or long sitting times). This experience takes place inside a local temple and gives you the opportunity to learn and practice the same meditation techniques as those taught inside the temple, and will give you a better understanding of the importance of meditation in the monks’ daily lives.

Dinner on own account.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Early breakfast at the hotel or lunch box. Early morning transfer to Luang Prabang airport for our next destination: Pakse. No guide during transfer and flight to Pakse. Arrival in Pakse and welcome by your new local guide.

Departure by road for the Bolaven Plateau (40 km), at an altitude of 1,200 metres, in about 50 minutes. One of the main attractions of this region is the beauty of its natural heritage, which is beginning to acquire an international reputation, with its remarkable waterfalls and lush vegetation. Discover the twin waterfalls of Tad Fane and Tad Yeuang, probably the highest in the country, consisting of two arms plunging over 120 metres, followed by the Tad Pha Souam waterfalls at Bachiang Chaleunsouk, an eco-tourism and cultural park. The Bolaven are also producers of a wide range of products, including coffees renowned throughout the country. Discovery of the plateau and coffee plantations of the Lavens ethnic group, who owe their name to the Bolaven Plateau. Immersion in Laotian coffee-producing villages. Transfer to Champassak from the Bolaven Plateau (60km – 1h45). Cross the Mekong by local ferry to La Folie Lodge Resort, where we’ll stay for our wellness retreat. Check in at the hotel and settle in. Our first introduction to our yoga teacher and yoga class will be from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. Followed by the evening free to relax.

Dinner on own account.

Overnight at La Folie Lodge, in Champassak.

Early this morning our first yoga practice from 7.30 am to 9 am. Breakfast at the hotel.

Champasak, a small town of 40,000 souls on the banks of the Mekong. This former royal city stretches 7 km along the river and is characterized by an architectural style based on a mix of old colonial mansions and traditional Lao houses. But the town’s main attraction remains the magnificent Wat Phou temple, located 8 km from the center, a remarkable pre-Angkorian temple listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. Visit Wat Phou and its museum, undoubtedly the most incredible archaeological site in Laos. The complex of ruins occupies the foothills of a 1,416 m-high mountain, with forest-covered slopes and a flattened summit. On the ridge just north of the complex, a 15 m-high natural monolith evokes the shape of a linga, symbol of the Hindu god Shiva. We recommend wearing sports shoes, long sleeves and a hat for the tour.

Lunch at a local restaurant in Champassak. Return to La Folie Lodge for relaxation. This afternoon our yoga practice is from 5 pmto 6.30 pm.

Dinner at the hotel. Yoga Nidra from 9 pm to 9.30 pm.

Overnight at La Folie Lodge, in Champassak.

Early this morning our first yoga practice from 7.30 am to 9 am. Breakfast at the hotel.

We take part in a cooking class in the local village with a local chef. Immerse yourself in the authentic flavors of rural life with a hands-on cooking class in the village. Guided by local hosts, you’ll learn to prepare traditional Lao dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients, many sourced directly from nearby gardens. After the class, you’ll enjoy lunch in the village, sharing the meal you’ve helped create. This is a unique opportunity to get in touch with local culture, taste homemade specialties and experience the warmth of village hospitality. Return to La Folie Lodge for relaxation, pool, spa and treatment. This afternoon our yoga practice from 5pm to 6.30 pm.

Dinner at hotel.

Overnight at La Folie Lodge, in Champassak.

Early this morning, as an optional extra, we can take part in offerings to the monks in the local village; the famous Tak Bat. Our last yoga and meditation practice from 7:30 to 9:00 am. Breakfast at the hotel. We leave La Folie Lodge for the 4000 Islands at the southern tip of Laos.

We begin our discovery by small traditional boat to the islands of Done Det and Done Khone, through the Si Phan Don region, also known as the 4,000 Islands. The 2 islands, both neighbours, played an important role for navigation on the Mekong during the French protectorate. Visit Don Det, marked by the French colonial presence, then Done Khone Island, renowned for its coconut, bamboo and Kapok crops. Then continue by bike or tuk-tuk to the South-West of the island to discover Li Phi Falls, which form a natural border between Laos and Cambodia, in the heart of a wild and grandiose setting. You can take a trip over the recently built suspension bridge, which offers a breathtaking view of the falls.
The falls are frequented by many fishermen, who plunge large bamboo nets into the powerful currents, catching up to half a ton of fish a day. Return to the hotel for the rest of the day at leisure. Lunch at local restaurant.

Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight at Don Khong, 4,000 islands.

Early breakfast at the hotel. Check out and depart by road for the Cambodian border, on the way we’ll make a stop to visit Khone Phapeng Falls, known as the “Niagara of the Mekong”, the highest waterfall in Southeast Asia, in the only part of the Mekong that remains non-navigable. The Mekong rumbles and rolls its waters over a kilometer in length, with a 30-meter drop in the lower basin of its course. The flow of the falls is one of the largest in the world, said to be twice that of Niagara Falls. We then take the road to the Laos (Nong Khien) – Cambodia (Dong Krolor) border.