After a spectacular arrival by flight surrounded by lush green Mountains, we are met by our local travel expert. (fast-track immigration service available)

Time and energy permitting, we stop at Wat Visoun - a working temple a little out of town, for an introduction and our first taste of historic Lao culture - the most traditionally preserved Buddhist Country in Southeast Asia.

We then continue to our Hotel and the rest of the day is then free to unwind and relax and start to immerse ourselves into the laid-back Lao environment.

This evening we head into town for dinner at the best local restaurant in town. We then take an evening stroll through the night market perhaps picking up some locally sourced souvenirs, before returning to our hotel.

This morning we start the day early with one of the most memorable sights of Luang Prabang – the ‘Tak Bak’. At dawn, hundreds of saffron robed monks move silently through the streets to collect alms (offerings of food), an ancient daily Buddhist ceremony.

It’s early but well worth the wake up call. We do not participate in the ceremony out of respect for the local culture, we simply view from an appropriate distance and take our photos as we wish.

We then continue to the Kuang Si waterfalls. Just a 40minute drive from Luang Prabang town through very scenic Laotian countryside. Arriving in the early morning we are sure to avoid the crowds and enjoy the pristine falls as they are meant to be enjoyed.

Take a short walk through the jungle to visit the Butterfly Park and the “Bear Rescue Centre” where they conserve the black bears in the northern part of Laos. We then enjoy a delicious Lao style picnic breakfast near the main falls. Once suitably refreshed, we then take some time to explore the various levels of the falls and take a refreshing swim in the crystal clear turquoise water. These beautiful falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools.

After returning to the hotel, we then have free time for lunch, perhaps to be taken at the hotel followed by some relaxing time by the pool or a massage. Then mid afternoon we are picked up by car and taken to the boat pier. We take a relaxing local style riverboat trip with your Travel Expert on the mighty Mekong to visit the famous and sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. Leaving at this time we arrive at the caves after the main tour groups have left.

Although the caves are interesting to some, the real highlight of this boat trip is the river, scenery, and local life that we see along the way and back. Canapés and drinks (with champagne option) are served to your heart’s content.

Pak Ou caves have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that have been placed here by local people since 16th century, when King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. Today many people still pay respect to this tradition.

After exploring the caves, we return by boat the same way allowing us a different view of the stunning scenery. Arriving back to Luang Prabang in early evening just as the sun sets on the Mekong, we then have dinner in town and then return to the Hotel.