A Holistic Retreat in Luang Prabang

📍 Luang Prabang Airport – Luang Prabang (4 km): 15 min

Welcome to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos! 

Upon Landing At Luang Prabang Airport, an EXO Travel representative will be present to assist with VIP Visa Fast Track.  Please have your passport, 1 ID photos and the cost of your Visa ( based on nationality) ready in cash.

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in. After checking in, enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure to explore Luang Prabang independently. 

A little after sunset, meet the guide again for a visit to the Night Market and shops of the main street.
Dinner will be at Bouang, one of Luang Prabang’s most popular diners, offering funky fusion cuisine!

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

Start  the day today with a Private Yoga Course at Hotel with Mrs Khoun, a local Yoga teacher,  at 7am.
 
Following breakfast, explore Luang Prabang with a knowledgeable local guide by bicycle or walking. Visit the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage site and also learn about Laos’ rich, colourful culture. 

Kick off the Luang Prabang half day tour at the former Royal Palace, a centrally-located building that now serves as the National Museum. Venture through the corridors and see intriguing displays of historical relics and informative exhibits.  Then take a short walk to the neighbouring Wat Mai, a Buddhist temple whose gold-covered bas relief is an incredible piece of craftsmanship. While here, learn about Buddhism and how its influence pervades the local culture. 

Continue through the streets of downtown Luang Prabang to Wat Sensoukarahm, a temple noted for its dazzling gold façade. The final visit is Wat Xieng Thong, one of the oldest and most revered temples in the country. The temple is situated on the tip of the city’s peninsula and is filled with ornate carvings and mosaics that have withstood the test of time. Wrap up the Luang Prabang half day tour with a better understanding of this charming, northern Laos city. 

Enjoy lunch at Khaiphaen Restaurant, a Friends International project that equips disadvantaged youth with hands-on training, mentorship, and lasting career opportunities in hospitality. 

This afternoon, meet a member of the TAEC (Traditional Arts and ethnology Center) to learn about Lao Ethnic diversity, textiles and shaman rituals- 1.5 hours ( including museum visit)
Join the director of TAEC for a behind-the-scenes exhibit tour, offering a deeper look at Laos's diverse ethnic communities and their traditions. This exclusive experience includes getting to see the carefully curated collections of traditional textiles, tools, and ceremonial objects, each with its own story of craftsmanship and cultural heritage. The director will share insights into TAEC’s preservation work, local artisans’ contributions, and the impact of modernization on traditional practices. Learn how TAEC is campaigning for policies to safeguard traditional crafts, combat cultural appropriation, and support the resilience of Laos’s ethnic communities against modernization pressures. 

The rest of the afternoon will be at leisure for your to relax and enjoy your hotel facilities.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Begin this spiritual experience in Luang Prabang with an early morning rise. Transfer to the riverside and cross theMekong River to a small village where Buddhist traditions are an integral part of daily life.  Hop on board onboard iMekong Cruise for a private cruise to the other side of the town, Ban Chompet.

Connect with the spiritual side of Laos by spending a morning immersed in Buddhist life. Prepare offerings and present them to orange-robed monks in a serene alms donation ceremony. Meet with monks to discuss Buddhism and join them in a guided meditation session at their hillside temple. Join with locals to prepare offerings for the morning’s alms ceremony. Make a khan dok mai, a traditional donation made of marigolds and palm leaves. Once completed, take the offerings to a nearby temple to take part in the alms giving ceremony.
 
This daily ceremony is practiced throughout the country but is best experienced in small villages, such as this one. Buddhists believe that by giving alms to the monks they will receive merit and good karma in return. Observe the locals as they present offerings to orange-clad monks in the early morning light. Then follow their lead and present the khan dok mai to the resident monks. 
 
The Head Monk will lead a session of guided meditation. This tranquil temple is the perfect place to meditate and refresh the mind and soul.  Once done, the Head Monk usually offers time for guests to relax, sense the present moment.  The friendly monks are very open and will share their views on spirituality, as well as explain their daily routines and activities. Take time to discuss with a few of them and discuss Buddhism.
 
With a refreshed mind and a deeper spiritual connection to Laos, travelers will continue their journey downstream to Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre. They can enjoy lunch at the charming riverside café overlooking the Mekong. A selection of thoughtfully crafted set menus featuring Lao, Western, or fusion dishes is available, each inspired by local ingredients and flavors, all while taking in the serene river views. 

After lunch, take some time to discover the Living Craft Centre. Step into a world of vibrant colors and ancient artistry. The rhythmic hum of looms fills the air as skilled artisans bring centuries-old traditions to life. Get behind the scenes with Ock Pop Tok’s experts into the journey from silkworm to textile, the secrets of natural dyes, and the cultural significance of Lao motifs. Learn about Ock Pop Tok's commitment to fair trade and social enterprise, making a positive impact on local communities.

Return back to the hotel to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. 

Optional Acupuncture Session at Peninsula Massage with Mrs Somchith 

Mrs Somchith is the only laotian acupuncturist in Luang Prabang and will host you in her Massage salon for a session of 1 hour. 

Supplement Price  from 40 USD/group for 1 hour- 6 pax Max

This evening, enjoy dinner at leisure at your hotel in  one of the many restaurants in Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Today is all about food and what better guide to have than chefs from one of Luang Prabang’s best restaurants? Their passion for all things culinary is contagious.

Start the Luang Prabang cooking class with a visit to the city's morning market. This colourful affair is as much a visual feast as it is a culinary feast! Every day the locals gather here to purchase the freshest produce, herbs, fish and other things for their daily needs. The chefs will buy the ingredients needed for the day’s cooking class and explain about the exotic items for sale in the market.  

With a basket-full of ingredients, hop in a van and drive through the countryside to the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Enjoy stunning views of vibrant rice paddies and small villages on the way. Take a short walk to a scenic spot near the falls to commence cooking. The chefs will demonstrate traditional techniques and explain the methodology behind the recipes. Slice, dice and pound fresh herbs and spices to assist in making delicious local dishes. 

The hard work pays off when a delectable lunch is served. Savour the variety of flavours and textures in Lao cuisine, knowing that each item is truly authentic. With a recipe book as a present, it is easy to duplicate the dishes back home. With lunch completed, the cool waters of Kuang Si beckon. There is time for a swim in the turquoise pools, capping off a wonderful day in Luang Prabang.

The waterfall is the perfect place to do a short meditation. Based on the experience you have received from the Head Monk of Hat Siew temple yesterday, practice near the reviving waters and in the shade of a tree. 

Upon returning to town, guests will be signed up for a unique Hmong Herbal Cleanse at one of Asia's most celebrated spas, The Senses at Rosewood. A Hmong Shaman will be on hand to align spirits and cleanse the body and soul of negative and tiring energies. This session lasts one hour but can be extended with additional treatments if desired.

Drive back to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. 

This evening,  our Farewell Dinner will be at Manda de Laos, one of the best tables of Laos. Manda de Laos is enveloped by the historic beauty of three lotus ponds, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, creating an immersive tropical ambiance. The dining area overlooks a magical display of lotus blossoms and floating lilies, while the changing colours of the sky through to dusk, allows guests to dine in candlelit serenity under the stars. If travelling as a couple, it is highly recommended to ask for the Lovers’ table.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

This morning offers a chance to enjoy the town for some last-minute shopping while the VIP Airport Check-In is handled. Passports and checked luggage should be provided to the representative at reception three hours prior to flight departure. The representative will manage airport check-in and immigration services in advance, allowing for a relaxed stay in Laos without the need to rush or deal with paperwork.

Be met by the guide and the private car at the hotel and transfer to the airport for the  departing flight.

Bon voyage!

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast